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You’ve no case, Stallion tells Coscharis, others NEWS

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News Lagos needs N51b to fund police P8 Sports Nigeria drops in FIFA ranking P24 Business 31 onshore/offshore fields for sale P11 www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2682 FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

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ANAMBRA ELECTION FIASCO

Buhari, Akande, Tinubu, Onu, others: Jega must go

•Asiwaju Tinubu addressing the protesters...yesterday. Listening are (from right): Gen. Buhari, Chief Akande, Dr. Onu, Aremo Osoba, Otunba Adebayo and Mallam El-Rufai

PHOTO: NAN

APC leaders march on INEC in Abuja to demand cancellation of election Protesters in Osun, Oyo seek new poll

POLICE barricade on their way and the sun blazing above, All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders marched yesterday on the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in Abuja. Leading the way were former Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, APC Chairman Chief Bisi Akande, former Lagos State Governor Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinu-

THE DEMANDS

•Outright cancellation of the election •INEC should dump multiple voters register •Prosecution of all indicted officials •Redeployment and probe of REC Onukaogu From Yusuf Alli and John Ofikhenua, Abuja

bu, defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP) former chairman Chief Ogbonnaya Onu and many others. Their mission – to demand

the cancellation of the November 16 Anambra State governorship election, resignation of INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega and dissolution of the management of the electoral body. Continued on page 2

•FUR Y OF WOMEN: A group of women among the protesters...yesterday •FURY

PHOTO: NAN

ASUU adamant as govt orders varsities reopening

STORY ON PAGE 4

Minister threatens to sack ‘saboteur lecturers’ ‘It’s empty threat’ •POLITICS P23 •SPORTS P24 •SOCIETY P43 •CITYBEATS P59 •FOREIGN P60 •Fagge

THE NATION FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS ANAMBRA ELECTION FIASCO

Osun, Oyo APC protest M •Former Ogun State Anttorney- General and Commissioner for Justice, Wemimo Ogunde (SAN) (left); Malam Yusuf Ali; Justice of the Appeal Court, Justice Chidi Uwa and Amina Oyagbola, during the Nigerian Law School set 83 Reunion Dinner in Lagos.

•Deputy Managing Director, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), Mr Olumide Sogunle displaying a Mobile Advert Stikcker at its launch in Lagos...yesterday. With him are: Head of Mobile, Mr Gbolahan Dixon (left), Head, Business Development Services, Mr Suraj Bello and Mr . Olufemi Akintola, Manager from Wow Road Show. PHOTO: MUYIWA HASSAN

•From left: Manager, Digital Media, Etisalat Nigeria, Chinenye Faleye; Nigerian rapper & Hip-Hop artiste, Ice Prince and Specialist, Events, Etisalat Nigeria, Dayo Adeyelure, at an autographsigning session by Ice Prince held at the Etisalat Experience Centre in Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island.

•Mr Agele Alufohai, immediate past President, Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (left), receiving a service plaque from the incoming President, Mallam Murtala Aliyu, Mutawallen Gombe, at the institutes 25th biennial conference/ handover in ABuja.

EMBERS of the ruling All Progressives Congress in Osun State yesterday staged a peaceful protest in Osogbo, the state capital, against alleged malpractices in the conduct of the October 16 governorship election in Anambra State. Governor Rauf Aregbesola, led members of the party from the 30 Local Government Areas of the state. The protesters had converged on the Freedom Park in the Old Garage Area of the town as early as 9.00 am from where they moved to the headquarters of the Independent National Electoral Commission along Gbongan Road, Osogbo. The protesters described the election as poorly conducted, saying the INEC had failed woefully in the conduct of the poll. The interim state chairman of the party, Mr. Adelowo Adebiyi, called for the cancellation of the election. About 3,000 aggrieved APC members delivered a protest letter to the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state. A letter, whose contents were not known, were delivered to the Resident Electoral Commissioner in the state, Mr. Rufus Akeju, around 5.50 pm. The governor, after the protest, called for outright cancellation of the result of the election, saying that was what would gladen the heart of all righteous Nigerians. He said: “We will all support

‘We will all support the INEC if it is doing what is right but we will ask for dissolution of the body by the National Assembly when it starts working against the interest of the people’ From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo and Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

the INEC if it is doing what is right but we will ask for dissolution of the body by the National Assembly when it starts working against the interest of the people,” the governor said. The APC in Osun State urged all well-meaning Nigerians, including notable leaders of thought, to prevail on the INEC to ensure that the wish of the people of Anambra counts in the election. The party also enjoined the INEC to restore sanity and integrity into the commission in the overall interest of the country.

Buhari, Akand •Continued from page 1 In a scene reminiscent of the prodemocracy struggle between 1993 and 1998 during the military era, the leaders trekked for about five kilometrer from the APC National Secretariat in Blantyre Street, Wuse II, Abuja to Zambezi Crescent in Maitama District where INEC is located. The initial stage of the trek was piloted by Governors Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun State) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti State) and many members of the National Assembly. The “great trek” was later co-ordinated by a former National Secretary of the defunct Congress for Progressives Change, Buba Galadima, an engineer. But when the procession took off, Gen. Buhari and some top leaders of APC withstood the rigours of standing in an open lorry for the protest march. Others in the lorry were Akande, Tinubu; Onu; a former National Chairman of the defunct All Peoples Party(APP), Alhaji Yusuf Ali; ex-Governor Ahmed Sani Yerima, ex-Governor Segun Osoba; ex-Governor Niyi Adebayo; Senator Nazif Suleiman; APC Deputy National Secretary Mallam Nasir el-Rufai, Senator Abu Ibrahim; and former House of Representatives member Dino Melaye. Others who participated in the hectic protest were Senators

Oluremi Tinubu; Sola Adeyeye; Domingo Obende; Anthony Adeniyi; Ahmed Lawan and Gbenga Asafa. House Minority Leader Femi Gbajiabiamila and Chairman of the House Committee on the Diaspora Abike Dabiri-Erewa were there. Others were the Deputy Minority Chief Whip in the House, Hon. Garba Datti; Deputy Minority Leader of the House of Representatives, Hon. Suleiman Kawu; Hon. Umar Bago; Hon. Adeola Solomon; Hon. Yakubu Balogun; and Hon. Pally Iriase; Hon. Munir Hakeem; Hon. Abayomi Ayeola; Hon. Taiwo Adelekan; Hon. Adeyinka Ajayi; Hon. Gafar Akintayo; Hon. Sunday Adepoju; Hon. Ajibola Famurewa; the APC National Women Leader, Barrister Sharon Ikeazor, APC National Treasurer, and Hajiya Sadiat Umar Farouk, Waving brooms – the APC’s symbol – the brought traffic to a standstill for about two hours on the ever-busy Ademola Adetokunbo Street in Wuse II. Revolutionary songs blared from mounted speakers. Many workers in the business district abandoned offices to identify with the protesters. They held leaflets and placards with the following inscriptions: “Anambrarians, Nigerians are with you”; “Anambra Election: Jega, not the INEC Messiah, Resign Now”;

THE NATION FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS ANAMBRA ELECTION FIASCO

•Aregbesola (middle); Acting Secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Gboyega Famodun (second left); Acting Chairman, Elder Adebiyi Adelowo (third left); one of the Lagos State APC chieftains, Mr Toyin Ogunjinmi (fifth right second row) and others at the protest...yesterday.

Also yesterday, no fewer than 1000 members of the APC in Oyo State protested against the poor conduct of the Anambra state governorship election. The protest, which started around 11am from the Secretariat, was supervised by no fewer than 200 policemen. There were also over 50 police trucks and two Armoured Personnel Carrier

(APC) to enforce the peace and order. The protest was led by the APC acting secretary in the state, Mojeed Olaoya, who submitted a letter to the INEC office to press home their demands. The youths who carried placards with inscriptions such as “Jega has failed Nigerians,” “Jega INEC should be ashamed

and resigned immediately,” “Jega don’t spoil your good name,””A day light robbery,” “No more credibility for Jega,” and “Jega cannot conduct any credible election in 2015,” among others. The letter, signed by Olaoya, read: “The decision by INEC to conduct another supplementary

election slated for the 30th November, 2013 in Anambra State is unequivocally condemned by the entire members of APC, Oyo State chapter. We view that INEC incompetence to conduct a free and fair election in a state in Nigeria is not only embarrassing but portrays a big danger for 2015 general election. “ We therefore feel that INEC

should be re-organised administratively in preparation for 2015 general election. The total election should be cancelled and we call for a new gubernatorial election in Anambra state. “Therefore, our peaceful protest is civil and we believe that our disenchantment with INEC on the Anambra election is noted.”

de, Tinubu, Onu, others: Jega must go “2015, No hope with Jega”; “No Supplementary Election in Anambra”; “Cancel Anambra Governorship Election Now”; and “Election Fraud Must Stop Now”. The procession, which started at about 10.30pm, berthed at the INEC headquarters at about 12.03pm. The situation turned into a battle front with the protesters at one end and combat ready soldiers and policemen at another end. Journalists were left in between as the protesters moved slowly towards the armed soldiers and policemen. At about 100metres to INEC gate, 20 armed policemen, backed by a new Armoured Personnel Carrier with registration number NPF, 635 9C, formed a brick wall to restrict the protesters. The wall was closely supported by a team of armed soldiers in a Hillux van marked ORS 0121. For about five minutes, it was a tug of war between the protesters and the policemen and the soldiers. The protesters succeeded in breaking only the first wall mounted by 20 policemen. Attempts to advance towards INEC’s gate were thwarted by the armoured vehicle and the soldiers. The protesters opted to hold a rally at about 50 metres to INEC’s gate, having achieved their aim to assert their right to protest. They also succeeded in sending the National Secretary of APC, Alhaji Tijani Tumsah, to submit a let-

ter to the Office of the Chairman of INEC. The letter, dated 28th November, 2013, was signed by the National Chairman of APC, Chief Bisi Akande and addressed to INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega. Firing the first salvo at the minirally, Akande said: “If INEC is around to take this, we are ready to give it to INEC. The letter is our protest against the rigging of Anambra election. It is against the rigging of Delta State senatorial election. It is against the rigging of Oguta House of Assembly election. And our coming is to ask Nigerians to support us to stop rigging in Nigeria. There is poverty in Nigeria because of fraud. The rigging of election is the greatest fraud that any nation can have and we want to stop electoral rigging in Nigeria. This is because from our democracy our economy will develop, industrialisation will be established. “So, we are here to say ‘no’ to election rigging and present the letter to INEC. Whoever can come forward, the letter is here.” Clad in a cream kaftan, ex-Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, amid shouts of “Sai Buhari!”, said: “We are here mainly to give the letter to INEC on our representation to do away with the election in Anambra that was conducted and demanding the cancellation of the election totally and

fix another day for the election. The reason we have put it in the letter, which will be handed over to INEC.” Welcomed with a new appellation of Asiwaju of Nigeria, the National Leader of APC, Asiwaju Tinubu, was more pungent in his remarks. He said the rot in INEC must stop with the overhauling of the commission He shouted: “The greatest Nigerian democrats!” We are here to serve warning signal to INEC. As an institution, they do not represent the interest of Nigeria. They are all compromised electoral officers. They have committed criminal offences by rigging elections in Nigeria. The electoral commissioners represent 90% of card-carrying members of PDP. We are calling for dissolution of INEC immediately. “With the amendment of the electoral law, they have never complied with the Uwais Report. They rig; after rigging, because we endure them. They are used to sharing the election money and to promote corruption. “We are rejecting totality the predetermined result of the rigging in Anambra, the Delta Senatorial election, the Oguta House election. They thought they will keep us in lamentation, no, we are no more in lamentation. “We are determined for libertyto liberate Nigeria, to change elec-

tion thievery, change the electoral fraud, to change the institution here. Jega cannot manage the people, he should resign immediately. No one will accept this result from him. We have engaged him enough with excuses; we are no more taking them. This is our institution.” Tinubu urged policemen and soldiers not to attack the protesters because they are fighting for their cause. He added: “Police, your children are involved; your lives are involved. Nigeria police, your children’s life, your future lie here. We can obey you to the extent we are going back now. We have delivered the letter but next time, next time, we will not tolerate you to become the armed wing of PDP. “If the Nigeria Police have become the armed wing of the PDP, let us know. That is the way you are behaving. If Nigerian Army is now representing their patriotic sense to only one party, they should serve us notice and let us know. We all join the army and dabaru (scatter) the whole thing. This nonsense must stop. APC will stop the rigging. From now on, you must rig and roast. God bless Nigeria.” Onu said: “Is there anybody here who is happy with happenings in our country? Is there anybody here who is happy with the way INEC is conducting election in our country?

“The APC will put an end to this. We need free and fair elections in our county. Why is PDP afraid of free and fair elections? Why are they afraid of the people? You must have free and fair elections so that our people will elect those they like. It is only when we do such that we can elect people who will put the interest of our country first. We are saying no to election rigging. We want free and fair election in our country; we want competition in the political arena. Why should this government embark on privatisation? Why should they want competition in the economic arena but do not want it in the political arena? Why should our President promise us in Onitsha that Anambra State governorship election will be free and fair? And everybody knows that that election was not free and fair. Why is it that the President has kept quiet? We want him to speak up; we want free and fair election in our country. Enough of this. We want to make sure that we have free and fair election in our country. Nigerians, we must come out and make sure that elections are free and fair.” Melaye, who did a yeoman job to ensure the success of the protest, said: “Once we have a sanitised electoral system, we will celebrate the obituary of PDP for ever. We are going to sing the old national anthem and we will be done.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 , 2013

NEWS

•Officer in charge of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Superintendent of Police Abba Kyari (left); Gana Peter; Assistant Superintendent of Police Solomon Aruoture; Lawrence Ejeh; Inspectors Ajao Taofeek; Adigun Abolarin; Friday Abiodun and Marcus Andrews – all with their Bravery Police Officers’ awards from Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola at the seventh yearly Town Hall meeting on Security Trust Fund at Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos…yesterday PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

ASUU adamant as govt orders varsities reopening

FTER months of fruitless talks, the universities are set to reopen by government fiat. Uiversity teachers who requested for a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan, got a shocking reply: the government ordered Vice Chancellors to open the campuses. Lecturers are to resume duties immediately or get sacked, if they fail to resume on Monday. Supervising Minister of Education Nyesom Wike handed down the immediate resumption directive yesterday as he accused the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) of intransigence and sabotage. He said the government had met all the conditions that ought to have made the teachers to immediately call off the strike, which started on July 1. Wike said the continuation of the strike, despite several meetings, especially with President Goodluck Jonathan, is an attempt by ASUU to sabotage all efforts by government to address the issues. He told reporters that the government had directed that all Vice Chancellors of Federal universities should immediate-

Threat is empty basket, says ASUU

HE Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday described the Federal Government’s threat to sack lecturers as an “empty basket” that could not hold water. The union said it was vindicated that the government was not committed to implementing any resolutions it reached with the union. The union said the threat would fail, adding that Nigerian public universities needed 60,000 lecturers owing to the government’s failure to employ. ASUU said the government was wasting the time of Nigerians and youths by failing to perfect the resolutions and get the strike suspended. The union said it had reasons to be wary, following the government’s failure to honour its promises to the Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP), resident doctors and health workers who have suspended their strikes. To ASUU, the threat is an insult to the sense and sensibilities of Nigerians who were waiting on the government for positive reaction. From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

ly reopen their campuses for academic and allied activities as directed by their pro-chancellors. The teachers’ strike is on the failure of the government to im-

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan, Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja and Osagie Otabor, Benin

ASUU National Treasurer Dr Ademola Aremu said that the threat confirmed the fears that the government cannot be trusted. His words: “With the latest action, the Federal Government has shown that they are not committed to all they have been saying. We are saying that since we agreed at the meeting that the sum of 200billion is for 2012 and 2013 revitalisation, the Federal Government should deposit same in the Central Bank of Nigeria. We are already in November and December is around the corner. If they don’t do that now, when do they want to do it? We are saying the non-victimisation clause should be included as agreed while the renegotiation of the 2009 agreement should be included as agreed with the President”. “It is a pity, if the Federal Government is not willing to perfect the resolutions reached Continued on page 61

plement the Federal Govt/ ASUU agreement signed in 2009. Wike said the government had met all its commitments and obligations with respect to the agreement. The government, Wike said,

took the decision to reopen the universities following ASUU’s new conditions, which he described untenable. He said: “Consequently on November 4th 2013, in a 13hour meeting, President Good-

mands before INEC, including the cancellation of the Anambra governorship poll. The demands are: •outright cancellation of the Anambra Election, having been marred by serious irregularities and non-compliance with the Electoral Act; •INEC should discard the present fake multiple voters register and produce one authentic voters register that will not disenfranchise any voter and be published 30 days before any election can take place in Anambra State; •suspension and prosecution of all officials of the commission who have ever been indicted for electoral perfidy to purge the commission of such compromised officials; •immediate redeployment and investigation of Onukogu; •we, as a party, we demand honesty and transparency! If our requests above are not acceded, it will confirm that Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) is deliberately by either gross incompetence or more suspicious means) interfering in democracy; and • cancellation of the ma-

nipulated November 16th Gubernatorial election in Anambra State. The APC supported its demands with a comprehensive analysis of the governorship election and how things went wrong. The letter said: “The above subject refers. On the16th November 2013, the good people of Anambra State woke up with great aspiration and expectation to cast their votes to elect a new Governor for the state. “Prior to the date for the Election, the ominous signs of an election that was predetermined to favour specific interests against the run of the electorate support were already clear. When our great party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), noticed these foreboding signs, we immediately drew the attention of the electoral umpire and the whole world to them. “The issues, which our party complained about through official correspondences and various press releases, are several. These include: •The unholy conspiracy between the electoral umpire (INEC) and the Presidency/

Continued on page 61

NASU plans strike

ON academic employees in the universities are warming up for industrial action as a fall out of the resolution of the ASUU strike. They took the decision during the delegates conference in Owerri under the banner of the Non Academic Staff Union ((NASU). The communique was signed by Deputy President/Chairman of the Universities Trade Group, Comrade Sunday Adeyemi and the Deputy General Secretary, Comrade F.J Ajayi. The union said it would go on strike the moment a negative action is directed at its members outside the original agreement reached in the 2009 Federal Government NASU agreement. NASU also expressed worry that its 2009 agreement with the Federal Government was due for review since June, 2012, noting that the non-implementation of the full content of the FG/University based Union 2009 agreement is a political strategy aimed at mitigating early review of the

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

agreement. The Union urged President Goodluck Jonathan to put necessary machinery in motion to commence the upward review of the agreement within the next three months. The Council in session also warned the Federal Government not to create more crisis it cannot manage in the process of resolving the ASUU strike, adding that some of its members, including NAAT and SSANU who were formerly members of the Interim Monitoring Committee set up by the Federal Government in October 23, 2013 to confirm the initial payment made to the Universities by the Federal Government, have been excluded. The Union also sympathised with the family of the late Professor Festus Iyayi who it noted had been in the struggle for a positive change in the nation’s education.

Your case frivolous, Stallion Group tells Coscharis, others

HE Stallion Group yesterday denied having an unfair advantage over others in the federal government’s auto policy due to come into effect next year. In a statement, it rejected allegations of having any exclusive prior knowledge of the policy following which it opened letters of credit ahead of the announcement of the policy on October 2. The coalition of auto dealers led by the Coscharis Group had taken their case to the Senate and the Ministry of Investment. But Stallion Group yesterday accused them of misleading the public through a deliberate misinformation. “The petitions were frivolous, aimed at delaying a wellmeaning federal government policy to help the domestic economy through job creation,” the Stallion group said.

It added that contrary to the petitions by its rivals to the Senate, to its knowledge the petitioners were fully involved and carried along in all the processes leading to the eventual announcement of the government policy. It recalled that the Minister of Trade and Investment Mr Olusegun Aganga, said the stakeholders accompanied him to South Africa for a retreat on the policy in addition to several meetings in the course of formulation of the policy since early last year. The Stallion Group dismissed as unfounded, the allegations that it imported cars having an unfair advantage “based on the so-called or imagined prior knowledge of the policy.” According to Stallion Group, “every serious business organisation should have Continued on page 61

CORRECTION

On page 43 of our yesterday’s edition, the caption of the photograph should have read: New APC members jubilating in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, instead of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital.

We have lost confidence in INEC, says APC

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) yesterday said it has lost confidence in the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). It also made a six-point demand, including the cancellation of the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State. The APC likened the flawed Anambra poll as a coup d’etat against Nigerians. It expressed regrets that the nation was treading the path of political experiments which led to the collapse of the First and Second Republics. It asked for the removal of the Anambra State Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukogu. The party made its position known in a 28th November 2013 letter to the Chairman of INEC, Prof. Attahiru Jega, which it delivered to the commission yesterday. The letter was delivered by the National Secretary of APC, Alhaji Tijani Tumsah, and acknowledged in the Office of the Chairman of INEC. The party said it suspect-

From Yusuf Alli and John Ofikhenua, Abuja

ed a conspiracy between INEC and the PDP and the PDP faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA) to rig the poll. The letter said: “The observed flaws in the election were deliberately planned as a strategic conspiracy of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to rig the Anambra governorship election in favour of their surrogate party, the PDP faction of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA). “With your acknowledgement of these far-reaching vitiating factors, you’re grandstanding to uphold the outcome of the flawed election and your haste to conduct what you call a supplementary election, without first correcting the innate flaws in the electoral process is unacceptable. “We have lost confidence in the ability of INEC as it stands today to organise a free, fair and transparent election anywhere in Nigeria, if the Anambra style is repeated.” The party tabled six de-

PDP to rig the election in favor of APGA. •Mass disenfranchisement of voters through use of multiple voters registers. •Deliberate delay in the distribution of electoral materials in the opposition strongholds. •The disappearance of electoral officials and result sheets meant for opposition strongholds. •The sudden creation of about 3,000 voting units, of which our polling agents did not receive tags. •The unconstitutional 22hour curfew, which was a ploy to give the riggers the leeway to actualise their rigging plans while the vigilance of the electorate was inhibited by the curfew already in place. •The unlawful deployment and use of the military during election and purely civil activities. Our complaint about the Anambra Resident Electoral Commissioner, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukogu and other Federal Commissioners who had proven to be biased through his conduct in previous elections. “Despite INEC getting information of our complaints,

•Jega

we were doubly assured that our fears were founded. The elections that were superintended over by your commission was grossly below any acceptable standard, whether local or internationContinued on page 61

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THE NATION FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS FIVE GOVERNORS JOIN APC

Baraje faction: no going back on defection

HE Alhaji Kawu Baraje faction of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), which defected to the All Progressives Congress (APC) on Tuesday, has said there is no going back on the action. It said its defection was a done deal because a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) on the action had been signed by the faction and APC. However, the Bamanga Tukur-led PDP yesterday congratulated the APC on getting new members. In a statement, the spokesman of the Baraje group, Chukwuemeka Eze, said: “The MoU between us and the APC has been signed by the nPDP National Chairman, Baraje, and the APC National Chairman, Chief Bisi Akande. “In this regard, the public should disregard any statement from whatever source, which tries to give the impression that the merger between us and APC is in danger. The truth is that

‘Merger is political revolution’ By Emmanuel Oladesu

chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Prince Tajudeen Olusi, has hailed the defection of the Alhaji Kawu Baraje-led new Peoples Democratic Party (nPDP) to the APC. He described it as the beginning of a political revolution in the country. Olusi, a former national vicechairman (Southwest) of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria(ACN), said the defection was a step towards political stability. The elder statesman and Second Republic House of Representatives member saluted the courage of the governors and principal officers of the nPDP and the perseverance of APC leaders, especially Chief Bisi Akande, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. He said both parties pressed forward, despite the cynicism expressed by the PDP that the alliance will not see the light of the day. Urging the new members to support APC leaders, Olusi said the governors would write their names in gold, if their struggles herald the birth of a progressive government at the centre in 2015. He said: “The merger of the nPDP and the APC is the beginning of a silent and desirable revolution, a political revolution in Nigeria. It is part of the revolution needed for the effective transformation of this country. “Nigeria needs change and progressive forces must come together to move the country forward.” A former Rector of the Lagos State Polytechnic, Mr. Olawumi Gasper, said more professionals are joining the APC because it has revived ideological politics. Gasper said: “The polity is now set for a titanic struggle between the progressives and forces of conservatism. Nigerians have a choice between a party that has produced failed governments for 14 years and a party of promise with antecedents of good governance in the APC-governed states. 2015 is the year of national liberation by the APC.”

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

the merger is waxing stronger by the day and that our resolve to save our fledgling democracy is unshakable. “President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP leadership should come to terms with the fact that PDP is now an opposition political party and Jonathan should start writing his handover notes as APC is set to take over the Aso Rock Presidential Villa in 2015, so as to give Nigerians the dividends of democracy they have been yearning for.” Eze assured PDP members in the National Assembly intending to move to the APC of security of their tenure, saying their seats are guaranteed by relevant provisions of the Nigerian Constitution and the Electoral Act. He said: “For the avoidance of doubt, there is no

•PDP congratulates APC danger of them losing their seats as made clear by Sections 68(1)(g) and 109(1)(g) of the 1999 Constitution in relation to the status of members of a legislative house (state and national), who defect from the political party on whose platform they were elected to join another party. “The wordings of the aforesaid sections are in agreement with those of Sections 64(1)(g) of the 1979 Constitution given judicial interpretation by the Supreme Court in the case of FEDECO Vs Goni (1983) FNR 203. “This case was argued by the best legal minds of that era (Chief FRA Williams SAN and GOK Ajayi SAN). The court held that such a member keeps his seat if his defection is as a result of a division or split in his party. “In this regard, particularly now that we have the

majority in the National Assembly, our members in the National Assembly should express no fear, as they are protected by the Constitution, since Tukur and his cohorts have succeeded in splitting the PDP into old and new, so they are free to join any party of their choice.” Apparently in response to Eze, PDP spokesman Chief Olisa Metuh said: “As for the APC, we congratulate them on their new entrants, but we also recommend to them the wise words of Chinua Achebe from his seminal work Things Fall Apart that a man who brings home ant-infested faggots should not complain if he is visited by lizards.” Metuh argued that what happened between the nPDP and the APC was not a merger, adding that a merger can only occur between two or more distinct parties.

He said there is only one party in the merger, the APC, adding that the nPDP was never a party. Metuh said: “This was established on October 10, when a Lagos High Court gave judgment against the nPDP. “And on October 11, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) wrote the nPDP to say that the Turkur-led PDP is the only recognised party by that name”. “The so-called merger is an opportunistic cross-carpeting of disloyal elements into the APC. “The PDP leadership is losing no sleep over the defectors, because disloyalty is a habit and it is only a matter of time before men who are disloyal to their mother would become disloyal to their step mother.”

From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

The governor’s supporters in the PDP have been mobilising members for the APC ahead of the 2015 general elections. Speaking at a stakeholders’ meeting on why he joined APC, Nyako said with the anti-democratic practices rooted in the PDP, no decent politician will remain in the party.

He said PDP betrayed the people of Adamawa, despite their contributions to its victories at all levels in previous elections, including the last presidential poll. Nyako said the plight of Adamawa people under PDP was like that of the Israelites under Pharaoh, necessitating their mass exodus. He said: “God ordered Moses to strike the Red Sea, paving the way for the Israelites to escape!

By Linus Obogo, Assistant Editor

•Nyako

God has ordered us to join APC and that is why me and the entire state are joining APC.“

Kwara APC welcomes nPDP

OME members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Kwara State yesterday said they were prepared to accept the Senator Bukola Saraki-led Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) into APC, urging the new members to respect the APC’s structure. Speaking with reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, an APC chieftain, Rev. Bunmi Olusona, said: “The Bukola Saraki-led PDP is welcome to theAPC. We urge the group to abide by the terms of the people it met on ground. They cannot tell us that we have no structure. They cannot dictate to us, as we laboured to build the party.” Olusona, who was a caretaker committee

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

member of the defunct Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) in the state, said: “We were shocked to read in the papers comments attributed to the Kwara PDP chairman. We think it is only fair to address him now as former chairman, since they have formally ditched the PDP, Alhaji Ishola Fulani, that the APC to which they have purportedly defected has no structure in Kwara State and that anyone who wants to be part of the party (APC) should and must come to them.” Former Secretary of the nPDP in the state Prince Afolayan said the party never said the APC had no formidable structure in the

state. He said: “The party chairman was probably quoted out of context. APC remains a credible option to the PDP, as it houses progressive minds. The merger will ensure an all inclusive administration in the state that will consolidate the current transformation and deliver more dividends of democracy.” A former member of the House of Representatives, Bashir O. Bolarinwa, said the people would benefit from the merger. Bolarinwa said: “It is on this strength that we enjoin our teeming followers in Kwara State to be steadfast and never be discouraged, as we shall continue in the struggle for political and economic freedom of our

The PDP spokesman restated President Goodluck Jonathan’s desire to dialogue with “dissenting” chieftains of the party, including those that have left the party. He said: “And lest anyone thinks that the PDP is diminished because of the departure of people who were in reality fifth columnists, we say that a tree that has been pruned of its under-performing branches grows better and blossoms with new life. This is the case in biology as well as in politics.”

Tofa hails five governors

We were like Israelites under Pharaoh, says Nyako DAMAWA State Governor Murtala Nyako has said the people of the state, under the leadership of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), were like the Israelites under Pharaoh. He urged his supporters to go and register with the All Progressives Congress (APC). Nyako ordered that PDP flags at public buildings be replaced with APC flags.

•Baraje

people. The interest of the state should be paramount in our minds. The development will never place one above the other, but allow a robust contest within the party. “ We are committed to the ideals of the founders of APC, which is to rescue the nation from perpetual poverty, high handedness in power and economic deprivation. “As the popular saying goes that running from pillar to post cannot solve the incursion of an enemy. If you run away from Ila, who says you won’t meet another one in Ilala? We have a responsibility to build the party together and entrench the principles of fair play and equity, where the pride of every member will be guaranteed.”

•From left: Sector Head of Operations, Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Lagos, Adeoye Irelewuyi; Zonal Head of Operations John Meheux; Zonal Commanding Officer, RS2 HQ , Kabiru Lawal and Sector Commander, Ogun State, PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID Adegoke Adetunji after the sensitisation of residents on ‘Ember Months’ in Lagos.

A chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) and former presidential candidate of the defunct National Republican Convention (NRC), Alhaji Bashir Tofa, has hailed the defection of five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors to the APC. He described it as a relief to people who crave a change in the country. Tofa said the defection was in the best interest of democracy and good governance. Urging the APC to be accommodating, he said: “Now, the hard work must begin and the best place to start is by sustaining a level playing field and internal democracy in the APC. “Everybody must be allowed to aspire to any position he/she wishes without impediments. Zoning, especially of the presidency, must not be mentioned at all in the APC. Let every Nigerian feel free to contest any position he/she likes and let the delegates be the judge. “The incoming governors and their supporters must have the same rights and opportunities as old members. We must all see ourselves as members of the APC, without the label of our former parties or factions. We in Kano, as I hope in other states, will welcome our brothers and sisters into the fold. “I am optimistic that with the gallant act by these patriotic governors and their supporters, the beginning of the end of PDP rule is clearly in sight. I hope we will not bungle the opportunity by selfish impositions and lack of patience.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS

N500b SURE-P cash not missing, says Kolade

HE outgoing Chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), Dr. Christopher Kolade, said yesterday N500 billion is neither missing nor unaccounted for. The former Nigerian Ambassador to the United Kingdom (UK) said his imminent exit from SURE-P was not the fallout of the controversy generated by the alleged missing funds. Kolade said he, in September, wrote to President Goodluck Jonathan that he wished to retire from the programme. The former envoy ad-

Defection: Blame president’s aide From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

FORMER President of the Nigerian Medical Association (NMA), Dr Friday Nwator, has blamed the defection of five Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors on the Special Adviser to President Goodluck Jonathan on Political Affairs, Ahmed Gulak. Nwator, who is also the archbishop and president of the International Integrity Bishops College and Faithful Ministers World Network, yesterday addressed reporters in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. He said: “Gulak should be blamed for the defection of the five governors to APC because of the way he talks down on people.” The cleric said the presidential aide should have realised that he occupies a public office and should, therefore, guard his utterances. Nwator advised Gulak to stop creating enemies to avoid putting road blocks on the President’s path ahead of the 2015 elections. According to him, Gulak needs to guard his utterances and “stop abusing anybody that holds a contrary view to that of the President.”

From Dele Anofi, Abuja

vised that to make the subsidy fund more effective and beneficial to Nigerians, its management should be included in the determination and formulation of programmes for identified areas of intervention. Kolade spoke at the plenary of the committee in Abuja where he said the reports of the missing funds were unfounded. He said: “The allegation of missing N500 billion remains a rumour because there is nothing like that. It is only sad that efforts were not made to find out the truth

from SURE-P. The report was mischievous because it was written out of ignorance. “There should be arrangements for finding out the truth rather than writing out of ignorance. We have a report with the Senate Committee where details of our funds are contained. “The Federal Government’s share of the reinvested subsidy fund is 41 per cent while the states and local government were to share 54 per cent between them. The rest five per cent was for the Ecological Fund. This means that the committee is only responsible for 41 per cent of the fund.

“Whoever started the rumour said the committee appeared before the National Assembly and could only account for N300 billion of the N800 billion. In other words, we have probably accounted for our 41 per cent. “So, what we are saying is: does the remaining N500 billion truly unaccounted for or missing? The answer is no, because we know that the 59 per cent is allocated to the states, local governments and the Ecological Fund. That shows that the fund is not missing.” The SURE-P chairman regretted that the alleged missing funds could generate an

editorial in a national newspaper (not The Nation). He said: “It is regrettable that a respected newspaper could do that and I see it as a waste of editorial energy. “This is because the readers have been betrayed by not finding out the truth. We have always been open with our finances and the Minister of Finance has often published in the press the amount of money allocated to each state and local government every month. “For the records, we have written reports and have presented it to the National Assembly.”

Reps to stop govt from mopping up unspent funds THE House of Representatives has begun plans to ensure that unspent capital project funds are no longer mopped up and returned to the treasury by December 31. The House Committees on Appropriation and Finance have been mandated to examine the constitutional stand on the issue and how best to address it. The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion on a matter of urgent public importance by Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu), who said the Federal Government should be compelled to stop the end-of-December mopup of funds to contracts. Okechukwu cited the findings of the Presidential Committee on Assessment of Capital Projects, which discovered that there were 11,886 abandoned projects across the country in 2011. He said the economy was affected by returning the unspent funds meant for capital projects to the treasury by December

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

ending. The lawmaker noted that a dismal release of funds was responsible for the poor utilisation of obligated funds. According to him, to return such funds, which have been appropriated for by December, encourages corruption, because unexecuted projects are often paid for because of the fear of returning the funds. Okechukwu said: “We are not asking that all unspent funds should not be mopped up. It is only those meant for capital projects, and it is because of the economic implication on infrastructure development and employment. “Obligated funds should be retained in the agency’s accounts, like others should and as dictated by law...”

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

IVE thousand and twenty-five new lawyers yesterday graduated from the Nigerian Law School at its annual Call-to-Bar ceremony in Abuja. The Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, advised the “new wigs” to uphold the ethics of the legal profession in carrying out their duties. She educated them on their responsibilities as “officers of the court”, saying their duties require them to assist the court in dispensing justice at all times. The CJN advised the new lawyers to be punctual and neat in their duties and appearances. Justice Mukhtar said: “A lawyer should always be attired in a proper and dignified manner and abstain from any apparel or ornament calculated to attract attention. “Every lawyer should treat the judge and magistrate with utmost courtesy.

NAFDAC, others burn N30m seized products By Amidu Arije

company, Asco Investment Limited, in conjunction with the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) and the National Agency for Food and Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), has burnt counterfeit Ambi-Pur air fresheners valued at N30 million. The company has the franchise to import the product. Asco’s Managing Director, Sam Anyanwutaku, said the company wanted to take a legal action against the importer but dropped the plan when the importer agreed that the fake products be burnt. The importer was also said to have agreed to a written agreement in the presence of his lawyer not to breach the terms of the agreement. •Members of the Oyo State chapter of the All Progressives Congress (APC) protesting Anambra governorship election in Ibadan... yesterday.

Reps grill Foreign Ministry over N2b renovation bill HE House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Relations yesterday queried the Ministry of Foreign Affairs over a N2 billion bill for the renovation of the home of Nigeria’s Permanent Representative to the United Nations (UN). The property, sitting on 16.6 acres of land in Tarry Town, New York, the United States, was bought in 1961 by Nigeria’s late Prime Minister, Alhaji Abubarkar Tafawa Balewa. The Committee Chair Nnena Elendu-Ukeje said the House on November 5 mandated its committee to investigate the matter because of an alleged conspiracy, which allegedly inflated the figure for the repairs of the property to force the Federal Government sell it cheaply. It was learnt that the public hearing was meant to determine the veracity or otherwise of the allegation. The investigation followed a motion sponsored by Yakubu Dogara (PDP, Bauchi), alleging

Law School graduates 5,025

•’No plan to sell Nigerian property in New York’ From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

the intention to surreptitiously sell the building for N2.754 billion. But the Supervising Minister for Foreign Affairs, Prof. Viola Onwuliri, denied the alleged plan when she appeared before the public hearing of the House of Representatives Committee on Foreign Affairs. The minister was represented by the Permanent Secretary, Mr Martins Uhomoibhi, who said the ministry received a bill of $16.9 million for a new design and development of the property. According to him, $12.8 million was for the renovation of the structure. Uhomoibhi said: “The ministry cannot be party to any plan to sell the property. It is not in the power or the mandate of the ministry to negotiate or sell any

property. We have directed the mission that whatever it has must be put to instant use to renovate the property.” The permanent secretary said the New York property had deteriorated because of the dearth of funds to renovation it. He explained that no major renovation had been carried out on the property since it was purchased in 1961. Uhomoibhi said: “It has not been sold and there’s no intention to sell it. To the best of our knowledge, as a ministry, we are aware of the essence of the monument and what it means to Nigeria. “Again, we have no plans on the sale of the property. We have the responsibility to preserve what it means for Nigeria and Nigerians. I think it is a lie; it is a rumour. “The United States has listed the property as a monument; it can’t be sold in that manner. It

will be reckless to allow that edifice to go that way. More so, the sale of such property takes a lot of processes, including legalisation and registration, with the host country.” The permanent secretary said of the $1.6 million released for the building’s renovation in 2011, only $1.1 million was cashbacked. He added that the amount was rejected by prospective contractors because it was insufficient. Alhaji Usman Sarki, Nigeria’s deputy permanent representative to the UN, assured that the mission was not contemplating selling the property. He said: “I want to assure Nigerians that the property is still under the control of the mission.” Prof. Ade Adefuye, the Nigerian ambassador to the U.S, in a letter to the committee on the issue, said: “Let me say that I am

surprised. Till now, I do not believe that any plan exists to sell the house in Tarry Town. “You will recall that four houses belonging to the Nigerian Embassy in Washington D.C were sold in 2006. The mission in Washington has had to be paying so much on rent when those houses sold should have either been commercialised or turned to proper economic use in the interest of the mission and country.” Members of the committee vowed to block the sale of the property, should the rumour be true. They said the ministry, in 2006, sold four property belonging to the Federal Government without due process. The committee gave the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), which was represented by a director, Mr. Ayo Aderibigbe, a week to tell the committee, if the sale of the four property in Washington and another in Moscow, in 2005 and 2006, followed due process.

Ecological fund: Reps threaten erring contractors From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

HE Uche Ekwunifeheaded House of Representatives Committee on Environment has threatened to issue a warrant of arrest on contractors handling Ecological Fund projects in the Southeast “for failing to appear before the committee for explanations on the shoddy jobs they have been executing.”. The committee ordered the permanent secretary of the Ecological Fund Office to ensure that the contractors appear before it or risk the termination of their contracts and arrest. In a statement yesterday in Abuja, Ekwunife said the committee was also considering ordering the refund of funds collected for the jobs, which were not executed as stipulated in the contractual agreements signed by the affected companies.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS

How to end corruption in Africa, by Malawi’s President

FRICAN leaders can effectively curb corruption if they are willing to risk their political careers, Malawian President Dr Joyce Banda said yesterday. According to her, most leaders are reluctant to battle graft head-on for fear of losing a re-election or stepping on many toes. Banda said corruption remains Africa’s greatest impediment to development, adding that it fights back when genuine effort was made to curb it. She spoke in Lagos on the topic: Genuine Democracy: The Price and the Prize, which she delivered at the 14th session of the Emmanuel Onyechere Osigwe-Anyiam-Osigwe lecture series. Banda recalled that to reduce waste in her government and channel resource for public good, she sold the multimillion dollar presidential jet

By Joseph Jibueze

and initiated other measures to curb excessive government spending. “I have chosen to put the fight against corruption ahead of my political career. Despite blackmails, I will not stop doing this job,” she said. She is willing to take “odd, risky and unpopular decisions” so long as they are in the people’s interest. “Somebody has to do it,” she said. According to her, democracy is about improving the people’s welfare, not about winning elections and assuming power for the sake of it. Government, she said, should exist to serve the masses and not the parochial interests of those in power. “The real challenge lies in democracy reducing poverty and impacting lives for good. Our democratic system must be transformatory,” she said. Banda warned: “A demo-

•Prof Ibrahim Agboola Gambari... yesterday. cratic government that cannot provide the people with basic standards of living may not survive for long.” She said African leaders must move away from a common characteristic of not being accountable to the people. According to her, some leaders “are more accountable to donors than to the people,” adding that she dreams of a time when donor agencies would become mere development partners to African states. Banda spoke against divisive politics, saying it could not aid achievement of democrat-

ic growth. ‘’The best cause is not to alienate the opposition, but to make them part of governance and take their criticisms in good faith. “I have on, several occasions, invited opposition leaders to the State House for consultations,” she said. What Africa needs, Banda believes, are “servant leaders” because “they are better placed to deliver dividends of democracy.” “They (servant leaders) fall in love with their people and their people fall in love with

• Dr Joyce Banda...yesterday. them,” she said. She urged governments to “do more to address the high level of inequality and poverty” in Africa, even as she would like to see more women get involved in governance. “As women, we’re required to deliver 10 times more than men. Women must not be discouraged from taking leadership positions or contributing to democracy.” Nigeria’s former Permanent Representative at the United Nations (UN), Prof Ibrahim Gambari, who chaired the event, said African

FOI: NCAA won’t reveal purchase records of armoured cars

IGERIA Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) has said it cannot release the procurement records for the purchase of the two controversial bulletproof cars to two non-governmental organisations (NGOs) seeking access to them. The two armoured cars were bought for Aviation Minister, Ms Stella Oduah. The NCAA said revealing the records to the NGOs

By Seun Akioye

would undermine the ongoing administrative and criminal probe into the matter. The agency took the position when it responded to a joint request for the documents by Media Rights Agenda (MRA) and the Public and Private Development Centre (PPDC) under the Freedom of Information (FOI) Act, 2011. MRA and PPDC wrote to

NCAA’s Director-General, Mr. Folayele Akinkuotu, on October 21, asking for detailed information on the procurement records for the two BMW 760 LiHSS vehicles. The groups asked for copies of the procurement and contract records for the purchase of the cars, including: evidence of budgetary allocation for the procurement process; the procurement

plan for the purchase; evidence of advertisements of the planned purchase in various newspapers, the NCAA website, the Procurement Journal, international publications, among others, inviting prospective bidders to submit bids for the procurement; and a list of all bids tendered for the procurement from when it was advertised till the close of the bid; among other documents.

But in a four-page reply dated November 11 and signed on behalf of the Director-General by NCAA’s Legal Adviser, Mr. E.D. Chukwuma, the agency said: “Some of the information you have requested for exist.” The NCAA said it was withholding the information on the grounds that the exemptions in sections 12 and 26 of the FOI Act were applicable to the request.

We’ll soon finalise labour laws, says Fed Govt

HE Federal Government will soon finalise labourrealted laws, which have been pending for some time, the Minister for Labour and Productivity, Chief Chukwuemeka Wogu, has said. The minister spoke yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the ninth labour relations summit organised by the Michael Imoudu National Institute for Labour Studies (MINILS). Wogu explained that the goal was to bring the country’s labour statutes and administration system in line with international best practices. He said: “Some of our recognised achievements in this regard include the new minimum wage law and Employees Compensation Act, which benefited from our technical

•Ahmed seeks review of employment laws From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

input and advocacy work during processes leading up to the enactment. “We made similar interventions with respect to the process that ultimately brought about the re-classification of the National Industrial Court (NIC) as a superior court of record-the national policy on productivity. We expect that the provisions and procedures set out in the policy will foster national development. “Any casual observer of our work will not fail to notice our emphasis on proactive measures. By espousing dialogue and democratic participation, we have been able to resolve many

industrial relations challenges before they degenerated to disruptive levels.” Also, Kwara State Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed called for review of employment laws to protect the interest of workers. The governor said the review of the employment laws became necessary because “a situation where workers are dismissed, especially in the private and informal sectors without due process or where employees are barred from forming, or joining labour unions, is inimical to freedom of association and the right to fair hearing and must therefore be stopped through appropriate legislation”. He added: “As we prepare

Tanzania to model Nigeria’s GES scheme From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

HE Tanzanian government has said it will adopt Nigeria’s Growth Enhancement Support (GES) model for its farmers, following the success of the scheme. Tanzanian delegates spoke on their plan to adopt the scheme when they visited the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina. They said the visit was to partner the ministry to understudy the scheme and replicate it in Tanzania. A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Acting Director, Press and Public Relations, Mr Grey Anosike, quoted the head of the delegates, Dr. Damian Gabagambi, as saying that the nation’s policies on agricultural development had been a subject of discussion at international fora and was worth emulating. Gabagambi said: “Tanzania, just asNigeria’s agricultural practice before 2012, was dominated by a prevalence of elite culture. “In Tanzania, middle men and political farmers are billionaires while the actual farmers, who labour to feed the country, get poorer...”

for another national dialogue, we must bring the issues of collective bargaining as it concerns the liberalisation of wages to the fore so that we can legislate a position that addresses the concern of workers and consider the financial capabilities of states.” Represented by his deputy, Elder Peter Kishira, the governor noted that government must create spaces for engagement with key stakeholders, such as labour, to gauge public needs. Ahmed said such engagement with labour is often forced by threats of or strikes. He also said organised labour, as an important index of legitimacy, must ensure that the laws guiding the labour sec-

NCWD to pursue gender issues

HE National Centre for Women Development (NCWD) will next year begin advocacy drive on gender issues to ensure that Nigerian women get maximum benefits from Federal Government programmes through government agencies. NCWD’s Director-General Onyeka Onwenu spoke on the plan and other issues when she visited Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi in Abuja. Onwenu said Nigerian women were not aware of the programmes government agencies had prepared for them. “The NCWD intends to embark on an advocacy drive, tagged: NCWD Road Show,” she said. According to her, the programme will be carried out in all the geopolitical zones within three years. Onwenu explained that through the programme, the centre would create awareness for women, advocate support for gender issues, build the capacity of rural women and counsel them on the best ways to key into government programmes.

PHOTOS: SOLOMON ADEOLA

countries must do a stocktaking of how far they have come. “Some two decades after African countries began the process of restoring multi-party politics and democratically elected governments founded on constitutional order, citizen rights and the rule of law, the time is right for us to engage in some stock-taking. “Such an exercise would enable us to assess the quality of our efforts with a view to deepening the roots of democratic governance across our continent,” Gambari said.

‘Deficient procurement bane of PPP’ Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

HE President of the Nigerian Institute of Quantity Surveyors (NIQS), Mr Agele Alufohai, has said deficient procurement and poor project packaging are the major causes of the failure of Public Private Partnerships (PPPs) in Nigeria. Alufohai spoke in Abuja at the 25th biennial conference/ general meeting of the society, on the theme: Nigeria’s Quest For Investment and Growth: Releasing the Potential of Construction Sector Public Private Partnership, held at the International Conference Centre.

Surveyors hold seminar

•Ahmed

tor reflect their contemporary needs and interests. The governor, who hailed the organised labour and the MINILS for promoting industrial harmony and excellent labour administration in the state, assured that his administration “will continue to promote the well being of all our workers through prompt payment of wages, regular training, access to affordable housing and health insurance scheme”.

EWLY qualified estate surveyors and valuers will be inducted at a conference of the Nigerian Institution of Estate Surveyors and Valuers (NIESV) in Abuja on December 5. The Chairman of the Investiture Planning Committee, Otunba Victor Ayeye, said 255 of the candidates certified by the Estate Surveyors and Valuers Registration Board would be admitted as associate members. The conference will hold at the Golden Hall of the New Chelsea Hotel in Abuja.

‘Let’s live together peacefully’

By Amidu Arije

member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Bisi Yusuf, has urged Nigerians to live peacefully with one another, irrespective of their religious differences and inclinations. The lawmaker spoke in Lagos at the 15th annual harvest and thanksgiving service of the Cherubim and Seraphim Movement Church, Amazing Grace District at Iyana-Ipaja. He said since no religion preaches violence, it was necessary for everyone to avoid preaching intolerance. Yusuf said: “Every religion preaches peace. So, everyone should live together in peace, irrespective of our religious differences or inclinations.” The Chairman and General Leader of the church, Special Apostle Solomon Aiyegbusi, corroborated Yusuf’s call for peaceful coexistence among all religions in the country. He said: “Let’s have faith in God and worship Him well, because you can’t worship God and mammon. We should be united because united we stand, divided we fall.”

THE NATION FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS ‘Ijebu state can be created’

EPUTY Senate President Ike Ekweremadu yesterday said it is possible to create Ijebu state, despite stringent constitutional provisions. Ekweremadu spoke in Abuja after receiving a fresh request for the creation of Ijebu state from the Coordinator of the Ijebu State Movement, Otunba Timothy Adebanjo, and a delegation of prominent traditional rulers and elder statesmen in Ijebuland. He said the Senate Committee on Constitution Review would send the request to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) once the requirements have been met. Ekweremadu said: “As lawmakers, we believe in the rule of law. We have always insisted that those who will like to have a state created for them must comply with the provisions of the Constitution.

Lagos needs N51b to fund police

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola yesterday said about N51 billion is needed annually to buy and fuel 9,000 police patrol vehicles. Fashola spoke at the Seventh Annual Town Hall Meeting on Security held at the Civic Centre on Victoria Island, themed: “Sustaining local responses to rising national security challenges”. One of the highpoints of the meeting, which was organised by the Lagos State Security Trust Fund (LSSTF), was the presentation of awards and cash gifts to over 50 police officers for their bravery in foiling crime in the last year. Fashola said N45 billion was needed to buy 9,000 Toyota Hilux vans at N5 million each and N6.3 bil-

•Fashola seeks improved evidence-gathering By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

lion to fuel them. He said: “The state does not have such resources, either from our direct government spending on security or from the support that you citizens give through the Security Trust Fund.” Fashola said the government would approach the task in batches by first providing 100 patrol vehicles to the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) and three vehicles each to the 13 area commands and 106 divisional police stations. This brings the number of vehicles to be bought in the first batch to 357. He said: “The tentative cost of this critical intervention, including vehicle pur-

chase, communication equipment, branding, servicing and fueling for one year is about N2.3 billion. While these will help our crime prevention strategy, they will not deter all crimes.” Fashola said the state is working with international partners to develop crime scene management and evidence gathering capacity, “so that when criminals successfully commit crimes, we will be able to gather evidence to track, prosecute and punish them”. He urged well-meaning Nigerians and corporate organisations yet to contribute to the LSSTF to do so and advised residents to be security conscious. LSSTF Chairman Remi Makanjuola said the trust

fund has, over seven years, put together N12 billion in cash and asset to improve security. LSSTF Executive Secretary Fola ArthurWorrey decried the Federal Government’s attitude to funding the police. He said N311 billion was budgeted for the police this year, of which N293 billion is for personnel cost. Arthur-Worrey said: “This leaves just N8 billion for overheads and N10 billion for capital expenditure. Only N400 million was set aside in the budget for the purchase of vehicles.” He said the projection leaves a policeman with an operational cost of N21,000 annually.

ERA honours Fayemi

By Seun Akioye

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi is the winner of this year’s Environmental Rights Action/ Friends of the Earth Nigeria (ERA/FoEN) Premiere Award for Social Security, Livelihood and Environmental Protection. Presenting the award to Fayemi in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital, at the sixth Annual National Environment Consultation (NEC), tagged: “Our Forest, Our Life”, ERA/ FoEN Executive Director Dr. Godwin Ojo said it was in recognition of the governor’s support to vulnerable people in the society, especially his Social Security Scheme for the Elderly. Ojo said the scheme aligns with ERA/FoEN’s plan to establish a national social security scheme to be called the National Basic Income Scheme (NaBIS).

ASUU strike: Ekiti students seek God’s intervention

IRED of the fivemonth-old strike of the Academic Staff Union of Nigerian Universities (ASUU), students of Ekiti State origin in various tertiary institutions held yesterday a prayer session, seeking God’s intervention. Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu and some clerics were at the session held at the Lady Jibowu Hall of the Ekiti Government House. The deputy governor said the students did the right thing by taking the problem to God. She said it was unfortunate that ASUU and the Federal Government remained adamant, despite the intervention of well-meaning Nigerians. She said the death of former ASUU National President Prof. Festus Iyayi in a road accident on the Abuja-Lokoja Road introduced another twist to the dispute. Mrs. Adelabu expressed hope that the students’ prayers would yield the desired result soon and warned the undergradu-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

ates against engaging in anti-social activities. She said the lecturers were pressing for their rights and improved facilities to strengthen the standard of education. Mrs. Adelabu urged the students to engage in profitable ventures and review their lecture notes regularly as they await the re-opening of varsities. Pastor John Aladete, in his sermon, urged the students not to be daunted by the protracted strike, but to hope in God for the best. Prayers were led by the Government House Chaplain, Rev. Fr. Anthony Famuagun; Pastor Tunde Akinola of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG); Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Youths Pastor Mike Awopetu and Special Assistant to the Governor on Student Affairs Adeoye Aribasoye, among others.

•Mrs. Adelabu (second left); Fr. Famuagun (left); Pastor Awopetu (second right) and Aribasoye….yesterday.

•A cross-section of the undergraduates….yesterday.

400,000 living with HIV/AIDS in Ogun

HE Ogun State government yesterday said the number of People Living With HIV/ AIDS (PLWHIW) in the state has risen to 400,000, which is 100,000 higher than last year’s 300,000 figure. Commissioner for Health Olaokun Soyinka spoke with reporters in Abeokuta, the state capital, on preparations for the World AIDS Day celebration. He said the prevalence rate has been oscillating since 1996 and the government has been fighting the virus’ spread aggressively through public sensitisation, HIV testing and counselling and the provision of anti-retro viral drugs, but it seemed the state was losing the war. Soyinka said Ijebu-Ode has the highest prevalence rate,

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

followed by Abeokuta. He ascribed Ijebu-Ode’s high infection rate to the fact that the community was an economic and social hub, as well as its high students population. Soyinka said: “Though there is aggressive dissemination of information to the people about the deadly virus, there is low comprehension in rural areas. “The rate of infection is highest among couples, because some do not know their status and do not use condoms. And in using condoms, we stress correct use of condoms. New infections among couples, referred to as low risk

heterosexuals, represent 45.17 per cent. “This year’s World AIDS Day celebration, themed: “Take charge of your life, know your HIV status”, is to encourage people to know their status and avoid stigmatisation of infected persons. Stigmatisation is one of the reasons people are afraid of knowing or disclosing their status, so how do you get treatment when you do not know your status?” Director of the State Action Council on AIDS (SACA) Dr. Kehinde Fatungase said the government was sponsoring an Anti-stigmatisation Bill at the House of Assembly, which would make discrimination against PLWHIV an offence.

410 O’YES cadets graduate from Odu’a Farmer’s Academy

LL smiles, 410 cadets of the Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (O’YES) have graduated from the OSUNODU’A Farmer’s Academy in Ede. The academy was founded by the state government in partnership with the Odu’a Investment Group. Speaking at the graduation ceremony on Wednesday, Governor Rauf Aregbesola said the programme was to equip youths with the necessary skills to earn a decent living. He said: “What we are witnessing today is the culmination of our administration’s resolve to

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

equip our youths with requisite skills that will enable them to contribute adequately to agricultural production and earn a decent living. With your training, you have been snatched off the perilous jaws of joblessness. The practical training in modern farming techniques has broadened the participants’ managerial skills.” Group Managing Director of the Odu’a Investment Company Limited Adebayo Jimoh said the governor has lived up to his electioneering promise to banish hunger and poverty.

He said: “The Odua Group is happy to partner the state to provide qualitative training for emerging commercial farmers in the production of viable commodities to sustain food security.” Commissioner for Agriculture and Food security Richard Adedoyin said agriculture is a rewarding business and the government has invested in to encourage youths to be active participants in the sector. At the event were the Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori; House of Representatives member Ayo Omidiran; Prof. Akinwunmi Ishola and top government officials.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS ANAMBRA 2013

Why I went to court, by Ekwunife

lawmaker representing Anaocha, Njikoka and Dunukofia in Anambra State, Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, has said she went to court to challenge the All Progressives Grand Alliance’s (APGA’s) candidate, Willie Obiano’s alleged double registration to save the party from losing out. She reacted yesterday, following criticisms that greeted the suit she filed against Obiano, APGA and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). Mrs Ekwunife emerged second at APGA’s primaries on August 26 at the Women Development Centre, Awka. Mrs. Ekwunife, who chairs the House Committee on Environment, said her action was not done in bad faith. She explained that it was to ensure the survival of the party in the likely event of the success of the opposition’s suits against Obiano. She said: “I joined in the suit because if Obiano is declared as the winner of the election

Withdraws case against Obiano

GOVERNORSHIP aspirant on the platform of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), Mrs. Uche Ekwunife, has withdrawn her case challenging Chief Willie Obiano. Mrs. Ekwunife, who had challenged Obiano over alleged double registration, said in a statement yesterday that she was withdrawing the suit owing to pressure and in the interest of the party. The lawmaker came second in the August 26 APGA primaries in which Obiano emerged as the winner. The statement said: “In deference to pressure from my family, Governor Peter Obi, friends, colleagues, clergymen, royal fathers, well-wishers and the interest of our party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), I have instructed my lawyers to terminate forthwith, Duit Ni, GHC/ AWK/CS/ 281/2013, which we instituted at the Federal High Court, Awka. “I also dissociate myself from other suits in any form or colour against our party candidate, Chief Willie Obiano, by any person From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

after the supplementary poll, the matter would become a post-election issue, which

‘Why security agencies did not intervene in Anambra poll’ From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

HE National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd), yesterday said security agencies did not intervene in the Anambra governorship poll because of the need to remain non-partisan. He spoke at a special interactive session with spokesmen of the security agencies and media executives in his office in Abuja. Said he: “Security personnel are not election observers, monitors or agents. The job of our personnel is to ensure maximum security. “We expect politicians, observers and agents to do the right thing rather than expect the intervention of security. We have to remain non-partisan and professional at all times. Nigerians should appreciate our efforts. “The same adequate security we provided in Edo and Ondo states was the same measure we applied in the election in Anambra where we ensured safety of life and property.” Dasuki urged Nigerians to be wary of those engaging in dirty politicking. He added: “The nation is at a critical stage. We should be wary of individuals and groups, whose selfish agenda may affect our security through dirty politicking, negative activism and other acts of criminality.

CNPP urges parties to boycott tomorrow’s poll From Chris Oji, Enugu

HE Conference of Nigerian Political Parties (CNPP) has urged parties to boycott the supplementary poll scheduled by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) for tomorrow in Anambra State. INEC said supplementary election would hold in 30 wards, following the irregularities, which marred the November 16 poll, resulting in the cancellation of over 113,000 validly-cast votes. CNPP, in a statement yesterday through its spokesman, Osita Okechukwu, enjoined parties to boycott the supplementary election “so as not to unwittingly legitimise an illegality.” According to the statement, CNPP made the call on the premise that it had lost confidence in INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega and no amount of lame excuses by the eminent professor and his cohorts would justify or rationalise the sham election. The statement reads: “CNPP disagrees with Jega’s platitude that ‘we had expected Anambra election to be the best, but unfortunately it was not. We did our best, however, from all indications; our best doesn’t seem good enough. This is why we have gone back and asked ourselves, how can we do our best to meet public expectation? We have resolved that no matter what, we shall retain our sanity and remain focused. I have and will continue to tell Nigerians that there is no need for us to panic at this time.’

Oyo APC protests against poll From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) members in Ibadan, Oyo State, yesterday marched on the Office of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to protest the November 16 governorship election in Anambra State. About 1,000 APC members protested INEC’s plan to conduct a supplementary election in Anambra State tomorrow. The protest started around 11am from the government secretariat. About 200 policemen with over 50 police trucks and two Armoured Personnel Carrier (APC) were on hand to ensure peace and order. The protest was led by the APC state Acting secretary, Mr. Mojeed Olaoya, who later submitted a letter to the INEC office to press home the party’s demands. The protesters, mostly youths, carried placards with inscriptions, such as “Jega has failed Nigerians”, “Jega should be ashamed and should resign immediately”, Jega don’t spoil your good name and cancel Anambra election”, “Anambra election: a day light robbery”, “No more credibility for Jega”, “Jega cannot conduct any credible election in 2015”, among others.

would be between Obiano and candidates of other par-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi Abuja

or persons, group or groups before now or in future. “May I affirm my loyalty to our governor, the national chairman of our party, our candidate, Chief Obiano and the APGA family.” The lawmaker said she also took the action because she believed that “it is God that anoints kings.” Mrs. Ekwunife, in her suit, was seeking, among others, that the court should declare her as the candidate of the party. Also, she wanted the court to “declare that the first defendant (Obiano) is not entitled to vote and be voted for in the 2013 governorship election in Anambra State by virtue of Section 178 (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended). “A declaration that the first defendant by the combined effect of sections 9(1) (2) (3), 2 and 3 and Section 24 (1) (e) of the 2010 Electoral Act of Nigeria (as amended) is not a validly-registered voter in Anambra State entitled to have his name in the Anambra State voter register kept by the second defendant.” ties.” Mrs. Ekwunife said it would

be hypocritical of anyone to pretend that there were no

suits filed against Obiano, adding that the matter was not one to be approached with sentiments. Before the November 16 election, she collapsed her campaign organisation into Obiano’s campaign team. Mrs. Ekwunife said her action was a precautionary one aimed at giving the party a second option, should anything untoward happen in court. Her words: “My action is a sacrifice to preserve the party. It is not a personal ambition.” She hailed Governor Peter Obi and the party leadership. Mrs. Ekwunife said many lawyers agreed with her legal position, which they noted was correct. She said more than seven suits were in court on the issue, by opposition parties.

THE NATION FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

Folake Umosen, Chuks Chidibe others for RCCG Musical Concert

T •Savage with husband TeeBillz

Tiwa Savage’s first public outing as wife

By Victor Akande

EWLY-wed Tiwa Savage and TeeBillz made their first appearance as a married couple at the MTV Base Shuga premiere on Tuesday, at the Silverbird Galleria, Victoria Island, Lagos. The couple was a delight to watch on the black carpet clearly enjoying every moment of the exciting evening. Tiwa, who plays the role of club owner, Sade, in the third season of the award-winning drama series, joined a host of other celebrities like Basketmouth, Banky W, Bovi, Alex Ekubo, OC Ukeje, Uru Eke, Damilola Adegbite and Toolz as well as other members of cast, including Chris Attoh, Leonora Okine, Emmanuel Ikubese, Okezie Morro, Dorcas Fapson, Sharon Ezeamaka and Olumide Oworu to witness the premiere of the first Shuga season shot in Nigeria. Set against the clubs, bars and student hangouts of Lagos, Shuga relates a bitter-sweet tale of love, betrayal, relationships and misunderstanding among the youth of contemporary Lagos. The series is Savage’s debut as an actress. The singer, who is signed to a partnership with Don Jazzy’s Mavin Records, tied the knot last Saturday. Savage and Tee Billz met in the United States in 2009, and on February 5, he formally proposed to her.

HE Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), Lagos Province 32 Musical Group will, today, stage a break out show, tagged: Provincial Musical Concert. The event will hold at the RCCG Soul Winners’ Cathedral, Lagos Province 32 Headquarters, FESTAC. The event, which has, as its theme: ‘Praise Rain’, is expected to bring together the RCCG Mass Choirs, gospel heavyweights and bands in an all-night show. Organisers say the programme is a befitting end to 2013 through praise and worship. Billed to perform are Pastor Bukola Olubona of Oyigiyigi fame, Evang. Chuks Chidibe crooner of This Kind God, Folake Umosen, Rev. Ekpeyoung Bassey (Karis Band), Rev. Faith Ajiboye, Lagos Province 3 Mass Choir and Lagos Province 32 Mass Choir. For its maiden edition, the event will feature a special

By Mercy Michael

appearance by Peacemaker. Olubona, who is the coordinator of the Province Mass Choir is known for her Musical Concert, Reason for a Living, which parades a number of established gospel artistes annually. Although her show would not be holding for the first time this year, the Oyigiyigi crooner explained that the change in structure is the reason she is putting the programme on hold. “After the last edition, we just thought of taking it beyond the level where we are already so we deemed it fit to get some companies to collaborate with us. “I held a meeting with some of the members where we decided we needed a Brand manager to handle this project. I met with Mr. Shodairo, who took the CDs of the last two editions. He introduced the idea that my target audience should be outside the church. According to

him, if we want to continue this programme within the church, it will limit the kind of people that we are targeting. He suggested that we should take it outside the church so that we can reach out to people who do not even want anything to do with the church. So we decided we will be using halls and events centres. The first centre he proposed was Bamorah Hall. We went there and the owner was ready to partner with us. “Among the brands we approached, MTN has come on board. Their support came in a couple of days ago as a big testimony to us. They have other traditional programmes but, according to them, they have never been part of any religious programme. This will be the first religion programme they will be involved in, and they are coming as a major sponsor.” Speaking, an excited Shodairo said: “When I met with Pastor Bukky Olubona, and she shared the vision with

me, I discovered that the project has not tapped into its full potential. It’s a laudable idea. It’s a wonderful concept. They’ve done six editions and it’s always been within the halls of the church. But I realised that the plan and purpose of God is for this thing to get bigger. There are not many Christian programmes out there dedicated to pure worship, so I keyed into the project by being of full service to the vision.”

•Pastor Olubona

December date for Mainland Rocks

HE maiden edition of Mainland Rocks, a potpourri of entertainment, will take place on Saturday, December 7,, the organisers have said. The highly-anticipated show, featuring music, comedy, fashion parade, product exhibition, business networking, dance, magical display and other live

performances, will be a classical form of entertainment, all roll in one. The show is scheduled to hold at La’ Mango Restaurant, GRA, Ikeja, Lagos. Mainland Rocks is expected to include a mix of blasts from the past and new kids on the block. Organisers have touted it as the largest gathering

of entertainment stakeholders and personalities, in celebration of creativity on the MainLand. Mainland Rocks is organised by GR8 Entertainment and De’ Freshest Entertainment. Red carpet for the strictly-by-invitation event will begin at 5pm.

BUSINESS

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Fed Govt places 31 onshore, offshore fields on offer

Senate rejects nomination of FIRS boss

Abuja

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

two weeks, the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) will undertake a road show to different parts of the country about the programme. This will be followed by three and half months of competitive bidding process in line with the Federal Government’s commitment to openness and transparency in the conduct of business activities in the country. “In carrying out the exercise, government is determined to ensure that proper technical and financial due diligence is done on companies indicating

interest in these assets. In this regard, government encourages companies where possible to bid in consortia to enable the parties leverage upon each other’s strengths. Mrs. Alison-Madueke explained that government’s decision to hold the bid rounds is geared towards opening up the oil and gas sector of the industry to a wider participation, with a view to creating a robust and virile industry that will positively impact on the lives and living standards of Nigerians. On government’s plan to

sell the refineries, she said government wants to rehabilitate them to ensure that it gets some commercial value from the sales. “We are moving for the privatisation of the refineries in the first quarter of 2014. At this point in time, the negotiation round for the turnaround maintenance of the Port Harcourt Refinery is now completed. She explained that government’s intention was to engage the original contractors that built the Port Harcourt refinery with the TAM, but regreted that negotiations have extremely been a long drawn out one because of the prices they are offering.

operators. “We should not be in a hurry to conclude that MNP has not succeeded. When compared with other countries where it has been introduced, it is too early for us to say it will not succeed. “We have been watching because some operators don’t want to play to the rules. We have evidence that high value customers are not

allowed to go. People should play by the rules because if they do not, it will attract sanction,” Juwah warned. Earlier on, Director, Customer Care at Globacom, Maria Svesson, said since the scheme was introduced, less than 50000 subscribers have ported in and out of the networks. She identified constraints such as the window required for customers to be

on the network and the issue of post-paid customers who might want to port out of the network without paying the debt owed the donor network. She said MNP has not succeeded as it should have because subscribers are already used to multiSIMMing (use of multiple subscriber identity modules (SIMs).

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst. Editor and Sanni Onogu,

HE controversy trail ing the nomination of the Chairman of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) played up yesterday in the Senate. The nomination of Mrs. M’fon Akpan by President Goodluck Jonathan for appointment as chairman of FIRS suffered a setback in the upper chamber. The Senate was forced by mostly Northern Senators to reject a motion to refer the nomination to the relevant committee for screening. Although most Northern Senators insisted that the rejection of the referral was the end of the nomination of Mrs. Akpan, Chairman Senate Committee on Rules and Business, Senator Ita Enang said that the nomination was still pending on the floor of the Senate. Although, Senate Leader, Victor Ndoma-Egba had moved that the consideration of the nomination be deferred to another legislative day, Senator Kabiru Marafa (Zamfara Central) opposed it. Marafa who came under Rule 45 of the Senate Standing Orders, 2011, argued that a motion to defer a matter to another legislative day can only be approved by a vote of two-third of the Senate. Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who presided over the session ruled Marafa out of order, saying it had not come to the time of raising an objection. “We are not taking any vote. So I completely rule you out of order. Can somebody second the motion so we can make progress,” Ekweremadu said. When the Senate Leader moved the motion a second time , it was seconded by Senator Boluwaji Kunlere (Ondo South).

“Nobody in AMCON knows who Enterprise Bank bidders are. Nobody in AMCON knows how many the bidders are, or who will be shortlisted. It is only when they (the advisers –Citi Bank and Vetiva Capital) have looked at all of these people that they decide who and who are qualified,” -Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) CEO, Mustafa Chike-Obi

• Mrs Alison-Madueke

OR the first time after 12 years, the Federal Gov ernment began yesterday the process for the second marginal field licensing round, with 31 on-shore and off-shore fields on offer. Minister of Petroelum Re-

sources, Mrs. Diezani AlisonMadueke, who broke the news to reporters in Abuja, also said the government would rehabilitate the four refineries before their privatisation in 2014. According to her, the government will conclude the bid process of the marginal field lisencing in the next four months. She encouraged indiginuos firms to form consortia to increase their capacity to win the fields, noting that Nigerian companies which have been operating marginal fields licensed in 2001 have done very well. Her words: “Over the next

NCC accuses operators of sabotaging number portability

EGULATOR of the telecoms sector, the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) has accused mobile telecoms services providers of deliberately sabotaging the mobile number portability (MNP) scheme. The MNT was introduced about seven months ago to give subscribers more freedom to dump inefficient service providers. Speaking yesterday in Lagos at this year’s Telecoms Executive and Regulator’s Forum, Executive Vice Chairman/Chief Executive Officer, NCC, Eugene Juwah, said the regulator has been watching unfolding scenario in the implementation of MNP in the country, la-

• Threatens sanctions By Lucas Ajanaku

menting that operators have been frustrating subscribers willing to port out of their networks. He said this practice is particularly common among high value customers who for one reason or the other, express interest to port, warning that it will not hesitate to sanction erring operators. Juwah said MNP was NCC’s answer to subscribers prayers who c;lamoured for the introduction of the scheme in the country so that they could have ample opportunity to dump inefficient

Reps move against return of unspent funds

HE House of Repre sentatives has set in motion ways of ensuring that unspent capital project funds in a fiscal year are no longer mopped up and returned to the treasury. The House Committees on Appropriation and Finance has been mandated to take a critical look at the constitutional stand on the issue and how best to go about it. The decision of the lawmakers followed the adoption of a motion on matter of urgent public importance by Toby Okechukwu (PDP, Enugu) who had wanted the Federal Government to be compelled to stop the end of December mop-up of funds obligated to contracts. Okechukwu, cited the findings of the Presidential Committee on Assessment of Capital Projects that discovered that as at 2011, 11,886 abandoned projects littered every part of the country. Saying that the economy is being inadvertently affected by returning funds meant for capital projects to the treasury by the end of December, the lawmaker noted that the dismal release of funds is responsible for the poor utilization of obligated funds. He argued that returning such funds that have been ap-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

propriated for by December, encourages corruption as unexecuted projects were often paid for fear of returning the funds. He said non-release of committed and uncommitted funds affect the budget “We are not asking that all unspent funds should not be mopped up, it is only those meant for capital projects and it is because of the economic implication on infrastructure development and employment. Obligated funds should be retained in the agenciess accounts as dictated by law, while others should be moped up by December.” The Deputy Leader of the House, Leo Ogor and Usor Azubuike, however called for caution in adopting the prayers of the motion, saying Section 318 of the constitution was clear of a fiscal calendar year. “We cannot amend the Constitution through a motion because the constitution was very clear about it. I will rather advise that the matter be refereed to relevant Committees that would take a critical look and advise on how best to go about it,” he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

THE NATION

BUSINESS SHOPPING

e-mail: toniaitose@yahoo.com

07035302326 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

The contribution of the retail market to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP) is expected to increase, with the launch of the Retail Council of Nigeria (RCN). TONIA ‘DIYAN reports.

Retail Council makes debut

N developed economies the composition of organised retail is much larger than the unorganised. Therefore, it would be safe to presume that economic growth has a direct correlation to increase in organised retail. Everyone in business has challenges, and are to seek solutions. Therefore, it is time for retail businesses in Nigeria to fight their battle or have their platform to find solutions to certain issues through a global initiative - the Retail Council of Nigeria. The council seeks to make the retail business nore organised in line with global best practices - making the market place organised. The idea is to formalise the market and create a boost in the sector, impact positively on the growth of the economy. The strategy will promote modern retailing in Nigeria, such that it can contribute its share to the Gross Domestic Product (GDP); and facilitate the development of associated/allied sectors of the economy; provide a platform for networking and dis-

seminating useful information and knowledge to members and the public. It will also create a database of members and encourage members to adopt the right values, imbibe international best practices, wholesome practices, and good corporate governance in the conduct of their business. The Retail Council would encourage informal retailers move to the next level and become formal . It will operate an open membership system where issues would be collectively tabled to the Government and to various policy makers. The council also has an objective to create employment and bring in Government standard. Above all, it has the responsibility to be accountable to the consumer. This is a rarely policy that should drive everyone. It is a journey that needs an enabling environment, policy and infrastructural support, where the young aspiring trader is encouraged to become an advance retailer. Nigerians still aspire experience, desire human contact, desire smile and ‘the come and buy something from me attitude’. The Banks are not left out in all

of these, they are also interested in supporting the retail business, but they cannot do so if it is not organised. There are some banks that do not have enough capital and structure to do business, but are excited to be part of this movement. Such banks have promised to encourage their customers to become members of the council and have their businesses organised. The initiators of the council are legacy minded people who are ready to show their knowledge to the young and upcoming. There is a saying that goes; ‘the young shall grow.’ But how will the young grow when the elders are folding their hands? Akin Onifade is a retailer at the Balogun Market on Lagos Island. He doesn’t know much about organised retailing even after 12 years in the business. All he does is to refill his shop whenever his stock runs out. He was told recently of how he can expand his business and be organised. He is, however, skeptical that he might not make as much sales as he used to in the open market. He is also afraid that he might lose his customers.

For Akin, the open market is the best place for him to make a living and relate well with customers. “How can I benefit from this initiative?” he asked. Retail market is not about shops only, but every company that has relationship with consumers, including banks, telecommunications, manufacturing, tourism and consultancy firms. The council has an objective to improve the efficiencies of the value chain, reduce wastage, and increase revenue, thereby lowering inflation. The boom in the retail market would give an impetus to the Information Technology (IT) industry, tourism and banking. Across the globe, retail employs 17.1 per cent of the workable population and in the United States, it accounts for 14 per cent. Organised retailing supports the development of various sectors and assists to conserve foreign exchange. In Nigeria, it would increase the revenue base for the government, ensure compliance with international standards, and generate employment.

In the past, governments at the Federal and states levels had challenges collecting taxes from the unorganised retail market, but with the organised retail market this would not be a problem. According to Asiwaju Onafowokan, a member of trustees of the Retail Council of Nigeria, the body has the target to formulate, facilitate, and propagate practices and processes in line with international best practices. This, he believes, would lead to increased consumption, a boost in production, employment generation, and, ultimately, the growth of the economy. Haresh Keswani, a member of Board of Trustees of the Retail Council of Nigeria, said organised retail is related to economic growth. He said the United States and Britain have organised retail which contributes over 80 per cent each to economic growth. In Japan and India, the organised retail market contributes about 66 per cent and 10 per cent to economic growth but Nigeria receives only three per cent due to unorganised retail market.

• Jabi lake Mall, Abuja.

Abuja Jabi Lake Mall to open shop in 2015

T is designed to be Abuja’s one-stop leisure, restaurant and retail destination. Billed to offer the first destination shopping experience to residents and visitors, the Jabi Lake Mall is located just 10 minutes from the Central Business District (CBD) on the shores of Jabi Lake, Abuja. Opening in late 2015, the $100

million retail centre will be Nigeria’s largest mall. With 30,000 square metres of grade-A shopping space on opening, it has expansion potential. The two-storey mall will feature contemporary architecture and a lakeside boardwalk with beautiful views over the water. It will also hosts cinemas, restaurants, cafes and a children’s arcade. Flagship

stores Shoprite and Game, a Walmart subsidiary, have already signed up as anchor tenants for 10,000 sqm of space. Jabi Lake Mall follows the success of other Actis malls— The Palms and Ikeja City Mall in Lagos. Actis Director of Real Estate, Amanda Jean-Baptiste said: “Actis is thrilled to reach this key milestone in delivering a unique shopping ex-

perience in Abuja. The assistance and cooperation of the local authorities has been first rate which has allowed us to meet our delivery programme. We have been encouraged by the strong demand shown by retailers and restaurateurs, who, like us, see Jabi Lake Mall as a landmark destination in Nigeria.” Hakeem Belo Osagie, Chairman of Duval Properties, said, “Beginning

construction of the waterfront mall is an exciting stage, we are extremely grateful to the FCT Minister, the Federal Capital Development Authority and other local authorities for the strong support we have received in pushing this landmark development forward.” Jabi Lake Mall development and construction is managed by Laurus Development Partners.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SHOPPING

GLOBAL interior furniture company Raumplus is promoting world class furnishings in Nigeria. Its Managing Director, Mr. Adeyanju Adelakun said, since the company started operations in Nigeria, it has ensured quality products to contribute its quota to the country’s economic development. According to him, the company is poised to offer superior service delivery and to adhere to ethical and professional standards in its approach to business. “We are prepared to raise the bar in interior design for both office and home furniture. It is as a result of this that we have benchmarked ourselves for excellence.” The brand is a global brand that has carved a niche in manufacturing interior furniture, sliding doors, and room dividers with uncompromising quality, honest trade and friendliness. With

Simba Den hosts governors

Quality furniture coming Stories by Tonia ‘Diyan

presence in over 58 countries, raumplus has grown to become a foremost global brand with top class appeal. Adelakun asserted further that the company’s ultra modern showroom affords customers the opportunity of seeing the various range of products, innovative designs and technical support for customers. “Our customers would now be able to translate the picture on their minds to reality through the various designs. We have a strong focus to differentiate ourselves in the way we do business and our goal is to ensure that we embrace all avenues to remain a formidable force to reckon with in the industry. We want to remain the best in our line of business and our creed is customer satisfaction. We do not only want to meet the customers’ expectation but we also want to exceed them.

Simba Den, the flagship store of Simba Group, hosted governors from the Southwest at the opening of Heritage Mall. MERCY MICHAEL reports.

More offers for shoppers

ADE Foods International offers various quality food products including the famous naked Amala /Plantain flour (100% green plantain, no additives), wheat meal, beans, original natural orange and apple juices, and flavoured bottled water. The company also has four brands of French wines (Merlot, Cabernet Sauvignon, Pinot Noir, LaForet Bourgogne Chardonnay). These wine are mainly bought by top retail stores, restaurant owners, hotel beverage directors, distributors and im-

porters. The company is aware that there is many red wines in the market, but has a strategy to identify and religiously serve their markets. Products at Sade Food International have exclusive trademark right issued by The ministry of Trade and Commerce and a NAFDAC certificate A box of 12 bottles is selling for N10,800 at wholesale price to distributors. Free delivery services are offered on Mondays and Wednesdays. Request for delivery on other days will attract reasonable charges.

• A cross section of guests at the opening of Heritage Mall, at Cocoa House Ibadan

T will be recalled that Odua Company limited, a joint heritage of the south western states, opened Heritage Mall, at Cocoa House Ibadan, few days ago. The event which rocked the whole of Ibadan city attracted Governors and high dignitaries from the state and all over the country. Some of the governors stopped by at Simba Den, a new store also in Ibadan. They were led by Governor Ajimobi of Oyo State. Their

aim of stopping over at Simba Den was to check out the products and services offered in the cozy environment of the store that is also in Cocoa Dome. The Manager of the store, Mr. Surajudeen while welcoming the Excellencies, used the rare opportunity to take them round the various departments in the store and explained to the governors, that Simba Group is working towards a greener Nigeria by offering power solutions that are noise free and environment friendly. He explained that the power solutions which include Luminous Inverters, Genius Inverters and Solar power have been embraced by many Nigerians both for domestic and official use because they do not have any health hazards that generators have. Speaking further on the products, Mr. Surajudeen said Luminous inverter is more durable than any other in its class and that it has the ability to store power for a longer period. He pointed out that because they do not require servicing and maintenance as generators do, the

side effect of wear and tear of the power solution is considerably reduced, hence it is more durable and saves a lot of cost and stress. He also used the opportunity to highlight the online power steadiness of Luminous Inverter. According to him, they give uninterrupted power supply and smooth change-over when power from the grid goes off. In essence, there will be no loss of power at all. He said that was the reason most banks have adopted the inverter for their ATM transactions, while hospitals and Laboratories also use it as power back up for their theatres and Laboratories, where they cannot afford to have power outage. The Governors who were very pleased with the quality of products and services offered by Simba group were even more impressed when the Manager informed them that all the products and services were covered by warranty and after-sales services. The warranty covers up to 12 months while the after sales services start from the installation of the inverters for customers and goes even beyond.

• From left: Customer Developmet Director,Unilever,Mr Kwaku Boateng and Ms Alli Zainab,winner of the Hyundai ix10

Winners emerge in Unilever-Shoprite promo

INNERS have emerged in the UnileverShoprite Shoppers celebration promo. The promo, which was held between October 15 and November 15, had winners picked from Shoprite stores. At the grand draw in Lagos, Miss Ali Zainab from Adegbayi in Ibadan won a new Hyundai car. The first runner-up, Mr Zacheus also from Ibadan, was presented with a deep freezer. While the second runner-up, Mr Odi from Lokogoma, Abuja went home with a washing ma-

By Ajose Sehindemi

chine. Twenty-one others across the seven branches of Shoprite won a Water Pureit each. From Ikeja Shoprite, three people went home with Water Pureit: Edema Obioma, Mrs Taiwo Oluwabamise and Amau Ibrahim. Other participants received consolation prizes for purchasing products worth N1,000 during the promo. The promo according to the Modern Trade Manager of Unilever Nigeria, Mr Oke-Egbe Tade, was to celebrate shoppers

and Shoprite as a brand. Shoprite has been our partner for a long time and we are using this opportunity to reward customers that patronise Unilever products at Shoprite.” He said, the aim of the promo was to drive the Nigerian modern trade market. “We are partnering with every modern trade outlet to lift the edge in terms of innovation and technology. In terms of value, we provide the best value as all our brand products are leaders in their fields and we have a cultural heritage with Nigerians.”

• From left: Leasing Administrator, Ikeja City Mall, Miss Chinwe Ochei; Mr Ahmed Ojikutu and Mrs Pat Ikwunze at the presentation of prizes at the just concluded Ikeja City Mall promo 2.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Mass weddings

• Reasonable in the short run but the root cause still has to be tackled

ROM two North West states of Kaduna and Sokoto have come two contrasting voices about statesponsored mass weddings for the poor and socially vulnerable. While Kaduna has declared that it had no intention of organising mass weddings for its socially vulnerable as some other northern states are now wont to do, Sokoto has announced a N30 million package to sponsor the mass wedding of 12 couples, to hold between the last week of November and the first week of December. The two governments are right - or wrong - in their own peculiar ways. If Kaduna says it is not interested in mass weddings, and that weddings are the business of individual families, not the state’s, it is right. On that stance, it follows the principle of “don’t give them fish but teach them how to fish”. That is a simple yet profound developmental credo: for whoever has the skill to fish need not bother others with his or her problems. That, in development-speak, is empowerment to cut away dependency. That is the ultimate of any society that plans to develop. Even then, Sokoto too is not wrong at least in the short run - on its mass wedding programme, even if some development purists would cringe at the idea. As Kaduna held, weddings are the business of families. But what if the families are too poor to carry the cost of such weddings, and there are clear negative implications for society (prostitution, destitution, angst and general hopelessness)?

That is why the Sokoto proposal sounds somewhat understandable, if not outright reasonable; faced with the current socio-economic scenario of mass poverty, low education and lack of skills for the girl-child. Indeed, the Sokoto mass wedding would appear a social welfare package. According to Alhaji Zubairu Yaro Goronyo, the commissioner for youth and social welfare, the weddings’ final screening would produce 240 Sokoto citizens: 120 male, 120 female. Each couple would enjoy a budget of N20, 000 for the bride price and another N20, 000 paid to the groom as take-off money for the new family, aside from gifts of bedding materials, a set of furniture and two wrappers for the bride and 10 yards of brocade for the groom. The commissioner said should the initial wedding prove a success, a repeat would be staged every quarter to give succour to Sokoto marriageable couples who nevertheless have no cash to back up their conjugal aspirations. Still, while mass weddings on the bill of the state makes short-term sense, the hint at perpetuating the exercise is the worry. While the Sokoto State government should be praised for its social sensitivity, it should cut through the symptoms and go for the root of the problem: poverty and social dislocation. Viewed from this perspective, it should launch a long-term campaign against causes that make state-sponsored mass weddings now inevitable,

such that some 10, 15 or 20 years from now, it would have become absolutely unnecessary. So, the state government should crank up the education of the girlchild and, without necessarily alienating religious and cultural sensitivity, discourage child marriage, which often militates against the girl-child acquiring the requisite trade skill or education to economically empower her to face the challenges of life. Aside, the government also needs to launch a deliberate and sustained enlightenment campaign against noxious cultural-religious practices that impede the full development of human potential in the community. It is such impediments that have necessitated state-sponsored mass weddings.

‘Still, while mass weddings on the bill of the state makes short-term sense, the hint at perpetuating the exercise is the worry. While the Sokoto State government should be praised for its social sensitivity, it should cut through the symptoms and go for the root of the problem: poverty and social dislocation’

Nigerian as ICAO President

•It should be a wake-up call for us to improve our aviation sector

OMING in the wake of scandals in the Nigeria aviation sector where the Minister of Aviation, Mrs. Stella Oduah, is under probe for alleged financial scam in which some key members of the sector are involved was the “breaking news” that a former member of the troubled sector, Dr. Babatunde Aliu, has been elected President of the International Civil Aviation Organisation (ICAO). The jubilation that followed Dr Aliu’s election as the first black man to be elected to this position at the 38th assembly of the organisation, was expected. The stakeholders aptly described the election as “a rare feat for Nigeria”. We congratulate the newly elected

‘We congratulate the newly elected ICAO president. If we are to critically look at this appointment, especially at this dark period of our aviation sector, with all its scandals and a series of aircraft disasters that had occurred in Nigeria in such an astonishing rapidity, not to talk of a series of probes that are still going on in the sector, we can only say that it is Dr. Aliu’s personal antecedents that must have contributed to his election’

ICAO president. If we are to critically look at this appointment, especially at this dark period of our aviation sector, with all its scandals and a series of aircraft disasters that have occurred in Nigeria in such an astonishing rapidity, not to talk of a series of probes that are still going on in the sector, we can only say that it is Dr. Aliu’s personal antecedents that must have contributed to his election. Not only that he is the current vicepresident of the body; he has been in that position for more than seven years. Obviously the election would not have been possible if we were to judge by the crises in our aviation sector in recent years. As a matter of fact, even if Nigerians were to have been the voters at that election, they would not have voted for most of our aviation chiefs. This is the strong point that must be made, if only to show that the election which the Federal Government has joined in hailing, for obvious reasons, is of no interest to Nigerians who already know the rot in the country’s aviation sector - a rot that is roaring like waves at home and abroad. Even Ms Oduah who should by now be hiding somewhere, unseen and unheard, broke all rules of morality and integrity by saying that the election was “a recognition of the transformation efforts of the Jonathan administration”. This is nothing but her usual game of survival by praising her “mentor”, a thing she would do to

no end as long as she is protected by President Goodluck Jonathan. Instead of feasting on Dr Aliu’s election, it should be a period for sober reflection on the state of our aviation sector. In spite of the obvious lapses that have continued to be the lot of our airports, including a basic thing as leaking roofs, even at the Murtala Muhammed Airport in cosmopolitan Lagos, Ms Oduah and other aviation chiefs under her watch have been celebrating their so-called achievements in the ministry. Such unnecessary celebrations often lead to undue praise-singing when in actual fact what is on ground points to the contrary. The ICAO council, by virtue of the Convention on International Civil Aviation otherwise known as Chicago Convention, adopts standards and recommended practices concerning air navigation, its infrastructure, flight inspection, prevention of unlawful interference, and facilitation of border-crossing procedures for international civil aviation. It also defines the protocols for air accident investigation followed by transport safety authorities in countries that are signatories to the convention. We urge Dr Aliu to do everything within his powers, even if only by way of persuasion, to get the Federal Government to adhere to these standards. The country’s aviation sector would be the better for it. s

Unusual success for sanctions policy

• Iran deal is a rare case of an economic boycott working

AST Sunday, Iran and world powers signed a landmark interim deal to constrain the Iranian nuclear programme. The hope must be that this will pave the way to a final settlement of the stand-off next year. Nobody can say at this moment whether those efforts will be successful. But Sunday’s deal is a watershed in the decade-long diplomacy over Iran – and therefore a moment to reflect on factors that contributed to an agreement. One factor – indeed the biggest one – was the role that economic sanctions played in encouraging Iran to the negotiating table. On numerous occasions over the past century, western powers have used economic sanctions as a coercive tool against other states. By and large, those efforts have failed. Sanctions by the League of Nations did not stop Mussolini invading Abyssinia. The US embargoes of Cuba and North Korea had little impact. The apparent failure of UN sanctions against Saddam Hussein was deemed by the US and Britain as a reason to invade Iraq in 2003. The experience with Iran has been different. When sanctions were first mandated by the UN in 2006, many in the west doubted whether they would be effective. But the energy and banking boycotts have placed huge pressure on the economy. They have certainly hurt the Iranian business community and deprived it of the ability to operate. Sanctions have also forced Iran to negotiate. But these boycotts are not the only factor to have brought Iran to the table by any means. Serious economic policy mistakes by Mahmoud Ahmadi-Nejad, the former Iranian president, played a big role in undermining the country’s economic condition. And the threat of military action by the US and Israel concentrated minds in Tehran at times. Still, Hassan Rouhani was clearly elected president in June on the back of a popular demand for the country’s economic hardship to be lifted quickly. What lessons might we draw from the case of Iran about the use of sanctions in general? Some analysts argue that we are entering an era when the US will be technically far better placed to use sanctions to coerce other states. Some note, for example, how the US Treasury has devised an elaborate set of financial sanctions to cut off Iran from the global banking system. An EU decision this year to ban Iranian banks from global clearing was also significant. These “smart” and carefully targeted sanctions are an important part of the US security toolbox. Others argue that it would be wrong to assume that what we have seen deployed against Iran could be repeated again. The US may have persuaded the world’s major powers to back an oil embargo on Tehran. But when it came to economic sanctions on Syria, it failed to get Russia on side. Besides, the ability of the US to boycott other states by economic means is certain to wane in future years as China becomes an increasingly dominant force in world trade. Prominent Iranians view this debate differently. From their point of view, last weekend’s deal did not come about because of US-led sanctions. Iranians argue that the deal only happened because the US finally accepted that Tehran should be granted the right to enrich uranium permanently at limited levels. They argue that if the Bush administration had accepted this principle back in 2005, Iran would never have retaliated by consolidating its programme to current levels. Still, the Obama administration can look back on its Iran sanctions policy – and the subsequent deal – as a diplomatic success. In many areas of foreign policy, President Barack Obama has vacillated. Yet when it came to the challenging and complex task of rallying the world’s big powers to isolate Iran, the Obama administration demonstrated global leadership. – Financial Times

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THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: Representative government or democracy is the most popular type of government in our today’s world. Military rule is viewed as an aberration. There are places, especially in the Middle-east, where the Islamic theocracy blends with monarchical type of government to form a type of government. But, then, the wind of democracy blowing across our world has swept away some military dictatorships. Nigeria is now a democratic nation. Our 14 years of unbroken democratic leadership is a milestone that calls for celebration, our country men having suffered under oppressive military dictatorships. Now, Nigerians are increasingly familiar with democratic culture. They participate in periodic elections to vote in new leaders. But, our brand or type of politics is egregious. Politics is the means by which politicians try to acquire political power legitimately. What shaped our peculiar politics are cultural factor and our moral values. Since 1999, when the fourth republic dawned, our manner of politicking has become set and fossilized. In the past, politicking in Nigeria had got to do with the proposition of ideas and ideologies. There were politicians who belonged to the left of the centre and there were the rightists. They would woo the voters with their parties’ manifestoes and programmes. In the first republic,

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Our variant of politics Chief Obafemi Awolowo identified with democratic socialism. As a leader in the Western Region, he implemented the free education policy, which was in harmony with his party’s political ideology. Today, many prominent people of Yoruba extraction occupying exalted positions in the government owe their successes in life to Awolowo’s benefaction and socialist welfarism. NCNC had its political ideologies, too; and, its leader, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe, an orator, dazzled audiences with speeches that showed his party’s economic and political leanings.

Sadly, our type of politics is no longer issue-based. Our politicians seldom talk about issues that affect us, not to talk of offering solutions to them. When they’re compelled to appear on television for debate, the debate session will degenerate into a shouting match. One cannot make out what they’re talking about. In the run up to the 2013 Anambra State governorship election, one of the contestants, a debtor whose company was under receivership, gave kerosene, motorcycles, cars and monetary gifts to people so as to sway them to his political party.

Giving money to people during political parties’ rallies is the inthing and fashion now. Our politics has been bastardized and monetized. Giving money to the voters has dislodged soliciting for the people’s votes based on their parties’ manifestoes and positions on issues. It is our politicians’ desperation for power that informed their resort to politicking based on dishing out money to people. Clinching political power offers them unlimited access to our financial tills. Our perception of power is warped and perverted. Political leaders see

a monarch that would re-engineer the ancient town in the wake of growth and development sweeping through Nigeria then. The late Oba felt Ekiti communities could not afford to lag behind. He then used his influence to mobilize the elites and sons and daughters of Ekiti towards the growth and development of Ado-Ekiti. The fruit of such efforts was the creation of

Ekiti State with Ado-Ekiti as the capital. In the area of traditional institution, Adelabu’s reign brought radical changes into the Obaship institution. His prowess, glamorous life and exemplary leadership style amongst the then Ondo State monarchs became notable as smaller communities in Ekiti started installing younger and educated in-

Many senior citizens paradoxically are treated with satanic disregard and left to wallow in abject poverty by denying them of their legitimate gratuity and pension allowances. That I suppose is one of the reasons why the country is facing different challenges because the “elders” or “fathers” that ought to bless the nation are indirectly cursing the leaders because of neglect and insensi-

tivity to their plights. It is in this regard that I implore the amiable Governor of Oyo State, Senator Abiola Ajimobi and other states of the federation to release the gratuity and backlog of pension allowances of the senior citizen immediately.

Remembering late Oba Adelabu (Ewi of Ado-Ekiti)

IR: Wednesday October 23, marked the 25th remembrance anniversary of His Royal Highness, Oba Adeyemi Adelabu (I). He reigned as the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti between 1983 and 1987. Though brief, Adeyemi’s reign was quite remarkable. He ascended the throne at a time Ekiti needed a forefront leader and

The plight of senior citizens

IR:Senior citizens or pensioners are a treasure to any civilized society. They have laboured hard for many years for the development of their countries or fatherland. This group of people depends largely on gratuities and pension from their former employers. In some countries, businesses offer customers of a certain age a “sen-

their occupation of exalted political offices as an opportunity to amass wealth. Here, in Nigeria, we worship those with ill-gotten wealth, but feel contempt for the man with probity. Against this background of moral unscrupulousness, many electoral workers can compromise their moral principles and work ethics for pecuniary rewards. So, politicians do collude with electoral workers to perpetrate electoral fraud. Those entrusted with the responsibility of maintaining the sanctity of elections pervert the electoral processes. The culture of election fraud leads to the emergence of social misfits as our leaders. The ultimate sovereignty in a country resides with the people. But, election malpractice causes the subversion of the people’s political will. We should articulate ways of eradicating these bad characteristics that define our way of politicking. • Chiedu Uche Okoye Uruowulu-Obosi Anambra State.

ior discount”. The age at which these discounts are available vary between 50, 60, or 65years of age. However, in Nigeria, the “senior citizens” entitlements are sometimes embezzled and at other times unpaid. The ongoing trial of the ex Head of Service of Oyo State, Alhaja Kudirat Adeleke and 15 others for alleged N5.6 billion pension fraud, whatever the outcome, is a pathetic case study.

• Pastor Adegbite Sunday Oloriire Apake, Ogbomoso.

dividuals as their monarchs. It is still painful that the late Oba Adeyemi could not wait to enjoy the fruits of his legacies; however, the children are grateful to God and are comforted by the knowledge that their late father was not only fulfilled in death; but lived a life of notable accomplishments which we are all witnesses. The family also owes a lot of gratitude the late Oba’s friends and close associates for their support at all times. We shall continue to be grateful to the Executive Governor of Ekiti State, Dr Kayode Fayemi for not forgetting the family. Late Oba Adeyemi Adelabu is a personality that cannot be forgotten in a hurry. He lives on and his works is what the Ekiti people and indeed Nigeria cannot ignore. • Prince George Adelabu Lagos

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013 16

COMMENTS

Another class story (1) Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040

E do strange things. Like crickets gone nuts, we chirp in riotous indignation at the whirlpool of tragedy that has become the Nigerian dream. But we will do nothing about it. Thus when opportunity beckons for us to gird our loins and change our stars, we swallow discontent like a sweet pill and entrust our destinies to familiar undertakers committed to devastation and plunder. Back when we aspired to be adults, we attempted to do such stuff that higher animals are made of; like democracy and bloodless revolutions – even in the face of abject truism that there could never be a revolution without bloodbath. The democracy we declared has recoiled into a spent shadow. Fourteen years on in the grip of blooddrenched mascots, it pilfers our sweetest fantasies like the proverbial slut making a surreptitious exit with her drunken lover’s wallet. With a little more deliberation in our choice of character, we could essentially become something more than shriveled capillaries for familiar vermin to suck from. But we have not yet gotten a hang of the process of choosing an outlook and creditable character – which serves to reinforce that sincere and

passionate belief that somewhere between men and cattle, God created a tertium quid and called it ‘Nigerian.’ Sincere apology to God. Nigerian – a clownish, simple creature, at times even enchanting within its limitations but ultimately foredoomed to fulfill a prophecy of folly, blind pride and insatiable lust. It is never my wish to subject our kind to such reckless deprecation but even as you read, the average Nigerian, working class and enfant terrible elite alike, are perfecting innumerable plots to selfdestruct; by the second. As usual, behind those suicidal plots lurks a postscript; and predictably, regret – emotive shingles that constitute our second nature. And so do we stand ignorant and confused, half-conscious mutter of men that we have become; craving the essence of humanity and freedom only to forsake it for a token, a sentiment or fleeting vanity at election time. Just like we did last April. We have become such recipients of freedom that are yet unsure of their right to enjoy it. This is the tangle of witlessness and resignation that requires us all to become better patriots and rejuvenators of the Nigerian dream. If we look carefully inwards, we will find that be-

‘Yet we fail to mete out similar treatment to the country’s ruling class even as they rob the nation blind and foredoom us all to everlasting poverty and decline. It is no doubt obvious that we are incapable of certain vital rational, cognitive and affective sensitivities’

STILL remember the first time someone placed a basketball in my hands—it was after I had seen Nigeria’s Hakeem “The Dream” Olajuwon play on television. He played centre position in the NBA for the Houston Rockets and Toronto Raptors. I was 15 years old at the time, and from then on I knew it was what I wanted to do. The feeling, even when I think about it now, remains indescribable. Inspired by that moment, I worked hard on the court and eventually played in college for the University of Maryland Terrapins before finally making it to the NBA. For several years, I had the privilege of playing alongside and competing against some of the greatest basketball players in the world. Playing basketball helped me build a successful career, but it did far more. Playing basketball taught me persistence, teamwork, and communication—skills that have helped me succeed off the court. After retiring from competitive basketball, I invested my NBA earnings into promising business opportunities. Currently, I am the CEO of Nigeria’s premier online travel company, Wakanow.com, which is also the fastest growing online company in Africa. Despite existing in an extremely challenging market, we are rapidly changing the way travel is planned and booked in Nigeria. I am grateful for the opportunities basketball has afforded me. But I also realize that many young people around the world don’t have the same opportunities to experience the benefits of sport. This is a missed opportunity. Today, young people make up one fourth of the global population. Many of these youth live in Africa, which has the youngest population of any continent. Researchers estimate that in less than three years, 41 percent of the world’s youth will be African. Africa’s youth are the key to its future. Nigeria’s youth have the capacity to shape social and economic development, challenge social norms and values, and lead Africa toward a brighter future. But youth can only succeed if they are empowered to do so. One of the best paths to achieve this goal may lie on the basketball court. Sport is one of the most effective means of empowering youth. Physical activity is critical to young people’s development, contributing to physical, social and emotional health. In addition to building strength,

neath our passiveness and utter cowardice agitates a quest for selfpreservation and gruesome airs – which further perpetuates our fate as a stalwart labour force foredoomed to specious dreams and profitless endeavours. Time and over again, a few critics and self-styled leaders of thought have decried our unabashed idiocy, fraudulence and lack of guts; such curious kinks of the Nigerian mind and society unfortunately do exist at a grievous price, and must be reckoned with. Yet these shameful twists to our psyches make us even more vulnerable as fair game to Nigeria’s gangs of vicious, ruling elite. The Nigerian ruling class, despite their brutishness cannot be wished away or successfully weeded out by violence or bloodshed even if we tried. And yet they must not be allowed continual access to leadership and power. It’s about time we accepted them as the grotesque manifestations of the Nigerian factor; monstrosities standing in the way of civilization, progress and common decency. They can only be confronted and eliminated by an expansion in breadth of human reason, catholicity of will and culture. The native aspiration of such men to loot our coffers and feed their greed must not be encouraged any further. Nor should we persist with our pitiful complacency and eagerness to acquiesce to their boorish enterprises, for the love of a token. It’s about time we dealt decisively with such degenerate elite that we sheepishly endure as Nigeria’s ruling class. But how? How can we stage a peaceful but decisive revolt without bloodletting? Is the current crop of youth identifiable as Nigeria’s working class and future leaders capable of such challenging and fundamentally noble exploit? No. But we could be soon. The Nigerian working class indeed personifies some ponderous metaphor:

to stimulate our wildly weak and untamed minds is to ignite a ravenous and uncontrollable fire; and to persistently impede our rudderless enterprises is to incite our volatile minds to a harvest of violence and bloodletting. To these bothersome questions and contradictory tributaries of thought, the potent and yet inadequately explored panacea of Education towers above all others. We live in dire need of such human training that will awaken our minds to the timeless knowledge inherent in the ideal and the practical, the realistic and the fantastic, the permanent and the contingent, in a workable equilibrium. The Nigerian working class as we have now comprises of two fractions of inconsequential beings: the cantankerous, irrational illiterate and innately savage kind constituted by menial workers, police officers, petty traders, street urchins and appallingly, students among others. The other fraction consists of the so-called articulate, cultured and progressive breed comprising young, upwardly mobile professional doctors, engineers, journalists, lawyers, and teachers to mention a few. Members of both divides constituting the nation’s working class are appallingly invested with bitter cynicism, jadedness and despondency. They exhibit as much bestiality, irresponsibility and irrationality as the much despised ruling elite particularly in instances demanding inviolable tact, sensitivity and maturity. Fans’ reaction to national team performances in the highly competitive game of soccer for instance presents a worthy yardstick by which the degree of humanity and maturity of the Nigerian working class may be judged. Not too long ago, Nigerian soccer fans launched a violent attack against the national team over per-

ceived irresponsibility and lackluster performance of the team which cost the country a place at an African Cup of Nations tournament. That wasn’t the first time Nigerian soccer fans conducted themselves as lower brutes, for the love of football. And it wasn’t the first time either that Nigerian journalists and the high and mighty intellectual court of public opinion would excuse such behavior – thus applauding it – as some form of “highly emotional” and worthy response to the national team’s plodding and disappointing performance. Yet we fail to mete out similar treatment to the country’s ruling class even as they rob the nation blind and foredoom us all to everlasting poverty and decline. It is no doubt obvious that we are incapable of certain vital rational, cognitive and affective sensitivities. A secondly, hourly and daily appraisal of Nigerians chosen randomly across both classes for instance, “revealed glaring abnormalities in their psychological constitution” according to recent sociological finding by a team of university researchers. How could such vitally impaired characters be trusted to conduct their affairs appropriately and judiciously? This brings us back to the significance of an ingenuous process of human training in the struggle to build a progressive and formidable movement of the people for the people and by the people. Democracy is simply never enough. Nigeria will never become that model nation of our dreams until we learn to evolve a social process that enables sufficient nurturing and guidance of thought and fundamentally adroit coordination of deeds – prime sureties to the path to true freedom, peace, equality, justice and national progress. This brings us back again to the issue of quality education. •To be continued…

Sports and youth empowerment By Obinna Ekezie engaging in athletics also helps improve mood and focus, reduce stress and increase confidence. Beyond giving youth a way to stay healthy, sport also provides an opportunity for young people to learn skills that will serve them throughout their lives. Working with teammates teaches young people how to communicate and work together, while mastering a specific technique instills discipline and persistence. These lessons are not limited to athletics. Studies show that sport can improve young people’s learning performance and encourage a desire to succeed academically. All of these statistics point to one conclusion: the skills that youth learn by mastering a sport stay with them long after the game ends. With that in mind, governments, civil society, and businesses must work together to ensure that children and young adults have access to sport and other athletic ventures. Lastweek, I was excited to be part of the movement to expand access to sport. A new programme, “Power Forward,” will start in Abuja Nigeria, and will focus on using basketball to teach life skills to youth. Launched by the National Basketball Association, ExxonMobil and Africare, this innovative programme, will leverage the power of basketball to teach youth the skills they need to thrive and become leaders in their communities. The groundbreaking school-based programme, being implemented on the ground by Africare and local partner Youth Empowerment and Development Initiative (YEDI), will take place at 10 schools in Abuja throughout the academic year. The programme will initially engage 300 students in their last three years of high school. In addition to the lessons learned through sport—such as teamwork, resiliency and responsibility—the programme’s curriculum will also use students’ interest in basketball to educate them about public health and to improve literacy and job skills. While students learn how to perform on the basketball court, they will also gain knowledge that will protect their health and

development. The programme builds on a long-standing commitment to Nigeria by all three organizations. Over the past few months, all three organizations, and YEDI, have worked with school and education officials to develop a programme that matches their needs and ensures that each school has the necessary supplies and support to make this programme a success. In addition to helping the students it reaches directly, I hope Power Forward will serve as an example of the type of innovative partnership necessary to empower Africa’s youth. Its lessons and curriculum can serve as a blueprint for future endeavors. For example, national governments and organizations could establish their own sport programmes to encourage youth empowerment and the development of life skills. As Africa continues to invest in education for its children, we must not forget that a full education means opportunities outside the classroom, including sport. Investing in athletic programmes, equipment and infrastructure can complement existing efforts to improve children’s lives, while also better preparing them for their future. Playing basketball has helped me develop myself as a team player, but also as a healthy person, innovator and community member. Now is the time to offer these opportunities to others. • Ekezie is a former NBA player and founder of Wakanow.com

‘Nigeria’s youth have the capacity to shape social and economic development, challenge social norms and values, and lead Africa toward a brighter future. But youth can only succeed if they are empowered to do so’

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 , 2013

COMMENTS

HE late John F. Kennedy, 35th president of world’s most powerful country – the United States of America – in one of his widely reported statements, once said: ‘Victory has a thousand fathers, but defeat is an orphan.’ This quote aptly captures the mood in the polity as more previously doubting Nigerians are now struggling to identify with the All Progressives Congress (APC), the newest political party in the nation’s political firmament. The party was formally registered in the twilight of July by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The road leading to the eventual registration of the APC was littered with doubts arising from the ruthless antecedent of the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) to always circumvent seeming new viable democratic initiative. The path was strewn in prickles aimed at stagnating the progressives’ efforts of ensuring the birth of a formidable political party to wrest power from obviously bungling PDP. At the last count this week, five governors and several other bigwigs from the ruling PDP have joined the APC unstoppable moving train. The governors are: Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers, Rabiu Kwankwaso of Kano, Murtala Nyako of Adamawa, Aliu Wamakko of Sokoto and Abdul-Fattah Ahmed of Kwara. Personally, l doff my hat for those progressive leaders of APC for their selfless pursuit of their party’s registration to a fruitful end; and particularly their current open door policy that is garnering more followership for the party across the country: They sacrificed their self-interests and endured personal discomforts. When it looked as if the set goal of registration was impossible; when their political hecklers were already jubilating that they had reached a dead end, they remained unrelenting. They really strategised day and night to lay this unassailable foundation, through APC, for the imminent dethronement of PDP’s impunity in the governance of this country. Now that the APC has been registered and the new party is gaining broader national acceptability and winning people’s unimaginable goodwill, it is pertinent to ask whether the new party is ready to restore confidence of the people in their government if it wins the presidency in 2015. Or will the APC be another scallywag in power like the current ruling party? From this moment, all eyes will be on APC. And what the party’s detractors, especially from the obviously disturbed PDP presidency, might be saying do not count; what really matters is what the party does rightly to rescue the nation from the siege of PDP before the next general

HIS is a season for seers, witch doctors and prophets (a friend pronounces it pro-fits). It is also an expansive time for pundits, pseudo-strategists and musclemen. Wow, o set tie le, the stage is set, to put it in the Igbo street parlance. What a large stage for intrigues, shenanigans, subterfuge and long knives? Mark my word, from now up until 2015, Nigeria will become one large, simmering cauldron of politics and bitter battles for the soul of the presidency and by extension, Nigeria. Everything else may have to wait: the budget, the economy, infrastructure, social welfare, nothing else but politics will matter; yet nobody will be able to fathom how it will play out – where are the futurologists? THE NEW APC CHALLENGE: The fledgling All Progressives Congress, APC, the result of a merger of a few parties in Nigeria had what may be described as a breakthrough last Tuesday when five rebel state governors from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party, PDP decamped to join APC thereby giving it an almost equal numerical strength with the PDP. Though the move seemed to have been long in coming, the reality of it carries an impetus that most pundits had not calculated. The import is that first, two major political parties (the one progressive and the other conservative, so to speak) have become a reality in Nigeria today; two, depending on the groundswell of activities leading to the 2015 elections, the two parties have 50-50 chances of winning the number one spot (the presidency) in that election; three, this new development has the potential make Nigeria’s democracy for good (and even Nigeria the country) or mar it and of course, both the negative and positive consequences of this new development will be at a grand scale. To elaborate on the last point, if for instance the two parties are guided by democratic ethos and they agree to play by the rules; if they play politics of principles and purpose, politics without rancor and bitterness and allow the people choose their leaders at the poll, Nigeria would have found the path to growth, development and modernity. If on the other hand, they engage in bitter and rancorous politicking which may eventually lead to crisis and implosion, perhaps there

07011117777

Will APC be PDP’s nemesis?

APC and NEW PDP merger elections. Mr. Kofi Annan, former United Nations (UN) Secretary-General once observed that “good governance is perhaps the single most important factor in eradicating poverty and promoting development.” What Nigeria lacks for several years of democratic rule is good governance. The PDP in barely over 14 years has shamefully succeeded in enthroning graft and visionless leadership on the nation. And Nigerians are waiting in the wings to see whether APC would deliver on this if given the opportunity to govern so that poverty and retarded development could be banished from the country. The attainment of this lofty goal cannot be by mere rhetorics or crass pursuits of opportunism by notable personalities that formed it. The APC with its array of tested and accomplished political leaders must earnestly unveil its manifesto to the Nigerian public. Nigerians desire a grassroots manifesto with rigour/empiricism: A manifesto that has intrinsic and extrinsic correlations with people’s basic needs over time. Nigerians want good roads; they want affordable qualitative education; functional and effective

healthcare system that is currently a charade under this PDP led administration. Nigerians want inexpensive and quality housing; they want gainful employment and a country that is safe for all to live in. The people of this country want to see a well developed agricultural sector that could guarantee a situation where food items would be the cheapest things after inhaled air. Nigerians are tired of the paper progress of President Goodluck Jonathan’s dubious agricultural exploits. The touted mileage in agriculture has no direct impact on the production and prices of agricultural produce. With the deplorable state of federal roads across the country, it has become clear that the lives of Nigerians plying those roads mean very little to the government at the centre. For instance, the Lagos/Ibadan Express road remains a death trap since 14 wasteful years of PDP tyranny over the nation. The healthcare system, as typified by the debilitating state of most federal hospitals, is in shambles. A visit to the National hospital, Abuja would give credence to this reality.

EXPRESSO STEVE OSUJI

SMS 08111526725, email:steve.osuji@yahoo.com

PDP- APC 2015 slugfest may no longer be an entity known as Nigeria post 2015. These two possibilities are real and latent. PDP PROGNOSIS: How would PDP handle its current diminution and seeming unraveling? Since it came to power in 1999, it had never tire to boast that it was the biggest party in black Africa and after its last electoral victory in 2011, the refrain from not a few members was that it would be in power for another 60 years. How they worked out the arithmetic is a mystery but their cockiness was infectious especially among their members. But no action of members of this behemoth suggested that they were at work on their talk. Telltale signs to buttress this fact are numerous. PDP cannot complete its headquarters and in fact, the abandoned, halfbuilt crudity is today a sorry site somewhere in the heart of the capital city. It stands as a metaphor to the soulless giant that is PDP. PDP’s internal crisis is legendary as it is historical. Its first president, Olusegun Obasanjo, a former general turned politician had little understanding of democratic ethos. As president, he was a megalomaniac who coveted power as much as he abused it. In just a few months, he routed the party that brought him to power rendering the founding fathers impotent and inconsequential. Deploying his enormous presidential powers he eventually put the party under his acrid armpit; creating the nebulous position of president as party leader and party chairman and subordinate and indeed an ‘appointee’ of the president. He effectively damaged the

possible emergence of a Nigerian megaparty in the mould of an Africa National Congress (ANC). It could be argued that Obasanjo’s shortsightedness and power-mongering nature ruined PDP. For the eight years of his reign he was content to have the party in his leash, arresting its development, allowing it no quality administrative structure, no proper office and worse no institutional memory. By the time Obasanjo left office, PDP was no better than a department in the Presidency with him as the leader-deity. In his narrow-mindedness, he even changed the rules of the party to pave way for him to become the chairman of the party’s Board of Trustees (BoT) shortly after his tenure as president. He resigned in a huff recently when it dawned on him he could not eat his cake and have it. He forgot he ceded the position to the presidency once upon a time. This long prognosis is to make the point that PDP today is Goodluck Jonathan and vice-versa. Members defer to the president to think for the party and to direct the party. They read his lips and watch his body language. Much of what happened in the last three years and what might happen in the years leading to 2015 will depend on the capacity of Jonathan to drive the party. That is a tough call. THE 2015 INCUBUS: But because he already has a mindset to get a second term in office in 2015, nothing else will matter but 2015 presidency. It will be the same mindset with everyone else who claims to

This PDP led federal administration seems confused over the state of insecurity in the nation. Also, the administration of the ruling party has embarked on more actions that would increase unemployment rate than those that could promote employment generation. The pursuits of selfish political ambitions by members of the ruling centre party have relegated general public interests to the background. The Nigerian public has increasingly become weary of sustained on-going trend of ineptitude in the running of the country’s affairs. They desire long over-due change of political baton from the ongoing inglorious routine of misrule and systemic corruption. That is why yours sincerely thinks that with proper planning; a vision driven by a mission and resolve to think less of selves by the leadership of the APC, the days of PDP in power might just not exceed 2015. What the country needs most at this crucial period is a party that could inspire the country to do what she is capable to be what she could be. A party that would throw up principled leaders of courage to occupy salient positions; let us have a party that is not only about perfection of rigging techniques but one that is above average in character traits and public spirited restraints. So far in the south-west, the laudable governance skills of Governor of example, Babatunde Raji Fashola, is a pointer of what to expect in APC. The other governors in the southwest including the focussed Abiola Ajimobi in Oyo state; the astute precursor of ‘Opon-Imo’ and high performer, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola of Osun State and hardworking Kayode Fayemi of Ekiti state among others, are not doing badly in their various jurisdictions. Their sterling performances have set the template and teasers of what to expect from the newly registered APC when voted to power at the centre and in the states that their governors have just joined the progressives fold come 2015 and beyond. Is APC the long awaited party that would checkmate the long excruciating run of PDP in power? There is no doubt that public expectations are very high on APC and it is believed that the party will not disappoint Nigerians. The indefatigable strategist leader of the APC and former governor of Lagos state, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu, has assured that the formal registration of the party will usher in ‘an irreversible cause of positive change and people oriented development’ in the country. Indeed, the new dawn is perhaps around the corner. NOTE: This piece was first published in this column on August 2, 2013 and hereby reproduced today with slight modifications because of its topicality. Thanks.

be a PDP member. It will be a zero sum game: second term or nothing. Nobody would think about the party or strategy or long-term; indeed as far as they are concerned: no presidency, no PDP. And it is a point to note that if PDP loses power at the centre, it is sure to become disarrayed and perhaps die. But since its object is to return to power in 2015, it will fight and fight dirty to hold power. Yet even if it wins 2015, it is still only a question of time… PDP is a mere contraption, an unsustainable entity at best, never an institution: a victim of its historical contradictions. THE APC CONUNDRUM: The APC (stillin-formation) is actually a tougher political proposition than the PDP except that it has the peculiar opportunity of hindsight. If they think strategic and beyond 2015 (without necessarily giving up on 2015) they will have a better date with history but do they have the requisite competences and the patience of a marathoner. Let say APC is yet a running story…

LAST MUG: the drivers’ licence miasma

It is failure, a blundering failure of a monumental scale. Why have the simple tasks of issuing drivers licences and number plates become some kind of space science in Lagos? The combined team of the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC) and the Lagos State Government (LASG) have been bungling through these chores and making life difficult for Lagosians for nearly two years now yet there is no end in sight. People pay all sorts of fees yet they do not get the documents for months. To rub salt on the injury, Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO) and FRSC officials waylay people and extort them. Who will rescue us from our governments?

‘It could be argued that O b a s a n j o ’ s shortsightedness and power-mongering nature ruined PDP’

POLITICS

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

APC/NEW PDP MERGER

• Tinubu

• Buhari

• Momoh

• Onu

• Akande

The voting pattern across the six geo-political zones may be altered in the next presidential election by the All Progressives Congress (APC)/New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) merger. EMMANUEL OLADESU, LEKE SALAUDEEN and MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE report.

2015: Merger may alter geo-political calculus

HE All Progressives Congress (APC/New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) merger has continued to generate ripples. The decimation of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is a major burden to its national leader, President Goodluck Jonathan, who is believed to be interested in a second term . But for the APC, it is a bold message that power shift is a priority in the next election. It is a tragedy for the party that has prided itself as the acclaimed largest party in Africa. Its leaders had dreamt of a one-party state, boating that PDP will rule for the next 60 years. Ironically, the party will now be struggling to retain federal power in the next presidential poll. Obviously, the APC still anticipates more defections from the PDP, especially during the primaries, which may be marred by acrimony, strife and rancour. The opposition is prepared to confront the PDP by mounting a campaign of issues during the electioneering. The campaigns will be hot. The debates by the two presidential candidates will also be interesting, reminiscent of the debate between the proscribed Social Democratic Party (SDP) candidate, the late Chief Moshood Abiola, and the National Republican Convention (NRC) flag bearer, Alhaji Othman Tofa. Ahead of 2015, APC and PDP have a lot to do. There are speculations that cross defections are still likely. APC leaders are not likely to relent in wooing more PDP chieftains to the fold. The PDP may also wake up from slumber by giving reconciliation a second thought to prevent more disaster. Now, the PDP’s sphere of influence has reduced. Two weeks ago, PDP could boast of 23 governors. Now, it has 18 governors. The APC, which had 11 governors, now has 16. The Labour Party (LP) has one state (Ondo) and the

2011 PRESIDENTIAL ELECTION RESULTS

2011 VOTER REGISTERS South East. Abia Anambra Enugu Imo Ebonyi Total

1,481,191 1,758,220 1,301,185 1,611,715 876,249 7,028,560

All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) has one (Anambra). Analysts are predicting a change in geo-political calculus. The in-road by the APC to the PDP’s stronghold has implications for the two parties. Thus, a titanic presidential battle has

South West. Lagos Ogun Osun Ondo Ekiti Oyo Total 14,298,356

6,247,845 1,869,326 1,293,967 1,558,975 750,753 2,577,490

been predicted in 2015. A searchlight is being beamed at some critical states, especially Rivers, Kano, Lagos, Sokoto, and Oyo. The voting population in these states is sophisticated. It is huge. Therefore, they can sway the votes. Remarkably, the voting pattern

South South. Edo Delta Bayelsa Akwa Ib RIvers C/Rivers Total

1,412;225 1,900,055 72,389 1,714,781 2,419,057 1,018,550 8,937,057

North Central. Benue Kogi Kwara Nassarawa Niger Plateau Total

1,415,162 ,215,405 1,115,665 1,224,206 721,478 1,983,453 7,675,369

North East. Adamawa Bauchi Borno Gombe Taraba Yobe Total

1,714,860 1,835,562 2,730,368 1,266,993 1,308,106 1,182,230 10,038,119

North West. Jigawa Kano Katsina Kaduna Kebbi Sokoto Zamfara Total

1,852,698 5,135,415 2,931,668 3,565,762 1,603,468 2,065,508 1,746,024 18,900,543

in the poll-confident Northwest geo-political zone cannot be the same again. It is natural that, at every periodic election, PDP presidential candidates often target the zone because they perceive it as a critical factor. The analysis of the voters’ list from the zone also underscores its vi-

brancy, electoral asset and indispensability. The zone will always be in national reckoning. In the last voter’s registration released by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), the total number or registered voters was 73,528,040. Lagos had 6.2 million voters. Trailing it were Northwest states; Kano, which had 5.10 million, Kaduna; 3.5 million and Katsina; 2.9. The zone had 19,803,689 voters. The figures spoke volumes about the potency and electoral numerical strength of the leading zone. This may continue to make it an electorally sought-after region in any critical national contest. The Southwest, a stronghold of the APC, had 14,296,163 voters. Oyo State had 2.5 million voters on the register. In the Southsouth, Rivers State had over two million voters. In fact, more than two million votes were also cast during the last presidential election. In the Northcentral, Kwara State had 1.1 million voters. But there may be a clean break from the past, if the current tempo is sustained. Unlike 2011, the aforementioned states are now under the control of the APC. In the Northwest, there will be a show of strength between Vice President Namadi Sambo and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. In the Northeast, the APC can only wax stronger in Adamawa State, Bornu, and Yobe. In Bauchi, Gombe and Taraba states, the PDP may continue to hold sway, unless the APC’s membership drive changes the tide. Apart from the executive arms, the decimation in the ranks of the PDP has also hit its parliamentary caucuses. The political stratification is not yet clear in the National Assembly, although all state legislators have gravitated towards the APC in the affected states.

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

A 16-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

PAGE 25

Lagos commuters: No more suffering and smiling?

OT a few Nigerians could recall that popular song ‘Suffering and smiling’ by the late Afrobeat legend, Fela Anikulapo-Kuti, lamenting the agony of Lagos commuters as they move from one point to another in overloaded rickety buses. That was over two decades ago. Fela sang about 49 passengers sitting and 99 others standing in a bus that was probably meant for less than 100 passengers. He might have exaggerated, but the truth was that public transportation in Lagos was and probably still is

My stewardship, by Kaka •PAGE 28

Moving a population of over 20 million in a small geo-space like Lagos is a challenge that the Babatunde Fashola administration has been tackling since he assumed office in 2007. ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE reviews the journey so far and the challenges ahead of a seamless intermodal transportation in the state chaotic and less than befitting the status of Lagos as an emerging mega city. It is driving some residents of the city state crazy, even as the Lagos State Government continues to make commuting easier, better and more comfortable for the

over 20 million inhabitants of Nigeria’s centre of excellence. Patrick Omele is one of those fed up with the traffic gridlock that often grips Lagos for hours unending, and is considering relocating away from the emerging mega city.

Road to 21st century cities in Ogun •PAGE 32

Last week was his happiest day and he shocked his friends when he threw a party in celebration of his transfer from Lagos to Benin, the Edo State capital. He was simply happy to leave. “None of them could understand

me when I told them of the stress I go through getting to my office and coming back home daily,” he said; adding, “I had to wake up 4.30 am everyday and leave my •Continued on page 34

‘There is no more Adedibu political family’ •PAGE 37

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Lagos commuters: No more suffering and smiling? •Continued from page 26 Ikotun-Egbe home for office at Lekki, by 5.00am, or latest 5.30am daily, yet I wouldn’t get to Lekki until 8.00am. “If that was bearable, returning was usually hell. There was never a time I got back home earlier than 11.30pm, most of the time I ate dinner in the bus, as I wouldn’t be able to eat anything by the time I got home, I sleep about 12 midnight, invariably having not more than four hours of sleep daily. This was already taking its toll on my health and I was already considering resignation, when I got my transfer letter.” For Patrick, the greatest immediate impact of his transfer would be in the area of his health, and he had his employer to thank for giving him another opportunity. If he was that lucky to get a breather, so many workers living and sharing similar experience had no choice but to continue to cope. One of such people was Mrs. Agnes Akpodonor, who shared same seat with this correspondent on Oshodi-Agege route of the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT). Agnes, a mother of three, works as a marketer for a company at Ajah, after Lagos Island and goes to the office, from Matogun, an Ogun State community, one of the several, that shared same border with Lagos. “The earliest I get home daily is 11.00pm, leaving office 5.00pm,” she said. She doesn’t get to Oshodi till 8.00 or 9.00pm from where she connects the BRT to Agege. From Agege she would still take another bus to Ishaga, before she would board another to Matogun, where she lives. She would get home only to sleep as she has to wake up at 4.00am to prepare breakfast and break time food for her three children. By 5.00 am, she is already on the road, to beat traffic as she must resume at the office by 8.00am. Her schedule unlike Patrick includes Saturdays and her Sundays, she spends virtually in the church, moving from one meeting to the other after service, till evening. “My brother, I have been living like this since 2005, at times, I ask myself how I’ve been coping, but what would I do? Would I stop work to become a house wife? I have God to thank for still keeping me alive despite the stress. I board BRT all the time, because it affords me an opportunity to sleep. Its not easy, but life goes on,” she said. Living practically on the road has been part of the experience of many a resident of the state. A respondent told how she had lost a vital contract for her firm because of the mad traffic within the metropolis. It is usual in this part to build the traffic hiatus into one’s daily plan before setting out from home, such that you might have to leave your house by 7:00am to shuttle from the mainland to the Island in order to catch a 10am appointment. But that has not always been the case in Africa’s megacity and the world’s third fastest growing city after Tokyo and Bombay, in India. Up until the 1900s, Lagos Island, which covers a mere 1.55 sq. miles, was a rather small piece of land that provides accommodation for 65.4 per cent of the population that lived there then. The situation was not helped by the lack of adequate transport facilities which would have encouraged people to live on the mainland and shuttle to the island daily for business. For those living on the swampy Island, boats therefore became the means of transportation. The situa-

tion however changed with the commissioning of the Carter Bridge in 1901, which for the first time connected the mainland to the Island, thus encouraging the use of motor vehicles, the new status symbol of the era. The pressure shifted from canoe, which conveyed commuters on the waterways, to road, the new mode of transportation, promoted by the Europeans and the growing elite, which used it as a means of commuting. As a result of the pressure on Carter Bridge, due to the share number of automobiles, and the need to deepen the infrastructure base of the city, which operated as the nation’s federal capital, fresh constructions were embarked upon, with the taking off of Eko bridge, which opened in 1975, and the Third Mainland bridge, which was inaugurated in 1991, by then President General Ibrahim Babangida. The third Mainland bridge was again borne out of the need to resolve the growing challenge of managing the vehicular traffic, occasioned by the rush by residents to purchase their vehicles due to the oil boom and the emergence of the nation’s rich middle class as road transport gained primacy as the most important means of transport in Lagos for its immediacy. IN THE BEGINNING Prior to the formal establishment of commercial road transport services however, Lagosians could ride on the Lagos Steam Tramway which ran from 1902 to 1913. In 1895 the Lagos Government Railway began to force its way from Iddo, on the mainland to Ibadan and was opened six years later on March 4, 1901. Carter Bridge was completed the same year, construction having commenced in 1896, to connect Lagos Island with the mainland. The tramway was informed by the erroneous termination of the railway at Iddo. Lagos, the administrative capital and the only seaport of the Colony of Nigeria, was without any public (or indeed, at that time,wheeled) transport to connect it with the railhead. That this had been in the minds of the administration is evidenced by mention of a tramway in the Colonial Report for 1899. By 1901, it decided to build a 2ft.-6in gauge line over Carter Bridge and construction began. The opening of the Lagos Steam Tramway took place on May 23, 1902. The original line ran north-west along the waterfront, from a point near Government House and the European residential area around the Race course, to Customs Wharf, where it turned north-east towards Ereko Market and Idumota. A 95ft. radius curve took the line northwestwards again, through Ebute Ero and over Carter bridge to the railway station at Iddo. In spite of the success of the im-

proved services and after much track laying and a deficit of £248 in 1913, the government took a very short-sighted view and decided to close down the passenger service, principally because the original rolling stock needed renewal. The closure which signaled the first neglect of the train service was effected on January 1, 1914, but not until 1933 did Lagos lose the service of the tram service completely, with the closure of the sanitary Tramway, built in 1906. What the railway lost in patronage became gains for the road transport and by the time the Federal Government moved the federal capital away from Lagos to Abuja in 1992, road transport has supplanted all other modes as answer to passengers and goods mobility across the metropolis. The absence of an early intervention by the government in developing a mass transportation policy, informed the emergence of private owners who provided mammy wagon fleets locally known as Bolekaja (come down let’s fight), which mushroomed and provided the essential mass transit service, all through to the early 70s. With Bolekaja off the road, came the Molue, which covered a large

‘

I have been living like this since 2005, at times, I ask myself how I’ve been coping, but what would I do? Would I stop work to become a house wife? I have God to thank for still keeping me alive despite the stress. I board BRT all the time, because it affords me an opportunity to sleep. Its not easy, but life goes on

‘

swathe of the city, and very popular for its cheap, and reliable operations. The ubiquitous Molue gained notoriety for the manner it packed commuters and for providing itinerant hawkers an avenue to ply their trades. Perhaps a more defined measure by the government to seize the mass transit space was in the second republic when the government of Alhaji Lateef Jakande established the Lagos Metropolitan Transport Service, (LMTS), which took the first bold attempt to develop the road and water modes of transportation, while similar attempt was made to initiate the light rail. An ambitious Metroline was initiated but was abandoned when the military took power in 1984. Successive governments since then have tried to initiate a mass transit blueprint that would address the growing intractable transportation sector whose growth remains dominated by the unorganised private sector. But each attempt had been met with limited successes as the vehicles in no time were often run down. Perhaps government’s most successful efforts at solving the intractable transport problem was initiated by the administration of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu in 2003 when it approached the World Bank for assistance for the development of a transportation master plan for Lagos mega city. The World Bank intervention gave birth to the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority, a special purpose vehicle to drive the new initiative, which was to develop the infrastructure backbone, which was the dedicated lanes for the buses, and to procure and manage the buses, unlike the case in the past. The LAMATA initiative ultimately gave birth to Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) scheme, the first phase of which was flagged off by Governor Babatunde Fashola on March 24, 2008. It goes from Mile 12 to

CMS through the Funso Williams Avenue (formerly Western Avenue). The service being run by two operators: the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) Cooperative and LAGBUS, an Asset Management Company owned by the Lagos State government thus began a new initiative to frontally address the transportation menace in the state. The agency also provided 26-bus shelters along the Mile 12-CMS route; three bus terminals are also placed along the corridor (at Mile 12, Moshalashi and CMS), with the bus terminal at CMS designed to integrate with transport modes of rail and ferry services. Since its launch five years ago, more than 100 million passengers have commuted in it. Before the coming of BRT, Lagos recorded an average of 224 vehicles per kilometre contrary to the national average put at 30 vehicles per kilometre. Research further showed that over three million cars, 100, 000 commercial vehicles and over two million commercial motorcycles move on the over 900 road network in the state daily. The concentration of movement on the roads which runs contrary to what obtains in other cities of the world which depend on more than one mode of transportation, makes it imperative for government to pursue alternative modes of transportation such as rail and water. The commitment of the Fashola government to promote these two modes of transportation led to the increase of the water operational routes from one in 2007 to 12 routes. These are the Ikorodu-Marina/CMS; Marina to Mile 2; Ikorodu-Adax/Falomo; IkoroduEbute Ero; Marina-Ijegun EgbaEbute-Ojo; Mile 2- Marina/CMSMekwen-Falomo; Badore-Ijede; •Continued on page 27

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Lagos commuters: No more suffering and smiling? •Continued from page 26 and Badore to Five Cowries. Others are; Marina-Oworonsoki; Ebute Ojo-Ijegun Egba; Oworonsoki-Five Cowries and Baiyeku-Langbasa. With government planning to further expand the routes, there are more investors running the ferry services with the government limiting its intervention to the provision of the basic backbone – jetties. The plan is to connect the BRT network to these existing ferries for the purposes of moving ferry passengers from the jetties to the terminals in different parts of the metropolis, the ferries would equally be linked to the light rail terminals while the BRT buses will also service the light rail stations and terminals. RAIL SERVICE The Lagos Rail Mass Transit, the first modern rail-based public transport in Sub-Saharan Africa outside of South Africa, is envisioned to consist eventually of seven lines. The railway equipment including electric power, signalling, rolling stock, and fare collection equipment will be provided by the private sector under a Concession Contract, while LAMATA is responsible for policy direction, regulation, and infrastructure for the network. With the ambitious blue line light rail project which has reached an advanced stage along the Badagry Expressway, government said another one million passengers would be using the blue and the proposed red line light rails when it finally flags off. Speaking on the public transport activities of the state government, the Commissioner for Transportation, Mr Kayode Opeifa said, the intention of the government is to provide a reliable, safe and affordable means of transportation to residents as part of the dividends of democracy. He said part of the plans of the government is to completely phase out the use of commercial motorcycles or tricycles as means of transportation in the state, stressing that when its plans fully matures, residents would have the Fashola government to thank for its forward looking plans that sought to put commuters at the centre of its transformation plans for the transport

sector. He said not only would the BRT buses continue to be re-fleeted in line with the desire to provide safer means of commuting for the people, government would also continue to develop new route network as it continues to expand the shuttle service. He disclosed that other plans aimed at ensuring safer transportation and making public transportation available is the planned resuscitation of the defunct Lagos Mass Transit Service (LMTS), reform of the Lagos mini-bus (danfo) operations; reforming and restructuring the Bus Franchise Scheme (BFS). “By the time all these are in place, more and more Lagosians would be encouraged to put their vehicles in their homes while they make use of public transport scheme, because we are going to ensure that all alternatives are provided, from buses, to mini buses, to cars/taxis all in an attempt to ensure that you keep that extra car off the road, thereby reducing the green house gasses emissions etc, and improving the health and wellbeing of the people,” Opeifa said. CABLE CAR To further address the issue of congestion, he disclosed that the state is also planning to, and has already signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) and a franchise agreement with Ropeways Transport Company for the purpose of providing cable car services (Cable propeller transit line) in the state. The project is another public, private partnership initiative of the state government, that would cost it nothing. The company, Opeifa disclosed, would build the system on two selected corridors which will serve as crucial links to Apapa, Lagos Island, Obalende/Ikoyi and Victoria Island. The commissioner said government is committed to making the road safer for Lagosians and ensure the security of roads, improve traffic management and control the free flow of traffic anywhere in the state and would continue to improve public transportation with the intention of making it attractive to more commuters. He said the restriction of the Molue operators from all bridges, especially the total restriction from plying Lagos Island is part of efforts to further deepen public transportation

services, even as he assures that with the plan currently in place, public transportation would no longer suffer neglect. FERRIES TO THE RESCUE In spite of the success of the BRT and other road transport service, more and more Lagosians are discovering the new alternative and relieving experience of the Lagos waterways, the third leg of the intermodal options to mass transit being made available by the state government. Residents, especially those living around Ikorodu and adjoining communities have come to appreciate that plying the waterways through ferries have become an easier way to commute around the coastal metropolis. A bank executive, Mr. Seyi Thomas, who lives in Odongunyan have since realised the beauty of ferry service, which he has been using in the past seven months to and from his office. He said: “Until April, I used to get to office late, at times getting to work around 10am, despite leaving home at 4am. Then in May, I decided to try the ferry. I parked my car at their parking lot and bought a ticket for N600. In 20-minutes, we were at Marina and I just took a stroll down to my office. Since then, I’ve been patronising the ferry. I leave home at 6am and get to work by 7.30am. I have stopped agonising over the terrible traffic in which I usually spend six or seven hours before.” Mr. Thomas is not the only one

enjoying the new found bliss of shorter routing time. Mr. Bukola Amusan, who lives in Ikorodu is another, and he almost swore he would never go to Lagos Island by road again. He is a regular face at the Igbogbo jetty, where he boards the ferry and though there are usually a crowd he said, particularly in the morning, the terminal is so comfortable you’ll almost forget your troubles. “I found the ferry a very good alternative especially now that the Lagos State Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA) is expanding the Ikorodu expressway. The ferry is fast and so many people are patronising it,” he said. To make the ferries safer, the state government has purchased no fewer than 5,000 life jackets it intends to distribute to all ferry operators for the use of their passengers. Opeifa said the jackets further underscore the commitment of the state government to safety on its waterways and to boost the confidence of passengers who patronise the operators. He said from 300,000 passengers, the ferry operators now cater for 1.8 million passengers weekly, adding that government will continue to put in place measures to boost the waterways transportation and make it more attractive for investors and passengers. He said more than 20 other new routes are already penciled down and these would be opened as soon as enough capacities are developed along such routes. Opeifa said only a vibrant water-

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By the time all these are in place, more and more Lagosians would be encouraged to put their vehicles in their homes while they make use of public transport scheme, because we are going to ensure that all alternatives are provided

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ways and rail system could soak away the pressure on the roads and make the roads last longer than they hitherto are. He disclosed that when the blue and red light rails being developed around Mile 2 is ready, it would further boost rail transportation and relieve travelling experience within the metropolis. Before such begins however, the Nigeria Railway Corporation (NRC), has been filling the gaping need for a safe, reliable and affordable means of transportation that the rail exemplified. At a forum recently, NRC’s Managing Director Mr. Adeseyi Sijuwade said the Corporation is presently running eight shuttles to and from Iddo to Ijoko-Lemode, in Ogun State, daily. Though this according to him translates to 16,000 passengers daily, the mere fact that many passengers still hang or sit on moving trains are signals that the shuttles need to be increased. Sijuwade, an engineer, said the NRC has placed order for new rolling stock which would be delivered before year end. He said passengers are going to enjoy more comfort as these locomotives would further boost the mass transit service of the corporation. An Ijoko resident, Mrs. Omolewa Adamson, said she has been patronising the corporation since her family moved to Ijoko three years ago. “The train would make Oshodi from Ijoko under 40 minutes, and this is what can take three hours or more by road. With N150, you can ride to Iddo, whereas, the same destination by road would cost not less than N500. That is why so many people, especially the youth, artisans and labourers who work at Isale-Eko and other areas prefer to patronise train because it is cheaper,” she said. Alhassan Jibril, who sells handkerchiefs and sundry items, and lives at Agbado Station, in Ogun State, said the train and molue are his best forms of transportation because of their affordability and opportunity to hawk his trade. “In the morning I ride in the train to Oshodi and from Oshodi, I follow the Molue round. Until they were banned, I used to follow it to EbuteEro, but these days, we merely run from Oshodi to Agege and at times Iyana Ipaja to Sango-Ota,” he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT Access Bank, customer in legal tussle over loss of varsity scholarship From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

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My stewardship, by Kaka

“T

HIS is what representative governance should be all about; it must be about how accountable you are to the people who gave you their sacred mandate during elections. What we are witnessing here today will oil the wheel of democracy in our society.” Those were the words of Hon Sylvester Niyi Abiodun. Alhaji Babatunde Amusa, Personal Assistant to Senator Akin Odunsi from Ogun West, nodded in agreement, smiling. The occasion was the mid-term review of Senator Adegbenga Sefiu Kaka’s stewardship as a representative of the Ogun East Senatorial District at the National Assembly on the platform of the Action Congress of Nigeria Party (ACN) - now All Progressive Congress (APC). The Ijebu Igbo town hall, venue of the event, was for hours, alive for what passed for a carnival – songs, drums everywhere. And before he addressed the gathering, Kaka proved he was not a novice at dancing. Disclosing that besides being the vice chairman of Senate Standing Committee on Agriculture and Rural Development, Kaka said he had been a member of such other committees as Investment, Trade, State and Local Governments, adding that he was an active member of the Senate Ad-hoc Committee on Review of the 1999 Constitution. “It is on record that I remain very active in all the standing committees’ activities, including the various oversight functions; contributed meaningfully to many issues of national importance, prominent among which are: Health Issues, Petroleum Subsidy Discourse, National Security Challenges, Agricultural and Rural Development, Poverty Alleviation, Unemployment and Related Issues, Electricity Generation and Distribution Challenges, Human Trafficking, Local Government Administration and its challenges among many others,” he stated. He said he led the sponsorship of four different bills, including The Bill for an Act to Provide for Prohibition and Punishment for Electronic Fraud and Electronic Trans-

By Dada Aladelokun

fer of Funds in Nigeria And Other Related Matters 2013, in co-sponsorship with 31 other senators; now awaiting Third Reading, including various people-centred motions. Amid affirmative ovations that interspersed his presentation, he scored himself high on the five key constituency programmes he initiated under his foundation, which, he said, included: Health services, interest-free revolving loan for the needy, educational scheme - bursary awards, library, provision of classrooms and exercise books - agricultural support scheme on training, empolyment generation and infrastructural facilities. On health services, Kaka said N25million was spent on the provision of vehicles for free mobile clinics, purchase of blood pressure monitoring kits, glucometers, analyzers and their accessories for blood sugar management among beneficiaries. He also said that a primary health centre was being facilitated for Abigi people in Ogun Waterside Local Government Area, including the proposed rehabilitation of some General Hospitals through the 2013 federal budgets. The senator further stated: “In fulfillment of my promises, over N20 million interest-free loans for small-scale enterprises have been disbursed to over 1,000 beneficiaries across the nine council areas in Ogun East Senatorial District. This programme is devoid of gender, age, religious, racial or ethnic barrier. Also, about 25 motorcycles loan was disbursed to people interested in commercial bike riding business. “Under 2012 constituency projects, a block of three furnished classrooms with ceiling fans, headmaster’s office fitted with air conditioners and VIP toilets were constructed under the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) programme. The Christ Church School, Molode, Ijebu-Ode Local Government Area is 100 per cent completed; the Community High School, Orita J4/J6, Ajebandele, in Ijebu East Local Government Area, 100 per cent completed, while the

In fulfillment of my promises, over N20 million interest-free loans for small-scale enterprises have been disbursed to over 1,000 beneficiaries across the nine council areas in Ogun East Senatorial District

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United Primary School, Akaka in Remo North Local Government Area is on 80 per cent completion due to the death of the contractor.” Kaka spoke further: “The construction of library for Ososa Comprehensive High School, Ososa, Odogbolu Local Government Area needs to be mentioned. Also, forms have been distributed to students of Ogun East Senatorial District at the various tertiary institutions in the country for bursary award. Free notebooks were distributed to students, while financial support were also rendered to three new primary schools in my constituency. In memory of my uncle, benefactor and role model, Engineer Popoola Okeowo, a block of staff room is being donated to Molusi College Ijebu-Igbo (my alma mater), where he was one of the first set of graduates.” Recalling his efforts at lifting agricultural services and employment generation in his domain, he added that through the MDGs and constituency programmes, 29 solar streetlights were installed in Imoru, Odogbolu Local Government; 30 on Egbe/Molusi College Road in Ijebu Igbo, Ijebu North Local Government and six (out of 16 earmarked) at Ilisan Market, Ikenne

•Senator Kaka Local Government Area. “The construction of a bridge over Ibu River linking Aiyepe in Odogbolu Local Government Area to Agbowa-Ikosi is at the design stage, with the soil test already completed. About five-kilometre Sagamu/Emuren link road is awaiting award. Also, 3.8km road along Garage/Market Area of Ogijo in Sagamu Local Government Area is being awarded under 2013 constituency projects. The contract for a bridge at Eti-Omi over Omo River linking Abeku-East to Oshoko is awaiting award, while the provision of electricity sub-stations in various areas is under active consideration for urgent delivery,” he explained. A thunderous ovation rocked the venue as he went on, restating his pledge to ensure good social welfare for his people and “leave people better than I found them as an agent of positive change.” For what the senator had done for them, students of Tai Solarin University of Education rendered tunes in appreciation of the senator’s efforts, adjudging him a “true people’s representative.” A guest, Chief Odejayi Olayinka, also praised Kaka, but urged him not to rest on his oars.

CCESS Bank PLC and one of its customers, Mr Abosede Olusola Zealot, are currently locked in a legal battle over the latter’s alleged forfeiture of a scholarship in a Canadian university last year. In the case before an Oyo State High Court sitting in Ibadan, the state capital, Mr Abosede is seeking a declaration that the bank was liable for his forfeiture of a full scholarship to study at the University of Regina, Saskatchewan, Canada due to its alleged negligence in crediting his account with a deposit he made in February last year. He joined the cashier that received the deposit as a defendant in the suit. He also stated that the bank was liable for breach of contract by allegedly dishonouring a cheque he issued in favour of an insurance company towards the same admission. Abosede is seeking N4.5 million damages for losing the admission allegedly due to his bank’s negligence. In his statement of claim, Abosede explained that he maintains a joint current account with the Ojoo, Ibadan branch of the bank. According to him, he made a deposit of N12,000 into his account at the bank’s Bodija, Ibadan branch on February 28 last year with a clear explanation to the cashier that the sum was meant for an online payment of a nonrefundable fee of $100 as application fee for the university having completed all other registration process. He added that the new deposit was to shore up a balance of N3,766 in the account to be able to pay for the said fee. He averred that he instructed the banker to credit his account without delay given the fact that the deadline for the payment was March 1, 2012. Abosede said that the bank, however, failed to credit his account. He claimed that he went back to lodge the complaint severally before the deadline of the application process and that he was assured each time that his account would be credited but that the bank never fulfilled its obligation to him. Consequently, according to Abosede, he forfeited the admission and the scholarship to the university “despite the rigorous efforts and financial expenses made towards the application process.” Abosede averred further that he issued a cheque of N35,000 in favour of an insurance company to effect payment of a premium in respect of a life insurance plan for his daughter but that the company returned the cheque on the excuse that his account was not funded whereas he had enough fund to defray the cost in his account. He said he had to withdraw cash from the same account to pay the insurance company to prove that the cheque was wrongfully returned. He wants the court to hold Access Bank liable for all the alleged negligence that led to his loss of the admission and full scholarship. The case has been adjourned till November 25.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT

HE Osun State University, a multi campus institution, established by the UNIOSUN Law of December 2006 passed by the state House of Assembly and which commenced full operation on September 21st, 2007 as the 30th state university and 80th university in the country, is gathering momentum for a rapid development. To achieve its set objectives, the university authorities recently organized a meeting with stakeholders and the media in Osogbo, the state capital city. Some of the members of the audience include bankers, parents, students, traditional rulers and council chairmen. The vice chancellor, Prof. Adekunle Basir Okesina, who succeeded the pioneer vice chancellor of the university, Prof. Sola Akinrinade, in his address reminded the audience of the institution’s vision which is making the university a centre of excellence to provide high quality teaching and learning experiences that can engender the production of entrepreneurial graduates capable of impacting positively on their environment while being globally competitive. He maintained that it was the mission of the university to create an institution committed to the pursuit of academic innovation, skill-based training and a tradition of excellence in teaching, research and community service. Speaking further he said: “As second vice chancellor to be in the office from 2013 to 2018 by the grace of God, I am glad to have you as stakeholders in our quest for positioning the university to greater height. My vision is to position the university as one of the best universities in Nigeria and Africa in terms of cutting-edge research, quality teaching and learning and relevant academic practices in compliance with best global educational standard. My mission is also to leave behind in 2018 a university well positioned to compete favourably with world leading universities.” In his tenure as vice chancellor, Prof. Okesine promised to focus on improving the academic and

•Participants at the event

Stakeholders meeting where UNIOSUN charted new course From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

research standard of the university, to provide adequate supports for staff and students for optimal productivity and augmenting efficient provision and utilisation of the university’s library services. Other areas where he will give priority, according to him include internationalization of the university’s activities and engagements, attainment of financial sustainability and assurance of optimal utilisation of the

university’s financial and material resources. The vice chancellor, therefore, called for support of all stakeholders, including the provosts of the university’s six colleges, deans of faculties, directors, staff and students in making the dream of a world class university a reality. He urged the all the stakeholders to identify various challenges of the university and look for ways to work together to solve them. “Our expectations from the vari-

ous colleges include the development of research agenda for respective colleges and enhancing their research output by encouraging scholarly publications and strengthening research capacities of their staff and students. This can be achieved only by strengthening and reviving college seminar series, developing more marketable and skill— driven academic programmes,” he said. However, he listed funding among the critical challenges facing the university, saying the

Lions call for improved health services

IONS International Multi District 404 Nigeria has ad-

vocated for increased funding of the health sector, for it to be more functional and meet with peoples’ expectations of positive democratic dividends. These were the submissions of members of the club at the just concluded 2013 Multi District 404 Nigeria Integrated Measles Campaign for Children, from a day old to five years, for the Southern Nigeria States. It was a nine day exercise that ran from Friday, November 1st to Thursday, 9th. In addition, the members called for the immediate revamping of the obsolete socio-economic infrastructures, especially in the power sector, so as to effectively empower the human and national development, as a drive to ameliorate the problems and challenges encountered by the masses. This they say will improve the healthy living standard of the masses as a healthy life is a wealthy Nation. According to the Chairman, Multi District 404 Nigeria Coun-

•From left: Chairman, Local Government Health Authority, Dr Babatunde Iliasu with a past chairman, Council of Gov 3 Multi District 404, Nigeria, Lion Engr Jaiye Balogun, chairman, Apapa-Iganmu Local Council Development Area, Dr Samuel Adedayo and Lion Prof. Ayoade Adesokan at the 2013 Nig-Integrated Measles (AMPA) at Badiya, Lagos. mortality rate.” By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha package and continued training of He commended the efforts of the medical and paramedical staff cil of Governors, Lion Prof. Ayoade some states and local governments to improve their efficiency and Adesokan, the current health situa- especially in Lagos State, for the thereby justify people’s confidence, tion in the country needs to be im- construction and provisions of reposed in them.” proved so as to guarantee “uncon- some improved health facilities, •Continued on page 30 ditional reduction of the increasing “built to facilitate adequate welfare

funds the university is receiving from the state government is not enough to develop our infrastructures, promote teaching, research and community service. He said: “Conducting cutting edge research into all areas of human endeavours is our top priority at UNIOSUN. We want to partner with corporate organizations, private and public institutions and research institutes to promote scholarship and support our staff to contribute to the development of the society through research. However, little progress has been made in this direction.” The university’s Director of Development, Prof. Siyan Oyeweso, said the meeting with stakeholders was designed to establish formal partnership with the institution’s key stakeholders, corporate organizations, philanthropists, community leaders and others that can invest in the future of UNIOSUN. Speaking further at the meeting tagged “Why We Are Here: A Window into the Functions of Development Office and Our Priorities,” Oyeweso said a number of programmes have been lined up between now and end of 2014 to bring together all stakeholders in building up UNIOSUN. The don, who said the university is primarily for the students, said the management is committed to attracting the best students all over the country, to study and learn at all levels, regardless of their backgrounds. “It is certainly impossible to have a great university without great faculties. At UNIOSUN, we boast of world renowned scholars and award winners. Our faculties help us to fulfill our duties to our students and society. •Continued on page 30

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT Stakeholders meet

•Continued from page 29

They are not stellar teachers but top scholars in their fields,” he said. He implored all stakeholders to support the university achieve its objectives, saying a gift from people’s will can help Osun State University to continue to find solutions to societal challenges or alleviate people’s suffering. Oyeweso told the audience that in the coming months, the management will announce UNIOSUN CAPITAL CAMPAIGN PROJECT 3080. Before the commencement of the project, he said the university would be asking for peoples support. He said: “We need a befitting state of the art teaching hospital, well equipped with Accident and Emergency Unit Centre. In short, the Development Office Team will soon be interacting with you on UNIOSUN’s key priorities. Along this line, we will be recruiting UNIOSUN GOODWILL AMBASSADORS. I call on everyone to invest in UNIOSUN in terms of provision of infrastructural facilities, scholarship and endowments.” The state Commissioner of Information and Strategy, Mr. Sunday Akere, noted the university high standard, assuring the government would at all time support the institution to achieve its set goals.

Lions call for improved health services •Continued from page 29 The members called on the government at various levels to guarantee, not only a an improved health care services, for a healthy living, but also affordable houses, clean tap water, clean environment, adequate employment opportunities coupled with financial empowerment as they are key to achieving affordable and healthy living. Highlights of the campaign included a courtesy call on the Oba of Lagos, HRM Babatunde Rilwan, who extolled the virtues of the Lions International on such project to improve the lots of the teeming suffering masses with their time, treasures and talents. Also there were Road shows on Lagos Island and Mushin respectively, as well as the immunisation of children from a day-old to five years, to arrest any unfortunate death of the children. The entourage also visited the Apapa – Iganmu LCDA, as well as monitor the Immunisation Centres at the Oba Oyekan Primary Health Centre, Adeniji Adele Road, Lagos Sura Primary Health Centre, Lagos, Adeniji Adele Primary Health Centre, Lagos, Mushin Primary Health Centre, Palm Avenue, Lagos, Ijora Badiya Primary Health Centre, Lagos among others. Members distributed exercise books, balloons, T-shirts and other gifts to encourage mothers and parents that brought their children and wards for immunisation during the exercise.

•Aregbesola (in a white cap) with the students during a tree planting programme

HE Osun State government has intensified its efforts to foster a friendly and healthy environment through tree-planting. The state is planting 2.5million trees in first phase of its tree planting programme just as 1.5million trees have been planted already. It hopes to achieve a 10million-tree target. These facts were revealed by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Environment predence Hon Bola Ilori, noting that prudence in the management of resources and positive response of the residents remain a major impetus. Making reference to the tree planting programme tagged: igi iye, he said he was impressed with the responses of the people of Osun to the programme. According to him, “Our ultimate target is to plant 10 million trees by Novembers 2014. What we are injecting now in the first phase is 2.5 million in all and in the last seven months, we have been able to inject 1.5 million trees. We still have 1 million trees to go before

‘Our plan for a friendly environment in Osun’ the end of this rainy season after which we will increase them to 5 million trees during the dry season in our nursery. That will take us to our expected 10 million igi iye before November 2014.” The programme has applauded from within and outside the country Ilori disclosed that the governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola, was awarded Gold Award on Environment by Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile Ife. The National Park Abuja and the Environmental Registration Officers Council of Nigeria, Abuja, also gave him an award on igi iye . Also, the Nigerian Botanical Society has also conferred on Ogbeni a Fellow of the Botanical Society of Nigeria. The Nigerian citizens in Netherlands have also recognised the importance of

igi iye by giving Aregbesola an award too. He disclosed that the ministry has achieved so much because of its prudence. According to him, the purse of the state is lean. The ministry has been creative with the resources available to it that is why it has achieved so much within a short time with its lean resources. While allaying the fear that the tree planting exercise might come in conflict with the urban renewal programme which is currently ongoing in the state, he said tree planting was part of urban renewal programme. “In the traditional African urban setting, every household has a tree, it is just natural. It is just natural that we are talking about urban renewal. Africans are tree loving.”

This boy wants to be a lawyer But has to help mum hawk pounded yam to fund his education

T is no more news that some Nigerian youths have embraced internet fraud otherwise known as “Yahoo Yahoo”, seeing it as an avenue to make brisk business and get rich quick without much ado. But one teenage boy is not looking in that direction, he simply believes in the dignity of labour. He is of the opinion that hard work pays. Seyi Oluwafemi, a native of Akure, Ondo state capital has decided to help his mum to sell pounded yam otherwise known as “Iyan”, a Yoruba favourite delicacy. From one street to the other, this young mobile restaurant carry a bowl filled with wraps of pounded yam and soup on his head to sell to customers. Although, he finished his secondary education in 2012, paucity of fund has cut his pursuit of higher education short, but the young lad is determined to further his education very soon.

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

Hence, he has to assist his mother to sell pounded yam to ensure he actualises his dream of becoming a lawyer. Seyi, who graduated from Christ Apostolic Church (CAC) Grammar School, Akure, had credit in four subjects. The 18- year old boy intends to sit again for NECO and WAEC exams to ensure that he is able to study law, his dream profession. He said: “I am helping my mummy to sell pounded yam because I want to further my education. I hail from a very poor background and we rely on my mother’s business to survive. “I don’t feel ashamed while selling pounded yam because I know that I must realise my dream of becoming a legal practitioner in life”. He was optimistic that at the end of the day, fortune will smile on him with determination and perseverance.

•Seyi

He said igi iye is different because of its neighbourhood tree campaign. It is not forestry regeneration. According to him, “we are planting trees on 64 hectare of land to mark Asiwaju Ahmed Bola Tinubu’s 64th birthday, rather than just throw parties, we will plant trees. For us, it is our own way of immortalising Asiwaju and do something for the environment in a very creative manner. “Igi iye is not about forestry, it is people getting back to nature. That is what we are doing, we are taking nature back to man. We hope that in two to three years, many homes in Osun will have trees not just one but many trees because we Continued on page 31

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT ‘Our plan for a friendly environment in Osun’

•Continued from page 30

are talking about 10 million trees. We don’t have 10 million, we are really focusing on people to imbibe the culture of tree planting, their neighbourhood will become friendly.” Ilori said people are happy, because of the tag on tree. “The name is nice, the name is inviting. They all want to have igi iye. Even when we were initially said one tree per person, some students took 10 and 20 to plant. That was why we did not force the parents again, but if one student who is entitled to one is taking 20, what else do you need? Ilori explained that the prudent approach adopted by the ministry has really helped a lot in achieving greater results with its limited resources. According to him, the nylon picked from wastes formed the bulk of what was used for the nursery of the trees. Though the initial plan was to recycle through its buy-back programme, “it will interest you to know that out of 2.5 million seedlings of igi iye that we have, 2 million were from the nylon of pure water that we got. So, the nylon we retrieved from the drains and roadsides were what we used in planting the trees that made it cheaper for us and that was why we were able to deliver on igi iye because we did not depend on fresh nylon. The cost of fresh nylon alone would have made it impossible for us to do the project, we only did 500 black virgin nylon that we purchased. For us that is double gain.” He said government would soon start planting trees on the major highways, apart from what the people will plant in their homes.” He disclosed that waste had disappeared from the streets of Osun because the ministry is working with the private sector to cart wastes from houses, “We are spreading the bins gradually all over the state and if you go round you can’t have refuse in Osun as you have in other states. We are not doing badly in that area. Before now, it used to be the government doing it, but now we have introduced private sector participation in waste management.” While admitting that the biogas programme has not met the expected target, he expressed optimism that at the end of the day, the ministry will deliver on bio-gas. On ‘quit mosquito’, Ilori revealed that the ministry had begun a study and very soon, mosquito would be a thing of the past in the state. As of today, according to him, the ministry has been able to cut malaria incidence in the state by 50 per cent. “We want to bring it down to 20 per cent or so. Some people have been able to eradicate malaria, there is no basis to say it is impossible here. But it is not what we can eliminate in a day. We are launching the attack using several formulas that is why we say we are confident in what we are doing. We are distributing nets which take care of direct attack on mosquitoes, we want to attack their population that is why we are planning the war on mosquito. That is why we are doing what we are doing now before we launch major offensive on mosquito. We are hoping to get genetically modified mosquitoes so that we sterilise all that have survived our attacks.” Though there are enforcement agencies, the SA on environment and Sanitation is happy that many people have complied without being compelled. He attributed the success of its agency to its resourcefulness.”Ours is not about resources, it is about being resourceful.”

•Deputy Governor, Oyo State, Otunba Moses Alake (holding a mic), presenting a Braille machine to Mr. Oladepo Ismail of the School for the Blind, Saki, Oyo State. With him from left, Prince Paul Adelabu, Special Assistant on People with Disabilities to the Oyo State Government and Mr. Rotimi Oduwole, Snr Manager, Commercial Legal, MTN, during the distribution of mobility aids and appliances to beneficiaries by MTNF in Ibadan

T was happiness and rejoicing for People With Disability (PWD) in Oyo State as they were last weekend empowered with mobility aids and appliances by the MTN Foundation, the charity arm of the telecommunication giant, MTN Nigeria. The foundation gathered beneficiaries of the aids and appliances at the SDM Events Centre, Agodi, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital where they were empowered for improved functionality in the society. The project, which is the Phase 4 of the Foundation’s Disability Support Project, saw 450 PWD receiving items such as wheelchairs, hearing aids, Braille machines, Braille wristwatches, guide canes, crutches, talking phones, stylus, mar bugs and tricycles. The Executive Secretary, MTN Foundation, Nonny Ugboma, said

MTN Foundation kits 450 disabled persons From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

that the Foundation embarked on the project based on its recognition that there was “urgent need to positively impact the lives of this segment of the society,” hence, it commenced the project in 2009. Dubbed the MTN Foundation Disability Support Project (MTNF-DSP), the main objective of the project, according to the Executive Secretary, was to improve accessibility and functionality of PWD through the aids and appliances. She disclosed that the project empowered 15,000 beneficiaries in Phases 1-3 across the 36 states and

the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) but that post-implementation evaluation revealed that only one per cent of the population of PWD was supported by the project. The current phase, which will cover Oyo, 10 other states and the FCT, will empower 4,560 PWDs. The Chairman of the Foundation, Ambassador Hazmat Ahmadu, disclosed that the project is being executed in partnership with the Independent Living Programme for People with Disabilities (ILP) and supplier of the appliances, the Mobility Aid and Appliances Research and Development Centre (MAARDEC). He further disclosed that the project

is one of the foundation’s two projects targeted at PWD, the second being the MTNF Skills Acquisition Project for persons with disabilities which helps PWD to acquire valuable life skills that will enable them fend for themselves and their families and contributing their own quota to economic development of the country. “Apart from economic empowerment, the MTN Foundation also invests in health and education across the country. So far, we have invested over N7 billion in executing projects in 338 sites across the 36 states of Nigeria and the FCT.” He said. The beneficiaries were full of praises for the foundation. They pledged to maximise the aids for their benefit.

Ilara-Mokin community seeks monarch’s elevation

NDIGENES of Ilara-Mokin community in Ifedore Local Government Area of Ondo State have appealed to the state government to upgrade their monarch, Oba Abiodun Aderemi Adefehinti to grade “A” monarch. At the 2013 Ilara-Mokin Day and the launching of N250milllion development fund held at St. Andrew’s Primary School playing ground in the community, the chairman of the occasion, Mr. Razaq Obe, on behalf of the indigenes said the monarch has been long overdue for such elevation. Obe, a Senior Procurement Advisor Field Operations of Mobil Producing Nigeria wondered why some traditional rulers of communities smaller than Ilara-Mokin are being elevated to grade “A” monarch. The Chairman said, “Only recently, our chiefs protested the failure of successive governments to upgrade Alara of Ilara-Mokin to Grade “A” monarch. This provoked further enquiries into the fountain of what is now known to be wholesale injustice and unacceptable disregard of successive governments for the history, culture and progress of our people. ”Of all 18 Local governments, aside Akure North and Ondo East which were carved out of major towns, only Ifedrore has no Grade “A” monarch. For those who made the untenable excuse that Alara, Olujare and Oluwa cannot be elevated the same time to Grade “A” I say to you: Akoko North West has four, Okitipupa has three Grade “A” Obas, Ijare, Igbara-Oke and Ila-Mokin are not in any way inferior to Ogbagi, Ikaram, Arigidi and Irun towns whose Oba are rated Grade

•Chairman of the ocassion, Razaq Obe and Ifedore/Idanre House of Representatives lawmaker, Biodun Bakare at the event. From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

“A” in the same local government. “More worrisome is the fact that, of the twenty-three Grade “A” Obas in the state, ten come from each of Ondo North and South senatorial districts. Ondo Central only has three. This keeps Ondo Central perpetually cheated in appropriation of funds to traditional institutions. We are hopeful and optimistic that the incumbent government of Dr. Olusegun Mimiko would redress this long-standing anomaly. No other time can be more opportune than now. However, Obe urged prominent

indigenes of the community to always support the monarch in the development of the town. He particularly praised the efforts of the Chairman of Toyota Nigeria, Chief Michael Ade-Ojo for contributing immensely to the development of the community. According to him, “We are a community of givers, builders and makers. Ilara-Mokin remains the only community in Nigeria where an individual would rise up to deliver the authentic “uncommon transformation” of his own town with funds that bore no stain of corruption or governmental attachment. ”In an unprecedented, unrivaled,

unmatched move by Chief Michael Ade-Ojo; he tarred several kilometers of roads; built on Ilara-Mokin soil, a world class University (Elizade University) and 18-hole golf course, which experts have adjudged the best in West Africa. ”These massive infrastructural fortunes have transformed our community to an instant tourists destination as we remain perpetually awe stricken and grateful to an illustrious leader, whose inperishable legacies posterity would always remember”. Obe appealled to parents to use proactive measure in their children’s education, saying education is the only way to progress.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT

•Flyover at Sagamu

•Ilara - Eggua - Ijoun Road

•Flyover at Lagos Garage, Ijebu Ode

The changing faces of Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital and other major cities in the Gateway State have caught the attention of many and brought praise to the Senator Ibikunle Amosun administration, writes ERNEST NWOKOLO

Ogun spends big on infrastructure in Abeokuta, Ijebu-Ode, Sagamu and other cities

HIRTY Seven years old Ogun State has had the rare luck of producing great sons and daughters - dead and living. Such great names as Madam Efunroye Tinubu, the RansomeKutis, Dr Tai Solarin, late politician and business tycoon, Chief Moshood Kashimawo Abiola, Senator Abraham Adesanya, Professor Wole Soyinka, and General Oladipo Diya(rtd) as well as past leaders in Chief Olusegun Obasanjo, Chief Ernest Shonekan and Chief Obafemi Awolowo among others, have come out of the Gateway state Ogun is equally home to many historical and tourists sites such as the Olumo rock, in Abeokuta, Yemoja river in Magbon - Ijebu, Birikisu Sungbo shrine in Oke -

Erin in Ijebu - Ode, aside natural resources endowment even as it is strategically located within the Southwest of Nigeria - sharing boundaries with the states of Lagos, Ondo, Oyo and even with the neighbouring Republic of Benin. But analysts have since agreed that these vantage positions have not reflected much in her in terms accelerated development. Intra and inter - state movements remained a huge challenge for residents, visitors and prospective investors particularly during rainy season and in some cases at weekends because of the deplorable poor roads networks. And infrastructure wise, the state remains stunted in its growth. Its convoluted and rocky terrain in parts of the state, do not help mat-

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The goal is to put Ogun State in the league of advanced economies and make it an investors’ destination of choice, not only in Nigeria, but also in sub-Saharan Africa

Road to 21st Century cities

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•Abeokuta - Abese culvert along Abese Road ters even as poor physical planning, cultural practices and traditions that proved impervious to change, lack of political will on the part of successive administrations to enforce building regulations conspired to rob its cities of their beauty and much business appeal. But today Abeokuta, the state capital, is wearing a new look. And same goes for other parts of the state - Sagamu, Ijebu - Ode, Ago Iwoye, Sango, Ijoko and Ilara Ijoun. Things are looking up. In the last two years, the Gateway state has become a huge construction site all cutting across the three Senatorial districts, and all equally geared towards opening the state for accessibility and development. This is redefining the shape of

things as more investors - local and foreign, have begun to find the state attractive. In recent times, no fewer than 100 industrialists have expressed readiness to berth in Ogun with about 32 of them already on ground to begin business. They were spurred by standard road networks, bridges and ultra modern shopping complexes in advance stages of construction which are springing up in places hitherto occupied by narrow and windy roads, unhygienic markets, clusters of dingy shops that not only defaced the state capital but also provided hideouts for criminals and peddlers of illicit drugs. From Onikolobo, Lalubu, Totoro, Sokori, Sapon, Abiola way, Saje to OGBC all in Abeokuta to Ijebu Ode, Sagamu, to the 110km Ilara -

Ijoun road, and Sango - Ojodu, the trappings of emerging Mega towns and cities beckon with the on - going multi - billion naira roads projects and modern shopping complexes being built to take care of traders whose shops were brought down to give way to the roads expansion scheme. One of such is the lbara / Lalubu / Ita-Eko Overhead Bridge. The 2.4km dual carriage Premier Fly – Over which was built at the cost of N1.5billion begins at Lalubu Ibara and opens into the new Totoro - Oke -Sokori six lanes road also constructed at the cost of N1.3billion. The Totoro - Oke - Sokori road is studded with features such as drains, median, greenbelt, walkway, street lights, modern bus-stop

and pedestrian bridge with an airconditioner. The Pedestrian Bridge alone which runs across it costs N260m. The massive investment in road infrastructure, according Governor Ibikunle Amosun, was in fulfillment of his electoral promises to the people but they have proved to serve purposes more than just fulfilling campaign pledges. The Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, captured this essence of the changing face of Abeokuta months back when he appreciated the first state - built Lalubu - Totoro bridge. Gbadebo who likened it to the time pipe borne water and Railway station arrived Abeokuta during the colonial era, said the develop-

ment has predictably transformed the state capital from the 19th century status to that of the 21st century. He said:”The flyover can only be compared with the day electric power came to Abeokuta or the pipe borne water was installed in Abeokuta or 1906 when the train entered Abeokuta. “The flyover is as major as any of these and I thank the Governor for bringing Ogun State and Abeokuta in particular from 19th century to the 21st century. “When visitors come to Abeokuta and they pay courtesy call at the palace, they are always whispering, and asking is this the state we have talked so much about, where are the roads we expect Abeokuta to have, the first

class medical facilities, the first class schools as the fountain of education in Nigeria? “They expect the very best in Ogun State. We thank God now that we have the governor who has started very well. “Our people do say, morning shows the day, if under two years, this government have been able to put in place the flyover in Ibara and several others like it, we know that in a matter of another year or two, we will be where the best state capital of this nation are. “We have been lagging behind all of them for so long; by the grace of God, we are going to overtake all of them that did not move in the same pace they started with. “For this, I want to thank the Governor (Senator Ibikunle Amosun) and his team for a job well done, somebody asked me what do we have for the people. “ I want to congratulate them for their support and tell them please pay your tax, without paying your tax, good things like this cannot happen. I beg you, anybody who want to enjoy the goodies of life should pay the tax as and when due.” Also, a transport consultant, who declined name mentioning, told The Nation that the roads and bridges would facilitate easy, pleasurable movement of goods and

services, easy flow of traffic, reduce manpower-time wasted on the road, thereby improving the productive time of persons plying the road. The transport expert added that the roads would also help monitor traffic flow, determine bottlenecks points for solutions as well as assist the police, medical team and other people responding to emergency situations to arrive at the scene or their destination quickly aside the aesthetic values they add to the environment. According to the initiator, Senator Ibikunle Amosun, “the goal is to put Ogun State in the league of advanced economies and make it an investors’ destination of choice, not only in Nigeria, but the subSaharan Africa.” The governor noted last January that to achieve that feat, the importance of modern day and world class infrastructure cannot be overemphasised. He said: “For this reason, we will continue to rehabilitate existing infrastructure and put them in a position where they will not only stand the test of the time, but standout as a reference point for others anywhere in the world. Where the need arises, we will construct not just modern but high-tech infrastructure that will enhance the magnificence of our environment

and act as a catalyst for our socioeconomic development. “I urge all our people to exercise more patience, and continue to support us in prayer and in deeds. As we do this, we will have more dividends of democracy across the nooks and crannies of our state for the overall benefit of our people. Also, I want to use this opportunity to call on the private sector to partner with our administration in the actualisation of the socioeconomic development of our State. “ Our policy is to create the necessary atmosphere for the private sector to thrive. We need the private sector to make use of these infrastructure while establishing industries that will help to provide jobs for our people. As you do this, we shall be creating wealth for our people and bringing smiles to their faces.” But a serving House of Representatives member and Governorship aspirants on the platform of Labour Party(LP) in the state, Hon. Abiodun Akinlade, while admitting that Amosun’s infrastrutural development and roads expansion are “desirable,” last Friday, cautioned the government against going about its road projects in a manner that puts Ogun people in pains. Akinlade said: “As we note the efforts of the state government to handle these road expansion projects in a way that protects the economic interest of the people, preserve their heritage and improve their welfare, the current approach is creating hardship, homelessness and joblessness for Ogun State people. “We believe that it is completely anti - people to first demolish their homes, uproot their businesses before inviting them for compensation which the people are even complaining of being arbitrary and non - commensurate to their properties demolished. We should not expect people who are hungry and homeless to appreciate roads, even if the roads are gold plated.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Govt lifts rural areas with For the seemingly forgotten rural communities of Lagos, last Tuesday, was a day never to be forgotten as the state government handed over to four of such communities, projects aimed at lifting their lives. ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE writes.

VEN the Shoko ancestors rejoiced with the living, as electricity was switched on by Commissioner for Rural Development Mr. Cornelius Ojelabi, for the Badagry rural community last Tuesday. Represented by two Sangbeto masquerades, (one decked in raffia and the other in polyester material); the ancestors danced and danced, gyrating to drumbeats that evoke their awesome divinity, trumping the ground, as their spirit joined the living in praising the government for bringing modernity closer home. For decades, the Shoko people, in Badagry West Local Government Area of Lagos State had bore in silence the pain of using bush lamps at night. Though the community was a shouting distance from Kankon, where the state government sited one of its model secondary schools, it was shorn of all basic social amenities. But that has changed. Handing over the project to the people, in the presence of other notable personalities among who were the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Mr. Babatunde Hunpe, the Secretary to Badagry West Local Government Mr. Abraham Mautin and the Chairman Community Development Advisory Council (CDAC), Prince Gabriel Awomodu, the Commissioner for Rural Development described the electrification as “a demonstration of Governor Babatunde Fashola’s commitment to ensuring that the rural communities also enjoy the dividends of democracy.” Continuing, he said: “This is one project that I would have loved my colleagues in the executive council to come and hand over, because some of them believe we do not have any rural areas in Lagos State. That notwithstanding, I envisage that this project would bring about rapid development as several cottage businesses would spring up from here. We should encourage our youths to get involved in agriculture. Even if they planted cassava, soon we could start garri processing factory here, we could even start exporting. With electricity, people have no need migrating to the urban areas in search of jobs, let them stay back and create jobs as the era of the white collar jobs has gone. By staying back, you are promoting a livable environ-

•Ojelabi switching on the electricity at Shoko, Badagry

•Eseofin bridge ment.” He said government was handing over the project to the community so that the people can take ownership of the project and maintain them. He, therefore, urged the CDA chairman, Alhaji Kolade Ogungbe to ensure adequate security of the project as government would not respond to any community that allows any of its facilities especially the armoured cables to be stolen. The head of Department of the Electrical Unit, Mr. Abiola Olowa, described the project, which spanned three kilometres of feeder pillars, and a 500 KVA transformer, as one that was conceived by the ministry under this year’s budget and executed by direct labour. Before hitting Shoko, Ojelabi had led the entourage to Ijegun, where his ministry rehabilitated and ex-

panded a micro water scheme for the people of Olorunsogo/Ijegun communities in Igando/Ikotun LCDA. The project engineer, Adisa Yinusa, said the water scheme had been vandalised and for several decades, the people of the area had been living without potable water. He added that besides rehabilitating the two old boreholes, the government constructed two new ones to further increase the capacity of the project to 10,000 litres, adding that before the end of first quarter next year, the project would be extended to adjourning communities. Handing over the project to the community at a ceremony that had the representative of the Onijegun of Ijegun, Chief Balogun in attendance, the CDA Chairman Mr. Adeola Adegbite, thanked the government for the water project, add-

ing that the residents had agreed to levy themselves some amount monthly for the maintenance of the facility. “The CDA has set up a committee to ensure that the project would not become moribund again. Every house would be levied beginning from January for the purpose of maintaining this project,” Adegbite said. Ojelabi, who praised the CDA for being proactive in already mapping out strategies for maintaining the facility, assured that government would maintain the project for two years, during which it would ensure that all other neighbouring communities are connected to the water scheme before handing over to the host community. He said the issue of water is germaine to the state government and no efforts would be spared in

ensuring that as many parts of the state as possible are covered by the state’s water corporation for the purpose of ensuring that safe and potable water is made available to all and sundry. He, therefore, urged the people to continue to support the government in its efforts to ensure the improvement in the quality of life of the people. Handing over the project to the people, Mr. Omotayo Fakolujo, who represented the Commissioner for Economic Planning and Budget, Mr. Ben Akabueze, said the tour to Ijegun has afforded him the opportunity of knowing that some rural communities really exist and that some could even be as close as Ijegun. He assured that he would ensure the people’s request for assistance on the state of the 1.2 kilometre long IjagemoAfurugbin road and Orilaku road

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT

a bouquet of projects

•Fakolujo having a taste of the water from the Ijegun Micro-water Scheme

‘ We are committed to changing the face of the rural dwellers in Lagos State and making sure that they equally enjoy the same facilities like their kith and kin in urban areas because this is the only way to keep them where they are and prevent further rural-urban migration

•The transformer at Igbanko community which is the only access to the project as well as the primary healthcare centre get the attention of the commissioner. He assured that though the projects were not captured in the next fiscal allocation as government is irrevocably committed to completing all existing construction projects, the roads could at least be graded and made passable before the next round of rain. The project train shortly thereafter headed for Igbanko, near Imeke, in Olorunda LCDA, where the council Chairman Mr. Amida Abdul, led other eminent personalities and management team of the council in giving a rousing welcome to the Rural Development Commissioner and his team, who were in the area to hand over the Igbanko rural electrification project over to the community.

Speaking at the ceremony, one of the ministry’s engineer, Mr. Amzat, said the project which consists of 132 high tension poles and 50 low tension poles fed by a 33 KVA transformer took the department about four months to complete. The CDA chairman Evang. E.O.Ogunyemi, thanked the state government for remembering the Igbanko community in its rural electrification programme. He said: “This is the first time in the last 30 years that this community would be feeling the impact of government directly. The closest community to us here, Imeke, is over 100 kilometres and and we go as far to Imeke to charge our phones. We are grateful that at least we can do so many basic things in the confines of our community.” He assured the government that the entire community would guard the

project jealously and not let anything tamper with it. Ojelabi who expressed happiness for seeing the inauguration of the project, urged the people to continue to support the government in all its activities. He said the ongoing residents’ registration exercise is another initiative that would enable the government have accurate statistics of the number of people in the area and which would enable proper planning. He, therefore, canvassed the people to rally behind the council chairman and register anytime the project was brought to the area. He added that the registration exercise would also assist his ministry to defend its intervention proposals before either the state executive council or the law makers, who hitherto have a wrong impression about the population of rural dwellers in the state.

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Apologising for the absence of his colleague in the Ministry of Works and Infrastructure Mr. Obafemi Amzat who was to have handed over the project to the people, Ojelabi said, though Amzat is presently defending his ministry’s budget before the House of Assembly, he would have at least ensured that the Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke OrelopeAdefulire make the trip and perform the handing over ceremony, if he knew the roads would have been made passable. Branching at Oto-Awori LCDA, just as the dusk was settling in, Ojelabi again delivered another people-centred project – a footbridge, to the rural coastal people of Etegbin-EseOfin. Ojelabi who was regarded as a home boy, having his roots in this LCDA, said the project was dear to his heart, as he, by the project, has

permanently solved the age-long crisis facing these Island dwellers who had to cross from Ese-Ofin to Etegbin via a wooden bridge before the new concrete bridge was constructed by the government. He said the new bridge has gone into history as the first concrete footbridge to be constructed anywhere in the state and has won the admiration of the governor who according to him, has adopted it as a reference to be copied anywhere in the state. Thanking the people for the forbearing and patience with the government, Ojelabi said with the footbridge, cases of people falling into the river as a result of rotten woods on the now discarded wooden bridge, has become a thing of the past, even as he urged residents of the two riverside communities to take ownership of the project and ensure its regular maintenance to prevent degeneration. He equally secured the commitment of the Oto-Awori LCDA Chairman Mr. Bolaji Kayode Roberts, who was at the ceremony to provide one sweeper to ensure the cleanliness of the bridge. The Head of the Civil Engineering Unit of the Ministry, Dehinde Oduyemi said the 240-metre long bridge has a two-metre width and took about 52 piles on over five metres of drilling. He said his men carried out a number of soil test to come out with the requirements which he said would stand for as long as the people could assure its adequate maintenance. Robert had in his welcome speech, praised the government for bringing the footbridge which he said might look insignificant to others to the people of the area. “This project as insignificant as it looks would reduce mishap that has become a daily occurrence along this area and I see it as the beginning of rapid development of our area. Ese Ofin has been neglected for a very long time due to inaccessibility and I thank God that that has been addressed with this project; this would undoubtedly open a new vista of government’s presence in this rural area. I would also encourage the people to put this bridge to good use as this would encourage the government to do more,” the council chief said. Undoubtedly, Ojelabi was very proud of his ministry’s intervention in these four local government areas. Fielding questions shortly after the exercise, the commissioner said he was always driven by the passion to change the lives of the downtrodden that live in these rural areas and was always uneasy anytime anyone argues that there were no rural areas in the state. “This ministry has exposed quite a number of rural areas, places that you would wonder how we managed to get there. For some, their major problem is road, for others it is electricity, or Primary Health Care Centre, or even school. There are so many forgotten communities on some of these islands that we have provided electricity, water and so on. We are committed to changing the face of the rural dwellers in Lagos State and making sure that they equally enjoy the same facilities like their kith and kin in urban areas because this is the only way to keep them where they are and prevent further rural-urban migration,” Ojelabi stated.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT Four years after his death, members of the political family of the strongman of Ibadan politics, Chief Lamidi Adedibu, are struggling to locate the thread that binds them, report BISI OLADELE

HE expansive palatial home of the former Ibadan political warlord, Chief Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu, is speedily dwindling in fame and importance. Located on a plane land by a large piece of land and a building of the defunct Nigerian Telecommunication (NITEL), the large compound is about 300 metres from the popular Molete Bridge. In the last few years before his death on June 11, 2099, Adedibu’s house was the most powerful political location in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. It was always a Mecca of sort as the high and mighty in politics across the nation visited continuously. The residence also received budding politicians coming to receive tutelage in the Nigerian kind of politics. So were hoodlums, mainly members of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in the state. Adedibu was their Grand Patron. Residents who felt cheated by others as well as those seeking one favour or the other also thronged the politician’s house. The large compound received visitors from morning till evening, seven days a week, culminating in unending activities.

•Adedibu’s home

Adedibu political family seeks resuscitation from ruins But all that is dead. ‘Baba’, as he was fondly called, went away with all his power and influence. A visit to ‘Baba’s house, last week, revealed the death of all that was known with the late politician. Aside the repainting of the buildings that confirmed that the family is still together, nothing else announces Adedibu’s exploits in his hey days. The compound, made up of seven buildings and a mosque, was how-

ever, still kept neat and alive. Security men still occupy the gatehouse while some of Baba’s nuclear family members still live there. Weed has occupied an unused portion of the compound. Molete itself is wearing a new look through the urban renewal exercise of the Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s administration. The open spaces under the bridge that used to play host to hoodlums and street trading has been protected

with beautiful iron bars while commercial buses using the roundabout as park have been relocated to a piece of land in front of Baba’s residence, thereby bringing beauty and orderliness to an area that was once a dirty, dreaded motor park. Motorists now move freely without fear of being attacked or exploited by hoodlums. The change is impressive! However, the active members of Adedibu political family are return-

‘We now sleep with two eyes closed’

ESIDENTS around the compound of the late Ibadan politician, Alh. Lamidi Adedibu, in Molete, Ibadan have been enjoying peace and safety since the politician passed away four years ago. Adedibu died in Ibadan in June 11, 2009 after he slumped at the state headquarters of the Nigerian Immigration Service, Agodi where he had gone to renew his international passport. Adedibu’s house is located near the popular Molete Bridge around which shops are built. The roundabout is also gateway to many other residential areas, making it a hub of traffic and trading. But residents never slept with their two eyes closed due to the hoodlums and their violent activities around Adedibu’s house, particularly in the last six years of his life. Being the Grand Patron of commercial drivers in the state and the need to protect himself due to his type of politics, Adedibu’s house provided a space for different types of people but which constituted a menace to his neighbours. When The Nation visited the area last week, most residents who spoke, expressed joy with the peace and safety that returned to the neighborhood after the demise of the late strongman of Oyo State. A trader, Alh Isiaka Alusekere said: “Well, without been politically biased, I would say the area that has been notorious for thuggery and other political violence is now more accommodating and peaceful. In the then Baba Adedibu’s era, it was usually unsafe to go to Molete and even we the residents were afraid to move about during the day not to talk of night. These days, how-

•New face of Molete

Four years after Adedibu’s death TAYO JOHNSON reports that Molete residents heave a sigh of relief from thuggery, crime and violence. ever, the area is more peaceful.” Another resident who did not want his name in print spoke in line with Alusekere. He added that the urban renewal exercise of the state government has further given the area a face lift as well as put an end to the reign of hoodlums in the area. His words:” The demise of the political icon in person of Baba Adedibu coupled with the current administration’s efforts in clearing the Molete bridge and environment beautification have eased traffic congestion, reduced political unrest and thuggery that were associated with this area

during the days of Baba Adedibu. I can confidently say that there is peace and orderliness in our neighborhood now.” Also another resident said:” Although Molete was very lively when Adedibu was alive but there was no peace because if some thugs were not fighting at one corner, or raping, you would see someone that was killed over night. There was also armed robbery at another side and we the residents could not sleep with our two eyes closed in the night. Now I can come into my house after 9:00 pm but then I did not stay out later

than 7:00 pm and I locked my doors afterwards. And I never allowed any of my family members to go outside after that time.” But a taxi driver, who simply identified himself as Kamorudeen, differed in his opinion. To him, the death of Adedibu was a departure of an era of help and succor for the needy and the downtrodden. He said: “We really miss Baba Adedibu because he was one of our benefactors. Anytime we did not have money or we had any problem he was always there for us. I always ate Amala in the afternoon in his house.”

ing to the basics. Having scattered and pursued individual ambitions laced with strife for four years, a common interest is forcing its way among the political players, paving way for a new harmonious relationship. But the odds are clear and strong as ambition still reigns strong in the heart of stakeholders. Lamidi Ariyibi Adedibu died on June 11, 2009, taking colour and shine off partisan political activities in Oyo State and the Southwest at large. Adedibu, who was practically the backbone of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the state, would be remembered for his shrewd politicking skills and astute political leadership and his controversial positions on political issues. He was a towering figure within his party and Yoruba land at large. Adedibu spent at least 80 percent of his lifetime playing politics. He wined and dined with national, regional, state and local government political figures, some of who passed through his Molete school of politics. His death did not come as a big blow to the political terrain, it dealt a heavy blow to many of his followers and beneficiaries of his leadership within the PDP. His was a huge star that dropped from the clime and his shoes were too big for any other player to wear, according to his followers. Members of his political family include Elder Wole Oyelese, Alh. Hazeem Gbolarumi, Nureni Akanbi, Asimiyu Adio, Bola Alphonso, Sen. Teslim Folarin and Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, Ambassador Taofeek Arapaja and the late Chief Kolapo Isola. Confirming his membership of the family in an interview with The Nation, Oyelese said: “Not only am I a member of the Adedibu political family, I was the number two man to him. Together, we installed Sen. Rashidi Ladoja as governor in 2003.” He continued: “There are many other members of the family. They include Hazeem Gbolarumi, Nureni Akanbi and a lot of people you may not have heard their names. They include Aleshinloye, a former chairman of Ibadan South•Continued on page 38

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT

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Controversy rages over the unity or otherwise of the political family left behind by late Chief Lamidi Adedibu. BISI OLADELE spoke with two of his former disciples

‘There is no more Adedibu political family’

OME people regard you as a member of the Adedibu political family. Is that true? Not only am I a member of the Adedibu political family, I was the number two man to him. Together, we installed Senator Rashidi Ladoja as governor in 2003. Who are other major members of the political family? There are many other members of the family. They include Hazeem Gbolarumi, Nureni Akanbi, and a lot of people you may not have heard their names. They include Aleshinloye, a former chairman of Ibadan Southwest Local Government, Ado, Bola Alphonso. Some of them have passed away. But the active ones include Asimiyu Adio and Layi Ajakaye. What about people like the former governor, Adebayo Alao-Akala and the likes of Senator Teslim Folarin? Those ones came later. They are latter members of the family. The family was formed since the days of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). We started since 1988. Is the Adedibu political family still alive? Unfortunately before Baba died, a lot of things happened and some of us were forced to leave the family. Unfortunately, many of those who benefitted from the family ruined the family because they did not take concrete steps to sustain it. I can say they neglected it because they were not original members of the family. Since Baba’s death, is the family still together as one? That is what I just told you. Some of us who were really loyal to him were already annoyed with him. The few who are still loyal to him did not struggle to put the family together. Those who benefitted behaved like birds that fly away after they are given birth to. They were not entrenched in the system. So, one could not blame them. Baba made some wrong choices and that is what is responsible for the family not being formidable as it should be. Can we still say that there is the Adedibu political family in Oyo State politics today? I wouldn’t say there is an Adedibu political family now. No. There are Adedibu former followers but not a family. So, in today’s politics in Oyo State, is there any force that can be traced to the Adedibu political family? You keep on talking about family but I keep talking about former associates and the beneficiaries. There is a big difference between the two. Those who benefitted but who were not original members or who only became members because of the benefit they enjoyed. There is a clear difference between the two. They are still powerful players in the political terrain but the latter cannot still be called core members of the Adedibu family. They can trace their roots to Adedibu but that still does not make them core members of the family. We started a long time ago. We built the family during the SDP days and it has weathered the storm until Baba passed away. Do you see core and non-core members working together in the 2015 elections?

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Anything is possible in politics. That’s all I will say. In Oyo State politics, for how long do you think Adedibu’s name will be relevant? It is just like Chief Awolowo’s name. Chief Awolowo died a long time ago but his name is still ringing. People can still refer to what he did in Yoruba land. Chief Adedibu’s name will continue to ring a bell but his influence will not be there because he was a powerful, colorful politician. So his name will continue to ring bell. How do you view Oyo State politics without Adedibu, particularly in the PDP? I told you earlier that Baba made some mistakes, just like any human being. Those mistakes are now causing problems in Oyo State. He threw up a lot of people who should never have smelt the corridor of power. These people are inexperienced and they are now causing problem in the party. Baba’s method can only be practised by Baba. His method was unique and can only be practiced by him. Anybody who tries to imitate Baba Adedibu will destroy himself. Why? Because he was a unique man. He had a system and the system worked for him. But things have changed. But if he was alive today? Things would not have been the way they are in the PDP. We are Baba Adedibu and Baba Adedibu is us. I am talking about those of us who are core members of the family. The man knew that he was there with a big basket in front of him. Other people would go out to their local governments. They would win the positions and bring them and put them in the basket. Nobody can do that in Oyo State now. Those of us who can practise it are still interested in political contest. Baba Adedibu was not a contestant but a godfather. Not many people have that experience or the know-how. Those of us who have the know-how are still interested in political offices. Does that mean that his absence in the political terrain is like the absence of a very experienced father? You are very right. Baba Adedibu was an enigma. He would tell you things that are not in any political publication. He had it in his head and he would bring it out and it would work. So would you say politicians in Oyo State are missing him? Of course, yes. A lot of inexperienced people have been thrown up. That also is part of the mistakes he committed. Many of the people now parading themselves as leaders, where did they have their training? At the appropriate time, when we have to mention names, we will talk. And the boys will know themselves and the men will know themselves in Oyo State. What should we expect in the political terrain in 2015? Things are no more the same. It is going to affect politics in the state. Things have fallen apart both in the APC and the PDP. The centre is not holding.

Baba’s method can only be practised by Baba. His method was unique and can only be practiced by him. Anybody who tries to imitate Baba Adedibu will destroy himself •Chief Oyelese

If there is need for violence, you get violent, if things require peace and calmness, you do so. It is normal in life. It is like having a stubborn child who does not listen to you. If you cannot beat the child, you may decide to be aggressive •Chief Gbolarumi

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‘The family is there but not united’

ITH the death of Baba Adedibu many believe his group is in disarray, what is the situation now? In fact, talking about the Adedibu political family, it is regrettable. If Baba was alive, it would not have happened this way because Baba had his way of leading people. He would tell you why things had to be done in certain ways and people always fell for his wisdom. That was then when we all had a common rallying point. But for now, everybody wants to be a leader. There is an ego problem. But now, we are planning to have a common leader, a rallying point. That will be part of our discussion the next time we meet. Does that mean the political class particularly the PDP members miss Adedibu? We all miss Baba Adedibu. In fairness, we all miss him. Even in the entire Nigerian political landscape, Baba Adedibu is missed. But we thank God. We shall get out of this problem. As his second in command so to speak to, how would you describe the political family he left behind? The family is still there. It is just that we are not all that united. The reason being that everybody wants to be leader, even people who had the opportunity to become councilors would claim they are leaders. Since the demise of Baba, everybody has become a leader. That has been giving us setback. They have forgotten that leaders emerge naturally. It is not by election, selection or appointment. But we all miss Baba. Baba was a politician with local intelligence. We all benefitted from him. He was our benefactor, mentor everything to us. He was a good listener. He would ask everybody to contribute to issues. He listened very well and took advice. Once Baba discovered you, you won’t need to spend your money unnecessarily before he would present you for the right position. Once Baba discovered how appropriate you are for any position, he would just present you for it without allowing you to start spending. He was a man out of all men. We miss his advice, leadership, intelligence, wisdom. We miss everything. His death is like a father and a son. The father loves the son so much. He could do anything for the son. If such father dies suddenly, it is tragedy for the son. Is it not true that Baba listened to you and took your advice on most issues? He listened to everybody. Even at that, it is normal for a father to love one more than the others. But that does not mean you should show it. It is normal, even within the family. But that does not mean I dictated to Baba. Probably I had good advice or stable contribution that the man bought into. That does not mean I dictated to hm. How were decisions taken during Baba’s time? We would all gathered. The issues would be tabled. Everybody would contribute and offer solutions. Then, Baba would take the final decision. The decision always came from our deliberations. By the time he took the decision, we would all embrace it. So, thinking that I unilaterally took the decisions for Baba is wrong. Can you remember one or two other key

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

members of the council with whom you took important decisions? Taofeek Arapaja, Senator Teslim Folarin, Elder Wole Oyelese, Chief Kolapo Isola Are you still in touch with these people? I relate with all of them but it has been very difficult coming together because everybody wants to be a leader. If you call a meeting, A will tell you that he should call the meeting. B will tell you he should chair the meeting. C will tell you he is the oldest. Can you see the ego problem? But we have now realised the need to come together and forget about the whole issue. So, we are moving on. What about those who benefitted from the Adedibu’s political style? Are you still in touch with them? We are still relating and the relationship is very cordial. Senator Kamoru Adedibu visited me four days ago. I visited Alhaja Bose Adedibu last week. She also visited me. I still spoke with Prof. Adedibu. Do you still believe in Adedibu’s style? I don’t have any different style from Baba. I learnt it from him. Do you know that Baba’s style of politics included violence. Even in any organisation, you may need violence to address some issues as much as you need peaceful and a gentleman’s approach to other issues. If there is need for violence, you get violent, if things require peace and calmness, you do so. It is normal in life. It is like having a stubborn child who does not listen to you. If you cannot beat the child, you may decide to be aggressive. Is Akala still a member of the Adedibu political family? Yes. Do you still want to work together? Yes How would your past experience with him affect the new parley? I have told you that everybody has realised his/her mistakes. We have forgotten that. How often do you visit Molete? Often How about other members of the family? They all come here for meetings. We also meet at Molete. Has Akala been part of any of those meetings at Molete? Yes, because his followers are participating. If he did not instruct them, his followers would not have come. Will the Adedbu political family play any role in the 2015 election in Oyo State? The best thing will happen. Give me an idea. I don’t need to give you any idea. Once ban on campaign is lifted, you will see all of us together. Why would members of the Adedibu family feel comfortable working with Ladoja as their leader? It is possible. Ladoja was a senator and governor. He is still our brother and we are from the same political family. We can still work together.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Adedibu political family seeks •Continued from page 36 west Local Government, Ado, Bola Alphonso. Some of them have passed away. But the active ones include Asimiyu Adio and Layi Ajakaye.” Asked about membership of others such as Alao-Akala and Folarin, the former minister said:”Those ones came later. They were latter members of the family because they were initially beneficiaries. The family was formed since the days of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). We started since 1988 and those people were not part of us then.” Is the Adedibu political family still alive? Oyelese believes that the family is practically dead but that members of the family may still find a way to work together towards the 2015 election. According to the politician, Baba made some mistakes like any other human being towards the end of his life which he believes led to the inability of the family to hold itself together. He said: “Unfortunately before Baba died, a lot of things happened and some of us were forced to leave the family. Unfortunately again, many of those who benefitted from the family ruined the family because they did not take concrete steps to sustain the family. I can say they neglected it because they were not original members of the family. “Some of us who were really loyal to him were already annoyed with him. The few who are still loyal to him did not struggle to put the family together. Those who benefitted behaved like birds which fly away after they are given birth to. They were not entrenched in the system. So, one could not blame them. Baba made some wrong choices and that is what is responsible for the family not being formidable as it should be. “I wouldn’t say there is an Adedibu political family now. No. There are Adedibu former followers but not a family. There is a big difference between those who merely benefitted from Baba and the original members of the family. The fist group benefitted, but were not original members or who only became members because of the benefit they enjoyed. There is a clear difference between the two. They are still powerful players in the political terrain but the former cannot still be called core members of the Adedibu family. They can trace their roots to Adedibu but that still does not make them core members of the family. We started a long time ago. We built the family during the SDP days and it has weathered the storm until Baba passed away.” The PDP chieftain however, believes that Adedibu’s name will continue to reverberate in Oyo State politics because many players passed through him in one way or the other. “It is just like Chief Awolowo’s name. Chief Awolowo died a long time ago but his name is still ringing. People can still refer to what he did in Yoruba land. Chief Adedibu’s name will continue to ring a bell but his influence will not be there because he was a powerful, colorful politician. So his name will continue to ring bell. “But Baba made some mistakes, just like any human being. Those

•Inside the late Chief Adedibu’s house at Molete mistakes are now causing problems in Oyo State. He threw up a lot of people who should never have smelt the corridor of power. These people are inexperienced and they are now causing problem in the party. Baba’s method can only be practised by Baba. His method was unique and can only be practised by him. Anybody who tries to imitate Baba Adedibu will destroy himself. This is because he was a unique man. He had a system and the system worked for him. But things have changed.” Oyelese acknowledged that Oyo State politics cannot have the same colour it had in the days of the strongman of Ibadan politics because things have changed. Besides, he disclosed that those who could function as an overall leader are still interested in political offices. His words: “Adedibu knew that he was there with a big basket in front of him. Other people would go out to their local governments, they would win the positions and bring them (returns)and put them in the basket. Nobody can do that in Oyo State now. Those of us who can practise it are still interested in political contest. Baba Adedibu was not a contestant but a godfather. Not many people have that experience or the know-how. Those of us who have the know-how are still interested in political offices. “Baba Adedibu was an enigma. He would tell you things that are not in any political publication. He had it in his head and he would bring it out and it would work.

But a lot of inexperienced people have been thrown up. That also is part of the mistakes he committed. Many of the people now parading themselves as leaders, where did they have their training? At the appropriate time, when we have to mention names, we will talk. And the boys will know themselves and the men will know themselves in Oyo State.” Speaking along the same position, another core member of the Adedibu political family, Alh. Hazeem Gbolarumi, stressed that the family was scattered by dictatorial tendencies of some members who believed they knew it all. His words: “Where one person is dictating, it can’t work. It is not done. That was the problem that faced the PDP then. But everybody has realised his mistakes. We are integrating now; we are working together. Soon, you will see us to-

gether. “If Baba was alive, it would not have happened this way because Baba had his way of leading people. He would tell you why things had to be done in certain ways and people always fell for his wisdom. That was then when we all had a common rallying point. But for now, everybody wants to be a leader. There is an ego problem. But now, we are planning to have a common leader, a rallying point. “We all miss Baba Adedibu. In fairness, we all miss him. Even in the entire Nigerian political landscape, Baba Adedibu is missed. But we thank God. We shall get out of this problem.” As the last second in command to Adedibu, Gbolarumi believes that the family still exists because of the hope of working together again after all have come to the realisation that only a united family mem-

‘

We all miss Baba Adedibu. In fairness, we all miss him. Even in the entire Nigerian political landscape, Baba Adedibu is missed. But we thank God. We shall get out of this problem

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bers can achieve success in the political terrain. “The family is still there. It is just that we are not all that united. The reason being that everybody wants to be the leader. Even people who had the opportunity to become councilor would claim they are leaders. Since the demise of Baba, everybody has become a leader. That has been giving us setback. They have forgotten that leaders emerge naturally. It is not by election, selection or appointment. “But we all miss Baba. Baba was a politician with local intelligence. We all benefitted from him. He was our benefactor, mentor - everything to us. He was a good listener. He would ask everybody to contribute to issues. He listened very well and took advice. Once Baba discovered you, you won’t need to spend your money unnecessarily before he would present you for the right position. “We miss his advice, leadership, intelligence, wisdom. We miss everything. (The effect of )his death is like that of a father and a son. The father loved the son so much. He could do anything for the son. If such father dies suddenly, it is tragedy for the son.” Recalling how decisions were made during Baba Adedibu’s days, Gbolarumi said: “We would all gather. The issues would be tabled. Everybody would contribute and offer solutions. Then, Baba would take the final decision. The decision always came from our deliberations. By the time he took the decision, we would all embrace it.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT

resuscitation from ruins

•Chief Gbolarumi

•Chief Oyelese

•Chief Oladosu

Adedibu: In the mould of Adelakun?

IKE a lion, Chief Lamidi Adedibu roared till death in the Oyo State, Southwest and the Nigerian political climate. A member of the Alhaji Busari Oloyede Adelakun political family, Adedibu, had a firm grip on players of the game in his own time, reflecting the dominion of his political leader, Adelakun. Adelakun, affectionately called Eruobodo or fearless by political supporters, friends and foes alike, hailed from Ejioku, a less city in Ibadan. He was a formidable politician whose support was almost enough to win elections, at least in Ibadan in the Second Republic. He was a strong pillar of support for Second Republic governor of old Oyo State, late Chief Bola Ige in their days together in the defunct Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN).He served in the government of Ige as a commissioner, before political differences in the run up to the 1983 general elections led to his defection to the opposition National Party of Nigeria (NPN). He remained a political juggernaut even in NPN where his influence helped the party to topple Bola Ige and UPN in the 1983 gubernatorial election. Adelakun left the legacy of deep, victorious political practice to Adedibu who hailed from the main city Ibadan. His grip of politics in the old Oyo State, particularly Ibadan, in the Second Republic was unique. Just like Adedibu, his competence and leadership acumen traversed the entire state at the period. His opposition to the then Governor Bola Ige, following their dispute, revealed his political strength across the state. Adelakun’s movement to the then opposition party in the state, the National Party of Nigeria (NPN),

By Bisi Oladele and Tayo Johnson

largely led to the victory of the party over Bola Ige’s Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN). Mathematician Dr Omololu Olunloyo emerged the successor to Bola Ige. His political exploits earned him the alias: “Eruobodo” (River fears no one -a description of Adelakun as a valiant man). Reflecting on Eruobodo, the current Baale of Ejioku, Chief Yekini Adelakun, described him as a great, courageous and valiant politician. The Baale is the immediate younger brother of Eruobodo. The 70-year- old Baale recalled that Eruobodo used his political influence to bring development to the Ejioku community. According to him, Eruobodo was a peaceful man who was loved by, particularly every member of the Ejioku community. He said: “When he was alive, this town was lively and progressed. It witnessed development - he helped in getting employment for indigenes in the civil service, helped in bringing electricity, uninterrupted power supply, to the town and also provided pipe-borne water. He also established the Ejioku Community High School and a technical college. But since his demise, the technical college and other projects were abandoned. I had to covert the technical college to St Anthony Primary School II when there was no hope again.” He identified some of his followers as Adedibu, Dr Busari Adebisi, Chief Ayo Eniade, Supo Akinwale and Elder Wole Oyelese. One of his political sons, Chief Ahmed Oladosu, also reflected on Adelakun’s activities and praised his exploits.

•Chief Adelakun’s home at Ejioku According to him, Adelakun had a dispute with Chief Obafemi Awolowo and Chief Bola Ige which led to his removal as the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs. He was later made the Commissioner for Health. But he resigned after a while to join the NPN. He said Adelakun was feared as a tough politician due to the controversial death of his two successors in the two ministries he headed. While his successor in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs was beheaded by his own brother, his successor in Health Ministry where he resigned suffered stroke. According to Oladosu, people believed that Adelakun’s vowed that no one would be able to occupy any seat he vacated in anger, and that made them to believe that he was behind the death of the two commissioners. A major difference between Adelakun and Adedibu’s style, according to Oladosu, is that while the latter sat at home to control how elec-

tions went on elections days, the former used to visit polling centres with his lieutenants on the election day. He added that Adelakun used to monitor election in the domain of the opposition, pointing out that with his presence, voting often went in favour of his party and candidate. However, not a few would be quick to point at the violence that rocked old Oyo State in the run up to the 1983 polls and the role played by Adelakun and his group which had Adedibu as a prominent player. The series of violence that also erupted in the state when Adedibu held sway as the undisputed leader , some would argue were indicative of the kind of politics the two played in their time. The names of the two politicians, no doubt, would continue to occupy a huge space in the annals of Oyo State and Southwest at large. In Adelakun’s epitaph was inscribed: “A philanthropist, businessman, politician, Bada Balogun of Ibadanland, Basorun Musunlumi of Oyo State, Defender of the rights of the masses. (Eruobodo).

•Chief Adelakun

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOUTHWEST REPORT

N undergraduate student of Adekunle Ajasin University (AAUA) Akungba-Akoko in Ondo State, Adebayo Alade, has been arrested by men of the state Police Command over the death of a four-year-old girl, Elizabeth Wanogho. Alade, who teaches a kindergarten class at Falaiye Memorial Nursery/Primary School Old Ologede, Akure, was alleged by Elizabeth’s father, Mr. Ovie Wanogho of torturing her late daughter to death. Elizabeth was said to have complained to her parents several times about the attitude of her teacher, Adebayo when she returned from her school. These complaints came following the resignation of her former teacher, a female, before Alade was appointed to take over the class. This prompted her parents to report the class teacher to the proprietor, Mr. Kola Alade, who happens to be the father of the class teacher. When the suspect was summoned, he did not deny it, according to the father but only said he was only playing with the little kid. Elizabeth’s father, Wanogho, 45, accused Adebayo of putting his finger into the private part of his late daughter and also pressed her neck for reporting the sexual assault to her parents when she got home. The little girl complained of neck pain before she was rushed to a military hospital at 32 Artillery Brigade, Nigerian Army, Akure and later referred to Mother and Child Hospital in the city where she later died. Speaking with reporters, Wanogho demanded for justice over the death of his daughter, insisting that Adebayo deliberately killed the four-year-old girl. Wanogho said he was transferred from Bauchi to Akure few months ago which warranted the changing of his daughter’s school to Falaiye Memorial Nursery/Primary School, which was very close to his new residence at Adebowale off Ondo Road in Akure. He said: “I am a civil engineer with HFP Construction Company and I got transferred from Bauchi to Akure three months ago and I decided to enroll my children in Falaiye Memorial Nursery/Primary School Old Akure-Ondo road, Ologede, Akure. “I have paid all the necessary fees demanded by the school and I also went to the school to see the person who will be the class teacher of my daughter, who is a female and I was satisfied with her. “But one day, Elizabeth after returning from school told us that her aunty has resigned and that she liked that her aunty. My response to her was that she will also love the new aunty or uncle who may likely take over her class. “Though, Elizabeth was fond of informing us about what is going on in the school particularly in her class. One afternoon after returning from school, I overheard my daughter telling her mother that her new uncle put his hand in her private part and touched her. “I went to her school the following day to report to the proprietor who summoned the teacher and asked Elizabeth to repeat what she told me and which she did in our presence. When the teacher was asked why he did such, he only responded by saying in Yoruba that ’mo kan nba sere ni’ meaning (I was only playing with her). I then warned him seriously that such should not repeat itself again. The proprietor promised that such will never happen again. “On getting home, Elizabeth still reported the uncle to me that because I came to warn him, he pressed her neck, saying that ‘your parents are not here I will deal with you’. She told me that the teacher is the proprietor’s son. “She complained of neck pains and I went to a nearby chemist and

•Ovie, Elizabeth’s father

•Late Elizabeth

Police arrest teacher for alleged torture of school girl to death in Ondo From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

bought the prescribed drugs and administered it on her, only for her neck to swell overnight and I rushed her to the hospital that night. It was on my way I met Kola (the school proprietor) driving out and I explained my plight to him but he said my wife and I should wait for him which I did but Kola never returned. “It was while waiting with a neighbour who is a retired police officer that he saw us and decided to take us to the Military Hospital at the barracks where Elizabeth was placed on drips and antibiotics. She was also given nine bottles of drips and N2,800 worth of antibiotics each to just reduce the swollen neck but to no avail. ‘All along I was concerned with my daughter’s recovery but with all the treatment she was not responding well and each time she asked for food she could not swallow when the food was brought to her. It was after few days spent at the hospital that the soldiers asked about the proprietor and I took them to the school. The proprietor claimed that he was not aware of what happened and revealed that the alleged teacher is his own son and also an undergraduate of Adekunle Ajasin University, Akungba Akoko, but only assisting him due to the ongoing ASUU strike and because some of the teachers have left the school. He told us that his son is a cult member at his institution. Wanogho said: “We were later referred to Mother and Child Hospi-

tal in Akure, where I was asked to buy blood but because I did not have money I volunteered to donate my blood in which two pints was taken from me to just save my daughter’s life. ‘It was then that I received a call from the police that the proprietor was negotiating the release of his son when I rushed to the police station and insisted that am still concerned about my daughter’s recovery. I was there when I was called on phone from the hospital that I had to rush back. ‘When I got to Mother and Child hospital I saw my daughter and she stretched her hands to me and called me, ‘Daddy! Daddy!’. As soon as I moved to her and carried her she breath her last’. “I thought it was a joke I raised her hand it dropped and I realised she was gone” At this moment, Ovie betrayed emotions and cried like a baby. Wanogho said the doctor’s report

revealed that something struck her vaginal and she was strangled on the neck. “She is in the mortuary now and what I want now is justice. I want fellow Nigerians to help me, I have three kids and have lost one she is my carbon copy. I gave her my blood to keep her but she has left me.” The proprietor of the school, Mr. Kola Alade, denied all the allegations leveled against his son by the deceased’s father. He said: “Ovie never came to my school as claimed it was the mother of the deceased that came to the school with her children to complain and I summoned my Headmistress and the teacher, Adebayo who in turn denied that anything of such happened”. Alade said when the girl was in the hospital he told the Headmistress to go and visit her and we even advised the father to take the child to Mother and Child hospital but

‘

She is in the mortuary now and what I want now is justice. I want fellow Nigerians to help me, I have three kids and have lost one she is my carbon copy. I gave her my blood to keep her but she has left me

‘

he preferred that his child be taken to the Military Hospital. He further alleged that Wanogho was complacent on the treatment of his child which resulted in the death of the girl. “He was reluctant all along as he did not respond when he was called to donate blood for his daughter which was late before he eventually did.” The proprietor lamented that Wanogho simply wants to tarnish the image of his school as all he claimed are untrue. The proprietor said: “We have urged him to let an autopsy be carried out on the girl but he has been avoiding that because when we know the cause of death, we will be able to know what really happened to the girl.” Also the headmistress, Mrs Tinuola Ajimajasan said, Elizabeth was neither beaten nor assaulted, claiming that the school was not aware if the deceased was sick. Reacting to the matter the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), ASP Wole Ogodo, said the suspect, Mr Alade Adebayo, has been apprehended and he is presently in detention at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Akure. Ogodo said, the case is still under investigation and it is only a postmortem that can reveal the cause of death because we cannot ascertain if it was the beating that resulted to her death or something else. “We will need an expert to do the autopsy on the deceased as the police cannot rely on an unrecognised hospital,” he said. Ogodo noted that the case is under investigation and the autopsy will soon be carried out.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29 2013

COMMENTARY

URMOIL, in any place and at any time, has a way of calming itself down. Religious turmoil is not an exception in this case. The global frequency of interfaith dialogues these days is an evident attestation to this assertion. Yours sincerely has been participating in series of such dialogues in recent times two of which took place in Abuja within the last two weeks alone. At such events, it became vividly noticeable that ignorance is, after all, the modern day bastion of religious disharmony. And, with meaningful dialogues, the possibility became clear that the world could return to its habitual habitat of peace in which it once sojourned with comfort. This new trend is rapidly spreading across the world and is amazingly rekindling humanity’s hope for the seemingly lost harmony. Last week Wednesday, a global interfaith conference began in Vienna, Austria, with over 600 religious leaders from all parts of the world in attendance. Yours sincerely was a participant in it. The conference which was sponsored by the Saudi Arabian King Abdullah Bin Abdul Aziz Interfaith Dialogue Foundation was the 9th in series. ‘Religions for Peace’ was established in 1970 as a means of harmonizing the common traits of all religions and understanding the differences in global religions. Leading the Nigerian delegation to that extraordinary conference were His Eminence, Dr. Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto, and His Eminence, John Cardinal Olorunfemi Onaiyekan, the Archbishop of Abuja, both of whom were elected as Presidents of the World Assembly of ‘Religions for Peace’. The duo had been jointly engaged in series of interfaith dialogues in recent times in Africa as well as the rest of the world. Coming closely on the heels of the Vienna conference was another of its type in London. The latter which commenced on 23rd November was organised by ‘Muslim Public Affairs Centre (MPAC) a well known Muslim organisation with strong base in London. The Nigerian delegation to the London conference was also led by His Eminence, the Sultan of Sokoto who moved to London from Vienna to further champion the course of global peace. These unprecedented peace initiatives of the Sultan are a sharp reminder of a historic lecture he delivered in Harvard University on October 3, 2011. Some excerpts of that famous lecture were published in this column two years ago. But because of the ever relevance of the lecture, those excerpts are hereby brought again for the benefit of peace-loving readers of ‘The Message’.

A Voice from Harvard

On Monday, October 3, 2011, a voice echoed from the United States of America and reverberated throughout the intellectual spheres of many other countries across the world’s continents. The voice was that of His Eminence, Alhaji Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar, the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA). He was the guest lecturer at Harvard University where he delivered ‘The Samuel L. and Elizabeth Jodidi annual Lecture at Weatherhead Center for International Affairs. He was invited by the authorities of that University. The theme of the lecture was: “ISLAM AND PEACE BUILDING IN WEST AFRICA”. In the preamble to the lecture, His Eminence briefly took a look into the various indices of contemporary religious developments and analyzed the merits and demerits of such developments vis-a-vis human cultural values. He started as follows: “Today, more than ever before, we stand on the threshold of great opportunities. Developments in various fields of human endeavor have made it easy to accumulate vast knowledge on peoples and cultures and to communicate this knowledge in ways never imagined before, with the real promise of bringing better understanding between us all. Scientific breakthroughs have also made it possible to achieve human development at an unprecedented scale and to enhance the welfare and wellbeing of each and every one of us…” “But these opportunities also come with great dangers – and these dangers have already begun to manifest themselves in ways that leave us with much to worry

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

Echoes from Vienna

•Sultan Abubakar

• C a r d i n a l Onaiyekan

about. Bigotry and hatred are being elevated to a new pedestal and spread with relish and impunity. Protracted conflicts, threats of war and the rise of extremism and militancy, from all sides of the socioreligious divide, have become the reality of our daily lives in many parts of the world. Regrettably, a significant portion of the world’s population still wallows in abject poverty and neglect, thereby fuelling the vicious cycles of conflict, violence and instability that we are now all too familiar with”.

Experience

“As a military officer and diplomatic representative, I have seen the devastation of war, not only in West Africa, but in Afghanistan, Iraq and other parts of the world. I have witnessed the desperate cries of widows and orphans and the exasperation of bewildered families desperately struggling to pick up the shattered pieces of their lives. As the Sultan of Sokoto and President-General of the Nigerian Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs; as well as the Co-Chair of the Nigerian Inter-Religious Council [NIREC], I have also seen the pain and suffering which ethnic polarization and religious misunderstanding could bring to a nation and its people; how ego and bigotry could conspire to deprive people of their rationality and good judgment and how religious leaders could set aside the teachings of their scriptures to lend a helping hand to these sectarian crises”.

A world of difference

“But during all these, I have also seen how people of goodwill could make a world of difference; how the right word at the appropriate time could heal an old wound; how a little help to those in distress could rekindle hope in our common humanity and how people of virtue, courage and determination could set aside their fears and misgivings to work together to re-establish and strengthen the bases of mutual co-existence within their diverse communities….It is in the context of these challenges and opportunities that I wish to talk to you on the issues of peace and religious harmony tonight. Since many people have talked and written about Religion and Conflict in our part of the world, it is only appropriate for me to address you on Islam and Peace-Building in West Africa, and particularly in my home country, Nigeria, with the real hope that in our individual and collective efforts, we can contribute our little quota towards the realization of the Jodidi vision of promoting “tolerance, understanding and goodwill among nations and the peace of the world…”

Dan Fodio for instance

Alluding to Sokoto Caliphate founded by Shaykh Uthman Dan Fodio in the early 19th century as a cultural and intellectual yard-

stick for measuring value in a meaningful society, His Eminence said: “The emergence of the Sokoto Caliphate in the early years of the nineteenth century, led by the erudite scholar, Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fodio, brought a drastic transformation of the Islamic scene in West Africa. The Sokoto Caliphate was a political as well as an intellectual revolution. Politically, it initiated an extensive process of state formation which spanned across several states in Western and Central Africa. Intellectually, the Caliphate also succeeded in putting scholars at the helm of public affairs. As true intellectuals, they had to argue their way through almost every major decision they took and had the time and foresight to record their thoughts, ideas and the justification of their actions for posterity. The Sokoto Triumvirate, namely Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fodio, Shaykh Abdullahi Ibn Fodio and Shaykh Muhammad Bello, authored over 300 books and pamphlets. Other Caliphate leaders were also prolific writers. Nana Asma’u alone wrote over 70 poems and tracts.

Category of values

But despite these impressive achievements, probably one of the Caliphate’s most enduring legacies had been in the area of values. Classifying value into five categories and justifying each by quoting relevant authorities, His Eminence ascertained as follows: The first category of values raised by the Sokoto Caliphate leaders was one associated with knowledge as the basis for effective leadership. Ignorance has no business with leadership and ignorant people should have no business in governance. In the emphatic words of Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fodio: “A man without learning is like a country without inhabitants. The finest [qualities] in a leader in particular and in people in general, are the love of learning, the desire to listen to it and holding the bearer of knowledge in great respect….. If a leader is devoid of learning, he follows his whims and leads his subjects astray, like a riding beast with no halter, wandering off the path and perhaps spoiling what it passes over…. [Bayan Wujub al-Hijra] “The second category of values which I wish to bring to your attention is the primacy of Justice as the basis of good governance. Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fodio, the leader of the Sokoto Caliphate, had always believed that “seeing to the welfare of the people is more effective than the use of force.” According to Shaykh Uthman, “the crown of the leader is his integrity, his strong-hold is his impartiality and his wealth is [the prosperity] of his people.” Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fodio was equally emphatic on how injustice compromises the integrity of governance and ultimately destroys the state”. He said: “One of the swiftest ways of destroying a state is to give preference to one particular group over another or to show favour to one group of people rather than another and draw near those who should be kept away and keep away those who should be drawn near…. Other practices destructive to sovereignty are arrogance and conceit which take away virtues. There are six qualities which cannot be tolerated in a leader: lying, envy, breach of promise, sharpness of temper, miserliness and cowardice. Another is the seclusion of the leader from his people, because when the oppressor is sure that the oppressed person will not have access to the ruler, he becomes more oppressive… A state can

endure with unbelief but it cannot endure with injustice.” [Bayan Wujub al-Hijra] “The third category of values is that dealing with the fight against corruption especially in the management of public affairs. Shaykh Abdullahi Ibn Fodio puts the Caliphate’s position in clear and unambiguous terms: “A ruler is forbidden to touch property acquired unjustly, such as through bribes obtained for appointing a judge or any other officer. The use of such property is unanimously regarded as illegal. It corrupts the Religion and opens the door wide to abuses and oppression of the poor. For the officials may feel that since money was obtained from them as a reward for appointing them to office, they in turn must recover it from the common people….” [Diya’al-Hukkam] It is also the view of the Sokoto Caliphate leaders that those charged with authority must strive to shun corrupt practices and lead by example. In the words of Sultan Muhammad Bello: “Leaders are like a spring of water and officials are like water-wheels. If the spring is pure, the filth of the water-wheels cannot harm it. If, on the other hand, the spring is polluted, the purity of the waterwheel will have little effect [on the purity of the water].” [Usul al-Siyasa] The fourth category of values relates to the dignity of labor and indeed the responsibility of government to provide the enabling environment that would allow people to make a decent living. In the words of Sultan Muhammad Bello: “……Guard yourself against poverty by lawful earning, because every poor man is afflicted by three defects: religious weakness, feeble mindedness and loss of honor. Worse than this is the contempt in which he is held by people….There are two assets which, as long as you safeguard them, you will remain alright: Your earnings for your livelihood and your religion for your hereafter…..The recommendable earning is better than supererogatory worship, the benefit of which is confined to the worshipper alone, whereas the benefit of the recommended earnings extend to others.”[Ahkam al-Makasib] “The fifth and final category of values… is the uplifting of the status of women, especially through Education. The Sokoto Caliphate leaders, as erudite scholars, lived by the percepts they preached and ensured that their wives and daughters and all others associated with them were educated to the highest standards the society could offer. Many of these women, including Nana Asma’u, became leaders in their own right and played an active role in the political arena. Equally and importantly, Shaykh Uthman Ibn Fodio’s pronouncements, made in the very early part of the nineteenth century, could not be more categorical: “One of the great calamities which have afflicted Hausaland is the practice of many of its scholars in abandoning their wives, daughters and servants in a state of ignorance. They are left like animals without any effort to teach them….. This is a grave mistake and a prohibited innovation. They treat them like utensils which they put to use, but when broken, get thrown into the dustbin. What a strange behavior! How could they leave their wives, daughters and servants in the darkness of ignorance and astray, while educating their students morning and evening. This is just for their selfish interest and for show and ostentation….”

Challenges of insecurity

The Sultan who had earlier delivered similar lectures in Cambridge and Oxford did not stop there. He went further to trace and analyze the challenges of insecurity as well as causes of violence and terrorism in Nigeria and suggested some solutions to those societal vices. These analyses will be brought up in this column along with the report of Vienna Conference when I arrive in the country next week in sha’a Llah. Meanwhile, the details of what transpired at the Vienna conference; a brief history of ‘Religions for Peace’, how the Sultan and John Cardinal Onaiyekan emerged as world Presidents of that world’s largest international religious body; the declaration made at the end of that conference and the future expectations from the decisions taken at the conference will be published in this column next Friday in sha’Allah.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

PEOPLE THE NATION

A FOUR-PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

This year’s PEARL Awards for excellence in the stock market was held on Sunday at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI was there.

•From left: Mrs Fadayomi; Mr Orekoya; Mr Edwin; Gen Danjuma, Alhaji Abdullahi and Mrs Peterside

A night of stars I

T was a night to remember. Everything was done according to order. As guests arrived, a bevy of beautiful women in blue dress took them to their labelled seats. It was the 18th Performance Earning and Returns Leadership (PEARL) Awards. Expectedly, guests came from virtually every sector of the economy. Traditional rulers, media gurus, captains of industry, oil magnates and stakeholders in the stock market were all there. Dignitaries stopped at the red carpet for photo journalists. As the photographers took their shot, some exchanged pleasantries and spoke with reporters. The hall’s decoration was classic. The tables were covered with gold, and the chairs with black satin. The stage was decorated in black, gold, red and white. Each table, with a flower vase, was reserved for representatives of organisations. There was a variety of dishes to choose from. The event kicked off following the rendition of the National Anthem. Tee-A, the comedian, and Michelle Dede anchored the event. Oba of Lagos, Rilwan Akiolu was the royal father of the day. The chief host/PEARL Award Chairman, Gen. Theophilus Danjuma, said the gathering was aimed at rewarding excellence in the capital market. He said the award process was on

credibility and verifiable facts, noting that better performance was expected from the awardees in the future. PEARL Award’s theme song followed. It was led by a singer – Okoro Uwale (a.k.a Essence). The President/Chief Executive Officer, PEARL Awards, Tayo Orekoya, said the award was aimed at stimulating healthy competition among quoted companies by rewarding corporate excellence. “The Pearl Awards is to identify, appreciate and celebrate industry leaders that have stood firm and held out returning outstanding operational and stock trading performance, boosting stakeholders wealth inspire of numerous challenges,” he said. The session for goodwill messages followed. Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola, represented by his Commissioner for Finance, Mr Ayo Gbeleyi, urged the awardees to sustain the growth of their organisation. Kano State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso, represented by his Liaison Office Director in Lagos, Alhaji Ibrahim Musa, congratulated the awardees on their achievements. Abilogun Troupe entertained guests. The high point of the night was the presentation and launch of the 2014 Nigerian Stock Market Annual. Danjuma presented the book; his wife, Senator Daisy launched it, opening the book for purchase.

•Senator Daisy Danjuma presenting a plaque to Mr Salako

Chairman, Protea Hotel Alhaji Lateef Owoyemi, reviewed the book. It was followed by the award session. Dangote Group stood tall among the nominees. Group Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Dangote Cement Plc, Devakumar Edwin, was delighted as Dangote won the overall winner of the Pearl Awards 2013 out of about 22 different organisations/individuals. Responding to the award, Edwin said: “I am not really surprised be-

cause this is what we expect; we have a good combination of shareholders, directors and staffs in Dangote.” Mr Atedo Peterside got the Special Recognition Award for Capital Market Development. Chidi Okoro, the Pearl CEO of the Year award. Taofik Salako of The Nation, PEARL Capital Market Journalist of the Year award while PEARL Media Award for Capital Market reporting went to African Independent Television (AIT).

The other awards were the Market Excellence Awards, which was given to; Abico Plc, PharmaDeco Plc, CAP Plc, National Salt Co. Dangote Cement Plc, Evans Nigeria Plc and MRS Oil Nigeria Plc, Secretarial Leadership Award was given to UAC Nigerian Plc, Nigerian Breweries Plc, National Salt Co. Union Bank for Africa Plc, ALLCO Insurance Plc, GlaxoSmithkline Cons Nigerian Plc, Dangote Cement Plc, Julius Berger Nigerian Plc, Oando Plc and FBN Holdings Plc. The Nation’s Salako said the award was an encouragement for the works done so far and a challenge to strive for a better tomorrow. Present at the event were wife of PEARL Awards President, Mrs. Abimbola Orekoya; Chairman, PEARL Awards Nigeria, Alhaji Umaru Abdullahi; Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange Mr. Oscar Onyema, represented by the General Manager/Head, Listings, Sales and Retention Mrs Taba Peterside; Consulate-General of Ghana, Lagos, Alhaji Abdulahi Abubakri; President, Institute of Directors, Chief Eniola Fadayomi; Chief Executive Officer, FBN Holdings Plc, Mallam Bello Maccido; Former Minister of Information, High Chief Alex Akinyele; former Director General, Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Mr. Wole Adetunji; Former President, Institute of Capital Market Registrars, Mrs. Lola Oyebadejo; Chief Consultant, B Adedipe and Associates, Dr. Biodun Adedipe; President, Association Advancement of Rights of Nigerian Shareholders, Dr Faruk Umar among others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

SOCIETY Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof Modupe Adeola Adelabu made a grand return to Ile-Ife in Osun State where she spent 30 years of her career life. She was received by the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okuade Sijuwade, at the cosy Olubuse Hall. BUNMI OGUNMODEDE was there.

OR about an hour, the audience at the cosy Olubuse Hall, within the sprawling palace of the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okuade Sijuwade, Olubuse II, heard how the more than three decades sojourn of Prof Modupe Adeola Adelabu, the Ekiti State Deputy Governor, in Ile-Ife shaped her life. The Ado-Ekiti born princess had returned to 'The Source' to pay homage to the foremost Yoruba monarch. It was her own way of saying thank you to a 'father' who stood by his 'daughter' when it mattered most. The Ooni was in Ado-Ekiti, the Ekiti State capital on May 8, to witness the inauguration of the professor of Educational Administration as deputy governor. It was sweet homecoming for the professor, who arrived into the warm embrace of the Ooni, who was seated in the hall, with some royal fathers and high chiefs. Palace spokesman Chief Funmilola Olorunnisola set the ball rolling with the introduction of the hosts. The traditional praise-singers, Egbe Elewo and Egbe Osirigi, were on hand to spice and add colour to the gathering with their local renditions. In the hall with Oba Sijuwade to receive the deputy governor were: Olori Monisola Sijuwade, wife of the Oni, who doubles as the Yeyeluwa of Ife; Prince Bayo Sijuwade, the Sooko Laekan of Ife, his wife, Olori Foluke; Ife traditional rulers Kole Ojutalayo (Oba Wanikin); Adebanjo Adedini (Asoya of Ile-Isoya); Ifaturoti Falosa (Osadio) of Ife, among others. Not quite long, the former military governor of the defunct Western Region, Gen Roberts Adeyinka Adeyinka Adebayo breezed into the palace. The Iyin-Ekiti-born General walked into the hall as the Oba was just making a pleasant remark about him. After paying the usual homage, he made straight for a seat reserved for him near the monarch, being a high chief of the city.

Oba Sijuwade was acknowledging the presence of Mr Sola Adebayo, the Commissioner for Works in EkitiState, as the son of the General, who he called his respectable friend, when the retired military chief came in. "My friend, who I am talking about is not a bastard. He is the person just coming in," the monarch said, drawing the audience attention to Gen Adebayo's arrival. The younger Adebayo was in the entourage of the deputy governor. When she stood up to state her mission to the palace, Prof Adelabu said she had come to a city that could be described in every sense of it, her home, having spent more than three decades as a student and lecturer at the then University of Ife, renamed after the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. She relived the good memories of the relationship between the royal father and her family and that the monarch was always there for the family, especially, in its moment of need. "It is a journey back home. Kabiyesi has been a father to me for a very long time. He organised a party for me when I completed my PhD programme in 1990. We were also with him when he mounted the throne of his forebears on December 6, 1980," the deputy governor said. She went on: "I am proud to be a daughter in Osun State having spent more than 30 years here in Ile-Ife. I had all my under-graduate and postgraduation education and degrees here at OAU. I also had my entire working career here. But for what Ife deposited in my life, I won't be what and where I am today. "I got married while at Ife; I had all my children here in Ife and all of them had their education here at the OAU. I cannot forget Ile-Ife, a city that gave so much opportunity for me to develop myself to the fullest. I have adopted it as my second home." The professor also reminded the monarch how members of her family were always accommodated at Ooni's

•Oba Sijuwade chatting with Prof Adelabu

Royal reception for a princess London home whenever they were in the United Kingdom (UK) on holidays. "I want to thank you immensely for the love you have shown to me and members of my family, especially in our moments of trials," she concluded before she presented the monarch with a plaque bearing the official logo Ekiti State and a compendium on the administration of her boss, Dr John Kayode Fayemi between October 16, 2010 and October 16, 2012. In his remark, Oba Sijuwade, who had earlier called for a minute's silence in honour of the late Adelabu Adedeji, an Ijero-Ekiti prince and husband of the deputy governor, described Prof Adelabu as a special and important guest, who he noted came

from a good home and developed herself to be cultured. "Others are seeking employment but Prof Adelabu is one person who is not applying for any job. Rather, jobs are running after her. She married a humble man who lived a peaceful and enviable life. The deputy governor is a lady Nigeria and Africa should be proud of." In what looked like a royal blessing, the monarch said the Lord has just started with the deputy governor. "Your position is a stepping stone. I don't know exactly where you going and you yourself don't even know but I know that God is promoting you. Your present position is just a stepping stone. I am proud of you," he said. The monarch urged the political and

administrative aides to Prof Adelabu to guard against misleading her with wrong counsels. Also were Ife High Chiefs J.O. Ijaodola (Lowa Adimula); C.O. Awoyefa (Jaran); Johnson Arifayo Awe (Isanire); Adetoye Odewole, (Lowate); Adebowale Olafare (Erebese); Isaiah Eniola (Tewogbade); Johnson Omotoyosi (Akindoyin Jagunjin); Zaccheus Akinropo (Waasin of Ilare Quarters); Johnson Owoyomi (Akogun); Chiefs Segun Arasanmi (Lodoko Adimula); and Tayewo Makinde (Lodoko More). The female chiefs - Iyabo Regina Adewole (Ekarun Iyalode) and Morunkode Aduke Olasoji (Ekefa Iyalode) were not left out.

Its introduction of Opon Imo (the tablet of knowledge) six months ago was hailed by many. Since then, the Osun State government has been receiving awards for the initiative. It picked up another award at the maiden edition of the Brain Awards at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

Osun shines at Brain awards

HE event was the first of its kind in the country. Brands got awards for exceptional performance. Brain Awards 2013, organiser of Brands in Nigeria Awards, honoured seven winners, including personalities, organisations and products. People came from far and wide to attend the ceremony at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos. Arriving in their exotic cars, they exchanged pleasantries from the ground floor, taking of pictures on the red carpet. The guests later moved to the first floor where the award was held. Inside the hall, B’ Clean Disk Jockey led by Sola Lawal supplied music which entertained guests. Guests converged on the fully air conditioned hall in various outfits including dinner, corporate and traditional wares. Those who followed the All Progressives Congress (APC) Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed and wife, Kudirat wore white natives with orange caps. The hall was decorated in gold, white and black while the chairs were stylishly set around the tables which had glass vase with mercury like substance in it. There were music from Just Dance

Entertainments, The Gliz, Solid Star and a young man simply identified as Victor. The event started with all guests standing as a Saxophonist – Yomi Sax led the National anthem with his instrument. Comedian, Gbenga Adeyinka anchored the event. In his opening remark, the Executive Producer of Brain Awards, Mr Gboyega Akusile, said the award was meant to celebrate brains coming from products, organisations and individuals in the country. “Brain award is meant for brands made in Nigeria, brands brought to Nigeria or brands doing well in Nigeria and we are here to celebrate seven of them,” he said. Akusile thanked all the sponsors and others who made it to the event despite traffic snarl and all other challenges. The award session followed. Osun State Governor, Ogbeni Rauf Aregbesola led the pack of awardees. He got Information Technology Product award. Aregbesola was represented by Alhaji Mohammed. He thanked the organisers for the honour, saying that Osun State has branded its educational system through the provision of Opon Imo (Tablet of knowledge also known as I-pad) for stu-

•From left: Mr Jide Adeyemi; Alhaji Mohammed; his wife Kudirat and Cardinal Odunmbaku

dents. He added that the Opon Imo has cut down the cost of education for students in Osun State and has brought technology to every nook and cranny of the state. “Opon Imo, he said, “is an hand held device that contains not only all the textbooks that the students will need in their classes but also past questions and lecturers that would be useful in their academics”. “Parents in Osun now through Opon Imo are becoming more technology inclined,” he said.

Ekiti State Governor, Kayode Fayemi represented by Kayode Akinyemi said branding is a very crucial part of advertising in Nigeria. “We cannot mention products, personalities, or organisation without branding being mentioned. Ekiti State investment in branding has helped the state to achieve greater things”, Akinyemi said. Other awards given include: Political brand personality award to Alhaji Muhammed; Food Product of the year to Cowbell; Best Production of the year and

sponsorship to MTN Project fame; Fastest growing creative agency of the year to Extreme Ideas; Telecom product of the year to Etisalat for easy click and Most impactful regulator of the year to Advertisers Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON). In attendance were General Manager The Nation, Soji Omotunde; President Public Relations Officers Consultancy of Nigeria, Jude Nwakanma; Mr Femi Adeniran; Nokia Marketing Manager, Jide Akinyemi, among others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

S OCIETY RECEPTION ORGANISED BY PRINCE TUNDE PONNLE FOR CHIEF ADEGBOYEGA AWOMOLO (SAN) AND HIS WIFE, CHIEF FUNMILAYO (SAN), THE FIRST COUPLE TO BECOME SAN IN OSUN STATE

•The celebrators Chief Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), his wife Funmilayo (SAN) with (from left) Oba Olaniyan Adebayo; Olukuku of Okuku Oba Abioye Oyebode and Akinrun of Ikirun Oba Rauf Olawale Adedeji

•Chairman, MicCom Golf Hotels and Resort Prince Tunde Ponnle (left) and Prince Ademola Adetona

•Osun State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Hon Sunday Akere flanked by Prince Adegboyega Famodun (left) and Hon Bayo Odunlade

The Owa of Igbajo, Oba Olufemi Fashade

•Chief Olajide Oyewole and Osun State Commissioner for Enviroment, Prof Bukola Oyawoye

Prof Olu Aina

•Chief Edward Ajibedu and wife

•From left: Hon Femi Fakeye; Otunba Lai Oyeduntan and Bukola Adunbi

•Chaiman Osun State Independent Electoral Commission (OSIEC), Otunba Segun Oladitun and his wife, Bolaji

•Prince Lekan Idowu (left) and Lagos Lawyer Mr Gboyega Adetona

•Rev Gabriel Ajayi and his wife, Rebecca

PHOTOS: DAYO ADEWUNMI

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

S OCIETY The 2013 Ibadan Festival has been held at the main bowl of the Liberty Stadium. It featured presentation of awards to prominent Ibadan indigenes. OSEHEYE OKWUOFU reports.

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS A gift for you

•High Chief Olufemi Olaifa (left), presenting the award to Senator Lanlehin (right)

•High Chief Omiyale

•Senator Kaka

•Former Minister of Power, Elder Wole Oyelese

•Chief Akinjide

•Alhaji Jubrin (left) and Alhaji Adamu

Honoured by their people

HE crowd was huge. Liberty Stadium in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, brimmed with people last weekend for the 2013 Ibadan Festival. The award was conceived by the Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana, and the Central Council of Ibadan Indigenes (CCII), the umbrella body of the town’s indigenes. Different T-shirts with the portraits of those being honoured adorned the venue. Others wore the Ankara Fabric chosen for the occasion by some awardees. Hawkers make brisk business, selling pastries and soft drinks. It was an Ibadan event to the core. The Ibadan king of fuji music, Alhaji Rasheed Ayinde (a.k.a. Fuji Merenge), was on the stage. There was an array of drummers drummed and sang the praises of guests. Security operatives had a hectic time, controlling the crowd. Some of the awardees who are politicians mobilised their supporters from the 33 local governments to the state for the

event. The President of CCII, Chief Bayo Oyero, said the award was to spur honourees to do more. He praised the recipients for their contributions to the development of Ibadan, the home of warriors and valiant men and women. "It is in recognition of their efforts and immense contributions to the development of Ibadanland that brought about this award. When you appreciate what someone did, the person will in turn do more. A good turn deserves another," he said. The demand for Ibadan State was not left out. While some spoke in favour, others expressed mixed feelings. An awardee, Senator Olufemi Lanlehin, described the award as a mark of honour. "I am elated and honoured. I feel very glad. It is a great honour that you cannot come by easily. " The recognition of one’s little contribution towards the progress of Ibadanland, the fact that it is recognised and commended is pleasing and also it

gives one the courage to do more and put more effort. By the grace of God, the creation of Ibadan state through prayer will be a reality," Lanlehin said. Hon. Seyi Makinde described the award as a call to service. He said: "You can see how colourful this place is and I believe they would take up the challenge. Some of us that are watching the event will definitely contribute their own quota towards reviving Ibadan common heritage." Though he was optimistic about Ibadan state, Makinde said the process of state creation as enshrined in the Constitution would make the realisation of Ibadan state a bit difficult. However, a member of Olubadan-in-Council, High Chief Omowale Kuye, expressed reservations about the call for the creation of Ibadan state. "Well, everybody is talking about it, not only Ibadan people, almost every village wants a state; every community about two or three houses are saying we want our state. I don't want to join in the chorus. At

the time they were creating various states, Ibadan people did not demand a state because if they had demanded for it, they would have had it on a platter of gold," he said. Among the recipients were the Minister of State for Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Oloye Jumoke Akinjide and Makinde. In attendance were Prince Gbade Lana; Hon. Aliu Ahmad Pategi; High Chief Omowale Kuye; Otun Olubadan of Ibadanland, High Chief Olufemi Olaifa; Ekerin Balogun of Ibadanland, High Chief Eddy Oyewole; Prof Femi Lana; Alhaji Isiaka Akinpelu; Chief Yewande Durosaro; Ekerin Iyalode of Ibadanland, Chief Mrs Rasidat Adefunyi; Gomo of Kuje, Abuja Alhaji Haruna Tanko Jubrin; Etsu of Yaba, Abuja Abdullahi Adamu; Chief Yekini Adeojo, Elder Wole Oyelese, former Minister of Power, Alhaji Olayiwola Olakojo; former Secretary to state Government (SSG) and members of CCII executive Council.

UNION OF LOVEBIRDS

WEDDING

•Mr Ekundayo Fadugba and his wife, former Miss Oluwayemisi Ojuawo at their wedding in Ibadan Oyo, State

•Former Miss Omolara Olojede and her husband Mr Ayodeji Ogunbodede during their wedding in Ilesa, Osun State

VERY journey in life begins with a step. A lot of times, we take one step without being sure what the next one would be. It is amazing how things unfold when we decide to move anyway. A step becomes two, then three, four… and before we know it, we are right on our way, doing great things. It's been exactly a year since this column was first published, and I assure you it was a major task imagining what AMODU LANRE OLAOLU would fill it for a month, six (Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com. month or a year. But here we 07034737394 are! My profound gratitude @lanreamodu goes first of all to God for the grace and inspiration. Next, I deeply appreciate the Editor and staff of The Nation for the opportunity and amazing job done. And yes, you. I appreciate you for always being there to read the articles. Thanks for your messages and calls, it is always great to know that you are out there. I had a difficult time thinking of how to appreciate you for being there, then it occurred to me that I can share with you one of the valuable lessons I have learnt over the years. Answer these questions for me please- what if you walk away from everything you have achieved so far in your life? What if you don't have access to those people who have helped you to become what you are? What if you find yourself in a place where you can't easily lay hold on your certificates? Will you still be able to generate the same success you have now or even more? These questions preoccupied my mind early in life. I realized that one major thing I have with me no matter where I am is my mind. If I can develop my mind into an asset, then I will be able to generate results anywhere I go. The key is not having assets, but becoming an asset. To become an asset, you have to keep learning. According to D. A. Benton, the author of How to Act Like a CEO, "Every day that you aren't getting stronger and better, you're getting weaker and worse". Where you are now and what you can do are functions of your current level of knowledge and skill, if you want to do better, then you have to add something extra. The tragedy of life occur when people don't want to give up their leisure, yet they want to be rich or great; students don't want to study extra hard, yet they want to pass. You must be willing to give up something for your dream. John Maxwell puts it this way, "There are two paths people can take. They can either play now and pay later, or pay now and play later. Regardless of the choice, one thing is certain. Life will demand a payment". Here are a few things you should know about learning: •You can't bring something out of nothing: as far as information is concerned, you can't give what you don't have. There is an African saying that what you don't know is your superior. That is why some people get results sooner than some othersthey know what others don't know. If you find yourself struggling at a spot and you find it impossible to make progress, you probably need to acquire knowledge. •Don't get over confident: it is dangerous to claim to know too much too soon. When you believe you know all there is to know, then you have achieved all there is to achieve. The quest for more knowledge is what leads to progress. It is impossible to learn from a teacher you are superior to. The moment you consider yourself superior to all, the learning process in your life has ended. One of my students told me of a teacher she revered while in high school. The teacher was always right as far as the students were concerned. But the day a fellow student disproved some claims made by the teacher after consulting the internet, all the students lost their respect for him. What happened was simple; the students felt superior and didn't consider the teacher worthy of their attention again. •Have a deposit policy: you must decide to consistently feed your mind with the kind of information that can create the kind of future you want. Whatever you want to achieve, some people have gone ahead of you; why not learn from them so that you can surpass their records? It is from the abundance of the heart that the mouth speaks. Asleigh Brilliants states that "Learning a little every day soon puts you far behind whoever is learning a lot every day". If that is true, what is the fate of someone who does not learn at all? •Protect your mind: my favourite book says that above everything you can ever guard in your life, guard your heart because from it flows the wellspring of life. Why do people guard their money, houses, jobs, etc, and they leave their hearts unprotected? Why do people read things, watch things and listen to things that distract, depress and discourage them? Whatever seed is planted in your heart manifests in your life and around you. If you want to find out how you arrived at where you are today, evaluate what you have been feeding your mind on. •Be flexible: I have had several students ask me over the years, "Why do we go to school if we don't even end up practicing what we studied in school?" I usually tell them, "we may not teach you what you feel you need to know, but we teach you how to source for information, interpret it and use it to solve problems- a skill you can apply to whatever you choose to do in life". There is no "once-and-for-all" information in life, we must keep learning. According to Alvin Toffler, "The illiterate of the 21st century will not be those who cannot read and write, but those who cannot learn, unlearn, and relearn". Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 28-11-13

Equities relapse amidst low trades

ORE investors pushed to exit their positions and several investors held back on new deals in cautious market situation that was characterized by a tinge of profit-taking trend, which has underlined market transactions since Monday. Nigerian equities lost 0.21 per cent or about N27 billion of their market capitalisation yesterday, pushing average year-to-date return at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to 38.64 per cent. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities dropped from N12.478 trillion to N12.451 trillion. The All Share Index (ASI), which serves as the barometer for the stock market, also slipped from 39,011.31 points to 38,928.65 points. While turnover fell below average, there were more losers than gainers. Forte Oil led 27 other stocks on the losers’ list with a loss of N5.72 to close at N108.73. UAC of Nigeria

By Taofik Salako

followed with a loss of N2 to close at N64. GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria lost N1 to close at N65. UPDC Real Estate Investment Trust (UPDCREIT) declined by 50 kobo to N10. Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) dropped by 41 kobo to N3.93. Guaranty Trust Bank dropped by 31 kobo to N27.30. Livestock Feeds lost 23 kobo to close at N4.41 while Red Star Express dropped by 21 kobo to N4.20 per share. Level of activity generally sank to a new low. Number of deals, turnover volume and turnover value dropped by 0.92 per cent, 30.16 per cent and 45.78 per cent respectively. Total turnover stood at 252.65 million shares valued at N2.58 billion in 4,718 deals. Wapic Insurance was the most active stock with a turnover of 55.65 million shares valued at N55.09 million in 214 deals. Ecobank

Transnational Incorporated (ETI) followed with a turnover of 41.97 million shares valued at N633.77 million in 108 deals. Zenith Bank occupied a distant third with a turnover of 13.69 million shares valued at N290.41 million in 249 deals. Banking subsector accounted for 109.97 million shares worth N1.40 billion in 1,558 deals. Insurance subgroup was the second most active subsector with a turnover of 70.97 million shares worth N69.03 million in 214 deals. Meanwhile, Cadbury Nigeria consolidated its share price with a gain of N3 to close at N62.85. PZ Cussons Nigeria followed on the 23-stock gainers’ list with a gain of N1.40 to close at N37.50. Nigerian Breweries rose by 50 kobo to N168. Jos International Breweries added 35 kobo to close at N3.92. Dangote Sugar Refinery chalked up 31 kobo to close at N11.30 while International Breweries rose by 21 kobo to close at N22.21 per share.

Africa Prudential Registrars assures on quality investor services

FRICA Prudential Registrars (APR) Plc has assured that ongoing strategic initiatives would lead to paradigm shift in investors services and further reinforced the company’s leadership position in the share registration industry. The assurance came as APR received the International Quality Crown (IQC) Award in the Gold category from the Business Initiative Directions (BID) in London. The IQC Award acknowledges cutting

edge companies from around the world for their firm commitment to excellence, innovation and leadership. BID is a leading global organization that promotes quality culture in top businesses. Speaking on the IQC award, managing director, Africa Prudential Registrars (APR) Plc, Mr. Peter Ashade, said the company was committed to creating a paradigm shift in investors services and the share registration business in Nigeria and Africa in general.

According to him, over the years, the company has built a reputation for innovation and high quality of service; which has helped to maintain its leading position in Nigeria. “This award validates our ongoing efforts to provide unique offerings in the share registration and investor services business. We thank the BID for the honour and recognition,” Ashade said. APR has steadily recorded a positive return on investment for its numerous local and international investors, the most prominent of which is Heirs Holdings, the panAfrican investment company with long term, strategic interests in key economic sectors that generate social wealth.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 28-11-13

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

MONEY LINK

Resolve unclaimed dividend issue, govt urges SEC, NSE

HE Federal Government yesterday urged the authorities of the Securities of Exchange Commission (SEC) and the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to find lasting solution to the lingering crisis of unpaid dividends, by working out modalities on how the idle money can be paid to investors. Giving the advice at the 3rd Annual Retreat of the Capital Market Committee (CMC) in Abuja yesterday, the Minister of State for Finance, Dr Yerima Lawan Ngama, said it was no longer desirable to have the over N60 billion unclaimed dividends unpaid to their owners, especially retail investors, at a time the collective desire is to attract more investments into the nation’s capital market. The Minister commended the 38.8 per cent growth in the capital market this year but noted that there was need to explore other untapped investment opportunities for the market in order

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor), Abuja

to create the medium and long term investible funds crucial for the infrastructure rehabilitation agenda of the three tiers of government. Ngama said one of the challenges that must be addressed is the opening up of the capital market for new investors, “particularly retail investors who are yet to really see it as a source of wealth creation.” The Minister of state for finance disclosed that government was “planning a forum where all the Distribution Companies (DISCOS) and Generating Companies (GENCOS) of the newly privatized electricity companies will come and tell everybody their story and aspirations and what they need to reach where they want to reach because one of the big things they need is not only ideas but commission.”

GTBank launches GTExpress service

UARANTY Trust Bank Plc has launched its “GTExpress” service, an agent banking service that allows customers access financial services at convenient locations. In a statement, the bank said the service would help it in achieving a more inclusive financial services industry. It said the GTExpress service is banking via agent locations such as Supermarkets, Schools, Cinemas, Markets and Restaurants and remains an initiative to reach out to the underserved and unbanked segments of the population through the use of non-banking retail outlets. It said the non-banking outlets (agent locations) will provide bank-

By Collins Nweze

ing services such as account opening, cash deposit and withdrawal through Automated Teller Machines (ATMs), customer enquiries, bills payment, funds transfer services and other activities as the Central Bank of Nigeria may prescribe from time to time. Managing Director GTBank, Segun Agbaje said the unbanked sector of the economy presents a significant growth area for banks in emerging markets. “Our objective is to offer banking products and services to this segment via non-banking outlets thus breaking down barriers to financial inclusion such as accessibility and cost,” he said.

Sanusi to speak at women conference tomorrow

He told capital market participants that those invited to come and hear the stories of the DISCOS and GENCOS “are multilateral financial institutions, the IFC, Islamic Development Bank, all of them are coming to seek opportunities that they can invest. But don’t expect them to come and list before they get the money. Try to have funds that people can invest in and guarantee them certain returns and tell them that these companies are investing in companies that will provide the infrastructure in the country. By so doing we will really assist them.” Ngama said, “the market over-reacted to the activities of 2008, most of our companies are doing well, but

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

•Arunma Oteh

because of the global trend, and the preponderance of foreign investors, their action brought our market down. So, all we need now is confidence building because the facts on ground support our market is strong as it is portrayed today.”

CITN inducts 548 members

HE Chattered Institute of Taxation of Nigeria (CITN) has inducted 548 members who were successful in its professional training programme. Some of the inductees were Oyetoki Paul, Idowu Olubukola, Ubani Ukoma and the host of others. Speaking at the 29th Induction ceremony of the Institute, the Chairman of Membership and Professional Conduct Committee of Council, Mrs. Olajumoke Simplice, said the ceremony was in compliance with Section 1 (3) of the Institute’s membership rule. She said such induction needs to preceed CITN membership. She further stressed that by the induction, the inductees have obtained the right to practice taxation either as a practitioner or as administrator. The CITN President, Mr. Mark Anthony Dike said that taxation remains crucial for the nation’s development. He urged government not only to recognize services of tax pro-

By Christopher Eboh

fessional in policy formulation, but also accord them due priority in its drive to evolve a viable tax system. He said the CITN as a sole regulator of taxation in Nigeria, would ensure that only competent and certified professionals practice and administer taxation in Nigeria. He lamented that not all the sectors of the economy contribute to tax. “Agriculture for instance, contributes about 34 to 35 percent to the Gross Domestic Product but does contribute little or nothing to tax,” he said. Furthermore, he said that tax avoidance and invasion decimate tax revenue in Nigeria adding that the problems of tax avoidance and tax invasion could be solved if the government gives back to the tax payer the value for the tax payment being made, because effective taxation is a one on one relationship.

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Offered ($) 350m 350m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Quotation Price N8250.00 N1000.00

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

Current Market 5495.33 N552.20

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 28-11-13

COSTAIN JOSBREW CADBURY DNMEYER NEIMETH IKEJAHOTEL RTBRISCOE INTENEGINS PZ AIRSERVICE

2013-11-27

0.81 3.57 59.85 1.40 1.08 0.66 1.14 0.51 36.10 3.50

C/PRICE 2013-11-28

0.89 3.92 62.85 1.47 1.13 0.69 1.19 0.53 37.50 3.60

%CHANGE 9.88 9.80 5.01 5.00 4.63 4.55 4.39 3.92 3.88 2.86

LOSERS AS AT 28-11-13 2013-11-27

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

TRANSCORP FO LIVESTOCK NEM REDSTAREX UPDCREIT NPFMCRFBK IHS PAINTCOM UACN

4.34 114.45 4.64 0.62 4.41 10.50 0.85 2.79 2.09 66.00

2013-11-28

C/PRICE 3.93 108.43 4.41 0.59 4.20 10.00 0.81 2.66 2.00 64.00

350m

Year Start Offer

Current Before

Current After

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12

113m

155.7

22-6-12

NGN USD NGN GBP

147.6000 239.4810

149.7100 244.0123

150.7100 245.6422

-2.11 -2.57

NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change (S/N) Parallel Market

212.4997

207.9023

209.2910

-1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate Inflation Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

CUV Start %

%CHANGE -9.45 -5.00 -4.96 -4.84 -4.76 -4.76 -4.71 -4.66 -4.31 -3.03

Amount Demanded ($) 150m 138m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

HE Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, will be the keynote speaker at the fifth anniversary of the founding of Women in Successful Careers (WISCAR), a network for career women. The event which is scheduled to hold tomorrow in Lagos will also mark the graduation of WISCAR’s fourth stream of successful Mentees, and the induction of the fifth stream. In a statement, the organisers said the theme of the event ‘Unlocking the Full Potential of Women in the Nigerian Economy’, captures the essence of WISCAR’s vision and mission. The chief hosts are the Honourable Chief Justice of Nigeria, Justice Aloma Mariam Mukhtar; retired senior corporate executive and human resources consultant, Chief Olufemi Adesanya; and a retired senior South African diplomat, Mrs Nozipho January-Bardill. Speaking on the rationale behind the establishment of WISCAR, the founder, Mrs. Amina Oyagbola, who is also the Human Resources Executive at MTN, said the group was established after she participated in the Aspen Global Leadership Network (West Africa) programme, ALIWA. “WISCAR aims to institute an effective career mentoring frame work for young professional career women. Our goal is to initiate and promote the emergence of a highly motivated and talented female work force that are not only valuable role models, but are agents of positive cultural and policy changes within their respective organizations and Nigeria,” she said.

NSE CAP Index

19-09-13 11.432.09 35,891.90

23-09-13 11.494.75 36,088.64

% Change -

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name Offer Price Bid Price AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 161.31 160.19 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.09 1.08 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 1.17 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.75 0.74 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,598.43 1,598.43 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 1,000.00 FBN HERITAGE FUND 115.83 115.13 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 100.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 1.62 INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND 1.05 1.03 KAKAWA GUARANTEED INCOME FUND 143.11 142.62 LEGACY FUND 0.78 0.76 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS Chime: honour local govts

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

NUGU State Governor Sullivan Chime has urged the Federal Government and the National Assembly to ensure that the third tier of government is given its pride of place. He decried the uncomplimentary statements against the local government system. The governor spoke through his Commissioner for Local Government, Okey Ani, during the exemplary leadership and award ceremony for council chairmen and councillors in Awka. Chime said Enugu State had been conducting local government elections to give all a sense of belonging. The keynote speaker, Prof. Offorinze Amucheazi, lamented that undue interference with local government administration had affected its development. Amucheazi, who was represented by Dr. Elizabeth Orji, explained that most councils rely solely on allocations from federal and state governments.

Community leader dead

HE death has been announced of Pa. Frederick Asemota Okogun, a renowned educationist, administrator, community/religious leader. He died on November 5 at 84. In 1964, he was appointed councillor for Works in the management committee of the defunct Esan Central District Council, Igueben. From 197072, he was the chairman, Nigeria Union of Teachers (Ewohimi Branch); member,

Board of Directors, Bendel Livestock Farmers Ltd, BeninCity, 1988-1989; Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Igueben Improvement Union (IPU) and Chairman, Igueben Local Government Education Authority 2000-2003. He was elected the first chairman, Parish Laity Council, Igueben Parish and later President, Esan Deanery Council of St. Jude’s Society. Pa. Okogun is survived by his wife, Angelina and nine children.

Lectures yet to begin in EBSU

ECTURES are yet to begin at the Ebonyi State University, three days after the management announced resumption. The management on Monday announced the resumption, a move which the local branch of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) rejected. Students have decried the management’s decision to

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

call them back when it did not have an agreement with EBSU-ASUU. But the Vice Chancellor, Prof Francis Idike, explained that the senate took the decision last week, adding it was taken because the school had a problem in February, which resulted in its closure for two months.

•Part of a building razed during an attack on Tatu village, BarkinLadi Local Government Area in Plateau State ...yesterday. INSET : Women weeping in Doron Village. PHOTOS:NAN

Obi: we are committed to security

NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi has said the administration is committed to improving security in the state. He spoke yesterday while presenting security vehicles to markets. Some of the beneficiaries are: Old Mercedes Benz Spare Parts Dealers Market, Nkpor; Mgbuka, Obosi; Ochanja markets. Obi said: “As I speak, we are delivering 25,000 computers to schools. We shall begin

the development of Nnewi Shopping Mall, Three Arms Zone, among others. “What is satisfying to me is that though we cannot finish all the projects, we have money set aside for them. I am happy to inform you that by the time I leave, I would have left over N20 billion in savings for the state.” He assured that more access roads would be built to give easy access and boost socioeconomic activities.

Why my expulsion can’t stand, by Oyinlola

HE suspended National Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, has said his expulsion from the party, as recommended by the Umaru Dikko-led disciplinary committee, cannot stand. According to him, the recommendation of the Dikko Committee was an attempt to foist falsehood on the truth, stressing that “nobody can build something on nothing.” In a statement yesterday by his Principal Secretary, Femi Adelegan, Oyinlola maintained that the National Executive Committee (NEC) of the PDP, which is statutorily empowered to ratify the composition of the Dikko committee, did not approve it. He said the committee hurriedly worked to the answer in a feverish bid to get rid of him before the hearing of a suit pending at an Abuja Federal High Court, challenging the various acts of illegality by the PDP leadership. “No sane or decent person would be surprised at the rec-

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

ommendations of the illegally constituted disciplinary committee, which from the outset, shouldered a heavy burden of legitimacy, integrity, lack of respect for fair play, principles of natural justice and the rule of law. “It is clear that the Dikko Committee acted under questionable circumstances as if the PDP were a mere mechanical contraption that could be manipulated without respect for laws. “The Dikko Committee is a comical show of the absurd that could only erode whatever remains of the credibility of anybody who decides to circumvent regulations and rebuff a law court. “Indeed, the questionable manner in which the committee has carried out its commissioned assignment, and the end results of its members’ contributions to the deviant posture of the NWC would

stand eternally in their records. “Regrettably, the NWC has again demonstrated its disdain for the judiciary by spurning court processes and the notification of our counsel, Awa Kalu (SAN) intimating the party with the pendency of a suit challenging the existence of the committee and the actions of the NWC in court, on the grounds that the committee is illegal”. He contended that himself, Alhaji Abubakar Baraje, Dr. Sam Jaja and Senator Ibrahim Kazaure, who were suspended by the party leadership, were not given a fair hearing by the NWC. This, he said, also demonstrated the party’s disrespect for the principle of natural justice, adding that it’s unfortunate that major stakeholders in the party had been pretending that all was well with the PDP. The embattled Oyinlola vowed to continue to explore every legal means to seek remedy and to enforce his fundamental human rights.

‘Oyo committed to educational development’

YO State Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi has said his administration will improve the standard of education. The governor noted that education remains one of the keys of development. Ajimobi spoke at the inauguration of a block of four

By Jeremiah Oke

classrooms at Shasha Community Grammar School, Moniya, Ibadan, built by the lawmaker, representing Akinyele 1, Abiodun AdigunHammed. The governor, who was represented by the Deputy

State Chairman of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Isiaka Alimi, said his administration would rebuild the state through qualitative education. Adigun-Hammed said before the end of this administration, the state would be rated No.1.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS Dickson to kidnappers: release our ‘senior citizens’ From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

•Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi displaying his Environmental Right Action (ERA) Livelihood Award at the sixth Annual Consultation on Environment in Ado Ekiti...yesterday. With him is Prof. Margaret Okorodudu-Fubara.

How govt officials looted pensioners’ savings, by witness

FEDERAL High Court in Abuja heard yesterday how some government officials assigned to manage civil servants’ pension savings allegedly stole from the funds, using fictitious companies operated by private agents. The court also heard how government officials in the Pension Office of the Head of Civil Service of the Federation (HCSF) allegedly colluded with a manager at the defunct Oceanic Bank Plc, Eric Omoefe Uduesegbe, to defraud the fund of N1.951 billion. These were among the revelations at the beginning of the trial involving a former Director of Pensions Accounts in the Office of the HCSF, Dr Sani Teidi Shuaibu and Uduesegbe. The first prosecution witness, Mustapha Sani Gadenya, a forensic accounting expert with the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), told the court how the agency investigated the case and the mindboggling findings it made.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Led in evidence by the prosecution lawyer, Goodwin Obla (SAN), Gadenya said in the course of the investigation, “we stumbled on two payments mandates instructing the bank where the account of the organisation is domiciled to make payments to underlisted number of beneficiaries from the account of the organisation”. He added: “In the case of the HOS, the two payment mandates were coming from FinBank’s HOS account. One is about N49 million and the other mandate is about N45 million. Each of the payment mandates has 16 transactions. “The most important things we discovered are two: First, the account where the money was being paid from; secondly, the beneficiaries’ accounts where the money was going into. So, we decided to categorise the payments into A and B. “Category A consists of only letters sent to different parties, who we discovered

‘In the course of investigation, we discovered that the second accused (Udusegbe) went and operated five fictitious companies Gozinda Enterprises, Bashinta Nigeria Limited, Haleath Enterprises, Uthatak Nigeria Limited and Krasiva Nigeria Limited’ manage the HOS accounts; category B is about the beneficiaries’ accounts.” The witness said the investigators wrote to FinBank, seeking information, and the bank furnished them with information showing that some of the accused companies were involved in the alleged scam. Gadenya said: “In the course of investigation, we discovered that the second accused (Udusegbe) went and operated five fictitious companies - Gozinda Enter-

prises, Bashinta Nigeria Limited, Haleath Enterprises, Uthatak Nigeria Limited and Krasiva Nigeria Limited.” He said their investigation revealed, among others, that N1.951 billion was paid to the companies within five months, while Uduesegbe still served as a branch manager of the defunct Oceanic Bank. The EFCC official said following the discovery, the agency invited Uduesegbe, who wrote five statements under caution. There was an objection by Uduesegbe’s lawyer, Adegoke Adewale, when the prosecution wanted to tender the statements. Adewale said his client volunteered the statements following the prosecution’s promised that he would not be charged to court but would only be used to nail the first accused, Taidi. The development prompted the trial judge, Justice Ademola Adeniti, to order that a trial-within-trial be conducted, beginning tomorrow.

Two feared dead as JTF, youths clash in Delta

OKORI community in Ethiope East Local Government Area of Delta State was deserted yesterday after a fresh bloody clash between troops of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and armed youths loyal to the alleged notorious crime lord, Kelvin Ibruvwe, left at least two persons dead. The latest clash occurred less than 24 hours after the State Security Service (SSS) secured a court order to keep Ibruvwe for 90 days to enable it conclude its investigation. Sources said armed youths, who had laid siege to the community since the arrest of Ibruvwe two months ago, engaged in a gunfight with JTF troops, which lasted about one hour. It could not be ascertained if the deceased were members of the Liberation Movement of Urbobo People formed by Ibruvwe before his arrest in

From Shola O’Neil, Southsouth Regional Editor

Port Harcourt, Rivers State, on September 25. JTF official, Captain Mohammed Abdullahi, who confirmed the clash, did not give details, as he was on the road when our reporter called him on the phone yesterday evening. Responding to a question, he said: “Yes, there were casualties, but I cannot give you any more information than that until I have a full account.” A source in the town told our reporter that two youths were killed by stray bullets during the bloody encounter. He said: “Two persons have been confirmed dead. They were hit by stray bullets during a shootout between the boys and the soldiers.” It was learnt that yesterday’s clash may not be unconnected

with a threat by Ibruvwe’s gang to unleash mayhem in the community over his travail. A source in Kokori told our reporter that the gang members went round the homes of prominent traditional title holders and other indigenes to pressure them to make the trip to Abuja for Ibruvwe’s court appearance on Wednesday.

“Armed gang members went round the homes of the chiefs to threaten them of the consequences if they do not travel to Abuja and protest on the court premises.” Following the threat, it was gathered that the community leaders fled their homes after informing security operatives of the criminal gang’s hideout.

Dokubo-Asari freed

HE leader of the Niger Delta Peoples Volunteer Force, Mujahid Dokubo-Asari, has been released by security officials in Benin Republic. He was arrested in the neighbouring country on Tuesday, his lawyer, Festus Keyamo, said. He confirmed the release yesterday. The ex-militant was said to have been released yesterday about 1am Nigerian time. It could not be confirmed, however, if he was flown to Abuja in a presidential jet as sources at the airport said. Keyamo on Wednesday evening asked President Goodluck Jonathan to intervene and ensure the activist was released from Benin Republic.

AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson has ordered the kidnappers, who abducted two elderly people in the state, to release them. He ordered the release of Pa Nelson Tempurah, the father of the Commissioner for Tourism Development, Mr. Nelson Belief. He also asked the hoodlums to set free Mrs. Gbalipre Turner, wife of a chieftain of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). They are the latest victims of kidnappers, whose whereabouts are unknown. Dickson decried the kidnap at Ogbia Local Government during his “thank you tour” to the council. He said some persons were bent on sabotaging his efforts at sustaining peace and security. According to him, the act was aimed at giving the international community wrong impression about the security situation in the home state of President Goodluck Jonathan. The governor, who spoke at a civic reception organised in his honour by the Ogbia indigenes, warned the people against being used by criminal elements within and outside the state. Urging the people to be vigilant in view of the forthcoming 2015 general elections, Dickson said some criminal elements were looking for a means of breaching the security situation. He said security measures were being put in place to check the activities of the miscreants and make the state an investment haven. The governor said: “Some of those people, who are working hard to destabilise our state and discredit the home base of the President, may not be even too far. “A few of them are even among us working in collaboration with the people outside to destabilise Bayelsa. But I know that they will not succeed. “If anything bad happens here, it gives our detractors happiness. So, I want to use this opportunity to decry the recent acts of kidnapping targeted at Ogbia to discredit us and create a feeling of insecurity in this local government. “Anything they do to Bayelsa is hot news that makes the front page of newspapers. So, you need to caution yourselves. My message to them (kidnappers) is that the people being held captive, particularly the innocent wife of ours, should be released without further delay. “For those who are thinking of that as a lifestyle, we enjoin you to desist because it is in your interest to do so.”

Amaechi’s, Oshiomhole’s names missing in N/Delta leaders’ summit

HE Niger Delta leaders’ summit and award night scheduled to hold tomorrow in Port Harcourt, Rivers State, will be attended by governors in the region and other leaders, except Rivers State Governor Rotimi Chibuike Amaechi and his Edo State counterpart, Adams Oshiomhole. In the invitation card and event programme, which were distributed to reporters yesterday, Oshiomhole’s and Amaechi’s names were missing. The programme is organised by the Niger Delta

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

Youth Leaders Administrative Council (NDYLAC) in conjunction with Women for Change and Development Initiative. President Goodluck Jonathan, his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan, the Supervising Minister of Education, Nyesom Wike and others are expected to attend the event. At a news briefing, the state NDYLAC Chairman, Amb. Sukubo Sara Igbe, said the purpose of the summit was to promote peace and unity.

Uwais, Mukhtar seek credible electoral process

ORMER Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Muhammadu Uwais and the incumbent CJN, Justice Aloma Mukhtar yesterday stressed the need for the establishment a transparent electoral system capable of enthroning a people’s government. Justice Uwais said the country’s inability to achieve a rancor-free electoral process could be a good excuse for foreign capital flight and a disincentive to foreign investment. He added that more importantly: “it is a sad commentary or dent on the political class and its cultural understanding of power.” Justice Mukhtar underscored the importance of free and fair elections in every democracy. She claimed that democratic elections require more than transparency and accurately counting ballot papers on Election Day. She added that free and fair elections are the cornerstone of

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

every democracy and the primary mechanism for the people to exercise their franchise. They spoke in Abuja yesterday at the opening of a stakeholders meeting on Alternative Dispute Resolution (ADR), organised by the National Judicial Institute (NJI), with the theme: Towards zero violence in African elections: The bar, the bench and the civil society as drivers of peace. The institute’s spokesman, Madu Emezie quoted the former CJN as arguing that zero violence and zero litigation are possible when stakeholders in the electoral process operate in an effective and complimentary manner. PUBLIC NOTICE CHANGE OF NAME I formerly known as JOHN OMOLOLA JUSTINA (MISS) and also SHUAIB OMOLOLA JUSTINA now wish to be know and address as OTARU LOLA JUSTINA (MRS.) all previous documents still remains valid, the General Public should please take note.

THE NATION FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS

Man arrested with N81m cocaine O PERATIVES of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA) yesterday paraded Maduagwu Charles, who was arrested with high grade three-kilogramme cocaine worth N81 million. The NDLEA Commander at the airport, Ambrose Umoru, said the drug, when diluted, could increase to nine kilogrammes. He said Maduagwu was arrested during the screening of passengers of Egypt Air. “The suspect had boarded Ethiopian Airline flight from Sao Paulo, Brazil and transited to Cairo, Egypt, before arriving at Kano.” Maduagwu (28) admitted that he was in possession of two loudspeakers where the cocaine was neatly concealed, but denied knowledge of the substance. He said the loud speakers belonged to a “stranger,” whom he met at the airport and offered to help him. “Yes, I was caught with

Kaduna gets commissioners THE Kaduna State House of Assembly yesterday approved the list of nominees sent to it by Governor Mukhtar Yero. Most of the nominees were told to “bow and go” at the screening on Wednesday and yesterday. The Speaker, Usman Tahir, directed the Clerk to sendthe approved list to the governor immediately. Those cleared include Bashir Zubairu, Madami Garba, Abdulrasheed Kakangi, Bashir Zangon-Aya, Ado Dogo, Hussaini Abdu, Thot Dogo, David Chatjok. Yero dissolved the cabinet inherited from the late Governor Patrick Yakowa, who died in a plane crash last December, on September 11.

Chamber laments low fair turn out From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

KADUNA State Chamber of Commerce has decried the declining participation of northern states in the annual Kaduna International Trade Fair. The Chamber’s Vice-President and Chairman Main Organising Committee of the 35th Kaduna International Trade, Auwalu Makarfi, spoke at a briefing. He said KADCIMA was embarking on a mobilisation drive for improved participation in the forthcoming fair, which will hold from February 21.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

three kilogrammes of cocaine but I didn’t know what I was carrying. “I met somebody, who identified himself as a Nigerian in Egypt. When I was making a call, he discovered I was travelling to Nigeria and he pleaded with me to assist him deliver the loudspeakers to someone in Kano. “He gave me an MTN SIM card and asked me to activate it once I got to Nigeria so that the owner of the loudspeakers would call me for his property, but little did I know that cocaine was concealed inside the loud speakers. I don’t even know the owner, I was just trying to help,” he lamented. Maduagwu, who hails from Imo State, said he had lived in Brazil for 18 months. The suspect added: “All this while, I have engaged in menial jobs. The last job I got before leaving for Nigeria was at a lorry park where I

Vehicle owners warned

•The seized drugs...yesterday

helped load goods. These menial jobs have been sustaining me; I don’t know how I got myself into this mess.”

Umoru said the high-grade pure cocaine was factorysealed in the hollow of two loud speakers brought by the

suspect. The suspect, he said, was in the agency’s custody and would be charged to court.

Senator gives details of Plateau massacre

HE senator representing Plateau North, Gyang Shok Pwajok, yesterday gave details of the Tuesday murder of 45 people in four villages in Plateau State. Pwajok, who spoke at a briefing in Abuja, also raised the issue in the Senate. He said the relative peace in the state had been disrupted by the renewed attacks, where “men, women, expectant mothers, children and infants” were killed. The senator said “the coordinated attacks in Tatu, Rawuru, Bok and Dorang villages” were carried out “professionally.”

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Eitor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

He said it was baffling that the attacks took place a few days after Governor Jonah Jang raised the alarm of a possible terrorist onslaught. “The simultaneous multiple attacks on four communities left 45 people dead, including a family of seven,’’Pwajok said. Some victims, he said, were badly burnt, adding that the survivors were still in shock. He said eye witnesses recounted that some villages

were under siege for over one hour, adding that “their (attackers) strategies showed they are professionals”, especially as “they spoke good English.” “Yet the Special Task Force’s (STF’s) statement simply described the attackers as ‘unknown gunmen.” According to him, some victims were two-year babies. “These are not just numbers, but human beings with names, ages and a future cut short by these merchants of death.” He added: “Plateau is in the news again for the wrong reasons, after almost a year of rela-

tive peace. “We have quietly worked hard, building the structures for a sustainable peace. “Such mass killings not involved in any form of conflict have become the hallmark of organised and specialised terror of killer groups external to the state.” The renewed attacks, he said, “set the clock of peace building backwards, generating mutual suspicion among peace-loving communities across ethnic and religious divides.”

Fed Govt plans economic revival strategy

HE Federal Government is to begin a coordinated economic strategy for the Northeast. A team of economic experts, led by Prof Soji Adelaja and representatives of development partners from the Office of the National Security Adviser (NSA), have begun a need assessment tour of the three states under emergency rule,

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

Yobe, Borno and Adamawa. Adelaja, who is also a special assistant on Economic Intelligence in the Office of the NSA, said the initiative was aimed at brainstorming with the government to find out possible areas of intervention. “What we are doing is part of the Federal Government’s

effort to find out the problems of the states worse hit by insurgency; suggests plans and strategies to them; find opportunities in the region and bring our development partners on board.” He hoped that Northeast’s economy would bounce back, citing Rwanda, Serbia and other wartorn countries that have recovered after crises.

SSANU accuses Fed Govt of planning to HE Senior Staff Assodownsize its members ciation of Nigerian

Universities (SSANU), has accused the Federal Government of planning to downsize its members if the implementation of the NEEDS Assessment report. It warned that if they do not reject the report, it may lead to another nation wide strike. Chairman of the Western Zone of SSANU, Comrade Alfred Jimoh, spoke yesterday at a public lecture for its members on the NEEDS Assessment report held at Trenchard hall, University of Ibadan (UI), Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

He said the association rejected the report of the committee, because it was aimed at downsizing members of the association with a claim that the system was top heavy. According to him, the non-teaching staff had been sidelined and downgraded over time, adding that the implementation of NEEDS report is dangerous and alarming to their jobs. Jimoh explained that:” it has been a common knowledge that the non-teaching

staff of Nigeria Public Universities constitute endangered species of the very hostile environment in which they found themselves.” “I will like to say that “endangered species” is even an under-statement or a mild adjective to describe the precarious situation of the nonteaching staff of the Nigerian Universities vis-a-vis the encroachment into their hitherto “traditional territories” and the high level of job insecurity starring them at the face.

The Lagos State and Ogun State Police Command, have warned owners of abandoned and accident vehicles parked at MTD Ibara, Abeokuta and Ajah Division, to come and remove them or lose them to members of the public through auction, 14 days after this publication. The vehicles are Audi 80, BN 726 MUS, Toyota Camry LSD 270 BJ, Mercedes Benz bus XV 219 AGL, Suzuki Wagon EKY 317 AZ, Toyota Corolla FE 898 EKY, Toyota Corolla GV 384 EKY, Lexus EPE 441 AV, Vanagon Bus XA 573 FFN. Others are Peugeot 505 LG 26 WEL, Mitsubishi Lancer BW 886 AKD, Golf car KM 33 AAA, Mazda 323 LW 732 EKY, Mazda AW 362 GGE, Toyota Previa BH 451 EPE and Nissan Sunny BF 613 BDJ. Also Bajaj Motorcycle QY 339 AGL, Lifan Motorcycle 736 FST and one Dayang Motorcycle.

Perm sec gets award From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

THE Permanent Secretary, Oyo State Ministry of Agriculture, Mr Isaac Adekunle Adeduntan, has been awarded the fellowship of the Institute of Public Administration of Nigeria, The event took place at Merit House, Maitama, Abuja, recently. Adeduntan is a seasoned and astute public administrator in Oyo State. He started his career in the Ministry of Education in 1982. He was later appointed as the Sole Administrator/ Chairman, Caretaker Committee, Ogbomosho South Local Government between 1998 and 1999.

Abuja mega trade fair coming By Tonia ‘Diyan

ABUJA Mega Trade Fair will hold from December 13 to 22 at Peace Parks, International Conference Centre, Plot 900, Herbert Macaulay Way, Central Business District. The theme is ‘Promoting Trade Through National Unity’. It is organised by Osworld Associates Limited. The Managing Director, Wole Olukunle, said: “The fair will be a worthwhile venture for exhibitors and visitors,’’adding that the fair would be a generalised one to accommodate every sector of the economy. The fair has been registered with the National Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), with the nod of the Ministry of Trade and Investment, Abuja.

THE NATION FRIDAY NOVEMBER 29, 2013

CITYBEATS

Respite for RCCG as court restrains land speculators By Remilekun Osasona

SAGAMU High Court in Ogun State has restrained some members of the Agufon family from disrupting the building of the auditorium of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG). The order followed a motion brought by Chief Amos Agbabo and Chief Babatunde Agufon for themselves and for the Otetumo Agbabo Shoole Agufon family against Alhaja Ramota Akinlabi, Isiaka Hassan, Morufu Muritala, Saheed Hassan, Deremi Odede and Adejare Orababa. The court restrained the defendants from entering or causing mayhem at the Agufoye Vilalge via Ogijo in the Sagamu Local Government Area of Ogun State, where the proposed auditorium is, pending the determination of the substantive suit. It also restrained the defendants and their agents from alienating the land or dealing in any manner adverse to the interests of the applicants on the land. At the convention of RCCG in August, its General Overseer, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, unveiled plans for the auditorium, urging members to donate towards its building. some people, allegedly acting on the instructions of a chief in the area, had invaded Agufon village, halting work on the building. The trespassers, since then, have been terrorising innocent residents of the village. Worried by the development, the Otetumo Agbabo Shoole Agufon family, original owners of the land, sued the defendants and their

agents to stop them from entering the land. Chief Yekini Agufon, the paramount Baale of Agufoyeland and Chief Amos Agbafo, head of the family, said the family sold the land to the RCCG in 2002/2003. “The money was evenly distributed to the two branches in the family namely the Otetumo Agbabo and Shoole Agufon family. Each family member received at least N360, 000 from proceeds of the sale. We are, however, surprised that some people, purportedly acting on behalf of the family are harassing the church’s agents in Agufoye village on the land which have been surrendered to the authority of the church,” Agufon said. The family warned: “These people should not use our land as a battle ground to attack the RCCG or its agents for any grouse whatsoever. We have sold the land to the church and the family has been paid. Anybody claiming to be members of the family that is instigating these land grabbers against the church is not from us, they are acting illegally”.

Lagos-Badagry road to be closed on Sunday

HE Lagos-Badagry Expressway will be close to traffic for five hours on Sunday. The closure is to facilitate the installation of the pedestrian bridge beam at Mile 2 under the ongoing construction of the Lagos Rail Mass Transit, Commissioner for Transportation Comrade Kayode Opeifa said yesterday. The beam’s installation began last October. On completion, it will leave an impact on traffic on the Badagry bound carriageway and from Apapa to Oshodi linking the Lagos – Badagry Expressway. Opeifa said: “The Lagos –

•Pastor Adeboye

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

Badagry Expressway will be closed to traffic from Orile to Maza Maza Bridge with traffic being diverted via the construction lane. Traffic joining the Badagry Expressway from Oshodi – Apapa Expressway will not be able to access the Badagry Expressway and will therefore be diverted via the Festac link road to rejoin the Expressway at Festac.” He promised to do all he could to minimise delays during the exercise. Opeifa urged motorists and other road users to use alternative routes to avoid delays.

Alumni host Irabor, Nwobi

HE SCHOOL of Media and Communications Alumni Association (SMCAA) of the Pan Atlantic University (PAU) will host two media practitioners, Messrs Soni Irabor and Chika Nwobi at it 2013 Dinner and Awards night today. The event will hold at the Lagos Sheraton Hotels and Towers in Ikeja. The theme is: “Media enterprise in Africa, challenges and opportunities”. Irabor, a multi-talented broadcaster, actor and marketing communications expert, who is the keynote speaker, will speak on “Challenges facing the media in Africa”. Nwobi, a technology guru and serial media entrepreneur, will speak on “Creativity and media innovations” and his achievements as group chief executive officer of Mtech Plc, which he founded in 2001. Bayero Agabi, SMCAA President , said the choice of Irabor and Nwobi were chosen as speakers because of their antecedents.

59 CITYBEATS LINE: 08078425391

Two oil firms’ chiefs declared wanted over N2b subsidy fraud T WO oil firms’ chiefs have been declared wanted by the Special Fraud Unit (SFU) in Ikoyi, Lagos for alleged involvement in fuel subsidy scam. They are Tony Onoh and Ayinde Olatimbo Bukola, managing directors of Eurafric Oil and Coastal Services Ltd and Tubbs Marine & Energy Limited. In a petition sent to the Commissioner of Police in charge of SFU, Mr Tunde Ogunshakin, the Presidential Committee on Verification and Reconciliation of Fuel Subsidy Payments alleged that Eurafric was granted permit to import petrol between 2010 and 2011. The company, the petitioner said, claimed to have imported 85,519,068 litres of petrol in six transactions. Based on the claim, the firm allegedly applied for payment and got N6,130,006,149.30 as subsidy. But it was later discovered that the firm did not execute the transaction as claimed. It

By Jude Isiguzo

allegedly traded off the permit to Tubbs for N65million. Police investigators claimed that Onoh and his firm did not import any product but conspired with some people to get the documents with which they were paid over N2Bbillion as subsidy. Ogunshakin said: “The suspect is on the run. All efforts made to locate him in his last known address at Plot 24B, Marinho Drive, Victoria Island, Lagos proved abortive. He is hereby declared wanted by the office of the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, 13 Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. “Anybody with useful information regarding his whereabouts should contact the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, 13 Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. “Bukola of Tubbs Marine & Energy Limited did not

import any product based on the permit but fraudulently conspired with others at large and arranged forged documents with which he applied and received payment of over N2billion as subsidy claims thereby defrauding the Federal Government of Nigeria. “The suspect is on the run. All efforts made to locate her in her last known addresses at 95, Awolowo

Road, Ikoyi, Lagos and 2nd Floor, 5, Bombay Crescent, Apapa, proved abortive. “She is hereby declared wanted by the office of the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, 13 Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos. “Anybody with useful information regarding her whereabouts should contact the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit, 13 Milverton Road, Ikoyi, Lagos”.

Sanitation in Lagos tomorrow

By Uyoatta Eshiet

HE monthly environmental sanitation will hold in Lagos State tomorrow. A statement by the Public Relations Officer, Ministry of the Environment, Bolarinwa Yusuf, warned that those caught during the sanitation hours, 7am-10am, would face the law. The Commissioner for the Environment, Tunji Bello, said henceforth, government would in evoke the zero-tolerance policy against human and vehicular movements during the exercise. He urged residents to complement government’s efforts by cleaning drains and gutters in their neighbourhood regularly and not only on sanitation days. The government also advised residents to use only the Lagos State Waste Management Authority (LAWMA)/PSP operators for the disposal of waste, saying cart pushers end up blocking the drain, causing flooding. Bello warned interstate bus operators, luxury bus operators Transport owners and road transport workers association to comply as any vehicle caught during the exercise would be sanctions. The passengers would be prosecuted according to the State Environment Sanitation Laws. He said an enlarged enforcement agents including the Police, Lagos State Traffic for Management Authority (LASTMA) and Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) had been mobilised for enforcement.

NOTICE TO GENERAL PUBLIC

This is to inform the general public that KAJOLA community In Oke- Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State .Having been duly registered under the corporate affairs commission, Abuja REG: 594292 now wish to be known, called and addressed as KAJOLA TOWN . Oke- Ero Local Government Area of Kwara State, Kwara State government and general public to take note. SIGNED HRH OBA J.A OYEWOLE (JP) ELDER CHIEF M.O ASHAOLU Oba of Kajola Land Nal President KDA Hon Abraham O. Lasisi NAL PRO KDA

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS

FOREIGN

Anenih mourns defection of governors

HE Chairman of the Board of Trustees (BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Chief Tony Anenih, yesterday mourned the loss of five governors to the All Progressives Congress (APC). He also said the party would rebound despite the defection . He, however, queried why the five governors decided to seek tennacy in another party. Anenih, who reacted when contacted by some reporters, said the action of the affected governors was a sad one. He said: “Indeed, I had expected the governors to stay on in the Party which has offered them a unique opportunity to serve their people. “Surprisingly, they decided to abandon their home and platform to take up tenancy in an opposition party even when it was apparent that the effort of Mr. President for genuine reconciliation was enough for them to see good

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

reason to show restraint and understanding. However, as adults, the final decision was and remains theirs.” He, however, expressed satisfaction that the party leadership, President Goodluck Jonathan, former Presidents Olusegun Obasanjo and Ibrahim Babangida, former National Chairmen, Senators Barnabas Gemade and Ahmadu Ali as well as himself “invested enough energy, commitment, maturity and sincerity in the collective effort at reconciliation.” He said PDP will soon recover from the setback created by the defection. Anenih added: “I would like to urge our party members and sympathizers not to be disturbed by the exit of some of our governors, but to continue to mobilize grassroots support for our party, Mr. President, and his Transformation Agenda.

•Anenih

“Our party is big and strong enough to rebound, as it has always done, in the face of such challenges. “They should be rest assured that, on our part at the National level, we will strive relentlessly to continue to provide focused leadership as well as keep your hopes and aspirations alive especially at this time and in the months leading to the crucial 2015 general elections.” He went philosophical by saying: “What looks like a setback, in politics, can turn out to be a blessing in disguise.”

Reps seek to unravel foreign investors HE House of Repre- in Union Bank Funke Osibodu of several sentatives is seeking allegations against him by

to unravel the identities of some foreign investors in the Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN). House Committee on Banking and Currency has mandated the bank to furnish it with details of the foreign investors to ascertain their capacity to successfully manage the bank. The decision of the lawmakers followed the disclosure by the bank’s Company Secretary, Somuyiwa Sonubi that Union Global, a consortium of foreign investors has 65 percent share of the bank while the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) has 20.4 with the remaining 14 percent owned by others. At the continuation of the investigative public hearing on alleged unwholesome practices during the tenure of Funke Osibodu, the Committee was also shocked to learn that N4.15b loan to Global Fleet was classified as insider loan, while the owner was neither a Director nor a staff of the bank.

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

Chairman of the Committee, Jones Onyereri said: “The Committee will want the entire file of the transaction, we want to have a knowledge of the annual return of the foreign partners involved. “We also want to know the roles played by the Credit Committee of the bank and the attraction, if any for granting the loan to Global Fleet. “The bank should also furnish us with the criteria used in granting the loan, in addition to the roles played by the customers since you said the money is customers’ money and can be moved anywhere”, To ascertain the level of compliance to extant banking guidelines, the Committee also requested for the Domestic Report of External Auditors. The bank, represented by the Company Secretary, Sonubi had earlier absolved

some stakeholders during her tenure as Managing Director between 2009 and 2013. Sonubi said the former MD followed due process in the disengagement of staff, emolument to the management staff as well as granting of loans to the bank’s customers, among others. The bank was given 10 days to present the requested documents. The former MD could not make the hearing yesterday but sent a written presentation to the Committee.

Dana appoints new Chief Operating Officer By Precious Igbonwelundu

O avert air mishaps, Dana Airline yesterday said it has undergone dynamic changes and initiatives including the appointment of Yvan Drewinsky as its Chief Operating Officer. Drewinsky, a global aviation expert with over 30 years experience, has the mandate of Dana’s board to sustain standards and quality of service within the airline. The airline, which was on October 6, grounded by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to allow for an operational audit, said it was poised to better serve the safety and comfort needs of its customers. While awaiting the lifting of its suspension by the NCAA, the airline in a statement disclosed that it was committed towards undergoing the intensive IATA Operational safety audit (IOSA) programme by next year. It also claimed that the airline was investing in requisite staff trainings in strict adherence to NCAR, ICAO and IATA standards, “even in the period our flight operations are under suspension.

15 dead’ in continuing Bangladesh protests

t least 15 people across Bangladesh have been killed in protests following Monday’s government announcement that general elections will be held on 5 January, officials say. The opposition has rejected the date and called for a transport blockade. It wants Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina to transfer power to a neutral caretaker

government to oversee polls - the practice adopted in previous votes. The opposition has extended its transport blockade until Friday. Its supporters have sabotaged railway lines, set fire to buses and taxis, and prevented ferries from sailing. The election commissioner met the heads of the security forces on Thursday to discuss the violence.

The government meanwhile has announced that UN envoy Oscar FernandezTaranco will visit Bangladesh on 6 December to hold talks with political parties about ending the election stand-off. The mass-circulation Daily Star newspaper said that the envoy would carry “a strong message” from the UN chief to rival political leaders to hold “free, fair, credible and inclusive” polls.

Bahamas detains 56 Haitian migrants

HE Bahamas military has detained 56 Haitian migrants on a boat near where another migrant vessel capsized earlier this week. A statement from the Royal Bahamas Defense Forces says the migrants were captured near Ragged Island. They were detained

Wednesday as authorities were searching for survivors or bodies from Monday’s capsizing near Harvey Cays. The military says about 30 migrants drowned when their boat struck ground and capsized in an area dotted with tiny islands, reefs, rocks and expanses of shallow water. Authorities have not been

able to recover all the bodies. The military says 111 survivors of the capsizing and the 56 found near Ragged Island will be held in New Providence and repatriated. The Bahamas has detained more than 1,500 migrants this year, 90 percent from Haiti.

South korea, Japan defy Chinese air zone

OUTH Korean and Japanese flights through China’s new maritime air defense zone added to the international defiance Thursday of rules Beijing says it has imposed in East China Sea but that neighbors and the U.S. have vowed to ignore. While China’s surprise announcement last week to create the zone initially raised some tensions in the region, analysts say Beijing’s motive is not to trigger an aerial confrontation but is a more long-term strategy to solidify claims to disputed territory by simply marking the area as its own. China’s lack of a response so far to the flights — including two U.S. B-52s that flew through the zone on Tuesday — has been an embarrassment for Beijing. Even some Chinese state media outlets suggested Thursday that Beijing may have mishandled the episodes. “Beijing needs to reform its information release mechanism to win the psychological battles waged by Washington and Tokyo,” the Global Times, a nationalist tab-

loid published by the Communist Party’s flagship People’s Daily, said in an editorial. Without prior notice, Beijing began demanding Saturday that passing aircraft identify themselves and accept Chinese instructions or face consequences in an East China Sea zone that overlaps a similar air defense identification zone overseen by Japan since 1969 and initially part of one set up by the U.S. military. But when tested just days later by U.S. B-52 flights — with Washington saying it made no effort to comply with China’s rules, and would not do so in the future — Beijing merely noted, belatedly, that it had seen the flights and taken no further action. South Korea’s military said Thursday its planes flew through the zone this week without informing China and with no apparent interference. Japan also said its planes have continuing to fly through it after the Chinese announcement, while the Philippines, locked in an increasingly bitter dispute with Beijing over South China Sea islands, said it also was rejecting China’s declaration.

EU not giving up on Ukraine deal

UROPEAN Union leaders sought Thursday to revive a stalled agreement with Ukraine after the former Soviet republic shocked the 28-country bloc last week by opting for closer ties with Russia instead. EU Council President Herman Van Rompuy and Commission President JoseManuel Barroso are set to have a meeting with Ukraine President Viktor Yanukovych hours before Thursday’s start of the Vilnius

summit in an attempt to cajole him into signing the longplanned cooperation agreement as soon as possible. And French President Francois Hollande was also planning to talk to the leader who stunned the EU by suspending the deal that was supposed to offer the signature moment of the EU’s two-day Eastern Partnership summit. Faced with pressure from Russia, Yanukovych shelved plans for closer ties with the EU last week. The move

sparked protests at home and set back EU plans to pry a nation of 46 million people loose from Moscow’s orbit and push its geopolitical clout right up to Russia’s border. Instead, Moscow would like Kiev to join a separate union that aims to rival the EU.Still, the EU has not given up and continues to laud the benefits of Ukraine having closer ties with the world’s biggest trading bloc, and has said the deal could be signed any time after the summit.

PFN donates N10m to Philippines’ typhoon victims

HE Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has donated N10million to typhoon ravaged country of Philippines. The monetary support according to the Christian body was it’s own little way of identifying with the people. Over 300,000 people were affected in what has been described as the biggest typhoon incident in the world. The country experiences such natural disaster at least 20 times a year. Presenting the cheque in Abuja on Monday, PFN president, Dr. Felix Omobude said the financial gift was a response to the recent disaster in that country. Dr. Omobude noted that the body has been following the incident that swept some part of the country and going by a number of lost of lives and the suffering of many that have become homeless. He stressed that since “we belong to a global community, we felt we should come here to

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

offer our condolences to the people and government of philippines.” The Clergy man further said that the body is aware of the enormous need the incident has created , hence the gift is just a token. He also called on other Nigerians irrespective of their fate to contribute towards assisting the victims to get back to their normal lives. Responding, Philippines Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Alex Lamadrid said the donation will go a long way to alleviating the suffering of the victims; stressing that “it will go a long way to assist my country people to restart their lives” Thanking the church for it’s generosity, Lamadrid revealed that though the country is used to typhoon as it usually record roughly about 20 cases of typhoon yearly, he however said this recent experience was much above the expectation of the people. He said, “this is the strongest ever in the world, nobody thought that it would be hat strong”.

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS

Buhari, Tinubu fighting for better Nigeria, says Lamido

PDP crisis: Nothing has changed in the House, says spokesman

•Tukur is ‘polio virus to democracy’

LL Progressives Congress (APC) leaders Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu are working for the good of the country, Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido said yesterday. The governor spoke in Dutse, the state capital, while receiving former military Head of State Gen. Abdussalami Abubakar, who was rounding off his two-day visit to the state. Lamido, one of the G-7 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors crusading for internal democracy and good administration of the ruling party, described PDP National Chairman Bamanga Tukur as a “polio virus to Nigerian democracy”. Lamido, who declined to join the APC like five of his colleagues in the G7, described Tukur’s style of leadership as a threat to democracy, which people fought for, losing wealth and lives.

From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

He said Tukur’s action was capable of throwing the country into “total doom”. Lamido told Gen. Abdulsalami: “It is quite unfortunate that 14 years after you, Abubakar Abdulsalami, out of your national patriotism and selfless commitment to the nation, conquered all the temptations around you and relinquished government, things are being run like this.” According to the governor, the PDP’s house is in a shambles as a result of Tukur’s leadership style. He accused the party leader of lacking ideas on how to develop the party. He said his colleagues who earlier in the week defected to the APC did so out of frustration, adding: “ Most of them had worked for the advancement of the PDP in their states, but instead of the party to show appreciation, it ended up sending people parking unceremoniously.” The governor described Gen, Abdulsalami as a demo-

crat for his role in handing over power to a democratically- elected government in 1999. He is a “father of democracy in Nigeria”. He urged him to raise up his hands and say “no” to anti- democratic forces and enemies of democracy. “It is high time people like you started talking so as to rescue democracy and the nation so that the legacies you have bequeathed will not be trampled upon by never do wells,” Lamido told his guest. To Gen. Abubakar, Nigeria is at the crossroads and will need the prayers of all to survived. He said the country would not survive in an atmosphere dominated by rancour and violence. “Whereever we are, we must make peace and this is also applicable to politics. “We, as people, must avoid violence and if there is any difference among us, there are procedures to follow - like the judiciary,” he said. The former head of state noted that the effort to restore

democracy in the country during his regime was possible because of the commitment of all Nigerians. Gen. Abubakar praised Lamido for transforming his state positively, noting that the governor executed people-oriented projects. He said: “Whoever left Dutse 10 years ago would be overwhelmed by the level of progress recorded by the Lamido administration.” Gen. Abdulsalami visited the Emir of Dutse, Alhaji Nuhu Muhammad Sanusi, in his palace and inaugurated the multi-billion naira State High Court, which he described as the best in the country.

is calling for trouble. “It has shown clearly now that government is not willing to implement the 2009 agreement. This is another bad move by government. We are not afraid of sack which can never happen. It is just a threat. We are ready for the outcome of this action by government and I hope government can bear it. “No retreat, no surrender until the 2009 agreements are met. They can re-open the school. ASUU did not shut down the universities. It was the management of the schools that ordered the students to go back home. Let us how this will play out.” Prof. Fred Esumeh, chairman of Ambrose Alli University ASUU said the Minister could only give directives to

university management and not to union members. “If they consider it wise to open the university, they should have made arrangement to recruit teachers to complete the session.” “It shows the government is not sincere towards implementing the agreement. Why did the president find it difficult to put our agreement at the 13 hours meeting in black and white.” Chairman of UNIBENASUU, Dr. Tony Monye said the government could keep its job because they have resolved that they could not continue working under present conditions. “They can’t force us back. The Minister did not send us on strike. Let us see how they are going to enforce it.”

•Lamido

Threat is empty basket, says ASUU Continued from page 4

with the union. This is why we find it difficult to trust our leaders by their words. How can someone be threatening to sack lecturers when universities are already short-staffed by almost 60,000. We are not in military era. The military tried it and failed. This one will fail again. They can reopen the school. ASUU did not shut down the universities. It was the school management that ordered the students to go back home.” Aremu said it is only when ASUU proceeds on strike that funds get to universities which are then presided over by political appointee tagged “committee of pro-chancellors”. Aremu lashed out at the supervising Minister for Education, Nyesom Wike, saying the

government was not responsible if it could wait for four months to take any step and scuttle it through military orders. “We are saying show commitment to the resolutions. They should address the issue we sent to them in the letter and we are not demanding extra kobo. Under the military it did not work. This is another long path to make the strike linger more than necessary,” Aremu said. The University of Abuja chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) yesterday said nobody can intimidate the teachers. Its Chairman Dr. Clement Chup said: “We have not seen anybody that will intimidate us to go back to work. The strike continues. Government

We have lost confidence in INEC, says APC Continued from page 4

al. The deliberate tactic to prevent democracy and serve the two parties’ interests, PDP and particularly APGA in this case cannot be democratic and in the voters’ interest. “And the only face saving decision for you and your commission in this circumstance is to cancel the charade, which you want to reinforce of the electorate as a credible election.” The APC likened the flawed Anambra poll to a coup d’etat against Nigerians. It explained that the protest became necessary because to keep quiet would be dangerous. The letter added: “We cannot gloat over the dangerous signs and the gathering storms that portend a coup d’etat against the yearnings and aspirations of our people. “The reasons why we cannot accept this infamy of your commission as regards the Anambra election are as

follows. “The manipulation of the October 12th Delta Central Senatorial District by- election. The refusal of INEC to conclude the election started since July 29th 2013 in the rerun election to the Imo State of Assembly in Oguta, in spite of the fact that there was a clear winner. “The abnormality displayed in the State House of Assembly by-election in Ringim Constituency of Jigawa State. The danger that the shenanigans, the conspiracy and the subversion of the will of the people signifies to our democracy. “The question our generations’ yet unborn will ask and their judgment if we refuse to

do what is right to arrest the drift of our nation to the straits of destruction which have dire consequence for our people. “A flashback into our political history has revealed that the subversion of the will of the people has always ended in a catastrophe for our nation, thereby drawing back our quest for development. “The collapse of the First and Second Republics political experiments is pointer to the dangerous path we are treading once again. “We, in the All Progressives Congress (APC) cannot be cowed, for this is a time that calls for all brave men and women to rise to the

desperate call of the silent majority to rescue our nation from the assured perdition of a PDP led government at the Federal level. “If you recall, the 2011 National Assembly Elections were cancelled due to the failure of your commission to achieve the right parameters for a credible election. Our position is that if you could cancel an election that has already commenced and voting was ongoing due to flaws in that electoral process, your assertion that you do not have the authority to cancel an election that you have acknowledged as flawed and “messed up and sabotaged” cannot be sustained.”

Your case frivolous, Stallion Group tells Coscharis, others Continued from page 4

its eyes on the ball and take advantage of evolving government policy.” It accused its rivals of trying to undermine the prospects of automobile manufacturing plants in the country, through

their demand for the deferment of the policy. It said with the official approval of the policy on October 2, 2013, by the Federal Executive Council, the Stallion Group went ahead to open letters of credit to supply its

various brands in the normal ways of business and commercial prudence. It added that all distributors and dealers, including the petitioners,” had the same opportunity with Stallion to replenish their stock in reaction to the policy.”

HE composition of the leadership of the House of Representatives would not change despite the defection of some governors in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to the All Progressives Congress (APC), the House has said. The PDP caucus of the Peoples Democratic Party, (PDP) in the House of Representatives would however meet with President Goodluck Jonathan on how to proffer lasting solution to the crisis rocking the Party, it emerged yesterday. Deputy Spokesman of the House,,Victor Afam Ogene (APGA, Anambra) at a new briefing yesterday said members must declare their intentions before the House can make any decision . He said: “Until then, the House remains the way it is. Section 68 (1) of the Nigeria 1999 constitution provides that members can only defect to another political party in group based on merger agreement but what is happening in the PDP cannot be defined as such. “In politics, things like this happen, but as a House, we remain one. Section 68 (1) (g) of the 1999 Constitution as amended says people cannot cross carpet in group except in merger situation. But defection

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

has to do with individual member, so if they’re defecting, the proper thing must be done by activating that section of the constitution. “As at now, we’re not aware of any member defecting to another party. Remember, going by our rule, until a party has 181 members, you can’t talk of having the majority”. The PDP caucus, at its closed-door meeting said the proposed with President Jonathan parley must be held within the next few days. Though the date for the meeting was not disclosed, the caucus noted that the lingering crisis that culminated in the movement of some of the governors to the APC called for concern. A member of the caucus who pleaded anonymity said the lawmakers’ resolve to interface with the President stemmed from the need to ascertain their own position in the party in view of the new development. “We resolved to engage the President to know where the party is going, though we agreed to remain together despite the challenge posed by the departure of some governors to the rival APC”.

Amaechi dissolves Obio/Akpo council

IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi yesterday dissolved the executive of the Obio/Akpor Local Government Council with immediate effect. The dissolution was announced in a statement by Secretary to the State Government, Mr. George Feyii. The statement said: “Rt. Hon. Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, the Governor of Rivers State, in exercise of the pow-

ers conferred on him by the Rivers State Local Government Law, 2012, has approved the dissolution of the Obio/ Akpor Local Government Council with effect from today, 28th November 2013. “Consequently, the Chairman of Obio/Akpor Local Government Council is hereby directed to handover to the Head of Personnel Management of the Council immediately.”

ASUU draws battle line as govt orders varsities reopening Continued from page 4

luck Jonathan met with ASUU executive, the Labour Union leaders from the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and the Trade Union Congress (TUC) , where all the issues were resolved and firm commitments made to address the lingering issues. “It is noteworthy that Mr. President’s gesture was more than sufficient to guarantee the commitment of government to address all issues as resolved at the meeting with Mr. President. “At the end of the meeting with Mr. President, the ASUU Executive promised to meet with its NEC to present the resolutions reached and report back by Friday November 8, 2013. It is unfortunate that while travelling to attend the NEC meeting in Kano, we lost a key member and former president of the union, Prof. Festus Iyayi. Government sympathises with the family of the late Iyayi and ASUU. “It is amazing, however, that three weeks after the meeting with Mr. President, ASUU responded by giving new conditions for suspending the fivemonth old strike. I have never seen anywhere in any country where you sit down with Mr President. That is the highest level of discussion. If you cannot believe Mr. President, then who else will you believe? “Government has reviewed the entire situation and came to the conclusion that the contin-

uation of the strike is an attempt by ASUU to sabotage all efforts to address the issues. “As a responsible government, we cannot allow the continuous closure of our public universities for this length of time (five months), as this poses danger to the education system, the future of our youths and national development. “Consequently, the Federal Government has directed as follows: All vice - chancellors of Federal universities that are currently on strike should immediately reopen for academic and allied activities as directed by their pro-chancellors. “Vice-Chancellors should ensure that staff who resume for work are provided with the enabling environment for academic and allied activities. “Any academic staff, who fails to resume on or before the 4th of December, 2013 automatically ceases to be a staff of the institution “Vice-Chancellors are also directed to advertise vacancies (internal and external) in their institutions. “The National Universities Commission is hereby directed to monitor the compliance of these directives by the various institutions. “The Federal Government has met all its Commitment and obligations with respect to the FG/ASUU 2009 Agreement. We appeal to all stakeholders to appreciate the position of government, which is in the best interest of our dear country.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

NEWS ANAMBRA ELECTION FIASCO

•Members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) protesting the conduct of the November 16, Anambra State governorship election at the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Abuja... yesterday.

•Minority Leader Femi Gbajabiamila (second left) leading other members... yesterday.

•Senators Anthony Adeniyi (middle); Gbenga Ashafa (right) and another senator

•Members of the House of Reps –– led by Mrs Abike Dabiri-Erewa

•Senator Sola Adeyeye (middle) and others

•Another group of protesters... yesterday.

•Policemen on the alert... yesterday

PHOTOS:AKIN OLADOKUN

THE NATION FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

TODAY IN THE NATION

FRIDAY, NOVEMBER 29, 2013

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

SEGUN GBADEGESIN gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

An implosion ‘The will to pervert is consistent with the reluctance to flush out culprits of corruption from its rank. If you join the party with the motive of perverting the system to get the most for yourself, then your motive is not in conflict with the environment that the party sustains. ’ non-performer and an embarrassment to the party. On hindsight, it now appears that progressives were right back in 1998. Daring the unhappy folks to leave has worked well principally because of the potency of its will to pervert. With the party in the driving seat of the political economy of the country in the last fourteen years, the potency of its will to pervert the system is crystal clear: subsidy scandal, crude oil theft, Oduahgate, comatose refineries, and generalised corruption, despite EFCC. The will to pervert is consistent with the reluctance to flush out culprits of corruption from its rank. If you join the party with the motive of perverting the system to get the most for yourself, then your motive is not in conflict with the environment that the party sustains. Why would you want to leave? Even if you were outsmarted once, you would probably take the chance and wait for another day. Of course, overgeneralisation is an unforgiveable sin of logic. There are individuals in the rank and file and even at the leadership cadre of the old PDP who have suffered the pang of conscience silently and waited patiently over the years for a change in the direction of the party. And there comes a time when suffering and waiting is no longer an option. For some of the new PDP members,

RIPPLES NIGERIA NOT EXPERIENCING DEMOCRACY BUT TRANSITION–Activist

Yes, it is called PERPETUAL TRANSITION

VOL.8 NO.2,682

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

N implosion just occurred. The largest party in Africa has collapsed under the weight of its hubris-infested lead4ership. Before their very eyes, in the twilight of their ascendancy, the impregnable suddenly lost grip of the power to fix and it is music to the ears of the people, the true source of democratic power. The announcement on Tuesday, November 26, 2013, of the merger of New PDP with APC was the culmination of series of events, miscued by the leadership of the original PDP as simply a nuisance that was going to evaporate. Well, it didn’t, and that is enough evidence of an underlying ailment that continues to afflict our political class. The elite takes the people for granted, and in the process takes its kind for granted. We saw, in the case of the old PDP, a power struggle that has bedeviled the party since its inception. Power struggle is an intrinsic element of the political process and is not unique to the old PDP. However, there is something unique and damaging to the brand that PDP represents and portrays. As the party that controls the central government and the largest number of state governments, the old PDP sees itself as unbeatable and its will to dominate and to pervert as unbendable. The will to dominate is geared towards external victims and is, therefore, tolerable and indeed admirable to the internal brigade. The will to pervert is, however, an equal opportunity victimiser. It affects and impacts both external and internal victims. And that is the undoing of the brand. It was the final storm that shredded the open umbrella. As an organisation, the PDP considers itself unique in political party formation in Nigeria in the sense that it has no individual founder, just as the NPN before it bragged about not having a Baba, an indirect jab at the then UPN. However, this self-description is only partially true, and its partial falsity is demonstrated by fact that the collapse of the party is due to the appropriationby a few of the power of a non-existent founder. In other words, though there is no single founder with enormous powers, there are multiple innermost centres of power, which call the shot and dare those perceived as external others to leave. If there were no real founders, and every member came into the fold on his or her own, that is a good reason for the elected leaders to see themselves not as tin gods but as servant leaders. In the history of the PDP, that was never the case. In a party without a Baba, one was invented between 1999 and 2007. And a Mr. Fix-it has always lurked around Aso Rock to ensure that any viable competition for a position occupied by an incumbent is frustrated, even when the incumbent is a

‘Is APC the long awaited party that would checkmate the long excruciating run of PDP in power? There is no doubt that public expectations are very high on APC and it is believed that the party will not disappoint Nigerians’

F Hardball dares to say it, bishops, especially of the Anglican fold (that he has taken an especial note of) are mostly portly, well-fed and expansive in their overflowing robes. They seem to be of the same genetic stock. But from next year, there will be a fundamental change in the physique and make-up of Anglican bishops: they will be buxom, curvy and full-lipped. Some may even wear lipsticks as the years roll by and of course, mount on the pedestals of dainty high-heeled shoes. Yes, all these and more will manifest because the Church of England, (CoE) the mother church of the world’s Anglican Communion is poised to consecrate female bishops next year. A recent report says that the CoE’s governing body voted overwhelmingly in favour of female bishops mid-November ending a 20-year impasse that would see women ordained as senior clergy by the end of 2014. The report notes further that a vote on a package of measures to endorse women bishops was supported by 378 members of the General Synod. Only eight voted against while 25 abstained. Women already serve as bishops in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Once the CoE endorses it, it naturally becomes acceptable for members around the world. But like the issue of homosexuality (among the clergy and the matter of gay marriage) which has enjoyed widespread ac-

that time appears to have arrived. At least, that is my reading of their decision to escape from a sinking ship.It cannot be long before the veracity of my reading of the implosion of PDP is determined. And we just have to see. Meanwhile that implosion has spawned an explosion in the advance of APC. The leadership of this new party has not concealed its intentions and has in fact made it a foremost task to attract the G-7 Governors and the New PDP into its fold. Its hard work and persistence has finally paid off. There is something to be said for the strategic genius of its leadership and the feat it has accomplished in the last six months. First, it was the fight over registration, which was not going to be, precisely because of the fear in some quarters regarding what has just occurred. Then there comes this exponential increase in numbers. And if politics is in the final analysis a craft that relies on numbers, there’s good reason for excitement. It is also true, however, that prior to a final analysis, there is an intermediate one, and a preliminary one as well. While numbers matter in the final analysis, there are factors without which numbers don’t really count and may be counter-productive. First, there is the harmony of ideological orientation, espe-

MOBOLAJI SANUSI

cially among the leadership. One expects that this would have been at the top of the preliminary discussions and negotiations. For without a common agreement on the ideological focus of the party, there is no guarantee that the addition of the new numbers to the old will make a positive difference. Second, APC has its agenda based on its consultations with the rank and file of its members cutting across the original political parties and the various regional and local constituencies. This progressive agenda is based on certain fundament values and principles shared by all Nigerians: that all Nigerians are creatures of a good God who endows them with inherent dignity and respect; that progressive principles and practices are essential to good governance and the protection and promotion of the dignity and respect of Nigerians; and that congresses and communities of peoples with diverse backgrounds can and will embrace a common unity of purpose for the promotion of their common interests if and when an appropriate and desirable structure is put in place for the pursuit of those interests. Third, fidelity to those fundamental principles determines the method of approach of the party to governance, the evidence of which abounds in those states where APC has had the opportunity to govern. Education, employment and security are vital to the promotion of dignity and respect and APC governments at state level have made these three the centerpiece of their undertaking. It is the expectation of those who look up to the party that these will be its focus at the federal level. Fourth, it is true, however, that a true federal arrangement that devolves power adequately to the constituent units is key to good governance and prompt and excellent delivery of services to Nigerians. An APC central government must pursue with vigor and deliver a true federal structural arrangement through constitutional provisions. Finally, infrastructural development, including road, power generation and distribution, is an indispensable tool for the unleashing of the ingenuity and resourcefulness of Nigerians in all areas of the economy. APC must tackle with the concerted energy of all willing Nigerians the challenges of infrastructure that appear to have overwhelmed the present administration and those before it. Nigerians are resourceful people and their talents must be put to good use and they will once again command the respect of the world. It is hoped that these ideas and ideals are shared by the leadership and members, including the new arrivals into the fold. If so, it is time to get to work. •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

HARDBALL

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Her Lordship, the bishop

chant. The point must be made, however, that religion is not science or art or logic; it is faith, blind unreasoned belief. Can the world wise up to God? It is all there in the first consecration recorded in the Bible: “Now take Aaron your brother, and his sons with him from among the children of Israel, that he may minister to me as priests, Aaron and Aaron’s sons:” (Exodus 28 v.1). Further down the chapter, it says that, “you shall anoint them, consecrate them, and sanctify them, that they may minister to Me as priests. And you shall make for them linen trousers to cover their nakedness; they shall reach from the waist to the thighs. They shall be on Aaron and on his sons when they come into the Tabernacle of meeting, or when thy come near the altar to minister in the holy place, that they do not incur iniquity and die.” And chapter 29 v.37 is clear: “Seven days you shall make atonement for the altar and sanctify it. And the altar shall be most holy. Whatever touches the altar must be holy.” True believers know that God does not make mistake and the Word is immutable. Even Christ did not choose women among his disciples; it was by no means a mistake. The woman is the ultimate cross bearer for procreation and she is blessed with a monthly period which forbids her to carry out altar duties. They have their duties cut out for them in the children and women ministries. Consecrating women will seem to negate God’s clear injunction.

commodation in the churches of the Western world, the Anglican Church in the developing world, especially Nigeria, do not even ordain female priests yet. In fact, the body of bishops, led by Archbishop Nicholas Okoh, is vehemently opposed to it the same way it has held out against the gay rights campaign. The Bible is unambiguous about male-female relationships, Okoh and his ‘3rd World’ caucus insists. We shall do it the Bible way and we shall abide by the teachings of our Lord Jesus Christ, they say vehemently. But the Anglican faithful of the ‘advanced world’ argue that the world has changed and mankind has evolved. They are showing a fresh new sensitivity to individual rights to sexual preferences. Those who are opposed to this ‘new’ way are labeled ‘homophobes’ and traditionalists. On the women priesthood matter, they say we live in a new world of equality of genders. They insist that in the Bible eras of Old and new Testaments the world was primitive and was biased against the female gender. Again man has evolved and it has been proven that beyond physiological differences, man and woman are basically equal. Gender sensitivity is the new

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