Jan 21, 2014 by The Nation

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VOL. 9, NO. 2735 TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

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•22 PDP SENATORS TO DEFECT TO APC P2 •NEW DIGS, AIGS FOR POLICE P6

APC Reps: House Leader, other key officials must go Party writes speaker to assert its majority status

MAJOR crisis has broken out in the House of Representatives, with All Progressives Congress (APC) members demanding House Leader Mulikat AdeolaAkande’s removal. Some other principal officers should also step down, the APC Caucus will demand in a letter to Speaker Aminu Tambuwal. The 171 APC members in the House rose last night from a meeting in Abuja to demand their right to produce the House Leader - in line with constitutional provision on simple majority. A court restrained yesterday the House from tampering with its leadership. But the Reps said they were not bound by the order. The decision will not affect Speaker Aminu Tambuwal and Deputy Speaker Emeka Ihedioha, it was said. The APC members also vowed not to recognise Mrs. Adeola-Akande as the

THOSE WHO MUST GO

•House Leader Mulikat Adeola-Akande •Deputy Leader Leo Ogor •Chief Whip Mohammed Bawa •Dep. Chief Whip Mohammed Mukthar From Yusuf Alli, Victor Oluwasegun, Dele Anofi, Abuja and Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

House Leader. A source at the meeting said: “Those of us in APC are now 171 in a chamber of 360 members. We met and decided to write the Speaker to invoke the relevant constitutional provision and rules to effect a change of leadership from the Majority Leader(House Leader) downwards. “We only require a simple majority of one or two members to effect a change of Majority Leader and other principal officers as the House may deem fit. PDP, APGA, Labour Party and Accord are about 150 members.” On the deputy speaker, the source, who pleaded not to be

Civil servants get 37% of recurrent budget, says govt

named, said: “We cannot ask the Deputy Speaker to step down because the Constitution says it requires two-thirds of members to take such a decision. “So, the Speaker will certainly get our letter on Tuesday (today) and read it on the floor of the House.” The resolution of the members of the party was the outcome of a short meeting at the National Assembly yesterday. The letter will insist on the removal of Akande-Adeola, Deputy Majority Leader Leo Ogor, Chief Whip Mohammed Isiaka Bawa and Deputy Chief Whip Mohammed Mukthar. Ihedioha is left out, “though with reservations”, a member said. The letter will also contain the request that all the emolu-

ments and allowances accruing to the listed leadership members because of their offices be frozen until the leadership change is completed. The APC legislators also vowed not to recognise any bill, motion or argument that comes through the listed leadership members until the change is effected. Members who were alerted about the meeting through text messages began arriving at the National Assembly from 5:30 pm yesterday and by 6:30 pm the meeting, which was presided over by the opposition leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, was over. A member of the APC, who did not want to be named, said the letter was to abide by the rule of the House. He said: “According to the rule, we have to tell him officially, and he ( the Speaker) will call the Clerk to cross check and they will effect the changes.” On the court case, members cited the case of PDP National Secretary Olagunsoye Oyinlo-

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) National Chairman Adamu Mu’azu began his job on a comical note yesterday. He described the party’s debilitating crisis as a “storm in a tea cup”. In his acceptance speech shortly after he was unveiled as the new party chair, Muazu said with his selection, the PDP had proven to the world that it had discovered an instant

Continued on page 2

•Mu’azu...yesterday

Mu’azu takes over as PDP chairman

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

HIRTY seven per cent of the nation’s budget is spent on salaries, wages and

allowances of about one million civil servants, the Federal Government said yesterday. Giving an insight into the 2014 budget estimate presented to the National Assembly for consideration, the Director General of the Budget Office, Dr Bright Okogu, said the persistent clamour for increased wages, allowances and salaries of civil servants led to the jerking up of recurrent expenditure. He urged labour unions to think beyond the immediate gains of a fat salary and look at the effect of their demands on the nation’s economy and themselves. According to Okogu, when a huge amount of money is spent on salaries and wages of Federal Government workers to the detriment of capital projects, jobs that could have been Continued on page 2

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola speaking during the Public Security System Demonstration at the Command and Control Centre, Alausa Secretariat, Ikeja, Lagos...yesterday. With him are: Deputy Governor Mrs. Adejoke Orelope-Adefulire (second left), Commissioner for Science and Technology Mr. Adebiyi Mabadeje (right) and Budget and Economic Planning Commissioner Mr. Ben Akabueze.

Lagos to deploy additional 1,000 CCTV cameras •SEE PPAAGE 8

•PROPERTY P13 •MARITIME P16 •ENERGY P18 •SPORTS P23 •POLITICS P43

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

NEWS Civil servants get 37% of recurrent budget, says govt Continued from page 1

created would be lost and the civil servants who get these enlarged wages end up footing the bills of their relatives who ordinarily could have been employed by the system.

President Goodluck Jonathan (fourth left); Minister of Agriculture, Akinwunmi Adesina (middle) Chief Tony Anenih (third left) and other officials, cutting a cake at the launch of dry season farm support programme at the Presidential Villa in Abuja …yesterday

Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala added: “There are additional pension arrears which will need to be incorporated in our recurrent budgets in the future, so the size of this spending will increase further, if we do not take any action. We will need to make some tough choices in the future about the structure of our budget. “We need to strike a balance

between a growing wage bill for the public sector and investing more of our resources in infrastructure projects.” She said her ministry worked hard to reduce this ratio from 74.4 per cent in 2011 to 71.5 per cent in 2012 and further to 67.5 per cent in 2013, “but it has risen again to 74 per cent in 2014.” She said the executive was “looking to the National Assembly to assist us in reviewing and repealing these laws to enable us rationalise some of these duplicative agencies”. On the whereabouts of the $10.8 billion, which was not remitted to the Federation Account, the minister said:

Continued on page 55

22 PDP Senators to dump PDP for APC

Mu’azu takes over as PDP chairman

Why Jonathan endorsed party chair

Continued from page 1

cure for what looked like a terminal disease afflicting the party. In another breath, however, Mu’azu admitted that all is not well with the ruling party, adding that any political party of the size of the PDP is bound to face challenges from time to time. Said he: “I have helplessly watched the dwindling fortunes of our party from 2003 to date. From controlling a record 28 states in 1999 to 23 states currently. “This situation is unacceptable and must change. I do not claim to have the monopoly of wisdom to turn around the dwindling fortunes of the PDP. The party will regain its lost glory in record time and remain the toast of the Nigerian people once again. “In this connection, in the coming weeks and months, we will engage in sweeping reforms in the administration of the party to bring it in tandem with global best practices. “We will do everything possible to ensure the supremacy of the party under my chairmanship. In this connection, I will plead and appeal to the execu-

From Yomi Odunuga, Abuja

HE presidential endorsement of Alhaji Adamu Mu’azu as Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party was a way of paying back a favour granted President Goodluck Jonathan when the former was governor of Bauchi State, it emerged yesterday. Mu’azu, it was gathered, played a major role in ensuring the safety of Jonathan when his life was under serious threat following the plot to impeach his former boss, Diepriye Alamieyeseigha, from office and replace him with Jonathan. At the height of the crisis, Jonathan, who was the deputy governor of Bayelsa State then, was said to have called Mu’azu, seeking to move to a “secured environment” pending the resolution of the Alamieyeseigha saga. Mu’azu was said to have initiated Jonathan’s relocation to Bauchi State for two weeks after which he was sworn-in as the Governor of Bayelsa State following Alamieyeseigha’s controversial ouster by the House of Assembly. Continued on page 60

tive governors who have tremendous roles to play to join hands with me in ensuring the actualisation of the supremacy of the party. “The supremacy of the party will guarantee internal party discipline, credibility and electoral victories. We, therefore, cannot

THE MAN MUA’ZU •Born June 11, 1955 in Boto, Tafawa Balewa Local Government Area of Bauchi State Education •Attended Primary School 1962-1968 •Gindiri Boys’ Secondary School 19711975 •Ahmadu Bello University (BSC Q/ Surveying), MSC (Construction Management) Work Experience •1980-83 – Civil servant in Kano State •1984 -1999 – Private businessman •1999-2007 Governor (Bauchi State) •2007 – Lost Senate bid Marital status •Married with seven children

compromise on these.” Mu’azu’s emergence followed a motion moved by Bauchi State Governor, Isa Yuguda. Yuguda succeeded Mu’azu as governor in 2007, after his two-term tenure of eight years. The motion was seconded by Senate Majority Leader Victor

Ndoma-Egba, consequent upon which the meeting unanimously approved Mu’azu’s selection. Yuguda, who, however, admitted that there was indeed friction between him and Mu’azu, said they had since resolved their differences, being Continued on page 60

O fewer than 22 Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Senators are to defect to the All Progressives Congress (APC), it was learnt yesterday. The planned defection of PDP lawmakers is coming as the Senate resumes plenary today after the Christmas and New Year break. A source said the defecting lawmakers used their recess to “dot the is and cross the ts” on the plan to move to the APC. He noted that the “veiled” threat of the leadership of the Senate to declare vacant the seat of any senator who defects to the APC was not enough to deter those who had made up their minds to leave the PDP. He insisted that “no amount of intimidation and/or threat can stop the wind of change sweeping across the country”.

Continued from page 1

He added that “nobody has the right to tell any senator what political party to belong to.” The defecting senators, he said, would be led by a senator from Kwara State. Asked about the specific number of senators who planned to defect to the APC, the source noted that “the number is increasing by the day”. He said: “You are probably aware of 22 senators who have already been reported, but more are likely to join; you just wait and see.” Senator Ajayi Boroffice, who was elected on the plaform of the Labour Party (LP) from Ondo North Senatorial District, said that it was not true that he Continued on page 60

Anti-Amaechi militants ‘got N50,000, AK-47’

HE rampaging militants, who disrupted the proRotimi Amaechi’s Save Rivers Movement (SRM) rally on Sunday at Bori, Rivers State, each got N50,000. They were given AK-47 assault rifles by politicians, it was learnt yesterday. Impeccable sources in Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni land and the seat of Khana Local Government Area, yesterday indicated that the militants

APC Reps: House Leader, other officials must go

la, saying the PDP was also disobeying court cases. “ In any case, we have not even got the ruling,” a member said. Asked about the court injunction, the source said: “We have heard about it in the realm of rumours; let those who have it come to the House with a copy on Tuesday. “The question you should ask yourself is: Can the court stop the Legislature from functioning? What has become of the Principle of Separation of Powers? “We will not accept any Kangaroo injunction from anybody. We will respect the Judiciary, but we won’t allow anyone to interfere with our job.” Another member at the meeting said: “We learnt that they are planning to disrupt our proceedings on Tuesday; we are prepared for them. “We have made it mandatory for all our 171 members to make it to the chamber on Tuesday.” It was gathered that all the parties were seeking legal consultations last night. The areas of focus were sections 49, 50,and 56 of the 1999 Constitution. Section 49 says: “Subject to the provisions of this Constitution, the House of Representatives shall consist 360 members representing constituencies of nearly equal population as far as possible, provided that no constituency shall fall within more than one

From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

decided to wear masks, since they were mobilised from the area by desperate anti-Amaechi politicians. The sources also revealed that brand new AK-47 rifles, with each costing almost N500,000 were given to the militants, who were familiar with the terrain. It was also gathered that the Continued on page 60

Court restrains Reps from changing House leadership

FEDERAL HIGH Court in Abuja has temporarily restrained the House of Representatives and its principal officers from effecting any changes in the composition of its leadership. Justice Adeniyi Ademola, in a ruling yesterday, ordered parties in a suit by the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) against the House of Representatives and some of its members, to maintain status quo (allow things to remain as they currently are) pending the determination of the suit. The judge elected to hear the substantive suit with the notices of preliminary objection filed by the defendants. Mr. Justice Ademola, in ordering parties to maintain the status quo, held that even when a court’s jurisdiction to hear a case was being challenged, it has the power to decide whether or not it has jurisdiction. He held that a court has the power and duty to preserve the res (the subject of dispute) until it decides whether or not it has jurisdiction to hear the case. In electing to hear the preliminary objections with the originating summons, the judge relied on the provision of Order 29 state.” Section 50 (1) reads: “There shall be (a) a President and Deputy President of the Senate, who shall be elected by the members of that House from among themselves, and (b) a Speaker and a Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, who shall be elected b

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

Rule 1 (a) and (b) of the Federal High Court Civil Procedure Rules. He ruled out the possibility of hearing a motion for interlocutory injunction filed by the plaintiff. Justice Ademola fixed February 3 for hearing of both the defendants’ objection and the substantive suit. He ordered parties to file their written addresses before then. The ruling was on arguments by lawyers representing parties, on how the court ought to proceed in hearing the case in view of the various applications filed by parties. For over two hours yesterday, lawyers in the case, who were mostly senior advocates, argued on the sole issue of whether or not the court should first determine the question of jurisdiction before hearing the substantive suit. The defence team, which included Sebastine Hon (SAN), Mahmoud Magaji (SAN), Eric Apia and Tairu Adebayo urged the court to first determine their objection against the court’s jurisdiction before hear-

members of that House from among themselves. (2) The President or Deputy President of the Senate or the Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives shall vacate his office (a) if he ceases to be a member of the Senate or of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, otherwise than by reason of a

ing the substantive suit. The plaintiff’s lawyer, Yunus Usman (SAN), urged the court to either hear his motion for interlocutory injunction before the defence objection or hear both together and rule first, on the objection. He argued that it was the position of the law that a court, even when its jurisdiction was challenged, must first preserve the res by making preservative orders, before determining whether or not it possesses the jurisdiction to hear the substantive case. The PDP, in the suit it filed on January 7, wants the court to, among others, restrain the House of Reps, its Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, other principal officers and its defecting members in the House from taking any step “to alter or change the leadership of the 1st defendant (PDP)”. The suit has the House of Representatives Speaker, Deputy Speaker and other principal officers of the House and its former members who defected to the All Progressive Congress (APC) as defendants. An officer of the PDP, Nanchang Ndam, stated in a supporting affidavit that while

dissolution of the Senate or the House of Representatives; or (b) when the House which he was a member first sits after any dissolution of that House; or (c) if he is removed from office by a resolution of the Senate or of the House of Representatives, as the case may be, by the votes of not less than two-thirds majority of the members of that House.

Continued on page 60

Section 56 says: “ (1) Except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, any question proposed for decision in the Senate or the House of Representatives shall be determined by the required majority of the members present and voting; and the person presiding shall cast a vote whenever necessary to avoid an equality of votes but shall not vote in any other

•Gbajabiamila

case. (2) Except as otherwise provided by this Constitution, the required majority for the purpose of determining any question shall be a simple majority.“ Chairman of media and publicity Committee Zakari Mohammed confirmed that the House leadership will witness some shake-up from today. Continued on page 60

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THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

NEWS

Muazu... • Deputy President, Non-Academic Staff Union of Universities and Allied Institutions (NASU), Comrade Michael Mallo, President, Association of Medical Laboratory Sciences of Nigeria, Godswill Okara, Secretary Joint Health Sector Unions, Comrade Yusuf Badmus and PSN Deputy President Dr Ernest Okoli during the Union Press Conference giving three-day warning strike of the unions at their secretariat in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

The Managing Editor, Northern Operation, YUSUF ALLI, chronicles the political resurrection of the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Adamu Mu'azu, his challenges and the task ahead.

•The General Overseer, the Redeemed Christian Church of God, Pastor Enoch Adeboye, flanked by Cross River State Governor Liyel Imoke (left) and wife Obioma (right) praying at the construction site of the Calabar International Convention Centre in Calabar...yesterday.

•From left: Executive Secretary, Nigerian Christian Pilgrim Commission (NCPC), Mr John Kennedy Opara; Executive Director, Editorial Operations, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Mr Isaac Ighure and the Acting Managing Director of PHOTO: NAN NAN, Otunba Jide Adebayo during Opara's visit to NAN headquarters in Abuja...yesterday.

•President H.H. Brown and Associates Inc, Mr Henry Brown (left), presenting Legacy Award for International Service to Nigeria's Ambassador to the U.S., Prof. Ade Adefuye in Washington...at the weekend. PHOTO: NAN

NKNOWN to many, yesterday's choice of exGovernor Adamu Mu'azu of Bauchi State as the new National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) came with many milestones. He is the third former governor to occupy the seat. Besides, the appointment marked the final phase of the return of Mu'azu from exile to power. It is also a major redemption for Mu'azu, who became a political outcast in his state at a particular period. Shortly after the defeat of PDP in 2007 by the incumbent Governor of Bauchi State, Isa Yuguda, on the platform of the defunct All Nigeria Peoples Party(ANPP), the political terrain was too hot for Mu'azu who had to go on a 'self-imposed' exile. He was living a make-shift life and shuttling between the United Kingdom and the United Arab Emirates(Dubai) because the ballot/ mass revolt in Bauchi which brought Yuguda to power was a urricane which neither the PDP nor the influential Mu'azu could curtail. He lost all to political challenges in his Bauchi domain; friends turned into foes; his achievements were downplayed or rubbished; and he remained loyal only to himself. For three years, Mu'azu hibernated abroad to watch political events from the sidelines. He did not return to Nigeria until September 28, 2010. Although his entry through Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport aboard a Lufthansa flight was not triumphal, Mu'azu was welcomed by some of his loyal friends and associates, including a former Minister of Police Affairs, Alhaji Adamu Maina Waziri; the Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, Senator Bala Mohammed; Governor Rabiu Kwankwanso; a member of the Board of Trustees of the Peoples Democratic Party, Senator Kaulaha Aliyu, some Senators, members of the House of Representatives and members of the Bauchi House of Assembly. In the last three and a half years, he could not regain his political rhythm in Bauchi State because his arch-rival, Yuguda had defected to PDP too. To seal the hope of Mua'zu regaining his grip on PDP in Bauchi State, Yuguda, in a deft political move, married one of the daughters of the late President Umaru Yar'Adua. Yet, it was not an easy ride for Yuguda as the PDP split into many groups in Bauchi State. There were those loyal to ex-Minister of Defence Mahmood Yayale Ahmed; those backing Alhaji Garba Muhammad Noma, a businessman, with his supporters and a host of other party stalwarts all in the PDP;

•Tukur

and those branded as 'PDP Dubai', who were (and are) still loyal to Mu'azu. It was in this cloudy atmosphere in Bauchi State that Mua'zu came back to Nigeria leaving the terrain slippery. Muazu's comfort zone since his coming back was however the Presidential Villa where he could easily be located at dinner table with his friend, President Goodluck Jonathan, who was instrumental to his return from exile. No day is complete at the Villa without the presence of Muazu, who has become a member of the First Family. There had been a recurring issue in the Villa on how to rehabilitate Mua'zu.

HOW DID HE BECOME PDP NATIONAL CHAIR For Mu'azu, who was inaugurated last week as the Chairman of the National Pension Commission(PENCOM), the National Chairman of PDP was the least on his mind because he had attempted to lead the party in 2012 Bamanga Tukur was anointed for the seat. He had decided to move forward to salvage what was left of his political leverage. Though touted and recommended by many, Mu'azu later became a forerunner in the race with 15 others, including his friends. The others were the Chairman of TETFUND, Musa Babayo; ex-Minister of Commerce, Idris Waziri; the incumbent Minister of Transport, Senator Idris Umar; a former National Chairman of NDP, Habu Fari; a former member of the House of Representatives, Mohammed Wakil; a former Minister of Defence, Shettima Mustapha; a former Nigeria's Ambassador to the US, Dr. Hassan Adamu; a former National Publicity Secretary of PDP, Prof. Rufai Alkali; Ibrahim Bunu; a former Local Government Chairman in Yobe State, Hassan Kafayus and a former Minister of State for Health, Dr. Aliyu Idi Hong. Five reasons accounted for the choice of Mu'azu as National Chairman. According to sources, the personal confidence which Jonathan has in Mua'zu appeared to be the last joker which made the PDP governors to change their minds to zone the office to either Borno or Yobe states. It was gathered that the President had been claiming that Mua'zu did him a 'favour' which he would never forget. Jonathan, who has refused to disclose the gesture to anyone, was said to have kept his

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

NEWS

Journey from exile to ‘power’

•Obasanjo

game plan to his chest until Sunday night at the Presidential Villa. A source said: "The President has been saying that Mua'zu is trustworthy, reliable and a man who keeps faith with his words. We do not know what Mua'zu did to earn his confidence. I think while as governors, their path crossed on a matter and the support from Mua'zu dazed Jonathan. " It was however gathered that the President believes that a known friend is better than the unknown. A member of the National Working Committee of the PDP attributed the emergence of Mua'zu to his 'sterling qualities.' He said: "Mua'zu is a bridge-builder, a leader who relates with Jonathan, ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo, ex-Vice-President Atiku Abubakar, the aggrieved governors, the incumbent governors, and other stakeholders. Despite the fact that he was persecuted, he harbours no grudge against Governor Isa Yuguda. One unique thing about him is his reconciliatory spirit. We need this kind of spirit now to survive as a party." It was also learnt that Mua'zu's pedigree as a former governor would enable him to relate with all the organs of the party and earn their confidence on party matters. A PDP leader said: "He is leading the party with a rich experience of being a former member of NEC, National Caucus, BOT, and a man who knows the politics of the National Working Committee in and out." Fourthly, investigation revealed that the PDP had problem with some of its chairmen in the past because they came in as spent forces or hungry men. Mua'zu was said to have a'contentment' credential which would not make him to run after money or be a slave to monetary baits or gifts from the power brokers in the party.

THE TASK OF REDEEMING PDP Having been conversant with the politics of PDP since 1999, the party leaders have set some targets for PDP including bringing back Obasanjo to the party, negotiating with aggrieved governors, winning the North-East for PDP, and creating a sense of belonging for the founding fathers and the young elements. Another source in PDP said: "Mua'zu is a loyalist of Obasanjo who can resolve the misunderstanding between the former President and President Jonathan."

•From left: PDP National Secretary Prof. Adewale Oladipo, Mu'azu and President Goodluck Jonathan during the 64th National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting of the PDP at the Wadata House in Abuja... yesterday. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN.

THE CHALLENGES AHEAD In a January 9, 2013 to the President, the G-84 members in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) foresaw the exit of Tukur by declaring that party was stinking. The G84 comprises some members of the National Working Committee (NWC), 24 ex-officio, 37 state chairmen of PDP and some former leaders of the party. The letter summarizes the challenges before Mua'zu. They highlighted the problems with PDP as follows: • breach of PDP constitution by not holding National Executive Committee(NEC) meeting •wrongful and consistent misinterpretation of PDP constitution. •Lack of democratic culture in the party •Arbitrary suspension of governors and members •management of the party in a cultish nature •exclusion of elected party officers by NWC from decision-making process •Wasting of party resources on personal events, functions, and chartering of aircraft •Fixing of wages and allowances by NWC members to the detriment of other elected officers •Arbitrary sharing of honourarium both in cash and kind. •Holding party /NWC meetings at personal residence instead of PDP Secretariat •Running a parallel NWC to take decisions on critical party matters with only his aides A source said: "We are unhappy with consistent misinterpretation of PDP constitution. The suspension of some governors, the sack of the National Secretary of the party, Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola, and some national officers of the party like the National Vice-Chairman, North-East, Senator Girigiri Lawal by the NWC was done in line with Article 29 Section 2(b) but without adequate reference to Article 57. The NWC has been arrogating to itself the power it does not have. "At least due process was not followed in exercising disciplinary action against some of our leaders. It means the NWC can wake up one day to suspend either the President or Vice-President. This same attitude made the NWC to revolt against Tukur on January 11, 2013 and early 2014. "We also noticed consistent breach of party's constitution by not holding NEC meeting. Article 31, Section 4 of the party's constitution says that 'NEC shall meet at least

once per quarter.' The last NEC meeting was forced on Tukur. "These breaches and grievances accounted for the delay in convening NEC meeting because members are angry. People talk of Tukur being afraid of the PDP governors as the main reason for not summoning NEC."

THE MORAL BURDEN ON JONATHAN, MU'AZU Barely a few hours after his anointing, there were issues around the choice of Mu'azu bordering on his tenure as the governor of Bauchi State, alleged indictment by the Bauchi State Government and ongoing investigation by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC). A quiet and unassuming person, Mua'zu is running into storm early in the day with his moral pedigree like some of his predecessors. He has come into office with allegations of corruption which he needs to clarify for a smooth sail. The earlier Mua'zu comes clean, the better because the PDP has a culture of waiting for a slip from any incumbent chairman before raking up 'dirty' issues. Governor Isa Yuguda had raised a seven-man panel of inquiry, headed by, Justice Bitrus Sanga, to probe Mua'zu's tenure. The commission claimed that over N20.4 billion was misappropriated during the eight-year administration of Mu'azu and recommended that the amount be recovered from individuals and groups found to have been responsible. There is no record that the new National Chairman had either refunded any money or be prosecuted. A source said: "The probe of Mua'zu by Yuguda was politically motivated; it was a consequence of Yuguda's botched plans to secure the governorship ticket of the PDP in Bauchi State in 2007. Mua'zu had backed a former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Muhammad Nadada Umar. "There were allegations that Mua'zu was instrumental to the exit of Yuguda from the PDP having drawn a former National Chairman of the party, Senator Ahmadu Ali, to his side to nail the ambition of Yuguda in PDP. "Having won through a revolutionary process, Yuguda decided to bare his fangs to teach Mua'azu a great lesson.So, the probe commission was a product of vendetta. This is why nothing has come out of it." On its part, the EFCC had sum-

moned Mu'azu, over alleged mismanagement of public funds amounting to about N19.8billion. Mua'zu was summoned by the EFCC on June 24, 2008 through a letter, CR: 3000/EFCC/ABJ/ASO/ TM5/VOL.5/596. Although the letter asked the exgovernor to report on or before July 3, 2008, he later relocated abroad on self-exile. But the anti-graft commission quizzed some former officials of Bauchi State Government including a former Commissioner for Finance, Alfa Ahmed; a former Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Mohammed Nadada Umar; ex-Accountant-General for the state, Alhaji Bappa Tilde and the present Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party, Alhaji Garba Noma. The case is still in abeyance as at the time of writing this analysis. A source in EFCC said: "When we invited Mua'zu, he said he was away to the UK for his daughter graduation in one of the universities and he did not return till 2010. He attended a graduation ceremony for about two years. "Upon his return, when we were ready with charges against him, Mua'zu said he had heart-related problems and he needed to sort himself out medically to be able to stand trial." Responding to a question, the source added: "We have never charged him to court for once."

THE TASKS BEFORE MUA'ZU In spite of jubilation in Bauchi State and in some parts of the North over the emergence of Mua'zu as the National Chairman of PDP, the tasks before him are arduous. Yet, he has time constraint because the nation is already in an election year. His first assignment is how to keep PDP in order and united. There is much pretence that all is well with PDP but the cracks are everywhere either within the NWC or NEC or in the National Assembly where the party is almost losing its majority to the opposition, the All Progressives Congress(APC). A week before his choice, exPresident Olusegun Obasanjo had announced his withdrawal from all PDP activities. Mua'zu's in-law, exVice-President Atiku Abubakar is still contemplating whether or not to leave the PDP. Already five governors(Rabiu Kwankwaso (Kano); Aliyu Wammako (Sokoto); Murtala Nyako (Adamawa); Abdulfatai Ahmed (Kwara) and

Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers) have defected to the APC alongside more than 171 members of the House of Representatives. The leaders are awaiting the magic wand that Mua'zu would wield to win back the aggrieved members. It will require many sleepless nights.

THE BANANA PEELS IN PDP. Virtually all the organs of the PDP have been hijacked by vested interest such that the party's national chairman, if not strong enough, would be a mere stooge. The banana peels are the powerful governors of the party, the NWC, the BOT and the NEC. No one captures the challenges anyone leading PDP would face than the immediate past National Chairman, Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, who admitted that he went through difficult times in office. He said "A mortal who would lead PDP must be fearless, consistent and focused. Personal ambition, crave for sudden wealth and unimaginable level of treachery usually got the full attention of such stakeholders than anything else. "I did my best to bring PDP to good standard and international best practices in politics. I came in with the mind-set to reform the party by promoting the principle of election instead of selection and the idea of consensus instead of imposition. "Alas, I was proved wrong by those who believed that the old order in PDP must be retained, not for any good thing, but for their selfish interests.

2015 POLL AS A MAJOR TEST The fairness or otherwise of the coming primaries of the Peoples Democratic Party at the ward, local government area, state and national levels would make or mar whatever is left of the PDP. His successor, Tukur had planned to do away with automatic ticket syndrome and godfatherism but the cabals in the party would not allow merit. With an assumption that Mua'zu was made the National Chairman of PDP to make the second term of Jonathan a fait accompli, he needs to prove otherwise that he can be fair and just. For now, history beckons on Mua'zu to prove that he learnt a lot from exile in Dubai. Otherwise, his second chance might be consigned to the dustbin of history. Will he etch his name in gold?

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 21, 2014

NEWS

Jega: we’ll give our best in 2015

HE Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, has said the electoral body is not promising perfect elections in 2015. Jega spoke yesterday in Abuja when he hosted the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr James Entwistle, at the INEC Headquarters. The INEC chairman said the commission would do its best to give the nation credible polls. He said: “We are not promising perfect elections in 2015, but we are confident that we will do our best. We have taken some steps to achieve this. For instance, we’re organising staff training in collaboration with development

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

partners, strategic plans and reorganising the staff. We are planning a retreat to finalise the timetable for 2015. “We are still on the continuous voter register and have held meetings with security agencies, civil society organisations (CSOs) and development partners ahead of 2015. While it is the responsibility of INEC to organise civic and other registration awareness, the commission faces challenges of funding as well. “It is our responsibility, under the Electoral Act, to do civil education and political education. It has always been challenging because the resources available to discharge that responsibility are usually insufficient,

given the enormity of the task of dealing with a large illiterate population and to get them to understand what to do.” Entwistle promised America’s support, saying: “I have been here for two and a half months and I want to come over and pay my respect to the chairman of Nigeria’s election commission. That’s because as I have stated clearly in some of my public comments, as Nigerians move to elections next year, the United States stand with Nigeria as it moves towards peaceful and transparent elections. “I have to introduce myself and some of my team to the INEC. Obviously, we will work.” The envoy spoke on funding of INEC and the activi-

ties of politicians. He said: “The funding of INEC is a Nigerian matter and that of the National Assembly. But we are looking at a way we can help INEC through different technical funds and so on. “In any election campaign, obviously freedom of speech is important. But in all countries, including mine, politicians have a responsibility to be responsible. In talking about the issues, they should be fair in what they say. “Any comment by anybody talking about democracies, which will flare up ethnic tensions, promote violence and engage in unfair criticism of the process, is unfortunate and it’s not acceptable...” “We just met inside to de-

Court adjourns N4.7b suit against Babalakin By Adebisi Onanuga

A •Jega

cide what to do and focus on things, such as polling the capabilities of INEC, perhaps supporting Nigerians observer and other groups. Soon, we will get back to you with the details.”

•Farmers jubilating with Nigerian flag at the launch of dry season farm support programme in Abuja...yesterday.

Cleric hails Jonathan on anti-gay law SHEIKH Nura Khalid, the Chief Imam of Apo Legislators’ Quarters Mosque in Abuja, yesterday hailed President Goodluck Jonathan for signing the Same-Sex Marriage Prohibition Bill into law. Khalid, who spoke in Abuja with the News Agency of (NAN), noted that the President took the right decision on the law. According to him, samesex marriage is against the teachings of Islam and the traditions of Prophet Muhammad. Khalid said: “Marriage is an institution ordained by Allah and practised by the Holy Prophet. It is a legally contracted union between a man and a woman. “Engaging in gay marriage, lesbianism and other forms of marriage, which contradict what is laid down in the Holy Qur’an and the Hadith, is a horrible sin in the face of Allah.” The Islamic scholar said the signing of the bill into law was a major achievement of the Jonathan administration, adding that it would promote peace, un-

derstanding and harmony among Muslims and Christians. Khalid advised supporters of same-sex marriage to have a rethink. The chief imam reminded them that supporting it amounted to destroying the natural reproduction system. Khalid said: “The world will be no more, if same-sex marriage is allowed. This is because there will be no procreation and the population will be diminishing gradually.” He urged Muslim faithful to avoid any act that can destroy mankind. Khalid also urged parents to counsel their children to shun negative behaviour. The chief imam described the reactions trailing the signing of the law from the international community as baseless. He said Nigeria has the right to protect the interests of its citizens. NAN recalls that President Jonathan signed the bill into law, thus banning same-sex marriage and membership in gay organisations. The law says anyone who participates in gay clubs or “makes public show of a same-sex amorous relationship in Nigeria” commits an offence and faces up to 10 years in prison.

PHOTO NAN

Apo six: Judge’s absence stalls policemen’s trial

HE trial of six policemen accused of killing six Abuja auto spare parts’ dealers in 2005 suffered a setback yesterday, following the absence of the Justice Ishaq Bello. Those on trial are: Danjuma Ibrahim, a deputy commissioner of Police (DCP); Othman Abdulsalami, an assistant superintendent of Police (ASP, said to be at large); Constables Nicholas Zacharia, Emmanuel Baba, Emmanuel Acheneje and Sadiq Salami. The Office of the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF) accused the policemen of killing Ifeanyi Ozo, Chinedu Meniru, Isaac Ekene, Paulinus Ogbonna, Anthony Nwokike and Tina Arebun. The deceased - aged between 21 and 25 years - were returning from a night party in 2005 when they were allegedly killed. At the resumed sitting, prosecution counsel Chief Chris Uche (SAN) and counsel to the first accused, Mr Rickey Tarfa (SAN), were told that Justice Bello was on a national assignment. The judge was appointed chairman of the Anambra State Election Tribunal. The court clerk gave the parties March 19 for the con-

tinuation of hearing. On July 8, last year, Justice Bello granted the request of the prosecution to recall a witness, Mr Ede Ayuba, an assistant commissioner of Police (ACP). The court consequently dismissed the objection of Tarfa. Tarfa challenged the recall of Ayuba, who tendered guns and other weapons allegedly recovered in connection with the incident.

But prosecuting counsel Uche urged the court to overrule the objection because the witness only came to give his evidence as well as tender supporting exhibits. Justice Bello held that the recall of the witness was in line with the relevant sections and dismissed the defence counsel’s objection. The judge admitted certified copies of medical report of the examination conducted on the deceased.

Police promote two DIGs, three AIGs

NSPECTOR-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar has announced the promotion of two new deputy inspectors-general of Police (DIGs) and three assistant inspectors-general of Police (AIGs). The new DIGs are: Michael E. Zuokumor, former assistant inspector-general of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 4, Makurdi, Benue State and Jonathan Johnson, who was formally in charge of Zone 6, Calabar, Cross River State. They replaced DIGs Philemon Leha and Peter Gana, who retired from service last week.

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

Those promoted from commissioner to AIG are: Fana Abdullahi Salisu, Musa Abdulsalam Daura and Kakwe Christopher Katso. Abubakar urged the promoted officers to see their elevation as an invitation to greater responsibilities. The police chief advised the senior policemen to intensify the war against terrorism and other violent crimes. He, however, hoped that the promoted officers would use their professional competence, discipline and experience in their new assignment.

LAGOS High Court sitting in Ikeja has fixed February 17 for hearing in the N4.7 billion money laundering charges against the Chairman of Bi-Courtney Nigeria Limited, Chief Olawale Babalakin (SAN). Justice Lateef LawalAkapo fixed the date, as both parties filed their processes late. The judge said the adjournment would enable the court to peruse the processes before it. Besides, he said the court would, on the adjourned date, hear the applications filed by Babalakin’s co-defendant, Mr. Alex Okoh and their firms, Bi-Courtney Limited, Stabilini Visioni Limited and Renix Nigeria Limited, as well as the prosecution’s objections. The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) charged Babalakin, Okoh and their firms on a 27-count charge. The charges border on conspiracy, retention of proceeds of a criminal conduct and corruptly conferring benefit on account of public action. The defendants were alleged to have illegally transferred N4.7 billion for former Delta State Governor James Ibori. But the defendants, challenged the charges. They also queried the jurisdiction of the court to try them on the grounds that it is only a Federal High Court that could try them. The accused argued that the EFCC did not secure the fiat of the Lagos State attorney-general to begin the trial at the Lagos High Court. Counsel to EFCC Mr Rotimi Jacobs (SAN) told the court that he had filed objections to the applications. At the resumed trial yesterday, Justice LawalAkapo told the parties that he got the processes just 20 minutes before the beginning of proceedings. He said there was need to study the volume of processes to be on top of the situation. The judge, with the consent of both counsel, adjourned till February 17. At the last adjourned date, Justice Lawal-Akapo excused Babalakin and Okoh from entering the dock until the court decided on his preliminary objection. The order to excuse the defendants followed a decision of the Court of Appeal, delivered last June, which held that an accused challenging the competence of the charges could stay away from court pending the determination of such application.

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 21, 2014

NEWS Health workers give three-day warning strike notice From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

•Borno State Governor Kashim Shettima inspecting a guard of honour at the Government House in Maiduguri…yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Lawmakers seek passage of Agric Support Bill

HE Chairman of the House of Representatives Committee on Agriculture, Mohammed Moguno, and his Senate counterpart, Emmanuel Bwacha, have called for the quick passage of the bill on Federal Government’s Growth Enhancement Support (GES) scheme. The lawmakers said it was important for the project to surpass the present administration and avoid policy somersaults. They spoke yesterday in Abuja at the launch of the Dry Season Farm Support Programme. Moguno said the sector was capable of creating jobs

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

and reducing insecurity. The GES is an initiative of the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development. It ensures that farm input is distributed to registered farmers at subsidised rates. The programme is targeted at increasing the harvest of local farmers to ensure food sufficiency. Moguno said: “As a parliament with responsible and responsive people, we have decided to introduce a bill for the GES to surpass the present administration. As we all know, policy somersault is a

major challenge in our country.” Bwacha described the project as successful, adding that the GES broke the literacy barrier in the North. He said: “For the first time, agriculture is occupying a centre space. Even when the oil well in Delta, Port Harcourt is finished, agriculture will be able to stand.” The Minister of Agriculture Dr Akinwumi Adesina said about 10 million farmers had received input through the GES scheme. On dry season farming, Adesina said the ministry began farming last Decem-

ber. The President’s N14 billion financial commitment, he said, would boost the country’s self-sufficiency in food production. The Federal Government got about 1.1 million metric tonnes of rice paddy through the N9 billion intervention from the President for last year’s dry season farming. But larger produce, especially from rice, is expected in this year’s dry season farm support programme. Adesina expressed optimism on the potential of Nigeria’s agricultural sector to make great impact, adding

that the nation would move from being a food import dependent nation. On fish imports, he said the nation’s ocean, seas and rivers have plenty of these for external business. The minister added that the Federal Government had begun a support programme for fish farmers. He said the beneficiaries got 5,000 free fingerlings, adding: “We are providing nets to our farmers free of charge. I will not allow people to dump fish here because my job is to create jobs here and not for other countries.”

EALTH workers, under the aegis of the Joint Health Sector Unions (JEHSU) and Assembly of All Healthcare Professionals, yesterday notified the Federal Government of a three-day warning strike, beginning tomorrow. They decried the alleged injustice against their members by the Federal Government. Announcing the warning strike, JEHSU’s Deputy Chairman Godswill Okara said: “Our display of good faith, patience, restraint and maturity has been taken for weakness. In the lightof a series of industrial violations, injustice and deprivation, our members will embark on a three-day warning strike, from Wednesday, January 22, 2014.” The unions urged the Federal Government to address selective wage increase for doctors; failure to promote deserving members; failure to issue circular for placement of members; failure to issue circular on the abolition of the illegal position of deputy chairman, Medical Advisory Council (DCMAC) in some hospitals; illegal and lopsided composition of boards of teaching/specialist hospitals/federal medical centres; and failure to comply with the National Industrial Court’s (NIC’s) judgement on CONHESS 10. The unions condemned the establishment of the surgeongeneral of the federation. Addressing reporters in Abuja yesterday said: “We found out that the ministry has not implemented any of the issues although local branches had begun the strike to protest the non-skipping of CONHESS 10, which the National Industrial Court of Nigeria (NICN) upheld in its judgment. “This development has, once again, demonstrated a consistent threat to insecurity in industrial relations.”

Cleric admonishes politicians •Shonibare’s 50th memorial anniversary holds in Ijebu-Ode

HE Provost of Cathedral Church of Our Saviours, Italajoda , Ijebu-Ode,

• Retired Brig.-Gen. Johnny Mbanefo (left) speaking before the presentation of a gift to the outgoing Commander, 302 Artillery Regiment, Brig.-Gen. Taritimiye Gagariga (right) at his send-off by honorary members of the Officers' Mess in Onitsha, Anambra State...on Sunday. PHOTO: NAN

Ogun State, Rev. Rotimi Oludipe, has urged politicians to be committed to the service of the people and ensure they live a life worthy of emulation. The cleric spoke at Italajoda during the 50th memorial anniversary for the late Western Region politician, Chief Olatunbosun Shonibare (the first Asiwaju of Ijebuland). He said the late politician was being remembered for the worthy legacy he left behind. Rev Oludipe said the late Shonibare rose above his peers and was a sincere follower of the late sage and Premier of defunct Western Region, Chief Obafemi Awolowo. According to him, the late Shonibare contributed his best to the advancement of the defunct Action Group (AG), formed by the late Obafemi Awolowo . He recalled that the de-

ceased was a great philanthropist, visionary leader and a business mogul. Rev Oludipe said the late Shonibare rose to become the financial engine room of the defunct AG. “He left a legacy that sustain the political class and the business interest he left behind, if politicians will be selfless, honest and embark on people-oriented programme the country will be better,” he said. The cleric noted that because of the foresight of the late Shonibare, he borrowed money from a bank to set up a housing estate at Maryland, Lagos, not too far from the International Airport. That business has survived till date with the efforts of his wife and children, he said. ”The legacy he left behind remain: he was a property developer. He started work in UAC, where he resigned and started his own business. In 1955, he acquired 50 acres of land in Onigbongbo, Maryland to build estate,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

NEWS

Ekiti elders preach unity

HE Ekiti State Council of Elders has urged indigenes to unite as the governorship election approaches. In a statement after a meeting held at the Afao-Ekiti country home of Chief Oladeji Fasuan, the council said divisions of party should not sway people away from making genuine commitments to develop the state. The forum, which comprises members of the State Elders’ Council, Forum of Retired Permanent Secretaries and Heads of Service, warned politicians against using politics to cause division among residents. It regretted that the high concentration of scholars and technocrats across various disciplines and endeavours had not translated into meaningful development in the state. At the meeting were former Governor of the old Ondo State Evang. Bamidele Olumilua; Justice Edward Ojuolape (rtd.); Chief Gabriel Ojo Falegan; former Secretary to the State Government Chief Bade Gboyega and a former Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) National Commissioner, Mrs. Tola Ajayi. Others are Chief Francis Daramola; Chairman, Ekiti State Hospitals’ Management Board, Dr. Bayo Orire; former House of Assembly member Chief Segun Ola; Prof O. Omoyeni; Dr. Kunle Olajide; Chief Yemi Alade; Pastor Richard Adejuyigbe; and Prof P.O. Adetiloye. The statement reads: “The meeting sued for peace in Ekiti State, especially during the coming election, to ensure that campaigns and the election are free of rancour, bitterness, thuggery

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

and rigging. “Ekiti elders regret the current trend among our people, who seem to discourage their children from speaking the Ekiti dialect. It is feared that if this trend continues, our dialect, with all its cultural and proverbial values, will become extinct.” Evang. Olumilua urged politicians to use the state’s cultural homogeneity to facilitate its development, rather than using it to cause disunity. He said: “Our citizens, particularly politicians, are the ones dividing us. We expect them to find ways to use the state’s homogeneity to unite us. “We have to stop killings in the name of politics. People should not see politics as a murderous game, but an instrument that can be used to take us to the level of development that we desire.” Condemning the enmity among politicians, Fasuan said all hope was not lost in attempts to redeem and restore the core values of love, unity and peace among the people. He said: “The divergences and recriminations that occur in our society today are as a result of the political development in Nigeria, a development that brought forward patriots and deviants, honest and non-chalant people, committed and selfseeking adventurers. “We pray that these people will calm down and accept the will of the God of our forefathers, who helped them to fight the aggressors to a stand still at Imesi-Ile in 1876.”

Ajimobi appoints 47 liaison officers

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has appointed 33 liaison officers and 14 zonal officers for the 33 local government councils. In a statement by his media aide, Dr. Festus Adedayo, the governor said the liaison officers would act as intermediaries between the state government and the councils. He said the appointment is to ensure good governance at the grassroots. . The 33 liaison officers are: S. T. Oyeleke (Ibadan Southwest); Yinka Akinbode (Ibadan North); Jonathan Ogundinwin (Ibadan Northeast); Mojeed Adegbenro (Ibadan Southeast); Gboyega Alabi (Ibadan Northwest); Elder Adelabu Gbadegesin (Ido); Kamoru Adeoye (Oluyole); Nurudeen Lamidi (Akinyele); Ezekiel Adeyemi (Ona Ara); Ajani Michael Olusola (Egbeda); Lekan Odunade (Lagelu); Olagunju Kunle (Ibarapa North); Suraj Adegbite (Ibarapa Central); Funso Oyinlola (Ibarapa East); S. A. Oyelayo (Atiba); Bisi Adelabu (Afijio); Sulaimon Babatunde (Oyo West); Taiwo Tiamiyu (Oyo East); Adedeji

Sunday (Ogbomoso South); Abass Bello (Ogbomoso North); Adegbola Gabriel (Surulere); Sunday Adeleke (Oriire); Ojo Johnson (Ogo Oluwa); Okunlola Emmanuel (Iseyin); George Adesina (Itesiwaju); Mufutau Badmus (Kajola); Jide Folawiyo (Iwajowa); George Ojo (Saki West); Fasasi Abiodun (Saki East); Timothy Ogunkule (Atisbo); Babayanju Bamiji (Olorunsogo); Odenibi Samuel (Oorelope) and Ogunleke Ademola (Irepo). The zonal officers are: Yomi Adefusi (Ibadan Southwest/Northwest); R.O. Shittu (Ibadan Northeast/Southeast); Dimeji Obisesan (Ibadan North); Bolanle Olanrewaju (Ido/Ibarapa East); Olayemi Adejumo (Ibarapa Central/ North); Femi Egbedeyi (Akinyele/Lagelu); Sina Adeagbo (Ona Ara/Egbeda); Adesokan Adeniyi (Oluyole); Ajeigbe M. B. (Atiba); Isiaka Salami (Iseyin/Itesiwaju/Kajola/Iwajowa); Niyi Adebisi (Atisbo/Saki West/Saki East);Com. Oyebisi Raheem (Irepo/Oorelope); Jesutoye Oluyinka (Ogo Oluwa/Surulere) and Chief Odekanmi Joseph (Ogbomoso South/ North/Oriire).

Oyo invites Southwest states to festival

HE Oyo State government has invited Yoruba-speaking states to participate in its annual cultural fiesta, Samodun. In a statement, Commissioner for Culture and Tourism Princess Adetutu Akhigbe-Adeyemi said the invitation was the result of Governor Abiola Ajimobi’s vision to use culture to promote unity among the Yoruba and preserve the Yoruba tradition. She said: “As Yorubas, we are going back to the base to uphold our cultural/tradi-

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

tional heritage and this unity will strengthen the actualisation of Southwest integration. “Last year’s Samodun Fiesta saw a display of Yoruba culture at the 33 local governments. This year, the state government is extending invitation of participation to seven Yoruba-speaking states - Ogun, Osun, Ekiti, Ondo, Lagos, Kwara and Kogi.” The fiesta, slated to hold between January 31 and February 1, will feature competitive youth performances by participating states.

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (right) going through the Holy Bible with the Archbishop of Ibadan Methodist Archdiocese, Most Rev. Kehinde Stephen (left) during the enthronement of Rt. Rev. Amos Ajiboye as the diocesan bishop of Agodi Methodist Diocese in Ibadan...at the weekend. With them is Rev. Ajiboye.

Security: Lagos to deploy additional 1,000 CCTV cameras L

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has said the government will deploy additional 1,000 Close Circuit Television (CCTV) cameras across the state to curb crime. Speaking yesterday at a public security system demonstration at the Command and Control Centre in Alausa, Ikeja, Fashola said 1,000 cameras will be added to the existing 1,200. The Command and Control Centre is a security monitoring room where emergency calls on the state’s 767 and 112 emergency numbers are received, processed, reported and treated, and security cameras installed across the state are monitored daily. Fashola said from one CCTV camera and one computer monitor in 2008, the state now boasts of over 1,200 cameras and 27 monitors, adding: “The state has moved

By Oziegbe Okoeki

from a zero camera state to a 1,200-camera state. How significant that is. We now have one camera to about 10 square kilometres, but we are far behind cities like New York and London, where the range is about 200-450 cameras per square kilometre.” Fashola said the government achieved the feat by merging its existing cameras with the 1,000 cameras installed by the Federal Government. He said cameras had been deployed in critical locations, including the Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Ikorodu Road, Oshodi, Agege Motor Road and Festac. According to him, the deployment of the cameras has helped security agencies to

track criminals and foil crime. The governor said 2,000 handsets were given to the police command. He said the security situation, despite efforts by governments at all levels, reinforces the need for state police, arguing that “the more states get involved in the recruitment, training and financing of the police, the more efficient they will be”. On the sustainability of the initiative after the expiration of his tenure, Fashola said the state has moved from the era of “Action Governor to that of Action Government”, where initiatives are built around teams, rather than individuals. Commissioner for Science and Technology Adebiyi Mabadeje said the Command and Control Centre thrives

on 66 base-stations based on CDMA technology, 88 microwave links and trunked telephony capacity for about 100,000 subscribers. He said the state is about to buy a Video Analytic Solution for effective surveillance of areas covered by the cameras and 10,000 additional handsets for policemen and officials of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Lagos State Traffic Management Agency (LASTMA), Ambulance and Fire services. Mabadeje said the centre has video conferencing facility to enable quick decision making among security operatives. The event, witnessed by members of the State Executive Council, representatives of security agencies and journalists, featured a demonstration of live feeds from five locations on the security cameras.

Ikeja bomb blast: Victims’ families accuse Federal Govt, Lagos of neglect By Uyoatta Eshiet

•Jonathan

HE families of the 154 victims of the January 27, 2002, bomb blast in Ikeja have accused the Federal and state governments of neglecting them. Speaking with The Nation at the Oshodi Local Government Secretariat during their general meeting yesterday, the Chairman, 2002 Bomb Blast Victims’ Families”, Comrade Nurudeen Oyegbemi, said their pain has been worsened by the lackadaisical attitude of the government. Oyegbemi said: “The blast occurred as a result of criminal negligence and the incompetence of some government agents, resulting in the spontaneous stampede that led to the death of over 1,000 Nige-

rians.” He said immediately after the incident, governments at all levels promised to compensate the victims’ families, but regretted that 12 years after, very little had been done. Oyegbemi said the only assistance they got from the Federal Government 11 years ago was the payment of N500,000 to each of the dead’s family and N250,000 each to the families of the missing persons to take care of their immediate expenses. He said the Federal Government promised to pay adequate compensation to the families but nothing has been done, adding: “After waiting fruitlessly, we consulted the law firm of Mr. Femi Falana, who wrote letters to the appropriate federal agencies, including the Ministry of Defense, yet, there was no response. “The questions on our minds are: whether the Federal Government has concluded that the relief fund earlier given to us should stand as the final payment; whether the matter has been swept under the carpet or whether the gov-

ernment is using delay tactics to reduce the number of beneficiaries as many of the next of kins have died?” The group’s Vice-Chairman, Mr. Christopher Iseh, said the attitude of the Lagos State government, under the leadership of Governor Babatunde Fashola, was disturbing, adding: “Fashola is known to be active and humane, but the indifference shown by the state government to our sufferings is unsettling, as we got to this state by no fault of ours. Fashola does not need to be constantly reminded, as he was the chief of staff to the then Governor Bola Tinubu when the blast occurred.” Iseh said though the government has tried to fulfill some of its promises, their major grouse is the “victimisation” of 84 families by the state government. He said even though the state government prepared the list of 154 victims’ families, with which the Federal Government worked with, when it wanted to assist the victims, it recognised only 70 families. Iseh said the state’s promise to assist others later is yet

to be fulfilled. The group said it has written several letters to the House of Assembly and visited the Governor’s Office many times with no positive result. The group’s Secretary, Mr. Abajomi Ajibade, urged the government to look into the matter and assist them. On missing persons, Abajomi said the law says that after seven years, a missing person should be considered dead. He said various donations were announced by both international and local sympathisers after the blast but the donations were not accounted for. Mrs. Maria Emmanuel, a police officer, who lost two of her children in the blast, said she has not gotten over the incident. Nurudeen said the victims of air crashes, floods and other disasters have been compensated and urged President Goodluck Jonathan and Fashola to intervene. He said: “We have faith that the present leadership will listen to our cry and grant our long awaited compensation to bring an end to our anxiety.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

NEWS Why we dropped fraud case against ex-VC, by Ekiti varsity

HE management of the Ekiti State University (EKSU), Ado-Ekiti, has explained why the N91.5 million fraud charge levelled against the institution’s former Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Dipo Kolawole, and two others was dropped. It said contrary to media reports that the case was struck out by the judge, the institution opted for an out-of-court settlement after the money was refunded. In a statement yesterday by its Deputy Registrar (Information), Ajibade Olubunmi, the university thanked Governor Kayode Fayemi for his support during the over 30-month investigation to recover the money and for accepting the institution’s appeal to discontinue the suit. The university said it was only interested in recovering the money, adding: “The university authorities feel compelled to make this clarification for the sake of the public, the university community and our students that the suit was not dismissed by the Magistrate’s Court as reported. Instead, the university opted for an out-of-court settlement after the missing money was fully recovered from the culprits.” The statement quoted the Vice-Chancellor, Prof. Patrick Oladipo Aina, as saying that the money would be used wisely to develop the institution. Aina thanked the government and other stakeholders for their support in the on-going transformation of the university.

Oodua Initiative holds colloquium

SOCIO-political group, the Oodua Initiative, holds today its second colloquium on the proposed national conference. The group, which preaches the principles of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo, is made up of professionals and politicians from the Southwest. The colloquium, themed: “The Imperative of National Conference to the Unity and Development of Nigeria”, begins at 11:30am at the Pathfinder Hotels in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State. It will begin with a lecture by Col. Tony Nyiam (rtd.), to be followed by contributions from scholars and a public debate. Prominent Yoruba leaders and representatives of other ethnic nationalities are expected at the event.

Stop causing tension in Ogun, Amosun tells lawmakers

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has described the political crisis in the state as “a premeditated attempt by Ogun All Progressives Congress (APC) members in the National Assembly to destabilise the party and cause tension in the state”. This was contained in a letter signed by the governor to Senator Gbenga Obadara (Ogun Central), titled: “Pulling Down the House to Protect a Corner: A Note of Caution”. Amosun advised them to desist from “their plot”, saying “it is an ill-wind that does not blow anyone any good”. On the January 9 violence at the state party secretariat and the disruption of a political meeting at Wasimi in the Ewekoro Local Government Area on January 16, the governor said: “The Wasimi incident, in particular, was part of a premeditated, choreographed and coordinated but needless crisis in our great party, with the National Assembly members elected on the APC platform as the major Agents Provocateur working in concert with other elements within and outside the party. “In the last few months, I have received security reports and information from credible sources, including party faithful, leaders, mutual friends and utterances directly emanating from your group, indicating that you and your colleagues were planning to precipitate a crisis in our party in pursuit of your personal agenda. “Although I initially dismissed the reports, the unfortunate events of the last few weeks, with their intensity and frequency, have lent credence to them. The incidents are part of a larger plot by the group to control the party structure, beginning with

NURTW to legislators: we are not thugs

HE National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) in Ogun State has said it has nothing to do with the crisis in the All Progressives Congress (APC). It said its members are not thugs and told politicians not to link the union with violence. The NURTW urged Senator Gbenga Kaka (Ogun East) to cross-check his information before linking it to the disruption of a meeting convened by him in Abeokuta on January 9, so as not to tarnish the union’s image. Kaka, in a statement published in the media, alleged that the meeting was disrupted by NURTW members. Speaking with reporters yesterday at the NURTW Secretariat in Abeokuta, the Secretary, Sunday Yeye said: “The pertinent question to ask is that on the day of the incident, who appeared in the name of the NURTW or carried the union’s banner? “NURTW members are not thugs, but professional drivers, and should not be linked to pothe hijack of the membership registration, hence the attempt to foist a ‘Harmonisation Committee’ on the party. “The second objective is the desire of the National Assembly members from our state and some members of the House of Assembly to secure automatic second-term tickets for the 2015 general elections without regard to the opinions of party members. “In order to get the support of the unwary, these personal agenda of the very few have been couched and packaged as altruistic party issues and deliberately orchestrated to attract national attention.” Amosun said the group plans to achieve its “narrow objectives” through eight elements, including the instigation of pockets of violence to create a sense of disunity in the party and insecurity

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

litical violence. We call on Kaka not to tarnish the image of our great union and to cross-check information before publishing them.” He said members of the union have a right to join any party of their choice, but that should not be a reason for Kaka or anybody to link the NURTW with violence. Yeye said the union had been counselling its members to steer clear of thuggery and not offer themselves to be used by politicians to advance their selfish purposes. He said: “We have held several meetings with members and warn them not to be used as political thugs. We have a programme called war against thuggery and a team monitoring our members across the state. “NURTW is not a political party. Any member found being used as a thug will be expelled from the union. We did not instruct our members to go against those who are anti-Amosun.”

in the state; demonisation of his person and administration through “a well-oiled smear campaign in the media that will evoke memory of the immediate-past”; and the distraction of the government’s attention from governance. Others are blackmailing him (Amosun) and the party’s national leadership; making the state ungovernable; perpetrating further crisis that will enable the group move motions in the two chambers of the National Assembly to embarrass the state government; disruption of the party membership registration; and “joining forces with the opposition, who are known masters of violence, in an unholy alliance to re-enact the immediate inglorious past”. The governor said: “The overall thrust is to force a negotiation to secure an undeserved ad-

vantage that could not be otherwise achieved through the internal party democracy. What is more disturbing is that in this venture, no tool is considered too crude to use, no weapon too unconventional to deploy and no approach too demeaning to adopt. “I learnt that you and your colleagues have been boasting that the nationwide destruction of our party will be kick-started from Ogun State. I remain resolute to building bridges within the party and beyond. Far from being a sign of weakness, this is demonstration of our commitment to peace and security in the state. “While I will continue to make overtures for peace and pursue initiatives to forge party unity and harmony, I will not abdicate my responsibilities as the chief security officer of the state.”

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi has explained why his administration will not return Christian and Muslim schools. Speaking at the inauguration of Rev. Amos Ajiboye as the diocesan bishop of the Agodi Methodist Cathedral of Light in Ibadan, Ajimobi said the return of mission schools has become so contentious that any attempt by the government to please one religious group could set it against another. He urged religious organisations to partner his administration to establish more schools and improve education, adding that the government cannot do it alone. The governor urged those in authority to always fulfill their promises to the people and show love to their neighbours in conformity with the religious injunctions. The Archbishop of Ibadan Methodist Archdiocese, Most Rev. Kehinde Stephen, hailed the governor on the construction of roads and urban renewal, which he said had been attracting investors to the state. He said: “I was one of those who used to describe Ibadan as the dirtiest city, but I say confidently that since you arrived, the transformation of the environment has been obvious. “You have set the pace in areas we thought would never be possible. Ibadan is becoming green and beautiful and people are now coming to invest in Oyo State. “I thank you also for the good road network that is giving the state a new picture under your dynamic administration. You have done well and you will continue to do well. You must continue the work of transformation without fear or favour and be courageous, so that this development can continue.” In his sermon, Rev. Ajiboye urged President Goodluck Jonathan to proffer a long term solution to unemployment and insecurity.

Mimiko solicits support for Akure regent

Ekiti teachers get loans’ panel

HE Ekiti State government inaugurated yesterday a nine-man committee to implement the State Primary Schools Staff Vehicle Loans/Advances Scheme. A N210 million take-off grant has been voted for the scheme. The amount will be raised through a tripartite arrangement in which the state will contribute N50 million and each of the 16 local government areas N10 million. The State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) will contribute N30 million from its welfare fund to the scheme. The committee is chaired by Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu, who also chairs SUBEB. Members are the permanent secretaries of the ministries of Local Government and Education, Science & Technology; SUBEB; chairman of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT) and representatives of relevant stakeholders.

Ajimobi: why we won’t return schools

•Ekiti State Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu (right) interacting with pupils of Orimolade Cherubim and Seraphim Nursery and Primary School in Igbara Odo-Ekiti during an unscheduled visit to the school…yesterday.

Involve rulers in national security, Alaafin urges govt

HE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, has called for a synergy between security agencies and stakeholders to tackle insecurity. He urged the government to involve traditional rulers in the fight against insecurity, describing monarchs as a formidable force that can reinforce peace and security in the nation. Oba Adeyemi spoke in his palace during his 43rd Coronation Anniversary celebration. He said a lack of synergy between security agencies and stakeholders in information generation and management was

•Monarch marks 43 years on the throne From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

responsible for the continued insecurity in the country. Oba Adeyemi said: “As custodians of tradition and values, we ensure peace in our rural areas and in the various local governments that constitute our various states. As Nigerians, we must respect our various religious and ethnic backgrounds, because it is God that brought us together in one country. Thus, when we understand one another, the security challenges bedev-

illing the country will be a thing of the past.” Urging political office holders to discharge their responsibilities with the fear of God, the Alaafin decried “intolerance and distrust among politicians”, adding that it was causing political tension in the country. Oba Adeyemi called for the inclusion of the traditional institution in the constitution, adding: “Traditional rulers are in dire need of first line charge in the allocation of funds to enhance their operations and the actualisation

of their natural mandates. To check some of the social problems in the country, we call for the establishment of vocational schools to teach youths basic ways of earning a living that are devoid of emphasis on paper qualification without the corresponding quality for self-reliance as is the case presently.” He said the first 25 years of his reign were tough and challenging, adding that he inherited an empty bushy palace, but has turned it into the Vatican and Mecca of the Yoruba through divine intervention and the support of his ancestors.

NDO State Governor Olusegun Mimiko has urged the people of Akure to support the Regent, Princess Adetutu Adesida. He spoke yesterday when he paid homage to the regent in her palace. Mimiko said although the reign of the late Oba Adebiyi Adesida was short, it brought peace and infrastructural development. The governor said the late monarch enjoyed the support of his subjects and recorded many achievements because of his tenacity of purpose and zeal to develop Akure. He urged the regent to work closely with stakeholders so that Akure can witness more transformation. Mimiko said: “We are witnesses to the fact that the late Oba Adesida was a true lover of his people and Akure. He came to me many times to discuss how to develop Akure. “The government will continue to support you to ensure peace and development in Akure. I urge our chiefs and the people of Akure to support the regent in her new role. She has good home training and good educational training.” Princess Adesida thanked Mimiko and top members of his administration for their commitment to improving Akure. She sought the support of the residents and prayed for peace and development in the state.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

CITYBEATS

Lagos unveils electronic C of O By Oziegbe Okoeki

LAGOS State Government has concluded plans to release the first batch of the Electronic Certificate of Occupancy (E-C of O) to improve security of land management in the state. Permanent Secretary of Lands Bureau, Mr Hakeem Muri-Okunola made the disclosure while briefing newsmen in his office at the Secretariat, Alausa, Ikeja yesterday. He said the activities of some unscrupulous people who are in the habit of cloning and forgery were affecting the authenticity of the old “Yellow Paper C of O” which has been in existence since the enactment of the Land Use Act, 1978. Muri-Okunola said: "With this new development, the state government is now in line with international best practices in land certification and registration. It incorporates technology-driven security features that make it extremely difficult to clone or forge the paper on which the certificate is printed." He said "the first batch of the E-C of O will be handed over to the 55 title holders on January 27," adding that within 45 days of payment by the property owner, the E-C of O would be made available. He said: "The E-C of O has encrypted on it a 2D bar code, which appears at the left corner of the document. This contains security information that can only be viewed by an enabled bar code reader. The Permanent Secretary, said the Yellow Paper C of O, until formal notice from the Governor Babatunde Fashola, is still a valid legal title document.

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Couple, others held for 'human trafficking, forgery'

COUPLE and five others were yesterday paraded by the Commissioner of Police, Special Fraud Unit (SFU), Ikoyi, Lagos, Mr Tunde Ogunsakin, for alleged human trafficking and forgery. The Unit's spokesperson, Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) Ngozi Isintume-Agu said it got a petition dated January 10, 2014 from the Consulate General of Italy in Lagos, alleging that Alabi Olumuyiwa Ayinmola and his wife, Toyin Olayinka came for a visit visa along with their "daughters" Aisosa Uwailomwon and Osaigede Endurance whose names were changed

By Ebele Boniface

to Alabi Adenike Rachael and Alabi Oluwakemi Rita. Isintume-Agu said the petition alleged that the fifth page of the passports of the two "daughters" appeared to have been tampered with alongside their mother's. She said the petitioner alleged that the “daughters' passports contained suspicious entry and exit stamps of the Ghana Immigration Service (GIS), while the statements of bank accounts submitted by the suspects were seen to be altered and forged. Ayinmola, 44, from Idogun Osse Local Government, Ondo State, claimed it was one Emma that mas-

'Dialogue with traders'

EMBERS of the Committee on Transportation, Commerce and Industry of the Lagos State House of Assembly have mandated the Chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Mr Julius Oloro, to meet with traders at the Ogba Retail Market before demolishing it. This directive was handed down to the council chief by the committee's chair, Hon Bisi Yusuf, at a peace meeting involving officials of the market and its leadership at the Assembly Complex yesterday.

By Oziegbe Okoeki

Yusuf said the House was interested in the planned redevelopment of the market, but said that traders should be carried along in its re-designing, adding: "The council should not impose its decisions on the occupiers; there must be dialogue between both parties," He, therefore, directed the parties to report back to the House on Friday for further deliberations. The committee urged the aggrieved traders to make themselves available whenever the council calls for reconciliation

terminded the crime and procured all the fake documents; his wife, Toyin confessed that Endurance and Aisosa were not her daughters. She said Emma asked her to assist them travel with forged documents. Aisosa, 19, from Ovia South East Local Government Area of Edo State, confessed that Mr and Mrs Alabi were not her biological parents,adding that Emma took her to them for the purpose of procuring Italian Visa. She said she was introduced to Emma by one Mrs Anthonia Aworowo who is based in France and who wanted her to come and assist her in her day-care business. Emma, she said tutored her to claim being a 200level Economics student at the Lead City University, Ibadan, and gave her all the documents, including a fake passport. Endurance, 21, from Ovia

•The couple ... yesterday South West Local Government Area of Edo State; Emmanuel Layimola Damule, 35, a travel agent; a suspected visa racketeer; Ayodesi Olatunde, 38, from Ede, in Osun State and

Tejuosho market: Judge blames firm

USTICE Okon Abang of the Federal High Court yesterday vacated an order by Justice Okechukwu Okeke (rtd) on the management of Tejuosho Ultra-modern Market in Yaba, Lagos Mainland. The judge blamed the developer, Stormberg Engi-

‘The order of Justice Okeke is in conflict with the judgment of this court. The Federal High Court is one. It is not the issue of a senior or a junior judge’ By Joseph Jibueze

•One of the roads under construction. Inset: Fashola (2nd left); Special Adviser on Works and Infrastructure, Engr. Ganiyu Johnson (2nd right); General Manager, New Towns Development Authority (NTDA), Dr Adeyemi Isiba (right) and the Director, NTDA, Engr. Aremu Afolabi (left) ... during the inspection on Sunday.

O V E R N O R Babatunde Fashola has inspected the Eko Akete Housing Estate and other ongoing housing projects in State. The governor, who also inspected Fairmont Garden Mixed Development Scheme, said government was trying to put the infrastructure in place before selling, adding that the roads and drainage were being fixed in all the estates.

Fashola inspects housing projects Fashola said the scheme once became an electoral issue, thus prompting him to promise Lagosians that his administration would turn the over 280 hectares of land around. He explained that the inspection was to evaluate the ongoing project to address problem areas, noting that the inspection fell on Sunday

"because it is relatively easy to move around and not inconvenience people." Promising that his administration would complete all ongoing projects before handing over in 2015, he said: "...The life of a nation or state does not end with the tenure of a leader ... people have not stopped demanding services from me and we

Samuel Aworowo, 42, from Isoko a North in Delta State, all confessed to the crime. Isintume-Agu said the suspects would soon be charged to court.

can't stop because we are leaving." He described as "tunnel visioning," a situation where leaders limit developmental initiatives to the end of their terms, adding that it is also bad planning when nations begin to suggest that because an administration's tenure is coming to an end, people should not lend money to it.

neering Company, for "causing the problem" faced by the plaintiff (First Bank Plc) and the interested party (Access Bank Plc). The firm was said to have obtained loan from the banks, using the market as collateral. "How can you use the same set of property to get loans from two banks?" The judge asked. Justice Abang said if he had jurisdiction, he would have "invited security agencies" to probe the firm since public funds were involved. "First Bank has a deed of legal mortgage issued by the defendant (Stormberg)," he noted. Justice Abang earlier entered a consent judgment affirming Access Bank's appointment of a Receiver/Manager, Mr Kunle Ogunba (SAN) for the market. But, Justice Okeke, before his retirement, made an exparte order appointing another manager for the market. Access Bank then urged Justice Abang to dismiss the order of Justice Okeke (rtd) as it amounted to an abuse of court process. Vacating the order, the judge noted that any other application in the suit "is

deemed to have been struck out because there is no suit before me." He added: "The order of Justice Okeke is in conflict with the judgment of this court. The Federal High Court is one. It is not the issue of a senior or a junior judge. "Until the consent judgment is set aside, no judge is constitutionally empowered to give similar judgment. Upon becoming aware of the consent judgment, Justice Okeke ought to have vacated the ex-parte order made on March 13, 2012. "The order made by Justice Okeke is accordingly vacated. The present suit is an abuse of court process. It is hereby dismissed because it ought not to have been filed." Justice Abang urged First Bank to pursue its appeal against his consent judgment at the Court of Appeal, Lagos. "First Bank should pursue its appeal to a logical conclusion. If the appeal succeeds, the case would be returned to the Federal High Court for a judge to decide," the judge said. First Bank is contending that the consent judgment should not have been made. It said a Deed of Legal Mortgage over the entire property at Tejuosho Market was created in its favour on August 7, 2009 as security for a term loan facility granted Stormberg Engineering. It said an All Assets Debenture created in favour of the interested party (Access Bank) does not cover land and building at the market. The bank added that Justice Abang's consent judgment "is a concluded matter" as parties executed terms of settlement which was adopted and made judgment of the court. Access Bank, in its motion on notice, said Justice Okeke (rtd) "was misled" to grant the order.

BUSINESS

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

11 “Until recently, the Nigerian banking industry had not given much attention to sustainability beyond ticking off environmental impact assessment on checklist for credit risk assessment for evaluation of loan applications, other jurisdictions have for decades been engraving sustainability ethos in their financial system,” –CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi

NNPC to spend over N800m on vandalised gas pipelines

• From left: Deputy Governor, Central Bank of Nigeria, Dr Kingsley Muoghalu, Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi; Coordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, Managing Director &Chief Executive Officer, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo and the Managing Director & Chief Executive Officer, Emzor Pharmaceuticals, Dr. Stella Okoli at the South East, South South Professionals evening of reflections with the Minister in Lagos ...on Sunday.

MAN praises govt on investment policies, job creation

EMBERS of the Or ganised Private Sec tor (OPS) have described as unprecedented the institution and implementation of some economic policies by federal government which have helped in reviving the hitherto moribund manufacturing sector of the economy. They said the commitment to the effective implementation of the policies has led to phenomenal increase in the local production of commodities which before now were imported into the country. They said the investor friendly policies of the government have encouraged increased cement production thereby meeting not only domestic demands, but also for export. The group, under the auspices of the Manufacturer Association of Nigeria (MAN), praised the President Goodluck Jonathan’s adminis-

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

By Simeon Ebulu

tration for putting in place some broad based incentives generally geared towards reviving the moribund manufacturing sector, encourage industrialisation and create jobs. In a statement by its President, Chief Kola Jamodu, the body said government’s incentive policy, which is designed to encourage industrialisation, has been effective as it has been encouraging new investments, as well as job creation. He also commended government for agreeing to the broad based incentives for the manufacturing sector instead of narrowing them. He said: ”An important reform in the incentive policy, as sought by MAN, was the broad base incentives to a whole sector rather than issuing discretionary waivers for individual firms. This has brought transparency in the policy and created a level playing field for all players. “There is a clear evidence of the positive impact of the sector-based incentives. Incentives and concessions given to the Cement industry have contributed to the phenomenal increase in national cement production from less than two million tons in 2002 to over 20 million tons in 2013. As a result, from being a net importer, Nigeria has become a net exporter of cement. This was achieved in less than a decade, thanks to the enabling environment fostered by government policies.” Chief Jamodu said although the incentive policy has been in place through several administrations, the President and his Economic Management Team deserve credit for streamlining the policy to leverage it for attracting investment in the priority sectors. He said the special intervention funds of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) disbursed through the Bank of Industry

• Jamodu

(BOI) have also helped revived a good number of ailing industries and Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs), adding that the Incentives are also helping to boost trade and investment in the non-oil sector and generating employment in agro-allied industries. Explaining how the incentives are impacting positively on the economy and the manufacturing sector, he said, “incentives are needed to generate investment in the productive sector – manufacturing and agriculture. Waiver of Customs duty and Value Added Tax (VAT) on import of plant and machinery is required to make our industries competitive. Duty and VAT exemption on equipment used in gas production has contributed to reduction in gas flaring and growth in gas-topower initiative aimed at boosting power supply.” The MAN boss decried the cost of doing business in Nigeria which he said remains very high due to the prevailing infrastructural disincentives. He said companies have to generate own captive power and build surrounding facilities. He pointed out that incentives and waivers are required not only to attract investments, but to also compensate for the public infrastructuredeficit. “Most developing companies give incentives to attract investment in priority sectors where they have a comparative advantage and Nigeria cannot be an exception”, Jamodu argued. MAN affirmed its support for the implementation of the recently launched Nigerian Industrial Revolution Plan and called on well-meaning Nigerians to be prepared to make their positive contributions to ensure that the programme succeeds.

HE Nigerian National Petroleum Corpora tion (NNPC) yesterday raised alarm over attacks on gas pipelines by vandals. The act which the corporation described as acts of sabotage, would cost a reinstallation bill of over N800million, said the Group Managing Director, Andrew Yakubu in a press conference at Abuja. He said the vandals blew up the pipelines with dynamites, and this has resulted in the loss of (480mmsf/d) over 30 per cent of installed gas capacity for power generation, adding that, the lost gas would have been enough to generate 1,600mega watts (MW) of power for the nation. Yakubu said upon the completion of the repairs, the contractors would present the full cost of reinstallation to the corporation for demobilisation. Pressed to state the actual cost for the repair of the, the NNPC boss said : “I don’t want you to get away with the impression that we don’t know what we are doing here. At the point of the at-

• Cries out over 30% loss of gas for power • Loss ‘enough to generate 1,600mw’ From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

tack, when the initial assessment was done, before we realised that there were many other points, the assessment was pegged at N200million.” “But as we speak, because of the multiple segments that were discovered later, what we have as at today (yesterday) is N800million.” He listed the vandilised pipelines to include the Escravos-Warri stretch of the Escravos Lagos Pipeline System (ELPS) which accounts for (190mmcf/d) and the Trans-Forcados crude pipeline (230mmcf/d). Yakubu attributed the remaining supply shortfall to maintenance issues at Utorogu gas plant (60mmcf/ d). The outage of the ELPS A

pipeline has been on for over six months due to willful acts of vandalism at various locations between Escravosand Egwa location. ’’ The GMD recalled that on the 25th of June 2013, an explosion rocked the ELPS and further investigation revealed that dynamite had been used on four ruptured points. He noted that engineers from the Nigerian Gas Company were mobilised immediately to commence repair works but as repairs progressed, more points of rupture emerged. “At the last count, 20 ruptured points have been identified, all due to deliberate dynamite explosion. NGC completed repairs in November and on commissioning in December, rapid pressure loss was experienced, indicating further rupture in weakened locations. We have since effected repair of these new points and recommenced commissioning activities, “ he said. The GMD noted that all things being equal, gas supply will be reinstated in the weeks ahead.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

BUSINESS NEWS

Jonathan okays N14b for 2014 Dry Season Farming

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has approved N14billion to support the 2014 dry season farming across the country. The president who made this known yesterday during the official launch of the Dry Season Farm Support programme at the Banquet Hall of the State House, Abuja, said N9 billion was approved for the dry season farmers last year and that the support will continue to increase as more farmers key into the programme. He promised that his administration will work to ensure that the dry season food support programme becomes a national food policy. He said: “Our resolve to expand this dry season programme is strong and subsequently it has to come up in October so that they will get what they need before the commencement of the dry season.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

“To demonstrate this, I am today (yesterday) announcing N14 billion to support the dry season farming for 2014. Last year it was N9 billion, this year is 14 billion and as more states come on board we will continue to increase the amount of money. “We I’ll continue to work with farmers and that is why I am announcing today that the support will become a national policy. Our nation shall be green, our barns shall be filled and our farmers shall prosper.” he said. He however urged the ministry to move the launch of the dry season farming up to October or November as January is a bit late. He said the programme was launched in 2011 with the goal of adding an additional 20 million metric tones of food to the country’s domestic food supply in order

Defunct Bank PHB ex-MD Atuche to be re-arraigned

HE Economic and Fi nancial Crimes Com mission will on February 20 re-arraign former Managing Director of the defunct Bank PHB (now Keystone Bank Plc), Mr. Francis Atuche, for allegedly granting loans without collateral. He will be arraigned along with the bank’s former Executive Director Mr. Charles Ojo before Justice Saliu Siedu of the Federal High Court, Lagos. The re-arraignment was billed for yesterday, but was stalled because the prosecution’s lead counsel Mr. Kemi Pinheiro (SAN) is yet to be served with the hearing notice. Justice Seidu will be the fourth judge to hear the matter since it started in October 2009. Three judges had heard the case, the last being Justice Rita Ofili-Ajumogobia, who recently withdrew from the

to change the approach to agriculture. “As a nation,we must feed ourselves. A giant that cannot feed herself of course the weight of the giant will crush the weak legs if there is no food.” Jonathan said the country did not suffer from food crisis because the Growth Enhancement Programme (GES) has already reached about one million genuine farmers who have already harvested their crops before the 2012 floods. He noted that food stuffs like rice and other grains have been harvested and stored especially in states that were not affected by the flood. “High yielding seeds of rice including those that would tolerate flood as well as fertilisers that are provided free of charge to over 257,000 farmers in 10 leading rice producing states in the north, namely Sokoto, Kebbi, Zamfara, Kano, Katsina, Bauchi, Gombe,

Jigawa, Kogi and Niger states. Our farmers showed reliance, our food production from the impact of the flood I am happy and proud of farmers, they set a record by producing one million metric tones of paddy rice within one dry season. In total and across the country, our farmers produced additional 15 million metric tones of food within two years and this is how it should be, this is the way to go” he said. Stressing that agriculture is no longer a developmental project in Nigeria, he said: “We no longer treat agriculture as a development programme, we now talk about wealth creation not poverty alleviation. We have changed our approach and that is why we are here today”. “We will continue to expand the GES to reach other farmers. It is our hope that we will reach 10 million farmers by the end of this year with improved seeds, fertilizers and other produc-

tion input including farms machinery hiring centers. The ministry is working to establish centers where tractors can be addressed at reduced prices. We are working to improve the access of farmers to markets.” “Modern warehouses will be established across the country so that farmers can store their produce and the airport facilities will be expanded to be able to move the produce as they come. He vowed that the “loss of more than 50 per cent of persherable commodities must stop”. The President said he had been duly briefed that over 600,000 farmers have already registered to produce food in this year’s dry season representing an increase of about 1.5 per cent over the numbers who participated last year. Twenty more states, he said, have registered to participate in dry season farming in this year’s programme compared to last year.

By Joseph Jibueze

matter. The case was first handled by Justice Akinjide Ajakaiye. When Ajakaiye retired, Justice Binta Nyako took over. When Justice Nyako was transferred, Justice OfiliAjumogobia took over. On each occasion, Atuche was re-arraigned and trial started de novo (afresh). The former bank chief was re-arraigned before OfiliAjumogobia on November 14, 2012 on 45 counts of banking malpractices, which included granting reckless loans without collateral. The matter is different from two separate theft cases which Atuche is currently facing along with others, including his wife, Elizabeth, at the Lagos High Court in Ikeja.

• From left: CategoryManager, Oral Care Uniliver Nig. Plc; Oiza Gyang, the two Winners of CloseUp Natural Naija Smile Promo,Obi Olivia and IdowuAzeez; and, Assitant Category Manager Oral Care, Grace Onwubuemeli at the Prize Presentation of Close Up Rewards Best Natural Naija Smile, held at EkoHotels, Lagos...last week. PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE.

‘Nigeria to export cars soon’

IGERIA will soon be come an exporter of cars, President Goodluck Jonathan, has said. Jonathan who spoke yesterday at the Presidential Villa, Abuja, when a delegation of business leaders from Anambra State led by the State Governor, Peter Obi visited him, said in the next few years, Nigeria will begin to export cars to other countries. He said with the measures put in place by his administration, especially the new National Automotive Industry Policy, “Nigeria will soon start exporting cars to other countries,” adding that the government is drumming support for local manufacturers. He said if Nigeria must be a great country, it must industrialise, stressing that government will continue to encourage industrialists in Anambra State.” He assured the delegation that basic needs, such as road, power and ports will be addressed appropriately, stressing that his government is focusing attention and resources on the power sector because of its critical role in the industrialisation of the country. He assured that he will refer

• Obi drums support for Jonathan From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

all the issues raised by the industrialists to the various departments of government. “We are totally committed to creating jobs. Nigeria is a country with huge population of youths. If jobs are not created, there will be crisis. The housing, agriculture and power sectors are also receiving attention,” he said. Also speaking, the Vice President, NamadiSambo told the visitors that President Jonathan had recently approved $3.7 billion to improve power transmission across the country. The Anambra State Governor, Peter Obi, said the Anambra people are well-positioned to assist the President in the achievement of his administration’s transformation agenda. Declaring the state’s support for Jonathan, he said: “You have excess credit in your political account that these people (members of the delegation) are ready to pay you when you need it,” saying he

led the delegation to express their support for the President and bring to his attention some of their collective needs, which if addressed will help in anchoring the growth and development of industry in the state. He listed some of the needs to include the completion of the 330/132/33KV power substation at Nnewi, provision of uninterrupted power supply in the Onitsha Harbour Industrial Area and Ozubulu Industrial Hub, completion of NnamdiAzikwe Teaching Hospital, Nnewi and the inclusion of Anambra State in the rail master plan. Obi also urged the President to assist in the rehabilitation and reconstruction of federal roads within the state, such as the Oba-Nnewi-Okigwe Section 1, Nnewi-Okija, start of Onitsha Second Niger Bridge, completion of the OnitshaEnugu Dual Carriageway and completion of UmuezeAnamKogi Roads. He thanked the President for the inclusion of Nnewi in the National Automotive Industry Policy of the Federal Government, which he said, would attract many ancillary industries especially with the coming on stream of the Ajaokuta Steel Plant.

Jonathan for World Economic Forum in Davos From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is expected to leave Abuja today for the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland. A statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati said that Jonathan during the Forum will lead efforts to attract beneficial global participation in this year’s World Economic Forum on Africa which will be hosted by Nigeria from May 7-9 in Abuja. The President, the statement said, will be accompanied on the trip and supported by key members of the Federal Government’s Economic Management Team from the public and private sectors. The Nigerian Economic Summit Group is also scheduled to host special events in Davos aimed at boosting attendance at the economic forum in Abuja by leading players in the world’s political and economic affairs who meet in the Swiss winter resort annually. It reads: “The events which will include an African soiree for participants, and an interactive session with financiers and industrialists, will also seek to further promote Nigeria’s immense economic potentials with a view to attracting more employment generating investments to the country.” “The theme of the World Economic Forum on Africa in Abuja - “Forging Inclusive Growth, Creating Jobs” is very much in tandem with the Federal Government’s economic priorities for 2014 as enunciated in this year’s national budget proposals.”

MTN’s mobile clinics for six states Lucas Ajanaku

TN Foundation, the corporate social in vestment vehicle of MTN Nigeria, has inaugurated the MTNF Y’ello Doctor Mobile Medical Intervention Scheme also known as the “MTNF Y’ello Doctor Project”. The project which is aimed at complementing government’s efforts to boost healthcare delivery in the country, was officially flagged off recently on the premises of the company in Lagos. The project involves the deployment of six state-of-theart mobile clinics stocked with medical equipment and drugs, while the beneficiary states will provide the medical personnel to ensure seamless provision of primary healthcare through this intervention scheme. The mobile clinics will help to reduce the incidence of maternal and child deaths especially in rural communities. It will also be of assistance in the control of communicable and non-communicable diseases in the communities of beneficiary states, among other Chief Executive Officer, MTN Nigeria, Michael Ikpoki, said: “At MTN, we believe that health is one area the private sector can play a visible role.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT

* The Environment * Mortgage * Apartments * Security * Homes * Real Estate

Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

email:- property@thenationonlineng.net

•A forfeited (seized) property in Abuja.

The Federal Capital Territory Administration (FCTA) and the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) are collaborating to end fraud by targeting those who launder funds through phoney property acquisition. ERIC IKHILAE reports.

Can the EFCC, FCTA union work?

HE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) presents a classic case of contradictions in the housing sector. Although no official figures exist, it is generally believed that since the seat of government moved to Abuja in the 1990s, the city and its managers have not been able to effectively house 50 per cent of its population. Up till today, exists a yawning housing gap, especially the provision of residential accommodation; a development which property owners, unscrupulous officials of the relevant FCT agencies and fraudsters, who pose as land owners, capitalise on to rip-off hapless residents. In the midst of this scarcity, exists these contradictions. Everywhere one turns in the city, one is confronted with what seemed like efforts to meet the housing need. Ongoing housing projects dot most districts of the FCT. Completed sprawling estates are common sights. They coexist with beautifully designed and built mansions that form common features in highbrow areas, such as Maitama, Asokoro, Wuse Two and Apo, among others. Most of the structures look inviting, but strangely, they remain unoccupied. Investigation by The Nation revealed that some of these structures have existed for years unoccupied, and the owners unbothered. In most cases, the owners still demand huge rents to discourage would-be tenants. They also employ some individuals to help keep an eye on the properties. In some cases, those engaged to the watch rent some of them out without the knowledge of the owners, who hardly check up on them. The practice is not limited to the highbrow areas of the city. Well-built houses could also be found in the satellite towns, where average income earners and the poor live, unoccupied. For instance, The Nation sighted an estate comprising 20 two-bedroom flats, made up of five blocks of four flats each in Kubwa. It was learnt that the property, owned by a retired senior military personnel, had existed for about 10 years unoccupied. There is also a three-storey building comprising eight three-bedroom flats somewhere in Mararaba, a town between the FCT and Nasarawa State, believed to be owned by a serving senior police officer. It was said to have been built over four years ago and has remained unoccupied. The reason behind this practice had tasked most people’s

• Agencies partner to stop property fraud

imagination until recently. Many queried the economic sense in investing huge funds in the construction of these houses and yet leave them desolate. Their owners do not occupy that and their prices are beyond the reach of those who seek to occupy them. But the Chairman, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr Ibrahim Lamorde last week, gave a perspective to this practice. According to him, property ownership in Abuja has become an avenue for money laundering. The evidence, he said, was the number of palatial, but unoccupied houses that dot the FCT landscape. He spoke in Abuja during a visit to the FCT Minister, Bala Mohammed. The EFCC, he said, has uncovered money laundering schemes in the FCT in which the perpetrators disguised the proceeds of crime by investing in properties. He explained that those involved do not purchase properties with bank instruments, but prefer to pay cash. Lamorde said investigation by his commission revealed that the laundered funds were frequently converted into foreign currencies through the Bureau de Change, before the purchases are made. He said the EFCC had also found out that those involved do not always bother to change ownership after such acquisitions, making it difficult for investigators to verify the identities of the new owners or the sources of fund. Lamorde said over 270 of such cases had been reported to the Commission in the last three years. The EFCC and its sister agency, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) have, in the course of their operations, seized properties allegedly acquired unlawful by suspects. They have also obtained total forfeiture in cases relating to convicted individuals. In January, last year, former Assistant Director in the Police Pension Office, John Yakubu Yusuf was ordered to forfeit 32 properties found to have been acquired illegitimately to the government. The properties include two units of three-bedroom semidetached bungalow at R2, A and B, Sunny Homes, Dakwo District; two units of three-bedroom semi bungalow- detached at M24, A and B, Sunny Homes Dakwo Homes, Dakwo

District; four units of three-bedroom semidetached bungalow at Sunny Homes, Dakwo District; one unit semidetached Duplex at House 21, 4th Avenue, Gwarinpa; four units of two-bedroom semi - detached duplex at Bricks City, Kubwa road; and one unit of semidetached Duplex, at 14B Democracy Crescent, Gaduwa, all in Abuja. A report by the Assets Forfeiture Unit (AFU) of the EFCC said between 2003 and 2010, the Commission seized 203 posh mansions from political office holders (politically exposed persons), including 15 governors through 46 forfeiture court orders. Some private individuals, including former Managing Director of Oceanic Bank Plc Mrs. Cecilia Ibru; former Intercontinental Bank Plc Vice-Chairman, Mr. Festus Akingbola; former Managing Director of Bank PHB, Mr. Francis Atuche, and convicted former director in Union Bank Plc, Emmanuel Nwude have either had their assets temporarily or permanently forfeited to the EFCC. In October, last year, a commissioner with the ICPC, Isa Salami, said the agency seized more than 100 houses in Abuja suspected to have been acquired with proceeds from corruption. Salami, who spoke in Calabar, Cross River State, said the houses were seized by the commission within four months. In November, last year, ICPC Chairman, Ekpo Nta told the House of Representatives that the agency seized 61 houses from a worker of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC). Nta, who testified before the House Ad-hoc Committee probing alleged land swap, allocations and racketeering in the FCT said his agency made the seizure in the course of investigating allegations of land scam in the FCT which the NSCDC was named as a participant Concerning land scam in the FCT, the EFCC said his commission suspected insider abuse in some of the cases investigated and called on the minister to be prepared to initiate disciplinary action against any of his officers found culpable. Muhammed, who is upbeat about the planned collabo•Continued on page 14

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

PROPERTY/ENVIRONMENT Kogi to construct Jamata-Budon Road

• Adamu Attah’s home for renovation

OVERNOR Idris Wada of Kogi State has said the construction of road linking Budon-Eggan-Aiyetoro towns will start this year. The governor made this commitment during the kick-off of the Lokoja Ward A Township road construction estimated at N632.7 million. He said the length of road made his administration to take its time in embarking on the construction. “But this year, I want to assure you that the Jamata-BudonEggan road linking Aiyetoro would receive government’s attention. You know, this road is a very long one; so, we have made something out of our dwindling resources to make it realistic,” he said. Captain Wada said he was determined to embark on massive road development programme this year, stressing that his administration would encourage the development of existing roads and their maintenance. He said five township roads across the state of which Lokoja Ward A road was one of them would be rehabilitated or constructed. The governor said the AgevaOgori roads have already been completed with the assurance of quality job at all times in road rehabilitation. He made known that works were still on-going on Kabba township road, Okura and Okaba. According to him, Otukpo road in Ankpa Local Government Area of the state had been completed. He urged the people of the area to cooperate with his administration to turn the fortune of the state around. Earlier, Chairman, Lokoja Local Government Area, Hon Aliyu Baba Usman commended the government for its interest in the rural dwellers. He said Lokoja as the state capital has always mirrored the state. He praised the governor’s decision to start the beau-

•Continued from page 13

From Muhammad Bashir, Lokoja

tification of the state capital. Similarly, the governor kicked off the construction of 500 boreholes. The governor, while kickingoff the project at Nagazi Town in Okene Local Government Area, said the 500 hand pump boreholes would be spread across 21 local government areas of the state. Meanwhile, Captain Wada has said he would commence the renovation of the private residence of the first civilian governor of old Kwara State, Alhaji Adamu Attah in Kuroko, Adavi Local Government Area of the state. He made this known after paying a courtesy visit to Alhaji Attah in Abuja. He said some elders from Attah’s area raised the issue with him and he decided to visit the place to see what could be done to bring the former first civilian governor back home.

•Gov. Peter Obi (right), with Dr. Okey Areh (left), and others during the inspection of organic fertiliser plant building at Amawbia, Anambra State. The project is a joint venture of both the Federal Governmemt and the state government.

N900b lost to foreign artisans yearly, experts allege

BOUT N900 billion is lost annually to foreign artisans, who have displaced their indigenous counterparts in the construction and the built indutry, professionals have said. The development, they said, was worrisome, adding that the tide should be reversed. The Coordinator, Shelter Watch Initiative, a non-governmental organisation (NGO), Mr Segun Olutade, said the development arose because of lack of interest by youths in replacing the older generation of artisans in the sector. “The artisans are ageing and the youths are not replacing them. This is because of lack of proper training on the part of the youth. And that is why the foreigners are taking over that sub-sector of the industry,” he said. The perceived ‘invasion’ was corroborated recently in Lagos by the President, Building Collapse Protection Guild (BCPG), Mr

By Seyi Odewale

Kunle Awobodu, a professional builder. According to him, the construction industry and the entire built environment have been invaded by foreign artisans, who have displaced the indigenous ones. They, according to him, are mostly from China, India and West African countries such as Togo and Benin Republic. “The preference for foreign artisans may bring about the dearth of indigenous ones, who are not encouraged with patronage. Efforts should be made to make bricklaying and other trades attractive and rewarding for the youths, who are not keen on venturing into such areas,” Awobodu said. According to Olutade, who was the first public relations officer for the National Directorate of Employment (NDE) in Ogun State, about N900 billion is lost yearly to foreign artisans from Asia and

West Coast of Africa. “It is disheartening, according to experts, that Nigeria loses N900 billion to foreigner artisans annually. And that is true, what has government done about this? We need just about N10 billion to put things right. But will our leaders allow this to be done,” he asked? He accused those charged with the responsibility of creating jobs for the youths as those encouraging the influx of foreigners to the country to displace indigenous artisans in the construction industry and the built environment. “It is the people that were given the mandate to solve the unemployment problem in this country that are responsible for the state of unemployment that we have. Some of them are the ones bringing in these Chinese and other nationals to work in Nigeria. And that is a serious Capital flight of some sort. Money

paid to these people are sent by them to their various countries. If Nigerians are to know the truth about what is happening in this country they will be sad,” he said. The built environment, he said, is one sector where developed countries like Germany and others key into when they have problems. But sadly, according to him, “we are not looking at that sector.” “When our graduates say they don’t have jobs and cannot get jobs, I pity them, because I know that there are jobs everywhere. I can tell you that it is insincerity on the part of the government that is creating unemployment in Nigeria,” Olutade said. He commended Ogun State’s efforts at training and retraining youth artisans, in collaboration with his organisation, with the creation of job centres in the state. About 10,000 artisans, he said, would be trained with the support of the state in the next three months.

Can the EFCC, FCTA union work?

ration between his ministry and the EFCC, regretted “that the FCT, as a jurisdiction, is used as a citadel of corruption and for perpetuating acts of corruption. “People from other states and local governments illegally acquire money and come to get it hidden in the FCT through acquisition of properties that are not registered. And that is a big concern because it is depriving FCT of needed revenue needed and increasing corruption in the capital territory. It is also increasing security challenges because most of the houses acquired are left vacant and we have no means of knowing who owns them,” he said. The FCTA, he said, was working with the Abuja Geographical Information System (AGIS) to upgrade its systems in such a manner that it would be difficult for anybody to impersonate, manipulate or forge land documents. He lamented that some former employees of the authority were duping unsuspecting, but desperate people while posing as workers of FCTA. Aside collaborating with the EFCC, efforts are being made in seeking the enactment of laws that will help prevent the current loss of revenue experienced by the

FCTA. At the moment, a bill is pending at the National Assembly for the enactment of a property law in the FCT. Unlike what obtains in other cities and states, owners do not pay taxes on their property in Abuja and the FCTA lacked data about the number of properties in the FCT, either occupied or not. This, observers said serves to encourage the practice, where people leave multi-million naira property unutilised for years. They argued that a situation, where a property owner knows he would be required to pay, in millions of naira in tax, at the end of every year would be force to put such property into use. Media aide, Nosike Ogbuenyi was optimistic that the collaboration with the EFCC, the FCT would, soon, ascertain the number of completed, but unoccupied houses in the city. He said though the Minister spoke about the loss of revenue, the FCTA was yet to determine the amount lost yearly to shady practices by property owners and land scammers in the FCT. “Property owners, unlike the case in states where property owners pay some form of taxes, there is no Property Law in place in the FCT that empowers the government to impose taxes on owners of such completed, but unutilised property. That is why people can build houses and leave

them unoccupied. “There is a Bill now at the National Assembly for the enactment of Property Law in Abuja. It has passed the second reading. We are waiting for the National Assembly to pass it into law when it resumes. “That is part of the problem of the FCT. The National Assembly, unlike the states that have separate legislature, makes laws for the FCT. We have to rely on it for any needed laws. We hope they will work on this law (the Property Law) as soon as they (members of the National Assembly) resume,” Ogbuenyi said. A real estate expert, Mohammed Abibu argued that but for the fact that

those, who leave their property unutilised for years act under ulterior motives, there was no economic sense in such practice. “Even when one did not obtain loan to acquire such property, it makes no economic sense to leave your property unoccupied for years. Aside the monetary loss that such decision results in, there is the possibility of deterioration in value. Most of the fittings will definitely go bad if not utilised. “If you got loans to acquire such assets, before you know it interest will start piling up. There is the general loss to the economy because the property serves no useful economic

•Mohammed

•Lamorde

purpose. I believe those who build houses and leave them unutilised do not acquire them for the real economic reasons. A security expert, Josiah Adejumo said the practice where completed houses are left unoccupied in a city like Abuja for years, pose security risk. He cited the recent incident in Gudu, near Apo, Abuja where security agents killed about eight squatters last year on the ground that they were members of the dreaded Boko Haram sect. “You saw what happened in that case? Was it not reported that the security guard on duty in the uncompleted building rented the place out to squatters from whom he collected money? That is just one of several of such cases in Abuja. “Those concerned should double their efforts to reduce the number of unutilised houses in the FCT. If possible, government should take steps to acquire them if the owners are unable to find any use for such houses.” It is, however, expected that this collaboration between the FCTA and the EFCC will lead to the identification of the owners of these idle houses, identify why they are reluctant to put them into use and, perhaps, make them available for the millions of Abuja residents, who crave for decent accommodation, and at affordable costs.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

2013: NLNG blames NIMASA for failure to meet target

HE Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG) has blamed its inability to meet its target of 325-cargo shipments last year on its feud with the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA). During the dispute, which arose from the alleged non-payment of levy by NLNG, NIMASA bloked the firm’s channel in Bonny, Rivers State, stopping it from exporting 45 cargoes of gas. NLNG’s Head, Gas supply Emmanuel Nnabuife said the blockade affected business, promising to make up for it this year. The firm, he said, would meet the 325-cargo target this year, barring any unforeseen hitch, noting that despite last year’s problem, NLNG paid $140 million levy to NIMASA. He put the plant’s availability last

Stories by Emeka Ugwuanyi

year at 94 per cent just as in 2012 when it achieved cargo production of 333, the highest in NLNG’s history. Nnabuife, however, said the plant’s utilisation was less because of feedstock issues. NLNG, he said, had 24 LNG ships under its control, adding that it owns 13 while 11 are on long-term charter. The firm plans to buy six new ships between now and 2016 at an estimated cost of over $1.408 billion. These vessels would help create jobs for trained cadets, seafarers as well as captains and engineers, among others workers, he said. He said part of NLNG’s intervention in capacity building was the award of scholarships to 26 cadets in the Maritime Academy of Nigeria (MAN) in Oron, Akwa Ibom

State. H said: “NLNG continues to support Nnabuife to train manpower for the industry. Warsash Maritime Academy, Southampton was engaged to review MAN’s Standards of Training, Certification and Watchkeeping (STCW) 95 courses. Warsash Maritime Academy is also required to facilitate the accreditation of MAN’s issuance of MCA approved certificates. STCW enables Nigerian seafarers get placement on both Nigerian and foreign flagged vessels.” When contacted, NIMASA spokesman Mr. Isichei Osamgbi, said the agency would not want to comment because the case is still in court. He said: “I will not make any comment on that issue because the case is still in court and any comment we make on that matter will be prejudicial.”

• From left: Country Manager (ABS) Mr. Timothy Coolden; Executive Director, Maritime Safety & Shipping Development, Capt. Bala Agaba; Director, Maritime Safety and Seafarers Standards Department, Vincent Udoye, both of NIMASA and Marine Advisor, Supply Chain Management, Mr. Philip Rafferty, at a stakeholders interactive forum in Lagos.

Customs agents accuse NPA of bias

HE National President, Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), P r i n c e O l a y i w o l a S h i t t u , has called for consistent government policies in the maritime sector. Shittu told The Nation that Nigerian ports would have been the preferred port in the sub-region if not for inconsistent policies, urging the government and other stakeholders to address the problem. He noted that port operators complain about multiple charges by terminal operators and shipping companies without considering the problems that terminal operators and shipping companies face. He said: “All the things that we were crying against in 2011, 2012 still recurred in 2013. When you banned rice, somebody who goes abroad and is returning home will say, let me just bring in only 10 bags of rice and distribute to my people and the 10 bags of rice pass through the port. “If 10 bags of such rice are con-

tained in 200,000 containers, imagine how many bags of rice that have entered into the country or is it illegal to bring food to your people to enable them eat? So the 10 bags coming into the country, some people will benefit from it. “We are talking of smuggling now, when 20 armed smugglers meet a Customs officer on the way, what will happen? But when our import regime is friendly, there are no alternatives to Nigerian ports. But in Cotonou, you must pay for all the charges, and must put these things in an effective transport mode and you also deal with folks who want to make money from you resulting in additional cost. By the time it gets to Balogun, the goods will be so expensive than when you ship them through our ports.” On multiple charges by terminal operators and shipping companies, Shittu said: “Even up till now we have not been able to identify what people call multiple charges. It was in 2012 that the

Minister of Transport through the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) granted increase in storage charges in order to discourage people from using the ports for storage purposes. “A least charges have remained constant. There is no terminal operator that has deliberately increased charges but that does not mean that the charges at the port are acceptable to all stakeholders. “The concession agreement states that when changes are to be effected, stakeholders meeting should be called but it is regrettable that NPA has deliberately ignored this provision over the years.” The ANLCA boss said NPA only called terminal operators and shipping companies and neglects other stakeholders. He warned that unless government made deliberate efforts to correct some of these problems, stakeholders may resort to selfhelp, which he said would not be in the nation’s interest.

• Director-General NIMASA Patrick Akpobolokemi

• Managing Director NLNG Babs Omotowa

NIMASA to verify seafarers’ certificate online

HE Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) has launched an online application system that will enable verification of the authenticity of seafarers’ Certificates of Competency (CoC) anywhere in the world. The new CoC verification system, according to a statement issued by the Deputy Director/Head Public Relations, Isichei Osamgbi, was presented to maritime stakeholders recently in Lagos at an interactive forum organised by the Agency to highlight the special features of the system. In his welcome address, the Director-General of NIMASA, Mr. Ziakede Patrick Akpobolokemi noted that the initiative is part of the Agency’s efforts to ensure that operations of NIMASA are in line with acceptable International best practice. Akpobolokemi, whose address was read by the Agency’s Executive Director, Maritime Safety and Shipping Development, Capt. Ezekiel Agaba, explained that the online CoC verification system is cost effective and much more reliable. He said: “our commitment to en-

sure professionalism in the Nigerian maritime sector is unflinching. Our goal is to attain maximum efficiency in the process of certificate verifications which can now be done from any part of the world at any time. The era of fake certificate is over in the Nigerian Maritime Sector.” He urged shipping companies seeking authenticity of the Certificates of Competency (CoC) for seafarers to take advantage of the online method. Agaba assured stakeholders of the Agency’s resolve to continue to build the required capacity to meet the domestic and international obligations adding that that could only be achieved through collective determination. Stakeholders applauded the efforts of the Agency’s capacity building initiatives and pledged their continuous support towards the growth of the sector. Captain Niyi Labinjo, General Secretary of the Nigerian Ship Owners Association (NISA), expressed the association’s readiness to work closely with NIMASA and appealed that more should be done in the area of training.

Groups seek new ports regulator

HE National Council of Man aging Directors of Licensed Customs Agents (NCMDLCA) and the Association of Nigeria Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) are seeking a change in the ports regulator. They said they would prefer the Nigerian Shippers’ Council (NSC) to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) as the regulator. The group expressed their disenchantment over the way the management of NPA neglect their interests. The groups’ endorsed the Federal Government’s proposal to make the Nigerian Shippers Council the commercial regulator of port operations, saying the NPA has failed to take their interests into consideration in its decisions since the concession of the ports several years ago. ANLCA expressed confidence in NSC to take up the commercial regulation of the ports as it has all the data on port operations and cargoes in the ports. The National Secretary of NCMDLCA, Uchu Block, said agents and their principals had been left at the mercy of shipping companies and terminal opera-

tors. Block said: “We cry about this regulator issue but the thing is that when Sarunmi was in charge of NPA, he tried to regulate most of these things. When he left NPA for Nigeria Shippers Council and became the boss there, NPA and everybody came under Shippers’ Council. Since he left, nobody is talking about this regulator issue and we have nowhere to turn to for our problems with the shipping companies or port concessionaires.” On who should be the regulator, Block said: “We have the Shippers’ Council there and by their name, they are supposed to protect the interest of Nigerian shippers. If they are given the power to regulate and punish anybody who does not play according to rules, then I think things will improve because we would hold them responsible for any illegal charges.” A member of the ANLCA, Tin Can Port chapter, Patrick Okafor, accused NPA management of only interested in collecting money. Okafor noted that NPA was not concerned about what is happening in the ports.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS ENERGY

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Consumers owe Discos over N100billion

LECTRICITY consumers owe power distribution firms over N100billion,The Nation has

learnt. “We have 11 power distribution units, and altogether consumers owe N100billion or more, an official of the Ikeja Electricity Distribution Company (IKEDC), who asked not to be identified, said. He attributed the bulk of the debts to the army, police, para-military forces, ministries and parastatals, saying they accounted for over 70 per cent of the debts. He said unlike in Europe and other developed economies where there is a highly structured system that makes it difficult for one to evade utilities’ bills, it is not so in Nigeria. “Here, the system is porous, thus making it very easy for people to do anything,” he said. He said an average Nigerian believes that anything from the government must be free. He said this is evident in the ways they handle issues relating to public utilities. He said the privatisation of the sector has not changed their mindset, because they believe the government still regulates power in Nigeria. He said: ‘’Many consumers want the government to provide electricity free. They believe that water, power and others are their rights, and that there is no need to pay for them. They have forgotten that funds are allocated

•’Why we’re not paying’

Stories by Akinola Ajibade

for them annually. For instance, when a power distribution unit gives N5, 000 per month bill to consumers, what you see is people paying between N700 and N1,000. Often times, they spread the balance over a period of time, and in some cases not paying it at all. That is how the bills accumulate.” However, investigation has revealed that consumers are no more disposed to paying their estimated bills as the level of power supply has dropped so low that paying any bills is not justifiable. Some of the consumers claimed that they are not getting regular power supply, and are burdened by huge bills. Others have attributed the apathy to corruption as evident by backdoor settlement of power firms’ officials and manipulation of meters, and loss of confidence in the power institutions. Consumers, who spoke to The Nation, however, said they refused to pay bills because they are not getting value, saying successive governments have made promises to improve power to no avail. A lawyer, Mrs. Ponle Olurotimi, said it is foolhardy of consumers to pay for services they are not enjoying, noting that the power situation

has worsened in recent times. She said consumers spend a lot of money in providing solar power and generators, as well as other forms of alternative energy. She said the development has affected them financially, as well as making it difficult for them to pay their bills. “The reasons consumers are not paying their bills regularly are personal and economical. Some believe they are being exploited by power firms, and so refuse to pay their bills.To this group, paying bills amount to exploitation because they are not enjoying electricity. Others are not paying because they have too many financial commitments, or responsibilities. “When you look at the scale of preference of consumers, they either go

for products or services that give them immediate or lasting satisfaction. In the case of electricity, consumers have lost confidence in the ability of the government or private operators to improve power. They are no longer concerned about infrastructural decay in the sector and the efforts made by power firms to fix them. What they want is improved electricity supply. Anything short of this is unacceptable to hem. This has prevented them from paying their bills,’’ she added. A computer engineer,Thomas Ayanleke, said corruption is prevalent in the power sector. He also said consumers connive with power firms’ officials to evade payment, adding that bills can be written off, by bribing officials in charge of a business unit. Technology, he said, is flexible such that it can be manipulated to do anything. He said people, who are skilful

can manipulate electrical objects to remove and inject data to achieve a set goal. ‘’Once it is easier to stop analog meters from reading, who told you it is not possible to adjust prepaid meters? he queried. He said all you need is to get those who provide core engineering services to open the meter, look at the software, remove one or two data and insert new ones. How do you expect consumers whose meters have been maneuvered to pay bills?” he asked. He said the system is not wellstructured, adding that people can evade taxes, water and electricity bills irrespective of the technology adopted to run them. According to him, the firm has partnered with foreign companies to provide security-proof meters and further ensure that consumers pay their bills regularly.

CNOOC, Gas Group invest $50m •Target $150m investment in rig assembly

AS Group and China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC) have invested $50 million (about N8 billion) in downhole tools, logistics trucks, machine shop and rig assembly in Nigeria. They plan to invest an additional $150 million (about N24 billion) in the subsector. CNOOC is a Chinese firm with over $30 billion investment in exploration and production and other services, while Gas Group is a consortium of Nigerian and American companies. CNOOC’s Chief Executive Officer, Gliffeth Wonuigwe, who made this known during a tour of the company’s office in Port Harcourt, with officials of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) and International Oil Companies (IOCs), said the deal started with the signing of a strategic integrated agreement with CNOOC in Tiangin, in China in 2012. He said the agreement was signed with the Chief Executive Officer of CNOOC Energy Group, who was represented by Mr Nan Shan, adding that the pact covers joint operation of downhole tools stocking, fishing and well completion services and logistics. He said: “We have invested over $50 million in the first phase, that informed this facility tour. We took a delivery of $10 million worth of tools and trucks and another shipment of $40 million will arrive Nigerian ports at the end of March. The Second Tier is the investment of $150 million in rig assembly plant at Kidney Island eastern area. The service will be executed by Houston based IDE and Loadcraft,”he said. Wonuigwe said the initiative would help in creating over 5,000 employment opportunities in its rig assembly and oil field services, stating that the partnership was discussed in Beijing during President Goodluck Jonathan’s meeting with the Chinese President, Mr. Shin Jin Pin last year to strengthen Nigeria/Chinese bilateral relationship.

Also, the Group General Manager, National Petroleum Investment Management Services (NAPIMS) Mr Fidel Pepple, said the tour marks the beginning of good things to come in the oil and gas industry. Pepple, who was represented by the Group Executive Director, Mr. Abiye Membere, said there was need to encourage firms assisting in the implementation of Nigerian Content in the oil and gas industry. “I am here to participate in the facility opening because Gas group has been adding value to the oil and gas industry in terms of consistent empowering of Nigerians through the technical partners by providing expertise for the transfer of technology to Nigerians,” he said. Pepple urged IOCs to support the investment made by the Gas Group in-country by patronising the logistics base of the company at the Kidney Island. “For Nigerian companies to grow so that we can develop adequate capacity in-country for all projects, it is necessary for the IOCs to support all Nigerian companies,” he added. The Director, Department of Petroleum Resources, George Osahon, said the partnership is a reflection of the confidence reposed in the country by the international business organisations, adding that the development would boost the economy. Osahon, who was represented by the Southsouth Zonal Coordinator of DPR, said the alliance would reduce influx of expatriates into the country, and increase direct investments in the country. “The development of the logistics base by Gas Group and partners will help Nigeria to attract investment from the oil and gas industries of neighbouring West African countries, ‘’ he added.

•From left: Mr Shan; Wonuigwe; Mr Pepple and others during the opening of Gas Group /CNOOC Down hole Tools Warehouse at Kidney Island in Port Harcourt, Rivers State.

NUPENG seeks clarification on private depots

RGENT clarification of the status of private petroleum depots’owners would help in averting crisis in the industry, the General Secretary, Nigerian Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), Issac Aberabe has said. Speaking at the Third Independent Marketers Branch (IMB) Lagos Zonal Council Quadrennial Delegates Conference in Lagos, Aberabe said the status of private depots has become a major concern in the sub-sector, adding that efforts to resolve the issue would encourage growth. Represented by the Senior Assistant General Secretary, NUPENG, Adamson Momoh, he said private depots’owners were disqualified from attending the conference because of internal squabbles.

He urged members to facilitate discussions on how to solve the problems before it is too late. He said: ”The Branch Executive Council(BEC) of NUPENG should consult widely and resolve the status of the private depots before it becomes a source of disunity, antagonism, bikering and demotivation in the Branch.’’ He said audit committee has discovered discrepancies in the collection and remittance of union dues and levies among braches in the informal sector. The branch, he said, should dialogue with the leadership of the union to ensure that all outstanding dues and trip levies are remitted by the National Secretariat without further

delay. He said the guidelines issued for conduct of election of zonal delegates has generated controversy, advising members to resolve the issue through dialogue. Also, the Zonal Chairman, IMB, Wahab said dialogue is needed to resolve industrial conflict. ‘’Labour agencies must use dialogue to resolve issues. Dialogue when use effectively helps to reduce tension, blackmail, and gossips in work place,’’ he added. The Zonal Trustee, IMB, Kofoworola Oladehinde, urged members to resolve problems affecting the union, arguing that failure to settle their differences would hinder growth.

Firm chief hails local content reform

ASSAGE of the Local Content Act has ensured that oil services’firms compete for jobs, hitherto given to foreign-owned companies operating in Nigeria, the General Manager, Fenog Nigeria Limited, (an indigenous oil services company), Chukwudi Uwakwe, has said. Uwakwe, an engineer, during a media tour of the company’s project in Kwale, Delta State, said the firm has leveraged on the reforms in the industry to record some achievements. He said the firm laid gas pipes across the 1.7 Escravos River in Warri, and ‘24’pipes in 2.82 kilometre/ObOb Kwale River in Delta State, using HDD rigs.

He said: “The company had its two newly acquired PD 250 HDD rigs to fix a major component of the Escravos/Warri Gas Pipeline Project—Escravos River Crossing— initiated by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation(NNPC/ Chevron Joint Venture. “The HDD equipment laid the pipes across the 1.7-kilometre Escravos River in Warri Southwest Local Government Area, Delta State. This was accomplished in spite of the challenges posed by the new technology and agitations by the host communities.” He said a team of Fenog’s engineers and technicians completed the project within three months, making it one

of the fastest in the industry. “The significance of this project is that it is a trunk line to convey gas from Kwale flow station to ObOb Gas Plant and to Bonny LNG and beyond. So, it is an economic value line that Agip has put in place to ensure that gas is convened from Kwale to ObOb Gas Station to Liquefied Natural Gas. We urged the Federal Government to encourage local companies so that they can be able to come up with standards that would promote the local content,“ he added. Also, the firm’s Executive Director, Mathew Tonlagha, recalled how the firm used the Continuous Horizontal Directional Drilling (CHDD) for one of its ongoing crude oil pipeline projects within the Escravos region.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

FROM OTHER LANDS

Laudable judgment

• FG should comply with judgment on fiscal autonomy for judiciary

HE recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which ruled in favour of fiscal autonomy for the judiciary, is in tandem with the provision of the 1999 constitution. The judgment was delivered in a suit brought by the Judicial Staff Union of Nigeria (JUSUN). In his judgment, Justice Ademola Adeniyi ordered that the funds in the revenue account of the federation, due to the judiciary, should be paid to the heads of court, as envisaged by section 81(3) of the 1999 constitution. We add that other funds due to important organs of state, like the Independent National Electoral Commission, (INEC), should also be paid directly to them. It is absolutely in the common interest of our democracy that the provisions and intent of our constitution should be manifestly obeyed. A situation where the executive, with the connivance of the legislature, abuse the rights and prerogatives of the judiciary with respect to their constitutionally guaranteed independence must stop. Unfortunately, this flagrant abuse of our constitution is experienced at the federal and state levels of government. At the state, most governors view the judiciary as an appendage of their executive powers, and sometimes treat the courts as mere irritants. This too must stop. The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) and the senior lawyers, who have thrown their weight in favour of the ruling of the court, must walk their talk. They can do this by defending the judgment if appealed against, up

to the Supreme Court. We also urge the courts not to shy away from asserting their constitutionally guaranteed independence. The heads of courts must stand up to the abuse from the executive, and insist that monies approved in the budget for them, should be released in tandem with the country’s constitution. The Attorney-General of the Federation and the states’ attorney-generals must also show interest in this matter. After all, they were first admitted as lawyers before they were appointed as attorney generals by the executive authority; so they have a responsibility to espouse the provisions of the constitution and vehemently defend it. Part of their responsibility to the profession should include standing up for the rule of law and defending the independence and integrity of the judiciary. Indeed, the constitution expressly regards attorney-generals as the Chief Law Officers, and it is only fair to live up their titles. It is also expected that a financially autonomous judiciary will rise up to defend her integrity, by being uncompromisingly independent in its judgments. As Nigerians witnessed in recent past, there has been accusations of corrupt influence, within the judiciary; especially with respect to judgments on electoral matters. Our hope, and we believe that of many Nigerians, is that if the judiciary exercises its financial independence, it would be less influenced by the executive, and its judgments will help heal our political process.

For financial autonomy to be really meaningful, the judiciary must also purge itself of corruption, both of the judicial process and fund management. After all, financial autonomy would mean that the judges and other judicial workers will be better paid, and unless that transforms to comprehensive integrity of the whole process; then it will be of little value. Again, financial autonomy should come with prudent management of resources by the heads of the court; as it would be tragic if the heads see such a development as opportunity to help themselves to the commonwealth of their constituency, as we see in the executive and legislative arms. In all, it is heart-warming that JUSUN has prodded a match to constitutionalism.

‘The recent judgment of the Federal High Court, Abuja, which ruled in favour of fiscal autonomy for the judiciary, is in tandem with the provision of the 1999 constitution ... In his judgment, Justice Ademola Adeniyi ordered that the funds in the revenue account of the federation, due to the judiciary, should be paid to the heads of court, as envisaged by section 81(3) of the 1999 constitution’

Ariel Sharon (1928-2014)

•The former Israeli Prime Minister, who started as a hawk, ended a campaigner for peace

HE death, on January 11, of former Israeli Prime Minister Ariel Sharon, marked the end of an era in the 65-year history of Israel. In military pursuits and political engagement, Sharon probably stood taller than any other figure in the country. Starting with the War of Independence of 1948, to the Suez Crisis in 1956, the Six-Day War of 1967, the Yom Kippur War of 1973 and the 1982 Lebanon War, Sharon was the hawk behind the push not just for the defence of the Jewish state, but its expansionist bid. He sought for domination of the region and contributed immensely to the famed military strength of his country.

‘African leaders could borrow a leaf from his single-minded devotion to his country. At his death, and when on the political scene, corruption was never an issue in all the responsibilities he bore for his country. It behooves other Israeli leaders to advance the cause of justice, fairness, unity, good-neighbourliness, diplomacy and peace. This is the option to a settled Israeli nation’

He was different things to different people, though. To the Jews and the military establishment, he was the perfect commander and patriot. But, to the international human rights movement, he was guilty of crimes against humanity. The Palestinians considered him a criminal and murderer who must be brought to justice even after death. It is difficult for anyone to forget the role the late Sharon played in 1982 when the Israeli military invaded Lebanon and attacked refugee camps in Sabra and Shatila. Even moderates in Israel denounced the unilateral decision taken by the defence minister and this was further established by the Kahan Commission. The commission said Sharon should bear “personal responsibility” for the avoidable bloodshed of the innocent in that needless expedition. He had to resign. The early part of his political career saw him pushing in the same direction. Between 1977 and 1999, as a leader and participant in Likud governments, he continued to advocate the establishment of illegal Israeli settlements in Gaza and the West Bank. In the process, extremist Palestinian resistance movements like the Hamas stood up to their stronger neighbours who were backed by the West. The result was constant spill of blood. However, it also put the Israeli on edge; they had to be on red alert all the time. All these took a toll on the small state and the Arab world con-

stantly drew the attention of the world to the alleged crimes against humanity being committed by Israel. As prime minister, Sharon attempted to correct his mistakes. Realising the futility of fighting all the time, he began a series of unilateral withdrawal of forces and people from the Gaza and West Bank. He also became a convert to negotiations. This provoked crisis in his party and, by 2005, he established the Kadima Party that would have been his platform to fight the next election. By January 4, 2006, he was incapacitated by stroke and he remained in that state for eight years before succumbing to death about six weeks to his 86th birthday. Whatever might be said of the late general, there is no doubt that he loved his country and would do anything, including laying down his life, for its survival. Ariel Sharon fought on the battle field for Israel; he worked on the political field for the country and, when it appeared to him that the country had gained stability, he embraced the option of peace. African leaders could borrow a leaf from his single-minded devotion to his country. At his death, and when on the political scene, corruption was never an issue in all the responsibilities he bore for his country. It behooves other Israeli leaders to advance the cause of justice, fairness, unity, good-neighbourliness, diplomacy and peace. This is the option to a settled Israeli nation.

It’s not ‘our’ Iraq anymore – Violence there is a concern, but the U.S. should not become involved again militarily.

AINS by Al Qaeda-allied groups in Iraq — including in Fallouja, the site of a bloody U.S. offensive in 2004 — understandably anger Americans who lost loved ones in a “war of choice” that was supposed to secure democracy in that country. But the continued violence in Iraq doesn’t discredit the decision of the United States to withdraw troops, nor does it justify any new deployment. Even now, the United States has an interest in Iraq’s future and seeks to influence events there. The Obama administration, with congressional support, has expedited the delivery of military equipment to the government of Prime Minister Nouri Maliki to be used against the Islamic State of Iraq and Syria, the Al Qaeda-affiliated group that seized large portions of Fallouja. Meanwhile, the administration appropriately has been urging Maliki, a Shiite Muslim who has alienated Iraq’s Sunni Muslims and dealt harshly with dissidents, to engage in political dialogue and respect human rights. But the administration wisely has rejected calls for more direct involvement. The American people understandably have no appetite for military intervention in Iraq. Former Secretary of State Colin Powell was right when he said, in connection with the U.S.led invasion of Iraq, that “if you break it, you own it.” The invasion did “break” Iraq in the sense of toppling an authoritarian regime without ensuring that it would be followed by a stable new order. Having unleashed an unexpected insurgency, the U.S. felt obliged to deal with it, at a cost of thousands of American lives. But the statute of limitations on that obligation has run out, and when U.S. forces left in 2011, Iraqis were happy to see them go. The experience of this country in Iraq remains deeply disillusioning and continues to provide fodder for political attacks. Republicans such as Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) insist glibly that President Obama is to blame for the current disorder because he didn’t push Maliki harder to accept a small residual U.S. force after the withdrawal. Democrats insist that the blame belongs to President George W. Bush, whose naive attempt to further a “freedom agenda” in Iraq unleashed ethnic and religious rivalries that had been suppressed by Saddam Hussein. Both arguments ignore the fact that U.S. “ownership” of events has ended. In 2007, when he ordered a “surge” of U.S. forces, Bush said that victory in Iraq would take the form of “a functioning democracy that polices its territory, upholds the rule of law, respects fundamental human liberties and answers to its people.” Those remain noble goals, but if they remain elusive, it is not because of a lack of U.S. effort. – Los Angeles Times

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

• Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Adekunle Ade-Adeleye •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile

• Executive Director (Finance & Administration) Ade Odunewu

•Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon

•Advert Manager Robinson Osirike

•Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina

• Gen. Manager (Training and Development) Soji Omotunde •General Manager (Abuja Press) Kehinde Olowu •AGM (PH Press) Tunde Olasogba

•IT Manager Bolarinwa Meekness

•Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) •Press Manager Yomi Odunuga Udensi Chikaodi •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Legal Counsel John Unachukwu •Group Business Editor Simeon Ebulu • Manager (Admin) Folake Adeoye •Group Sports Editor Ade Ojeikere •Acting Manager (sales) •Editorial Page Editor Olaribigbe Bello Sanya Oni

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: It is disheartening that Nigeria, the sixth largest exporter of crude oil in the world, still has over 70 per cent of its estimated 170 million population living below the United Nations poverty threshold of $2 per day. It is in our country that more than 70 per cent of national resources are channelled into running a government that is unduly large and cumbersome to manage, while leaving behind, less than 30 per cent for the execution of capital projects and debt servicing. It is my dear country that continues to promote a bogus and corrupt system that can never bring about any development because we keep consuming and consuming and producing little. Our country is a nation that runs a bicameral legislature that

MDAs were still provided for in the 2014 budget to the tune of about N200 billion. This development is a clear demSEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. onstration of the government’s lack of political will to implement poliE-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net cies that can impact positively on the economy as well as the polity. The two untenable reasons that had been given for the inability of government to implement the findings Goodluck Jonathan administration is notorious for being the highest tee recommended the scrapping and of the committee are: the money to came up with the idea of Presidenremunerated in the world, where merger of 220 out the existing 541 be saved from the exercise is neglitial Committee on the Rationalisathe unemployment rate is embargovernment agencies. gible and so not worth the stress and tion and Restructuring of Federal rassing high and the attainment of Unfortunately, the Federal Govsecondly, the legal framework is not Government Parastatals, Commisall the known human development ernment appears to have dumped in place for its implementation. sions and Agencies, under the leadindices such as the United Nations the report. The Medium Term ExIf this is the case, why did we waste ership of retired civil servant and Millennium Development Goals penditure Framework and Fiscal money and precious time settingformer Head of Service of the FedMDGs by 2015, which is barely a Strategy presented by the Presidency up a committee when its outcome eration, Stephen Oronsaye. At the year from now, remains a mirage. to the National Assembly point to will never be implemented? end of the assignment, the commitAs a way out of the quagmire, the the fact that all the money-gulping The comatose economic situation calls for a fiscal philosophy that vigorously tackles corruption, waste, inefficiency, poor governance, bloated bureaucracy and inequitaples Party rally at Kano with poiRivers CP could so rely on a law that cratic government. It is therefore imble distribution of wealth. Hence, sonous tear-gas that led to the death has been nullified nine years ago by perative that Mbu and his cohorts implementing the report is capable of Senator Chuba Okadigbo. It was our court to stop the citizens from come to this realisation and stop of returning the economy to the path on the basis of this that the party exercising their inalienable rights. harassing innocent citizens in the of restoration and rejuvenation. The together with eight other political Anyway, it is not as if the politically state. The most appropriate action money that will be saved from scrapparties approached the court. Both partisan CP was unaware of this le- under the circumstance is to appeal ping and merging these agencies can the trial and appellate courts degal position; it is abundantly evident against the judgement if Mbu and be used to set up industries in each clared that public protest and rally that he was (is) merely acting out a his masters were dissatisfied with of the geo-political zones of the are part of the freedom of expresscript from his Abuja paymasters. it. The Nigeria Police Force and country. These industries will be selfsion and association guaranteed by It needs to be stated here that Ni- other security agents cannot consustaining and without any yearly Sections 39 and 40 of the 1999 Congeria has long joined civilised soci- tinue to hide under the non-existing budgetary allocations. So many Nistitution (as amended) as well as eties and as a result cannot continue law to encroach on the peoples congerians will also be employed by Articles 9 and 11 of the African Charto be held down by such relics of stitutionally enshrined rights. these industries. ter on Human and Peoples’ Rights colonialism as Public Order Act and Enough of this impunity! • Adewale Kupoluyi (Ratification and Enforcement Act) police permit. The right to freedom • Barrister Okoro Gabriel, Federal University of Agriculture, Laws of Federation of Nigeria 1990. of expression and freedom of assemLagos. Abeokuta, It is, therefore, worrisome that the bly are indeed the bone of any demo-

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG

Revisit the Oronsaye report

Rivers’ shooting and Public Order Act

IR: The reason given by the Rivers State Police Commissioner, Mbu Joseph Mbu for smashing a peaceful assembly at the College of Art and Science, Rumuola, Rivers State last week smacks of impunity and recklessness. The said Public Order Act relied upon by Mbu and his men to stop the crowd from assembling and expressing their views at the venue has long been confined to the trash of the history, to put it mildly. To be sure, the so-called controversial Public Order Act, which previously required governor’s consent to hold a public assembly, has long been declared null and void by no less court than the nation’s Court of Appeal since 2005. In declaring the provisions of the obnoxious Act inconsistent with the 1999 Constitution (as amended), in INSPECTOR GENERAL OF POLICE V. ALL NIGERIA PEOPLES PARTY & Ors (2007) AHRCR 179 the following words of the lead Justice, Justice Olufunmilola Adekeye (as she then was) are worthy of note; “the Police Order Act relating to the issuance of police permit cannot be used as a camaouflage to stiffle the citizens’ fundamental rights in the course of maintaining law and order. Police permit has outlived its usefulness. Statutes requiring such pemit for peaceful demonstrations, processions and rallies are things of the past”. The genesis of this pronouncement commenced in 2003 after the sham election when the police cruelly disrupted the All Nigeria Peo-

IR: Initially, I did not want to write this. For one, I never believed it when people said that while preaching in your church you said all Catholics will go to hell. You did not stop there; you even went as far as calling Pope Francis an antiChrist and a friend of Satan’s. And that the Church is a counterfeit church set up by Satan. When ever we are ignorant of anything we create false impressions in our mind. But as the scriptures say “there is a way that seemeth right unto a man, but the end thereof is destruction”. And your ignorance about the Catholic Church is manifest. I know people like you often say Catholics worship idols because of

Letter to Pastor Kris Okotie the images that Catholics use. God never condemned these images that were used to worship him. Even the world stood still when the revered Nelson Mandela’s statue was unveiled. People and even tourists flock to see it, almost deifying him. Even today people, even atheists keep the picture of Mother Theresa in their homes. And for Mary, we will not stop to honour her as we would honour anyone who is outstanding. Even some football and music fans have given more honour to their idols. But any right thinking person will honour a woman whom God’s son took her flesh. It is proper to fulfil God’s words through angel Gabriel that she is “full of grace”, and that the Lord is with

her. And Christ himself made us adopt her as our Mother when he spoke to Saint John on the cross. In Mary, perhaps, as a writer said, God the Father has a feminine side. The contributions of the Catholic Church to the world cannot be quantified. Western civilization today owes a lot to the Catholic Church. Think of culture, art and philosophy. Even the Easter and Christmas holidays are Catholic heritages. Pope Gregory XIII’s Gregorian calendar is what is used internationally as the civil calendar; even time is measured by the West from the date taken as the birth of the Church’s founder, Jesus of Nazareth: the Year One AD (Anno Domini). The Catholic Church fought against slavery, human sacri-

fice, abortion, incest, polygamy and infidelity in marriage. But for me, it is not so much what you said about Catholics as the effect a brainless utterance can have on your person. Unless your presidential ambition is a joke, no right thinking person who has his eyes set on 2015 will want to play with votes. As they say in politics every vote counts, not to talk of the votes of Nigerian Catholics, and perhaps even Nigerian Christians and non Christians in general who have come to love Pope Francis. By your actions alone you have committed political suicide even before INEC blew the whistle. • Dr Cosmas Odoemena Lagos

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

COMMENTS

hand Tukur one. Besides, UPPET quits, puppeteer remains. Jonathan lacks the brawn to Open sesame: Peoples Democratic maintain, without blinking, Party (PDP) problems vanish? the odious, in-your-face-imNot by any chance! punity as party subversion Alhaji Bamanga Tukur, vanquished tactics, of the Obasanjo era. PDP national chairman, may be the ulTukur, therefore, became an timate fall guy in the 2015 presidential issue only because his princichess game. He has been sacrificed as pal was. He is gone now, but any pun would. his principal is still on. So, But the game is far from over, for the Olakunle those who suggest his exit will puppeteer is still alive and well; and lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola bring entente to the troubled ready to tangle! So are his opponents: party blow hot air! flush with Tukur’s unceremonious It is, therefore, in the 2015 junking! presidential sweepstakes that Still, you’ve got to feel for Alhaji the post-Tukur pitch battles Bamanga, the way he seems to make a would be fought. Jonathan hash of things. Sure, the cards are alstill makes a fetish of hiding, behind a finger, his 2015 ambiwanting to corral the National Assembly as executive sidemost always stacked against him. But his Achilles’ heel would tions. But his intra-PDP foes have already cut the chase, and kick and rubberstamp, despite the presidential system’s rigid appear his political antenna, too blunt to pick up danger, are dug in at the battle zone. separation of power. even if his nose is on fire! Northern anti-Jonathan PDP elements have always reIndeed, since Obasanjo stonewalled the late Sunday As 2nd Republic governor of defunct Gongola State (1 Ocgarded the president as some harbourer of “stolen good” — Awoniyi, the Kogi giant, for Barnabas Gemade, the Benue tober - 31 December 1983), his three-month gubernatorial the presidency, on account of PDP’s aborted zoning, at the not-so-known, every Tukur predecessor had come to grief: reign came with the ruling National Party of Nigeria (NPN)death of President Umaru Yar’Adua. And they chafe at the Audu Ogbe, Vincent Ogbulafor, Okwesilieze Nwodo and, of confected electoral landslide, moon-slide, and space-slide, that spectre of a Jonathan presidential encore in 2015. course, Tukur. left everybody, victor and vanquished, numb. That was the genesis of the not so incredible claim that, to The only exception, of course, was Ahmadu Ali, who proved Sure, his political amorality of, in months, transiting from assuage the “North’s” hurt, Jonathan had pledged himself to a merry Obasanjo puppet just as Tukur proved a merry the boss at Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA) — almost always a one-term presidency. So is it, the root of the pressure on the Jonathan one. He got away with his bully principal; but left the electoral cash cow of Nigeria’s federal ruling parties — to president to oust himself from 2015, the refusal of which his party dazed and stunned. a winning opposition candidate in Gongola (now Adamawa birthed the defunct “New PDP”, and inspired the defection, Mr. Ogbe’s own call was holy rebellion against presidenand Taraba states), did not help. into the All Progressives Congress (APC), of five of the G-7 tial complicity in the Chris Ngige Police-aided kidnapping Yet, perhaps only the likes of Tukur believed the house of PDP governors, aside from the Rivers impunity mess, in in Anambra, at which the Obasanjo presidency sided with the fraud the NPN built was not about to crash. He would therewhich Tukur also played the zestful party collaborator. constitutional bandits. He got tossed out all right, but with fore go ahead, pretending to play “His Excellency”, on the In all of these Tukur, with his poise of a school headmaster his honour intact as the party’s smothered conscience. basis of that “space-slide”. He lasted all of three comical taking no nonsense from uncouth urchins, did not help matIn contrast, Tukur fell as wilful party collaborator in the months! ters. Tukur was asked to jump and his uncritical question Jonathan Presidency’s Police-aided serial subversion of the This same costly naivety (more aptly, happy opportunism?) was “how high”? No surprise there, that he broke his back! Rivers Government, issuing from partisan bile against Govwould drive his PDP chairmanship odyssey, for the PDP house He probably richly earned his demonization as some Judas ernor Chibuike Amaechi — unhorsed by PDP changing dyof fraud that Olusegun Obasanjo, former president of the to some “northern” cause. But much of that derring-do must namics, which not even the manipulating hands of his princiFederal Republic, built was cracking and creaky all over. He have come at the promptings of a president, probably only pal and puppeteer could steady. lasted 18 turbulent months! too happy to unleash him on his northern brothers. The pair of Messrs Ogbulafor and Nwodo — with all due Indeed, since President Obasanjo decided the late Solomon But no tears for PDP. Its goose is cooked. The tears, rather, respect to them, for excellent citizens they are — are no more Lar, first PDP national chairman, was no longer a Solomon are for a fledgling democracy with a suspect party system. than blips on a party consumed by its own hubris. Mr. the party needed; and PDP elders back then endured No matter how visible the ruling party’s crisis is, it is only Ogbulafor once blurted his “largest party in Africa” would Obasanjo’s muscling by presidential might, the PDP national but a symptom of the disease: the fraud of electing a presirule the roost for 60 years! It is ode to hubris that Mr. dent on a platform, only to declare him supreme to, and chairmanship had become one long, slippery “banana peel”. Ogbulafor himself lasted just over two years (March 2008untouchable by, the party on which he rode to power! “Banana peel” were the picturesque words of Chuba May 2010) as chairman! That is the fraudulent concept of “party leader”, that makes Wilberforce Okadigbo, late colourful politician and former Indeed, the PDP conundrum would appear the real-politik the PDP president some Leviathan over and above a party president of the Senate, as he described the high attrition rate equivalent of the Parmenides-Heraclitus philosophical seethat made him a candidate. of Senate presidents of his era, in eternal feuding with an That was what Obasanjo brewed and bequeathed. That is saw. Like Heraclitus’s flux, the PDP chairmanship is a yo-yo. insufferable President Obasanjo, who made little secret of what Jonathan has spectacularly mismanaged. And that is But again, not unlike Parmenides’ staid permanence, the coneven APC, on the rise now it may be, must watch, if it is ‘Tukur was asked to jump and his stant change in PDP underscores how unchanged the party what not to blunder into the PDP pit. remains! uncritical question was, ‘how high’? If this democracy must deliver development and prosperThe Obasanjo-Ali pair is therefore no different from the ity — and not waste itself in the dissipative manoeuvres of Jonathan-Tukur pair. But while second-term President No surprise there, that he broke his Obasanjo had the gravitas to muscle Ali a safe landing, first- intra-party war puppets and puppeteers — there is urgent need to fix the party system. back!’ term President Jonathan lacks neither the tact nor the balls to

epublican ipples

Puppet quits, puppeteer remains

OT long ago, I read a story in the media about the effort of the Bayelsa State government to ensure Ijaw language does not die. The government has earmarked money to sponsor Nollywood films done in Ijaw language. The initiative brought back to the fore the sorry state of our local languages. From Yoruba to Igbo, Hausa and others, damage has been done to these languages. Line up children between the ages of five and 15, from any of our ethnic groups, and ask them to speak their language, chances are that they cannot. In fact, not a few children have been known to react to their local languages when spoken by others as ‘nonsense’. The foundation for the mess that our languages have become was built in schools, where natives languages were barred and regarded as vernacular. Students were even punished for speaking their mother tongues. The practice is still prevalent today. Schools still forbid mother tongues. It is even worse with the private schools, where Yoruba, Igbo and others are not even taught. Only few private schools teach these languages. English is the better for it. Some even teach French. As if speaking in mother tongue is a plague, many parents have stopped speaking to their children and wards in their mother tongue, thus helping to swell the number of endangered languages compiled by the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organisation (UNESCO). A directive from the National Education Research Council (NERC) has further harmed indigenous languages. NERC, citing the need to reduce the number of subjects students offer, ruled that indigenous languages should be removed from the list of compulsory subjects at the secondary school level. UNESCO recently warned that if nothing is done, about half of the over 6,000 languages spoken in the world will disappear by the end of the 21st century. Nigerian languages are among the endangered ones. Already, according to UNESCO, eight Nigerian mother tongues are extinct. They are the Ajawa (Bauchi State); Auyokawa (Jigawa State); Basa-Gumna(Niger and Nasarawa states); Gamo-Ningi (Ningi Local Government, Bauchi State); Kpati, Kubi, Mawa (Bauchi State) and Teshenawa (Jigawa State) languages. Interestingly, the emphasis on English language has not reflected in the number of candidates who pass the language in terminal examinations, such as the Senior Secondary School Certificate Examination (SSSCE). The 2012 result shows that 771,731 candidates, representing

Let that child speak his local language By Babatunde Fadun 46.14 per cent, obtained six credits and above; 952,156 candidates, representing 56,93 per cent, obtained five credits and above; while 1,107,747, representing 66.24 per cent, obtained credits in four subjects. But, only 649,156 candidates, representing 38.81 per cent, obtained credits in five subjects and above, including English Language and Mathematics. The results of the two previous years, as regard passing English, were worse. May be the students would have done better if they understand their mother tongues better. Some experts say there is a correlation between this. But there is hope in the sense that outside of Nigeria, local languages, especially Yoruba are being taken seriously. As a result of a requirement that makes every American college undergraduate to gain proficiency in at least one international language before being certified worthy in learning and character, there is a partnership between the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, and the American Council for International Education (ACIE), Washington DC, US. The agreement, which dates back to 2009, encourages American students who wish to learn Yoruba language and culture. Known as the Yoruba Language Flagship Programme (YLFP), which gave birth to the Yoruba Language Centre (YLC), the programme has helped Americans to learn Yoruba, which our people are ignorantly avoiding. Also, the US Bureau of Educational and Cultural Affairs, through an initiative called Foreign Language Teaching Assistants, is aiding young speakers of Yoruba and Hausa languages who have educational background in English or language arts. They are recruited as teaching assistants to teach their languages and cultures to American students in the US universities and colleges.

Many American universities and colleges, such as Harvard University, Stanford University, Cornel University, University of Pennsylvania, University of Wisconsin-Madison, University of Massachusetts, Indiana University in Bloomington, Ohio State University, Michigan State University, Ohio University, University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Los Angeles, University of Florida, University of Illinois at Urbana Champaig and Howard University run full-fledged degree programmes in Yoruba language, which we are running from. But charity must begin at home. It will not augur well for us to get to a situation where foreigners will be more proficient in our languages. That is why I applaud the initiative to promote Ijaw language. We need more of that. We should also end the era of Yoruba films, with diluted English. The NERC must urgently make the offering of at least one local language compulsory for students. Parents also have a role to play here. Let your children or wards learn English in school. Speak your language to them at home and let them know it is not nonsense or ‘jagajaga’ as many of them see it. The time for action is now. • Fadun, an Insurance Executive, writes this piece from Lagos.

As a result of a requirement that makes every American college undergraduate to gain proficiency in at least one international language before being certified worthy in learning and character, there is a partnership between the University of Ibadan (UI), Oyo State, and the American Council for International Education (ACIE), Washington DC, US. The agreement, which dates back to 2009, encourages American students who wish to learn Yoruba language and culture.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

COMMENTS

IVERS State is boiling and President Goodluck Jonathan is pretending nothing is happening. At the risk of sounding like an old gramophone, all well-meaning Nigerians and the opposition parties have been crying out, shouting and pleading with the president to call his rampaging Commissioner of Police in Rivers State, Mbu Joseph Mbu to order before he plunges the state into anarchy and imperils this democracy. But all their pleas have so far fallen on deaf ears. The story of CP Mbu and his ‘atrocities’ in Rivers State under the guise of maintaining law and order is known to all, but what is baffling is why the President and Commander-In-Chief has chosen to be silent on this matter. When, the other day, Mbu used his policemen to block the main entrance to the Government house, Port Harcourt, the official residence of the governor of Rivers State thereby preventing Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his guests from going in until they had to use the back entrance, the Federal Government found nothing wrong with that, even when that meant denigrating and/or humiliating the office of the governor. Not a word from Abuja cautioning Mbu. When he sent his ’mad dogs’ to scatter thousands of newly recruited teachers by the state government who were told to gather at a stadium to sign for and collect their letters of employment, under the excuse that they

‘The President and commander-in-Chief should not allow his selfish interest to override his sense of responsibility to Nigerians as a people and the Nigerian nation. He should listen to the voice of wisdom and stop his supporters in Rivers, including CP Mbu from plunging this nation into avoidable political crisis which end nobody can foretell’

Jonathan: How not to play the deaf

were to gather there to protest against President Jonathan; not even a finger was raised against Mbu by Abuja. He got a pat on the back instead. And when he vowed never to obey a court order over police illegal occupation of Obio/ Akpor local government council secretariat, our president who promised to uphold the law of the land did not find anything wrong with this. The list of Mbu’s atrocities in Rivers State is very long and getting longer, but what is baffling is why nobody among his superiors seems ready to call him to order. When he was tear-gassing and violently dispersing any gathering supposedly in support of or at the instance of Governor Amaechi, what many thought was that he would limit it to just that. But the shock was to come penultimate Sunday when his men used rubber bullets and tear gas to disperse a gathering of Save Rivers Movement in Port Harcourt under the excuse that the gathering did not have his approval. A serving Senator of the Federal Republic was hit in the chest by the bullet. He is presently recuperating in a London hospital. The presidency not only kept quiet over the matter, people close to the president said he dismissed the incident with a wave of the hand. Surprisingly, while the police dispersed supporters of the Senator, Magnus Abe, who wanted to protest the shooting, the same police welcomed another group that gathered in solidarity with its commissioner, Mbu, to its office. Buoyed by the silence of the presidency and a supportive police CP, a group of proJonathan thugs unleashed violence on another gathering of the Save Rivers

IME we stand up and speak out – about the dangers our fellow citizens face from violence and extremism; time we stand up and speak out – about the importance of religious values and the religious freedoms of our people; about the importance of peace to the future of our economy, our families and our nation. And it is time – here and now - for righteous men and women - whatever their individual backgrounds, whatever their personal beliefs - to stand up and shoulder the responsibility of playing our part in making Nigeria a better place to live. Because if we do not stand up against injustice, inequality and intolerance, who will stand up? If we do not speak out against terror and intimidation, violence and murder, who will speak out? And if we are not that still small voice of calm, crying in the wilderness, for peace and progress in our country, who will speak up for the people? Edmund Burke said: The only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing Today, in our country, that simple truth is obvious for all to see. We know there is a terrible price to be paid for silence in the face of violence; for apathy in the face of oppression; and for indifference in the face of injustice. It is precisely because we refuse to stay silent, refuse to walk by on the other side, that Northern Christian Elders Forum (NOCEF), was set up. NOSCEF stands up for the values of fairness, equity and justice for all Nigerians, irrespective of their tribe, religion, creed or political affiliation. NOSCEF speaks out for the Northern Christian community. NOSCEF shoulders the responsibility to be a powerful voice and a powerful vehicle for positive change. Most of us still share the dream of a Nigeria that is safe, just, equitable and progressive. I still embrace the belief of a country where our children grow up without fear, live and learn to reach their full potential, and earn a fair wage in a prospering economy. I still hold that hope close to my heart. And that’s why today, I appeal, to each and every one of you: do not allow the dream of a better Nigeria to die in our arms. Do not let those who wish to kill our hope, destroy our dreams or bury our beliefs triumph in that task. I urge you: stand up. Speak out. Irrespective of who you are or what you do, you, too, have a role to play. Many of us may never become actively involved in the

Movement again last Sunday, this time in Bori, the traditional headquarters of Ogoni and the seat of Khana Local Government Area of Rivers State. Senator Abe is Ogoni, and he is a known supporter of Governor Amaechi. Some people were feared dead while properties worth millions of Naira were destroyed; gun shots boomed sporadically while the mayhem lasted. The police did not lift a finger to stop them, and the presidency is again keeping quiet. The attitude of the president in feigning deafness to all the noise coming out of Rivers State is unfortunate. He swore to protect lives and properties in all parts of the country but he is failing to do this in Rivers State just because of his political differences with the governor. But the president needs to be reminded that whatever happens in Rivers or any other state in the country for that matter would have effect on the rest of the country. He should also be reminded that the road to which Mbu is leading Nigeria in Rivers State with his (president’s) support was one of the reasons the second republic collapsed. In fact, the police contributed in no small measure to the demise of that republic and what Mbu is doing now is a near replay of what happened then. One could recall that a certain Umaru Omolowo, the then Commissioner of Police in old Oyo State was giving protection to thugs of the National Party of Nigeria (NPN) to fight a cause mayhem in Oyo State and create problem for the ruling Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) government in the state then. The NPN controlled the Federal Government then and President Shehu Shagari, just like President Jonathan now, was seeking re-

election and had penciled Oyo State down as a must-win state. The national Chairman of the NPN then, Adisa Akinloye, now late was from Oyo State, so also was the Attorney General and Minister of Justice Richard Akinjide. They told Shagari not to worry that Oyo was for him, and the president in turn used the police effectively to back them even when they were unpopular on the ground in the state. Election came, they rigged and won, but we all know what happened few months later. Now Jonathan, like Shagari is desperate to win re-election and he has identified Rivers as a must-win if his hope of returning to the presidential villa next year is to be realized. Why is Rivers so important? Simple. With two million solid votes in his pocket, Jonathan believes or is being deceived to believe that with Rivers solidly behind him he can neutralise whatever votes his opponent, expectedly from the north, could garner from that zone (north) in 2015; then he can struggle to pick few votes here and there, especially from Christians in the North/Middle Belt, and may be the south west apart from the South east and Southsouth. But with Governor Amaechi no longer in his corner, the two million votes are under threat, so everything must be done to prevent this, even if it means killing the people of Rivers, so be it. This is what is playing out in Rivers State today and the president has found a willing tool in Nyesom Wike, his Coordinating Minister of Education who wants to be governor in 2015; his wife, Patience Jonathan, who wants to produce the governor in 2015 and CP Mbu who wants to make as much money as possible from the crisis. Governor Amaechi expectedly, would also want to protect his legacy by wanting to produce his successor. So where does that leave the people of Rivers State and in the long run Nigeria’s democracy? While the people of the state should be able to and left alone to decide what is good for them, the President and Commander-inChief should not allow his selfish interest to override his sense of responsibility to Nigerians as a people and the Nigerian nation. He should listen to the voice of wisdom and stop his supporters in Rivers, including Mbu from plunging this nation into avoidable political crisis which end nobody can foretell. Enough of playing the deaf.

Time for Nigerians to speak out By Olaiya Phillips politics of our fledgling democracy, yet it is an undeniable truth that we are all our brother’s keepers. There are still many things we can do individually and collectively to contribute towards building a better nation. My commitment through the expression of NOSCEF is to present the simplicity of a practical gospel to all Nigerians in the North regardless of tribe or religion. We stand as witnesses to the most horrific pre-meditated acts of violence, on an unprecedented scale. We can see for ourselves the number of Nigerians in dire need of food, shelter, healthcare and other basic necessities, increasing at an alarming rate. We can hear the cries of our fellow citizens - the mourning of mothers, the frustration of fathers, the desperation of our youth - at opportunities wasted and lives destroyed. And just as we all witness it, see it, hear it, we can all do something about it. Indeed, our shared humanity demands we must do something about it. I believe NOSCEF can provide a platform to reach out to the neediest communities and those most at risk, providing necessary assistance, and developing meaningful initiatives. We can become the necessary hand of help to those who appear to have become abandoned…the many Nigerians in the North who seem to have fallen through the proverbial cracks …we are here to help! As our Great Nation marks the Centennial anniversary of her amalgamation, there is much need for introspection. This generation, and the one before it, is in many ways the joint custodians of the nation’s destiny, just as the several generations preceding us have been. Although 100 years has passed, it is fair to say we should be further along the path of progress than we currently are. Whilst we cannot change the past, it is within our power to affect the future…and we must. We must rise to the challenge of dedicating ourselves, without compromise, to building a nation that is fit for purpose, a Nigeria where hope triumphs over fear. We must stand up and speak out on behalf of the Northern Christians who cannot be heard above the political clamour. It is our responsibility to speak out for them – and to speak truth to power. So, yes, we do need a national conference. While the technicalities of it being “sovereign” or otherwise continue to be debated, it is clear that policy and govern-

ance can only accurately represent the people when their needs, hopes and fears are understood, listened to and acted upon. We at NOSCEF are determined to be that strong voice for the Northern Christian community and to ensure it is understood, listened to and acted on, when and where it counts. So, let me say clearly, loudly, strongly, to all those, elected and otherwise, who claim a leadership role in our land: We will protect and defend the interests of Nigerian Christians in the North of the country. We will provide help when and where necessary to that constituency. We will promote unity and peace across denominational lines in the region. And we will galvanise consensus on political, social and sectarian issues in the interest of Nigerians in general and Northern Christians in particular. Because we, Northern Christians, are powerful by virtue of our numbers even though we remain a threatened people in our land. Our voice must and will be heard. Our interests must and will be respected. I am just a Nigerian who loves his country. A Christian who believes in a great and mighty God and a servant sent to serve the people of Northern Nigeria. But I profoundly believe it may fall to us to be the generation that makes the difference. The question is whether we are ready to stand up, to speak out, to make – to be – the difference our nation needs. Because Nigeria is the only country where together we can pursue justice and equity for all Nigerians; the only place where together we can rebuild our education systems to truly develop Nigeria’s human capital, and design our health services to protect Nigeria’s people; and the only country where, by ending violence in our society, bring law and order to every community and eradicating corruption across our state, we can together bequeath to the generations to come, a truly better Nigeria. So, let us join with those who would build a greater nation and speak out against those who would tear it down. Now is the time to stand up for our country. Now is the time to speak out for our people. Now is the time to shoulder our responsibility. • Phillips, chairman of the Northern Christian Elders Forum(NOCEF), delivered this at the 59th TEKAN General Assembly in Benue State

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

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Perhaps, this is part of our growing process; but how long will it take us to grow?” Innumerable number of people has suffered and still continues to suffer in defence of truth and justice in Nigeria. Yet, those who caused their fellow human beings to be incarcerated, suffer or at times killed without any just cause must know that sooner or later, the law of retribution will surely catch up with them

E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

•Lawyers during a ‘freedom walk’ in honour of the late Fawehinmi

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See page 25

PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

Justice Isa Ayo Salami needs no introduction. The former President of the Court of Appeal was in Lagos last week for the 10th Chief Gani Fawehinmi lecture/symposium organised by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch. As chair of the event, Justice Salami, in his candid manner, dissected societal ills, submitting that failure to uphold truth when it matters most is one of the judiciary’s problems. ADEBISI ONANUGA reports.

How to build a just society, by Salami T

HE judiciary is faced with challenges, including victimisation of those who stand for the truth. It is supposed to be the last hope of the common man, but people seem to be losing faith in it. How can public confidence be restored? Former President of the Court of Appeal (PCA) Justice Isa Ayo Salami has proferred solutions to some of the problems. He is in a good position to do so, being a victim of what many consider as injustice. Justice Salami spoke as chairman of the 10th Chief Gani Fawehinmi Annual Lecture/ Symposium held by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Ikeja Branch in Lagos last Wednesday. The event was attended by the National Chairman of the National Conscience Party (NCP), Dr. Yunusa Tanko; Lagos State Chairman of the party, Mr. Ayodele Akele, Mr. Rowlan Otaru(SAN), Mr. Lateef Fagbemi (SAN), Mr. Tayo Oyetibo(SAN), Mr. Dele Adesina(SAN), Mr. Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN), Chief Ganiat Fawehinmi, Mrs Kudirat Aka-Bashorun, Mr. Mohammed Fawehinmi and Mr. Adetokunbo Mumuni, among others. The guest speaker was Convener of the Save Nigeria Group, Pastor Tunde Bakare, who spoke on the theme: “Nigeria at Centenary: a nation still in bondage?” The day (January 15) was said to have been chosen by Fawhinmi before he died because it was the day he was called to Bar in 1965. Justice Salami said the judiciary’s problems may remain because Nigerians do not want the truth to be told. He said this was why all the efforts by the Chief Justice of Nigeria(CJN), Justice Aloma Mukhtar, to rid the judiciary of corrupt elements are being frustrated. According to him, a just and equitable society would continue to elude Nigeria unless people in position of authority think less of holding on to their positions at the expense of truth. Justice Salami said it was disturbing that in Nigeria, anyone who desires to stand on the path of •Justice Salami at the event

truth and justice must be prepared to suffer persecution, incarceration and other mean treatment. “Perhaps, this is part of our growing process; but how long will it take us to grow?”, he asked adding: “Innumerable number of people has suffered and still continues to suffer in defense of truth and justice in Nigeria. Yet those who caused their fellow human beings to be incarcerated, suffer or at times killed without any just cause must know that sooner or later, the law of retribution will surely catch up with them.”

The Bar Justice Salami took a swipe at lawyers, particularly prominent and senior ones, saying they are involved in whatever happens or may have gone wrong in the judicial system. He said some of these lawyers have the capacity to influence judges, adding that where they do this, they do it with relish. According to him, there are times when members of the Bar tell sordid stories of certain high ranking serving or retired judicial officers who act as “arrangees” or couriers of bribe. Such members, he said, were engaged at a fee to reach out to judges to influence or “purchase” justice in certain sensitive cases but that nobody among those making the allegations had dared to give details. “Nobody invariably wants to “bell the cat”, he said.

The bench Justice Salami also criticised the bench. He said the problem with the judiciary was that some dishonourable people, not fit to be judges, have found their way into the system, get into the mainstream and have made it to the highest level. According to him, the problem with the judiciary will remain unresolved or even compounded for a long time because Nigerians, naturally, do not want the truth to be told, stressing that whoever dares to tell the truth is marked for destruction. •Continued on page 26

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

LAW COVER CONT’D

How to build a just society, by Salami •Continued from page 25 He said but for the decline in the judicial system, inexperienced customary court judges would not have been presiding over the affairs of the NJC. “The irony of the situation in the Nigerian judiciary is that these same men and some others like them still sit as members of the NJC, a body charged with the responsibility to appoint and discipline judicial officers. One wonders where lies the hope of the common man in getting justice with these crops of men at the helm of affairs at the NJC”, he lamented.

‘My sins’ Justice Salami remarked that part of his “sins” as a serving judge was that God helped him throughout his career to resist all temptations to be influenced by anybody in dispensing justice, adding: “My conscience is intact and my relationship with my God, to whom I am accountable, is sacred and also intact”. On his travail, he said that the Justice Ibrahim Auta Committee set up by the NJC to make recommendation on the council’s investigative panel report submitted by Justice Umaru Abdullahi’s panel, was meant to humilate him. He said God turned the humiliation to vindication because “the Justice Auta Committee adopted a laughable procedure by completely introducing a completely new dimension to the case without giving me any hearing at all”. On the allegation that he broke the Code of Conduct for Judicial Officers by speaking to the press, he said the issue was never raised by the Juistice Auta committee, not to talk of being tried at the NJC investigative panel. “the Auta Committee, flew above its mandate and said it took “judicial notice” of the fact that I spoke to the press and this formed part of the recommendations of his committee which was supposed to act only on the NJC Investigative Panel’s findings. As I said, I was never called upon to defend the issue before the Auta Committee”, he said. He recalled that at the time the Justice Auta Committee was in place, he had a case that was pending in court. He said when a member of the committee informed him about the case, his reply was that they had not been served and were not inclined to stop further proceedings into the matter. “Obviously, the conclusion was already predetermined because it is very elementary that what was important was not service but notice of the process. Why I said I was vindicated on this issue is that Justice Auta, as a result of this effort to implicate me at all cost fell into the same grave error as he did before, which Niki Tobi , a former Justice of the Court of Appeal, condemned in the election petition case of Oriobuna Vs Obiorah (1999). While the controversy on his suspension was raging, he said a junior member of the bar remarked that if Gani Fawehinmi were alive, he would have gone to court. While he agreed with him, he said he wondered which court he would go, asking: “An intimidated and frightened court? Or how does one explain the Supreme Court decision in Dingyadi Vs Wamako? In this case, the Supreme Court invoked the provision of its rule to override an express provision of the constitution which forbids Supreme Court from hearing appeal in election matters to dismiss an appeal that was not pending before it. I am aware that the decision of the Supreme Court in the case of Dingyadi Vs Wamako has been a subject of controversy for quite some time. I will not like to comment on this beyond stating that history and posterity will bring out the truth and eventually unravel what went wrong in the fullness of time,” he said. Justice Salami challenged the NBA to develop the will and capacity to implement the recommendations of the Okpoko Committee that carried out independent investigation into the Sokoto case that marked the beginning of his travail in the judiciary. The former President of the Court of Appeal who noted that the NBA had a good report in its hand regretted that the association has been shying away from implementing the report because some “prominent senior lawyers were involved”. He said it was sad that the NBA has till date failed to impose sanctions on members of the bar who were indicted in the report. ”One thing I know for sure is that if Gani were alive and in charge, he would not have allowed the matter to be swept under the carpet. Sometimes, and when it matters, some members of the Bar representing the NBA on the NJC hardly stand up for the truth not to talk of speaking the truth. “These are matters the NBA must tackle. They should not be regarded as their problem. It is our joint problem because the profession they are damaging to assuage their selfish interest jointly and severally belongs to us all,” he said. Justice Salami suggested a five-point approach to reposition the judicial system.

•Pastor Bakare, Justice Salami and Alhaji Musa

•Mrs Fawehinmi, Mrs. Aka-Bashorun and Dr. Tanko

• From left: Gani Adetola-Kazeem (SAN), Adesina and Lagos State Commissioner for Transport Kayode Opeifa

•From left: Oyetibo, Fagbemi and Otaru

He suggested that the CJN should cease to be the chairman of the NJC so that occupants of that office would stop taking advantage of its powers as chairman of the council, as enshrined in the constitution, to abuse the office. He said each of the federating states should be allowed to have its own Court of Appeal and Supreme Court to better adjudge on disputes and appeals on matters falling within their legislative competence. While suggesting that federal and state high courts and the National Industrial Court (NIC) be vested with the same jurisdiction to avoid high cost of litigation and delays arising from contentious issues of jurisdiction, he said members of the NJC should not accept executive ap-

PHOTOS: SOLOMON ADEOLA

pointments, including executive briefs during their tenure. He also said justices appointed to the Court of Appeal and the Supreme Court on ground of Sharia or Customary Law should not be permitted to participate in common law and constitutional cases. In his address, the NBA, Ikeja branch chairman, Ubani remarked that it was the desire of the branch for a well structured federal system of government and called for a fair devolution of powers that makes for efficiency which he described as the ultimate purpose for the general well being within the federation. On the proposed national conference, the NBA chairman pointed out that the modalities for representation would determine whether or not gov-

ernment is sincere on the issue. “Nigerians will be alarmed if certain names that have held this country to ransom are thrown up as representatives of the people. “Let us hope that the President has a good motive for this, and that is for the health and survival of this great nation. Nigerians will decipher the beginning of his good or bad intent from the constitution of membership of the conference,” he added. Bakare, who was the guest lecturer, slammed opponents of the conference, branding them as “selfish and self-focused” individuals. He said the conference was an opportunity for Nigerians to return to the dialogue table with the aims of renegotiating and restructuring the country. The Convener, Save Nigeria Group(SNG), Pastor Tunde Bakare who was the guest lecturer slammed opponents of the conference, branding them as ‘selfish and self-focused’ individuals. He said the conference was an opportunity for Nigerians to return to the dialogue table with the aims of renegotiating and restructuring the country. He, therefore, urged statesmen to welcome the National Conference and that they should work towards its success instead of focusing on the 2015 general elections and for Nigerians to insist that the modalities must be genuinely people driven. He said: ”If we do not do the needful in 2014, there may be no 2015. If we dedicate ourselves to restructuring our nation at this opportune time, the outcome will be the emergence of credible leadership that will ensure a Nigeria that works.” “We must reach out for her, retrieve what is left of her, wash her clean and nurture her back to life.This we must do by returning to the dialogue table to restructure. As I have said on previous occasions, we must get set to rebuild and restore, we must retrieve what is remaining of the pillars of our founding fathers and we must restructure and reconstruct; we must rebuild from wall to wall, from gate to gate; from community to community until the nation is restored to its former and even greater glory.” He said despite the liberty Nigeria enjoyed as a nation at independence on October 1st 1960, the country only went back in bondage on January 15, 1966 when some military officers struck and held the first coup de tat. He also said the structures of the nation have since then been distorted, way back in May 24,1966, when the then military Head of State, Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi decided to abolish the existence of regional system of government. “On May 24, 1966, the framework of the Nigerian State was destroyed when Gen. Aguiyi Ironsi through Decree No.34 abolished the regions. That day saw the death of the budding Nigerian nation. It was not long after that the different nations which had been held together by evolving Nigeian nation began to demand secession,” Bakare added. For Nigeria to get it right, Bakare said the country must return to the “cesspool in which it was dumped with the bath water on May 24, 1966”. But for the former Kaduna State governor, Alhaji Balarabe Musa the conference was a waste of time and resources. He said it was wrong for a sitting President to want to organise a national conference for Nigerians, stressing that President Goodluck Jonathan was part of the problems confronting the country. “Any conference conducted by this government will not achieve anything. President Jonathan is part of our problems in this country and that is why we are against it,” he said. Mrs Fawehinmi counselled lawyers to do what is right at all times. She said the failure of legal practitioners to do what is right has been the problem with Nigeria. “We know what is right but we have always refused to do it. If you really love Gani, do what is right. That is what Gani would want from you to move this nation forward,” she said. Last week’s ceremony was unique in that the date not only marked the day that the late activist was called to the bar, lawyers, for the first time since the annual lecture started ten years ago held a ‘freedom walk’ in honour of Chief Gani Fawehinmi. The ‘Freedom Walk’ took them from the comfort of their various law chambers to the Gani Fawehinmi Freedom Park, Ojota where most activists took turns to educate the public on why they must fight for their right

always. The ‘Freedom Walk’, explained Ubani, symbolised the various walks Fawehinmi undertook during his life time, fighting for truth and a just and egalitarian society.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

LAW & SOCIETY Some legal writers have argued the Nigeria expired on December 31 2013, by virtue of a supposed Amalgamation Treaty with which the country was amalgamated in 1914. But PRECIOUS EMEKA in this piece, argues otherwise. He posits that there is no ‘Best before label’ on Nigeria; therefore, Nigeria has not , will not and can never expire through any existing legal regime.

Did Nigeria legally expire on January 1? A

S 2013 wound up, an argument gained considerable grounds. A supposed ‘Treaty of Amalgamation 1914’ was in focus. According to the proponents, the 1914 amalgamation of Nigeria would expire by 12.00 am on December 31, last year, when it would have lasted for 100 years. The burgle was apparently sounded by a notable lawyer and amplified by an ethnic nationality coalition. It was alleged that Nigeria’s ‘treaty’ of amalgamation 1914 was to last for 100 years. Among the cacophony of voices was one that claimed that a consolidation of British treaties with ethnic nationalities formed an amalgamation ‘treaty’, which had a lifespan of 100 years. Are these position legally valid? First is clarification of issues, for clear premises. The notion of a ‘Treaty’ of Amalgamation has no validity in law, fact or even history. Also the position of the emergence of a ‘treaty’ of amalgamation through a consolidation of several treaties with ethnic nationalities, is also legally unfounded. Assuming there was in fact a treaty of amalgamation, there is no rule in the Law of Treaties that fixed the lifespan of treaties at 100 years. Contrary to the position of many of the expirationists, there is no document known as ‘Treaty’ of Amalgamation 1914 in Nigeria’s history. The British and other European traders made early contacts with some indigenous kingdoms. The kingdoms were treated with diplomacy in recognition of their sovereignty. The Europeans included the Portuguese, Spanish, French, Italians and the British, who dealt with Benin, Lagos, Bonny, Opobo, Calabar, Onitsha, Asaba, Egba, Oyo etc in trade and missions even before colonialism. Before the treaties of cession, Europeans concluded bilateral treaties with some of these kingdoms. For example on January 1, 1852, King Akitoye of Lagos went onboard the British ship, HMS Penelope, and signed a treaty with Commodore Henry W. Bruce and Mr. John Beecroft for the abolition of slave traffic, encouragement of legitimate trade and protection of missionaries. The British imperialist scheme culminating in full colonisation was grounded in 1861 with the treaty of cession with Oba Docemo (Dosumu) of Lagos. The Treaty of Cession of Lagos 1861 was achieved through gun boat diplomacy, literally. The ostensible reason given in extending British sovereignty over Lagos was to stop slave trade and check-mate the ravaging King of Dahomey. But with the Royal Navy’s cruiser HMS Prometheus, purposely brought into the Lagoon, and its guns pointing menacingly at Lagos, Oba Dosumu had little choice. Dosumu transferred the port and Island of Lagos to the British Crown “forever”. Norman B. Bedingfield and William McCoskry signed for the Crown and Dosumu signed with four others. The British unfurled their flag and thus began to exercise sovereignty over Lagos, and in 1862 created it a Colony. With the return of Kosoko and his lieutenant, Tappa, to Lagos in 1863, Kosoko, who had earlier been exiled and later settled with Palma and Lekki, also ceded them to the British in exchange of pension. With the success recorded in Lagos and environs, the British used similar device to exact treaties of “protection” from other indigenous sovereigns. Thus there was “friendship” and “protection” treaty with King Jaja of Opobo in 1884, signed onboard the HMS Flirt, anchored on Opobo River. A similar treaty of “protection” was entered with the Obi Akata and other 12 Obis and Queen Omu Nwanuka of Asaba on 1 st November, 1884 with Edward Hyde Hewett. On June 1, 1885, the then National African Company Limited (later Royal Nigeria Company) entered into a similar treaty with the Sultan of Sokoto, Umoru bin Ali, which was confirmed in 1890. Hundreds of similar “friendship” and “protection” treaties were signed with Native Chiefs across North and South. A treaty of commerce and friendship was signed with Abeokuta on January 18,1893 between Gilbert T. Carter and Alake Osokalu, which “fully recognised” the independence

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The 1914 Nigerian was not considered legally capable of entering into a treaty with Britain, as they were considered conquered people and with their territory legitimately possessed. The amalgamation was, therefore, not a term of agreement, but mere administrative decision

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•President Goodluck Jonathan

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The 1999 Constitution even with its poor record of consultation had attained effectiveness as Nigeria’s top Legal Norm. Nigeria did not, therefore, legally expire on January 1, thhis year. Nigeria has gone far beyond a de-amalgamation of her 1914 amalgamation

of the Egba country. Apart from the Treaty with the Alake which ‘disingenuously’ (as later realised by the British after the amalgamation) allowed Egba independence as a country, the rest assigned entire territories and sovereignty to the British Crown in perpetuity. Material considerations were furnished in exchange of “protection”. The treaties were published in the London Gazette and competing foreign powers put on notice for recognition at international law. Against this background, by January 1, 1914, British authorities would not feel the necessity for an amalgamation treaty, an action seen as mere administrative decision, in the same way a managing director would merge his Personnel department and Human Resources department for administrative efficiency. Such a chief executive officer wouldn’t need a general meeting resolution for this ‘internal re-arrangement’. Amalgamation should be understood in this sense and not in the nature of corporate mergers and acquisitions, which would have required more. For economic reasons for amalgamation, some reports claim the Northern Protectorate ran on budget deficit, while the Southern Protectorate ran on surplus. The amalgamation was

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primarily to use the surplus to off-set the deficit. Some other reports indicate it was simply for ease of administration. Be that as it may, with a feeling of legitimate possession of the two protectorates “by treaty, grant, usage, sufferance and other lawful means”, Sir Frederick Lugard dispatched confidential reports to the Colonial Secretary to amalgamate the two territories. Lugard secured approval by Letters Patent and Order in Council pursuant to Foreign Jurisdictions Act 1890; and the merger became a legal fact. The amalgamation was a creation of Letters Patent and Order in Council, and not a treaty. The new boundaries were defined by Colony of Nigeria Boundaries Order in Council of November 22, 1913, effective January 1, 1914. The only problem was Egbaland, recognised as a sovereign state by the Treaty with Carter. Camouflaging under Egbaland’s internal unrest, the British convinced (cajoled) Egba to have her unique treaty annulled. Alake and his Chiefs consented and on September 16, 1914, Egbaland was finally placed “unreservedly under the Government of the Protectorate of Nigeria”. The Amalgamation was a product of administrative fiat same as the latter-day balkanisation of Nigeria into states by Generals Yakubu Gowon, Olusegun Obasanjo,

Ibrahim Babangida and Sani Abacha. There was no consultation with the natives and no agreement on amalgamation. The British felt on good legal standing as sole administrator based on “cession” and “protection” treaties to re-structure their new domain as they deemed fit. Allusion to any amalgamation treaty would have a corollary effect of adding indigenous consent to the act which would be a study in revisionist history. The 1914 Nigerian was not considered legally capable of entering into a treaty with Britain, as they were considered conquered people and with their territory legitimately possessed. The amalgamation was therefore not a term of agreement, but mere administrative decision. Both at the international customary law, which governs the pre-1914 treaties and under the latter day Vienna Convention on the Law of Treaties 1969, the 100 year rule has no basis. There is no jus cogens fixing treaties to 100 years lifespan. A treaty’s lifespan is governed by rules of invalidation, termination and withdrawal. The pre-1914 treaties were made in perpetuity. The resolution of the matter is that on October 1, 1960, the British Crown abdicated their possession to indigenous political authorities. Today, the Nigerian Government is corporately the legal successor to the abdicated British authority. Even with its muchvaunted shortcomings, the 1999 Constitution supersedes the amalgamation in succession of legal norm. Today, the 1999 Constitution is unarguably Law. Section 2(1) provides that “Nigeria is one indivisible and indissoluble sovereign state to be known by the name of the Federal Republic of Nigeria”. It is legally preposterous to profile Nigeria’s de-amalgamation on an imaginary treaty. The 1999 Constitution, although General Abdusalami Abubakar’s Decree No. 24 of 1999, and with its poor record of consultation, is Nigeria’s grundnorm, being grosso modo effective. I rely on Professor Hans Kelsen’s postulations on the Grundnorm in his Pure Theory of Law used for legal justification for extra-constitutional events or revolutions. This was applied in State v Dosso (1958) 2 PSCR 180 (Pakistan), Ex Parte Matovu (1966) EALR 514 (Uganda), Madzim Bamuto v Lardner-Burke (1969) 1 AC 645 (South Rhodesia - Zimbabwe), Lakanmi v AG West (1971) 1 UILR Vol. 1 201 (Nigeria) among other decisions. The 1999 Constitution even with its poor record of consultation had attained effectiveness as Nigeria’s top Legal Norm. Nigeria did not, therefore, legally expire on January 1, thhis year. Nigeria has gone far beyond a de-amalgamation of her 1914 amalgamation. If Nigeria would be dissolved, it would be through a popular political process, not by expiration of an imaginary treaty. This is in view of Section 2(1) of the 1999 Constitution. Until then Nigeria remains. For those who wish Nigeria to expire by treaty, the disappointing news is: there is no ‘Best Before’ label on Nigeria. • Emeka, Executive Director, Constitutional Rights Forum (CRF), writes from Lagos

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

LAW & SOCIETY

Adapt legal profession to a globalised economy

HE Legal profession in Nigeria has, in deed, come of age and there is a need to review the profession to see how well its has adapted itself to modern times and in comparison to other jurisdictions. This book is, indeed, a thorough portrayal of every aspect of the profession and the wellthought out chapters goes beyond mundane issues, but awakes our consciousness on the state of the profession. If the profession must meet up with the modern age, especially training which appears to have the loudest clamour as a result of some lamentable comments on the performance of young lawyers, there must be an aggressive and radical overhaul in its entirety. This publication is a one stop manual and makes for interesting and critical evaluations of the profession. The first chapter of the book is written by Chief Tony Idigbe (SAN), titled: Skills of Advocacy at The Bar. The writer gives a thorough overview of the skills which lawyers have to possess to engage in advocacy and also the changes in court rules as they affect advocacy, particularly front loading and written briefs. The author questions whether the trial lawyer still requires the skills of advocacy as most of the work is done drafting the arguments rather than orally. He indicates that New Civil Procedure Rules of Court has changed orthodox advocacy, by virtue of Order 31 Rule 4 (1) of the High Court of Lagos State (Civil Procedure) Rules 2012 which limits oral arguments for each of the parties to a maximum period of 20 minutes. However, the author argues that the new Rules of Court rather than diminish the excellent display of the skill of oral advocacy, complements and enhances oral advocacy by removing otherwise unnecessary theatrics from court room advocacy. The author gives very imperative recommendations and stresses the need for continuous legal education and training as the bedrock for the student and the legal practitioner to have the requisite skills of a lawyer. The Second Chapter written by Chief Adegboyega S. Awomolo (SAN) is titled: ‘Discipline at the Bar’. Firstly the author states and rightly so that Ethics at the Bar is no different from Ethics in other professions, stating further that the standard is more by reason of public perceptions and expectations from members of the profession. He refers to Okike .v. Legal Practitioners Disciplinary committee (2005) 15 NWLR (PT. 949) 471. Where the Supreme Court states that … The existence of Nigeria as a nation is a product of law, the Constitution, and this makes the legal Profession a unique body whose internal discipline must not be taken for granted. That is why, ample provisions have been made in corpus juris for the training and controlling of members of the profession … The author reviews untoward and unethical practices in the profession and the need to review the amicable settlements for erring lawyers as all cases of professional misconduct ought to be ventilated and met with appropriate sanction. Most importantly, he advocates the misbehaviour and the need for this not to be condoned on any ground and that further mechanisms should be put in place to strengthen and further instill discipline at the Bar. Chapter Three titled: Privileges and Elevation To the Silk: Matters Arising written by Chief Mike Agbamuche (SAN). The author identifies some of the contentions of some commentators who have questioned some of the privileges accorded to Senior Advocates. Some of the prevailing arguments mentioned is that the right to have your case called out of turn goes against the provision of s. 17(2) (a), which provides that every citizen shall have equality of rights, obligations and opportunities before the law. He strongly indicates that all privileges accorded to a silk is based entirely on merit, and privildges are given out of respect for seniority and distinction at the Bar and also the legal Practitioners Act is clear as it provides that a senior advocate has the right to mention any motion in which he is appearing or any other cause. Chapter Four titled: Legislative Writing Skills written by Chiejina Nneka Claudia exhaustively identifies the necessary and important skills required of a legislative draftsman. The author also identifies the challenges faced ranging from the scarcity of research materials and also the lack of professional passion for it. Interestingly, the author looks at the

Title: Author: Editors:

BOOK REVIEW Anatomy of the Legal Profession Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies Prof Epiphany Azinge (SAN) (Director-General, Nigerian Institute, Advanced Legal Studies) and Laura Ani (Research Fellow at the Nigerian), Institute of Advanced Legal Studies)

Year of Publication: 2013 Pagination: 403 Book Reviewer: Laura Ani Nigerian Perspective of drafting and identifies the cardinal rule that the draftsman must ensure that the draft is consistent with the provisions of the Constitution. More importantly the author states that regardless of how close our constitution came to being a democratically sound instrument of law, it has failed in making sure the common people of Nigeria were involved in its drafting process. Chapter Five titled: Information Communication Technology and the Legal Profession written by Chukwuemeka Castro Nwabuzor and Onyinye Nwezi examines the role of ICT with two types of legal professionals, the lawyers and judges. He states that ICT makes lawyers more modern and adaptive, better focused, more proactive and less prone to errors. The authors further indicate that pragmatic ICT use fine- tunes the legal business, expands the outreach of firms, expedites legal processes, attracts proficiency and increases profitability. The author advocates the need to be ICT complaint as a result of the expanse of legal jurisprudence. The author also looks at the impact of ICT on traditional legal issues and how it exposes the lawyer to new legal issues i.e the question of admissibility of electronic documents such as electronic contracts, the use of electronic signature, cross border liability and Jurisdiction. The authors also highlight some inherent challenges in the use of ICT Implementation and interestingly they identify Economic forces such as Firms with low profit margins; illiterate clientele; lack of basic ICT orientation as well as access to the Internet as some of the inherent encumbrances in the full implementation of ICT. The sixth Chapter titled: Problems of Transnational Legal Practice written by Adebisi Arewa, dwells extensively on globalisation in the context of Nigeria’s competitiveness in global markets, the implication of Globalisation for Nigeria’s economic development in the new millennium and the challenges engendered by globalisation for developing nations particularly for African economies south of the Sahara. The author questions how symbiotic and reciprocal are the international economic order in the age of globalisation. And to what extent does it disparage and or enhance the economic transformation of the group of very poor peripheral dependencies? The author further does a SWOT (Strength,Weakness, Opportunity and Threat) analysis of Nigeria to determining how it stands in relation to other economies and advocates that for Nigeria to attain that level of competitiveness in a globalised driven economy it must diversify away from dependency on extractive industry to agriculture and manufacturing. The Seventh Chapter titled: The Lawyer in the Boardroom: Deploying Innate Skills or Acquired Training. The author looks at the role of the lawyer as its affects the administration of the company or entity and further indicates that it is the role of the Board Secretary

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that requires these skills in these entities. He identifies core skills that a company secretary must possess, and more importantly indicating core competencies such as being able to mediate and assist in achieving consensus , knowing how to overcome bureaucratic thinking in the company, detailed oriented, maintaining a sense of humour no matter how pressured the situation. He concludes that the lawyer in the boardroom requires more than his acquired legal skills and that innate skills are highly essential in the area of administration. Chapter Eight titled: The Role of the NBA In Building a Virile Legal Profession written by Joseph Bodurin Daudu looks at the composition and/or structure of the Nigerian Bar Association, its membership. He highlights that the NBA has a unique national footprint, by which every two years the NBA reviews its leadership and priorities when it elects a new president and other officials. The paper also looks at its dynamic sections as it caters for diverse interest within the profession and more importantly its affiliation with the International Bar Association; Commonwealth lawyers Association; Law Societies of England and Wales, the West African Bar Association to name a few. The author also looks at the role of the Body of Benchers as it is described as a body of highest distinction with the powers to call new lawyers to the Bar; The Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee, which determines alleged misbehaviour of lawyers. He rightly identifies growing criticisms of the functions of the Disciplinary Committee, as it seems to place the Committee and the Prosecutors (all NBA members) as Prosecutors and judges in their own cause. Chapter Nine titled: Integrity of Judicial Process: The Lawyer as an accomplice written by Judith Chukwufumnanaya Rapu, looks at the integrity of the judicial process and further analyses the role the lawyer plays in the judicial process. She indicates that the integrity of the judicial process implies that every stage of the judicial process from the institution of the matter in court, the pleadings, and extraction of evidence /testimony, argument of counsel and delivery of judgment by the judge is conducted with the utmost sense of honesty, transparency and strong moral ... a lawyers primary reason for being in court in the first place is because of his client; yet on the plane of idealism, he is a minister or priest in Justice’s Temple who like an ideal minister is expected to maintain a balanced ministration to the visitors that throng the temple. The author emphasises the need to restore ethics, value and morals in the dispensation of justice and the need for lawyers to recognise that they have been entrusted with a great privilege. Chapter 10 titled: Fused Profession: Prevailing Arguments written by Laura Ani, reiterates the clamour on the need to divide the legal profession. The author argues that dividing the legal profession is not the solution, but the need to improve the existing training system of our legal practioners. The author also further states that dividing the profession are no guarantees of any improvement in the legal education. The author advocates that the status quo should remain and recommends that rather than graduating students after only one year of study, students should be placed on compulsory two years attachments to chambers and this should be a condition precedent to being called to the Nigerian bar. Chaper 11 titled: Towards Performance Evaluation of Legal Practitioners written by Osatohanmwen O. Eruaga considers extensively the issues on whether performance evaluation will help expose and grade the performance of practioners to the extent of their roles in the justice delivery sys-

All the chapters review the challenges of the profession to recommend realistic solutions rather than being superfluous and abstract. For the profession to compete in a globalised economy, there is a need for us to adapt our profession to changing circumstances devoid of ancient practices.

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tem. The paper exposes the critical connection that the profession has with the performance of the judicial arm of the government. However, the writer suggests that rather than adopt monitoring and evaluation criteria for lawyers, the loop holes in the legal systems should be addressed by the rules of court and effective regulation by the appropriate bodies. Chapter 12 titled: Training to Become a Lawyer In Nigeria by Paul Obo Idornigie reviews the nature of legal training in Nigeria and the paper serves as a guide for those aspiring to become legal practitioners, including those from common law and non common law jurisdictions. The author makes some interesting recommendations on the need to review the curriculum of legal education to provide for a stream for those aspiring to be called to the Bar and those who need a mere background in law to prepare them for entrepreneurship or other enterprises. The author opines that the Bar Council should be a bit more flexible in developing rules of professional conduct for legal practitioners in terms of what amounts to unauthorised practice of law. Chapter 13 titled: Mentoring at the Bar written by Enewa Rita Chris-Garuba looks at the vital role of mentoring as a prerequisite for Success at the bar. The writer advocates strongly the need for senior lawyers to create a safe and conducive learning environment to allow the younger lawyer to grow and expand his horizon. The author identifies rightly the fact that the legal Profession is more practical than theoretical and the young lawyer definitely would learn many aspects of the profession in the workplace. Thus, it is, therefore, the responsibility of the senior lawyers to groom young lawyers on the what and how of the profession via mentoring and that it is lack of mentoring that has led to the deplorable state of the profession. The author advocates the need to amend the Legal Practitioners Act 1975 to embrace mentoring. Chapter 14 titled: The Office of the Attorney- General by Awa U. Kalu, this paper examines in general terms the constitutional status of the Office of the Attorney-General and provides insight into the question of who may prosecute and concludes that the Attorney-General’s powers are incontestable. The author uses a plethora of case law to determine that the Attorney-General is the Chief Law Officer and first legal adviser to the government. This book by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS) is unlimited in its scope and covers the profession, giving it a pragmatic approach. The contributors are not only academics, but experts in their fields. All the chapters review the challenges of the profession to recommend realistic solutions rather than being superfluous and abstract. For the profession to compete in a globalised economy, there is a need for us to adapt our profession to changing circumstances devoid of ancient practices.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

PAGE 29

A big, unfulfilled dream in Ilorin

•PAGE 31

Governor’s wife set to save her jobs scheme •PAGE 32

•A dilapidated reservoir at the site of a broken-down borehole in Ayilamo

Six decades of lack I

S 60 years not enough for a community to grow? In the case of Ayilamo in Gaambe Tiev Logo Local Government Area of Benue State, it is probably not. Six decades after it was founded by Ayilamo Gese, the community lacks everything its residents desire, while grappling with all that they detest. There is no healthy water, disposing the people to frequent attacks of water-borne diseases. And when they come down with such ailments, the only health centre in town has no drugs. The only borehole in the community was sunk by Governor Gabriel Suswam, who hails from the town, about 10 years ago when he was a member of the state House of Assembly. In any case, the borehole has since broken down, its power generating set stolen by yet unidentified persons. There is no good road in Ayilamo, making transportation a tough task. Ayilamo later became a District Head in the area, even inhabited by prominent people. It is Suswam’s country home but there are other prominent people from Ayilamo.

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Judged on this, as well as on its history, a six-decade-old town should have a few things to crow about. But it does not. No good network of roads, nor wellplanned streets nor health centres and schools. The town has refused to grow and develop. As it is underdeveloped so are the people, seemingly. In this ancient town, there is no school where children could receive modern education. There

are also no other amenities that could enhance the social well-being of the people. There is poverty everywhere. It is hard to place the root cause of the town’s backwardness 60 years after. Our correspondent visited the town located along the dilapidated and abandoned Abinsi-Wukari Road which was constructed more than 30 years ago. Its people live in an era similar to the Stone Age. A final year student of the Department of History Benue State

The only sign of development in the area are Government Day Secondary School and an Area Court, sited by the late Governor Aper Aku in 1983. Successive administrations abandoned the secondary school and the court, until the then military administrator, Group Capt. Joshua Obademi, ordered that Ayilamo Day Secondary School be relocated to the town

University (BSU) Benjamin Uzenda who is indigenous to Ayilamo traced the town’s backwardness to conspiracy and gang up by other surrounding communities. Benjamin Uzenda said: “In the then Gaambe Tiev, it was one district and Kungwa Hough was the District Head, with Tombo three kindred, Turan 1 kindred, Mbagber1 kindred, Mbavur 1 kindred and Ukember-Agya 1 kindred. Suddenly, when districts/kindred were created for administrative purpose, the number of kindreds was increased to five under one District Head, except Tombo Ward which had Ayilamo as its headquarters. Instead of creating 15 more kindreds under one District Head, it was compressed. They merged Tombo into just one District Head.” Uzenda further stated that three kindreds namely Kyav, Nyough and Iwedyer were supposed to be upgraded and each was supposed to have five kindreds if the upgrading had been carried out. This, he said, would have increased the number of kindreds to •Continued on page 30

Immortalising Lar •PAGE 30

Trading on the bridge •PAGE 33

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

THE NORTH REPORT

Six decades of lack •Continued from page 29 15 with a district head. This was not so as it was compressed into five kindreds with one District Head. According to Uzenda, before now, Tombo Ward in Ayilamo had 54 polling units. But these units have been reduced to only 22 polling units. This indicates that the people’s voting power has been grossly reduced. He further said the compression of Ayilamo kindreds marked the beginning of the slide of Ayilamo and its people to backwardness. The only sign of development in the area was when the late Governor Aper Aku sited a Government Day Secondary School and an Area Court in the area in 1983. Successive administrations abandoned the secondary school and the Area Court, when the then Military Administrator Group Capt. Joshua Obademi ordered that Ayilamo Day Secondary School should be relocated to the town. Some powerful individuals moved the school to another town called Ayiin, leaving Ayilamo with no school. Ayilamo has no government school 60 years after the town was founded. Any wonder their children are not educated. The only comprehensive health centre which was founded 20 years ago is dilapidated as there are no drugs to serve the ever-increasing people in the town. Inhabitants of Ayilamo town are always prone to common diseases and snakebite. There are no drugs in the health centre which is supposed to be upgraded to a general hospital. This is to enable it to accommodate more people than it currently does as it was built 20 years to accommodate the tiny population of the town as at then. Torbee Agu, a resident of the area, said unknown persons removed the battery that was used to power the electricity generating set. Agu called on Logo Local Government Area to rehabilitate the borehole so that the people can enjoy potable water. Currently, they contend with Fulani herdsmen to fetch drinking water for them, a situation that sometimes results in skirmishes between the local farmers and the herdsmen. The only road contract awarded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development

•An unpaved rural road in the community

from Ayilamo to Anyibe, a rice and fish-producing community located at the bank of Upper River Benue, has been abandoned for more than seven years now. Farmers experience difficulty evacuating their farm produce on bicycles which usually takes two days for them to arrive at Ayilamo Market. According to Terlumun Dzungwe, a farmer, since they elected Hon. Emmanuel Udende, the member representing UkumLogo-Katsina Ala into the National Assembly, he has not visited Ayilamo or sited any single project in the entire Tombo Ward, same with the member representing Logo State Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Chief Godwin Akaan. However, the people of Ayilamo are not relenting as they have taken their destiny in their own hands. One of the prominent sons of the area, Terry Damsa who works in

The only road contract awarded by the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development from Ayilamo to Anyibe, a rice and fish-producing community located at the bank of Upper River Benue, has been abandoned for more than seven years now Abuja, has been promoting free heath programme every year. The free health programme is targeted at widows and the orphans. Hon Moses, Audu and Joseph Tsasar have been carrying out one programmes in the area. Moses Audu has continued to mount pressure on the Federal Government to reconstruct the abandoned Abinsi-TyulenAyilamo-Wukari Road to boost commercial activities, while Jo-

•Vice Chancellor, Prof Doknan Danjuma Sheni

seph Tsavsar has built a lodge for the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) at Tombo Community Secondary School as an incentive to attract corps members to the area in a bid to impart knowledge to the youth of Ayilamo. On his part, Governor Suswam provided electricity during his first tenure but all that is history as the only transformer in Ayilamo town broke down and the Power Holding Company of

Nigeria (PHCN) keeps increasing bills on monthly basis, despite that the community does not enjoy light. Electricity consumers in the town said they require about two transformers to supply light to the agrarian community. The people of Ayilamo are still hoping for the day government would provide them with basic amenities. Who knows long they will wait.

Immortalising Lar

HE late Chief Solomon Lar, the first civilian governor of Plateau State, is fast becoming an institution. In death, his impact is still felt everywhere, including the campuses. The state government named the state university after him and also proceeded to expand the institution’s curriculum to include new courses on the legacies and virtues of the most accomplished politician Plateau ever produced. The proposed courses are ‘Love, Peace and Unity studies, Political Emancipation Studies, Political Tolerance and Peace Development studies. The Vice Chancellor of the Solomon Daushep Lar University, Prof. Doknan Danjuma Sheni, who announced the introduction of the new courses in the University, said the programme was aimed at creating room for the study of the legacies of the late Lar, adding that these are the principles the politi-

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

cian spent his entire life to defend and protect with enthusiasm. As a mark of honour to late chief Lar and as one of the ways to imortalised him, Plateau state governor, Jonah Jang has earlier renamed the state university to Solomon Daushep Lar university. Prof Shenyi disclosed this while paying tributes to the first civilian governor of the state during the funeral rights and final interment in Langtang, Langtang North local government of Plateau state. According to the vice Chancellor, ”the university is setting up a chair to examine the late elder statesman’s last three words; Love, Peace and Unity as revealed by his wife, Prof. Mary Lar. ”Normally in universities, we have Peace and Conflict Studies but our own will go a bit more as we will add “love” The reason I

mentioned love is the spiritual background that Solomon Daushep Lar has, from his Church route up till the dying bed. That spiritual background gave him the desire to naturally love people. He loved widows and orphans, the poor and oppressed. And that is why he worked throughout his 50 years (in politics) emancipating”, he said. Giving reasons for the proposed new courses, Prof. Sheni said, “I think Chief Lar may have been the only governor, at that time, to bring people from other states to come and work in his own state. He brought people from different ethnic groups, some from the legal fields, some as commissioners and some as special advisers. So we want to study that political pragmatism to see how it will enhance political tolerance in Nigeria. “The other thing is his role in conflict resolution, he was a peace

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

THE NORTH REPORT

A big, unfulfilled dream in Ilorin T

HE idea was the late Col George Innih’s. But the glory was that of Kwara State and its people. The then military administrator of old Kwara State wanted to build one of the best stadiums in Africa, in Ilorin, the state capital. Perhaps, that is why till date it is the only stateowned stadium complex that boasts the highest concentration of different sports. It was designed to host 26 sporting events at once. This information was gleaned from the facility master plan. But, the Innih administration did not complete the project before he was summarily removed. His successor, the late Colonel Ibrahim Taiwo, could not also complete the project before the coup makers struck. The initial contract sum of the project was N31.5 million but following virulent attacks on the size of the project, government scaled down the scope of the project to N15.5 million. A document termed ‘sports development in Kwara State’ stumbled on by our correspondent, said that “on assuming office as military governor of Kwara state Colonel Innih saw the need for a stadium complex in Ilorin, because ‘sports for all, all for sports’ could not take place without a stadium and permanent infrastructure. “He approved the setting up of a high-level stadium committee of experts in related professional and technical areas to advise his government at its several meetings on the project which led to the government decision that a stadium complex befitting a state capital should be built in Ilorin as a once and for all action. “The following reputable contractors were invited to quote for the construction based on the list of facilities provided by the state government: Soloel Boneh Ltd; G Cappa Ltd; Niggreek Co Ltd; Gruden International Ltd; Technoexportsroy Ltd; Julius Berger Ltd and Messrs Dumesz (Nig) Ltd. “After careful considerations of their submissions, government awarded the contract for the design and construction of the stadium complex to Technoexoportsroy construction company, Sofia Bulgaria, which already had the National Theatre amongst its record of completed projects in Nigeria.” However, that lofty dream, save for the immediate past government and maker in Plateau State, and in Nigeria at large. During the crises on the Plateau, the President appointed him to head the committee on the Jos crisis and he went and interracted with people of different faith, interacted with people of different political backgrounds and different categories of persons. That ability to bring people of different persuations together towards restoring peace on the Plateau is what we want to study even to the Masters and PhD level. “We want to also see books, papers and other intellectual materials written on how we can better unite our country Nigeria following in the footsteps of the late Lar who lived his life completely as a detribalized Nigerian. That is why we need that Love, Peace and Unity studies” the VC added. He further disclosed plans to enter into collaborations with different groups and institutions within and outside the country to attract the needed development that would support learning in the university. He said the university authority will liase with the state house of assembly to create the legal foun-

•Outer view of the indoor hall of Ilorin stadium complex From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

the current, had suffered neglect, abandonment and dereliction in the hands of successive administrations in the state. Former Governor Bukola Saraki started the rehabilitation of the main bowl and swimming pool sections of the stadium and his successor Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed completed the project. In fact, the football pitch of the stadium is laced with synthetic grass, while there is a state-of-the-art media gallery overlooking the pitch. Sadly, though, the indoor hall of the complex has is an eyesore and has beggared the original intention of the initiator. Checks revealed that the sitting arrangement, the seats and railings in the hall have all given way, just as the colours of the paintings on the walls have defied recognition. An Ilorin based sports analyst said that government yearly, votes funds to the Kwara state Sports Council, “but no one knows where the money goes.” The analyst added that “if government is sinking money for the maintenance of the complex it is money going down the drain as the original master plan of the project has been neglected.”

Former Governor Bukola Saraki started the rehabilitation of the main bowl and swimming pool sections of the stadium and his successor Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed completed the project. In fact, the football pitch of the stadium is laced with synthetic grass, while there is a state-of-the-art media gallery overlooking the pitch He blamed the deterioration of the structures of the indoor hall on its conversion to state House of Assembly during the advent of democracy in 1979. “The indoor hall was used as the legislative chambers of the state House of Assembly when the military left in 1979,” the source added. He also attributed the abandonment of the parts of the complex to administrative division of the stadium between the state Sports Council and Harmony Holdings Ltd.

But some functions of the law establishing the sports council include: To organize, hold or assist, financially or otherwise, the holding of matches and competitions in sports, whether between participants of the state and other states of Nigeria or between participants from Nigeria and other territories and provide or present trophies and prizes for the same and may prescribe the rules under which matches or competitions shall be held; to assist, financially or otherwise, the participation of any Ni-

gerian in the Olympic Games, the Commonwealth Games, or any other contest held either within Nigeria or elsewhere; to maintain land and buildings for the practice of or competition in sports and may admit the public thereto with or without charge or permit, either with or without charge, the same to be used by any other person for the admission of the public with or without and to establish and maintain schools or similar institutions for the education of instructors or organizers for any form of sports; to assist, financially or otherwise, the education overseas of any Nigerian to fit him to be an instructor or organizer for any form of sports or physical culture,” etc. Speaking on the dilapidation of the indoor hall’s structures, media aide to Governor Abdulfatah Ahmed said: “The Indoor sports Hall of the Ilorin Stadium is earmarked for comprehensive overhaul and rehabilitation this year. “It will be completely modernised in line with global standards as obtains in the main bowl of the stadium. This is part of the major infrastructure works proposed by Governor Ahmed in his 2014 budget proposals.”

•Lar

dation for the renaming of the university to Solomon Daushep Lar University Bokkos.

•Gov Jang and His Royal Majesty Da Gyang Buba during the mid-term retreat.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

THE NORTH REPORT

Governor’s wife set to save her jobs scheme W

HAT happened to one of the most vibrant employment schemes in Gombe State? As unemployment statistics rose, confidence in government was at perhaps its lowest ebb. But then, came along the Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo administration, and hope began to return. Also, the governor’s wife, Hajiya Adama Dankwambo, injected a huge boost into the state, with her pet project dedicated to lifting the profile of women in the state. But after making waves, has the Hajiya Adama Women Empowerment Programme (HAWEP) run into a storm? HAWEP aims at enhancing the capacity of indigent women through skills acquisition and cash grants to enable them to stand on their own. It empowered about 4,474 women from inception to date, even as 648 trainees graduated on January 8, 2014. The programme, which began in 2012, has trained 1,519 women on five skills. These are hairdressing, soap and jelly making, fish farming, tailoring and knitting. Last year, the programme was expanded to accommodate more women. About 2,107 women were trained in skills. Within the period, 200 women were trained in poultry farming. To spice up the programme, trainees are given stipends to augment their transportation to the various training centres. When they graduate, they receive complete kits for the skills they learnt, with an additional cash grant of N50, 000 each to enable them to start off their businesses. Those who make soaps and jelly receive kits and chemicals with which they produce the items, those who learnt tailoring receive sewing machines, sewing accessories and three wrappers. In the same manner, those who are into knitting received ultra-modern knitting machines. The hairdressers were given hair dryers, washing trays and other items while those who learnt fish farming were given a free plastic fish pond with 50 fingerlings. Those whose learnt poultry farming during the programme received a package of 25 broiler day-old chicks, one drinker, one chick tray, one long feeder, drugs, two bags of starter feed and N20, 000 cash to start their farm

The programme, which began in 2012, has trained 1,519 women on five skills. These are hairdressing, soap and jelly making, fish farming, tailoring and knitting. Las year, the programme was expanded to accommodate more women. About 2,107 women were trained on some skills. Within the period, 200 women were trained on poultry farming which was introduced then By Vincent Ohonbamu, Gombe

business. Also encompassed in the programme is the distribution of hundreds of empowerment materials such as masa (rice pudding)-making pans powered by gas. The aim, the initiator of the programme said, is to reduce exposure to smoke which has been scientifically proven to be dangerous to sight just as the gadgets make frying easier, quicker and more hygienic. Similarly, HAWEP has also been distributing fertilisers to women farmers across the state at highly subsidised rate to supplement their efforts which results in increased yields.

•Hajiya Adama Dankwambo

Today, HAWEP is synonymous with economic empowerment even though it was meant for empowerment of women in the area of healthcare. Over 1,000 women have benefitted from the free treatment on vesico virginal fistula (VVF) at a health facility outside the state. Recently, the HAWEP health programme attracted women with visual impairment, particularly cataract. Hajiya Adama Dankwambo, through the programme, has engaged the services of Gombe-born expert in ophthalmologist who was practising overseas and some local support staff to perform cataract surgical operations as well as examine, treat and prescribe drugs for other eye problems. No fewer than 1,000 indigent citizens of the state had benefitted from the free eye treatment. This is aside from her active participation in polio eradication activities and other healthcare advocacy programmes that have been of immense benefit to residents of Gombe State. It could be true that some beneficiaries may have misspent their cash

and, invariably their opportunities of wriggling themselves out of poverty, but the wise and prudent ones have utilised these opportunities and are better for it today. They are now happier because they can augment the efforts of their husbands in enhancing the economic well-being of their families. Recently, however, this laudable programme meant to make life better for the women seems to be on the threshold of collapse due to squabbles over finances and enhancement of the socio-economic well-being of women. Those entrusted with its management are, allegedly mismanaging the programme. HAWEP, which is coordinated by Alhaji Hassan Adamu, has lost focus and now appears to be a shadow of itself so much so that the women are crying out to the initiator of the programme to wade into the crisis with a view to correcting the anomalies that are capable of dragging her name to the mud. Women who are supposed to receive N50,000 cash grant now get about N30,000 less. This is because the women were compelled to offer N20,000 down payments to facilitate

Gofidna residents seek infrastructures From Gbenga Omokhunu

HE Chief of Gofidna village in Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Malam Ismaila Tukura, has appealed to the Chairman, Hon. Micah Jiba to provide the community with basic infrastructures. Tukura, who made the appeal also seek provision of water boreholes, to arrest the problem of potable drinking water in the community, which the people have been experiencing. Amongst other infrastructures the community is lacking, he also appealed for the construction of a standard health centre to prevent the people from traveling long distance to other places, for medical attention. The chief also urged the government of the FCT to expedite action to repair the dilapidated road linking Zuba-Suleja express road, in the interest of commuters plying the road. Tukura further advised residents AMAC to continue to support the government for the development of the area, saying that there is need for continuous peace to reign in the community, in order to encourage the development efforts of Hon. Micah Jiba. Similarly, the community’s youth leader, Mr. Rabiu Tukura, urged the FCT Administration to build a Junior Secondary School in the area, to save the children the hardships of attending schools in the neighbouring towns. According to him, the AMAC boss is a God fearing leader that has the intention to work for the benefit of the people and to provide them with basic infrastructures, appealing that the AMAC chairman should provide fertilizers to farmers on time during the cropping season, to enable them have a bumper harvest in the council.

•Sultan of Sokoto and President-General, Nigeria Supreme Council for Islamic Affairs (NSCIA) Alhaji Muhammad Sa'ad Abubakar (left) receiving souvenirs from Amir (President), Muslim Students’ Society of Nigeria (MSSN), Lagos State Area Unit, Mallam Kaamil Kalejaiye during a courtesy visit to the Sultan.

their enlistment for training. Those who were able to offer such amount were meant to take an oath that it should be deducted from source before handing over to them the balance of the supposed cash grants of N50,000. As a result of this, beneficiaries of the programme are mostly women of means. Some of them are even civil servants or politicians. The exposure of this scam was during the closing ceremony of the training conducted on January 8, where 648 women graduated. Among those who graduated was a high profile retired civil servant. She quit the service to join politics and was, until recently, a councillor in one of the local government areas of the state. Besides, some influential politicians have cashed in on the programme, using it to grease their ego as political godfathers by securing forms for their cronies who are, in most cases, supposed to be more comfortable than most of the participants at the expense of those who really needed to be empowered by the programme. Adamu refused to field questions from reporters. He also did not pick his calls, especially those from perceived enquirers. The situation, it was gathered, degenerated that much because the initiator, Hajiya Adama Dankwambo is not always around to supervise the operations of the programme. However, the situation has changed as she has started being keen to know how the programme is run, even as she cautioned women against giving anybody money to facilitate their enlistment. HAWEP is a laudable programme that must be saved from opportunistic predators.

My baby is in danger, says quadruplets’ mother From Gbenga Omokhunu

MOTHER of quadruplets, Mrs. Alice Akor is concerned that one of her babies may not survive if financial help does not come quickly. The four babies were delivered on April 23, 2013 at the National Hospital in Abuja, who was admitted in the Kubwa General Hospital. Akor who spoke to newsmen stated that the baby went down with a fever. She said she rushed him to hospital, adding that she was in need of money to pay the medical bills for the treatment. Akor, a mother of five, delivered the quadruplets in April last year and have since been pleading with the government and well-meaning Nigerians for assistance. When our reporter visited the hospital, Akor was with her baby boy, worried about his fate and that of her family who have been struggling to make ends meet. “I have to get to the pharmacist to get his drugs. And I need to rush home to bathe the other children at home. It hasn’t been easy. My husband has to collect money from people to offset our medical bill. And now one of the children is sick again. We need assistance from anybody that can help us,’’ she said. Mrs. Akor, a National Diploma (ND) holder, stated that before giving birth to the quadruplets, she was earning money from selling clothes, but had to stop due to the financial burden and physical demands of raising her children. She stated that her husband had to borrow money to pay for the medical bills after she delivered, before she and the newborns could be discharged from the hospital. Akor, a native of Kogi, and her husband were already parents to a boy when she gave birth to the quadruplets.

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

Page 33

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

Trading on the bridge B EFORE the Minister of Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed started building six pedestrian bridges in the metropolis, pedestrians were knocked down by speeding cars everyday. This ugly incident lingered for many years before Mohammed in 2012 listened to the outcry for pedestrian bridges. The Minister remarked at a public function that the development was a great concern to his administra-

Almost all the pedestrian bridges in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) have been taken over by traders. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports

tion. He then identified six critical locations where the pedestrian bridges should be constructed which included: Nnamdi Azikwe Expressway by Tafawa Balewa (Old Secretariat); Nnamdi Azikwe Expressway by Olusegun Obasanjo (Wuye Junction); Shehu Yar’Adua Way by Okonja

Iweala Way (V.I.O Mabushi); Shehu Yar’Adua Way by Ladi Kwali Street (Sheraton Junction); Nnamdi Azikwe Expressway by Ahmadu Bello Way (Banex Junction) and Nnamdi Azikwe Expressway by Shehu Shagari Way (Nicon Junction). The bridges which were supposed

to be completed six months from the date of the contract. Some of them remain unfinished. Abuja Review investigations revealed that the completed ones are sometimes hardly used by pedestrians. Why? Petty traders have since converted the bridges to veritable busi-

300 students get scholarship in Gwagwalada

HREE hundred students in Gwagwalada Area Council have received cash as part of the council’s scholarship award that will aid them study at various tertiary institution in the country. Presenting the award to the students during the official flag off of disbursement of bursary/ scholarship award, the chairman of the council, Alhaji Abubakar Giri said the gesture was to support parents and guardians in catering for their children’s education. He stated that most students who were eager to go to school have always been hampered by lack of fund and added that the objective of the award was to assist indigent students of the council to fufill their quest for knowledge. The chairman who pledged that the scholarship award would be an annual one, called on the students to take their studies seriously so that they would be worthy children of the council. “Education is an instrument to success and development of both self and the entire society,’’ he said. In his speech, the committee chairman of the scholarship award, Alhaji Sule Dobi, advised the students to ensure proper usage of the money given to them.

Forum makes case for rural communities

From Gbenga Omokhunu

Dobi who urged parents to send their wards to school, stated that education helps to bring about the growth of any country. One of the beneficiaries, Ms Ramatu Hassan, a student of Theatre and Cultural Arts, Nassarawa State University, who got N18,000 commended the council for its effort in giving the scholarship and promised to make good use of it. Another beneficiary, Mr Rashed Abubakar, a student of Ahmadu Bello University, Zaria, who got N 20,000 stated that the scholarship will encourage students in the council to study more and called on the council to make the event a yearly one. Also speaking, the students’ union leader, Gwagwalada branch, Mr Aliyu Dobi stated that the students in the council had waited for over 10 year for the award and commended the council for making it a reality. About N5 million was distributed by the council according to the study course of the students across the 10 political wards of the council. Students at the Medical sciences got N 30,000, Arts and Social Sciences got N 20,000, while students studying at the polytechnics and colleges of education were given N 18, 000.

ness posts. At night, the bridges come alive offering a variety of articles. When Abuja Review visited one of the bridges at Nnamdi Azikwe Expressway by Shehu Shagari Way, at the popular Nicon Junction bus stop, traders were seen enjoying their trading with their customers without fear of been arrested. Products displayed at the bridge included Shoes, under wears, fairly used cloths, Belts, fruits, groundnuts and so on.

By Gbenga Omokhunu

HE Chairman of South West Peoples’ Forum in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Hon. Femi Sanusi has called on political office holders to evolve policies and programmes that would positively affect lives of the people, especially those in the rural communities this year. Sanusi stated this at a press conference in Abuja. He commended the chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Hon. Micah Jiba for his ceaseless efforts in delivering the dividends of democracy to the people at the rural areas. His commitment to people’s welfare, he said, had earned him the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Golden Award of Excellence. According to Sanusi, the people at the grassroots deserved better living condition, saying if most political office holders can reach out to the people at the grassroots, Nigeria will be a better place for everybody to live in. “Most people at the grassroots have been neglected by subsequent administrations, so much so that they are losing confidence in elected public officers. I believe that if council chairmen could affect the lives of people in their council areas as Hon. Micah Jiba is doing, people at the grassroots will have faith in government. “Also, if elected political office holders in the FCT could affect the lives of people at the grassroots like Senator Phillip Aduda who has also remains committed to the well-being of people at the grassroots, Abuja would be the best place for those who are indigenous and non-indigenous to it to stay. “I would like to appeal to political office holders to emulate Hon. Micah Jiba and Senator Phillip Aduda by making dividends of democracy accessible to them this year. This is because that is what people at the grassroots expect from their leaders,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW Cancer treatment machine for women By Vincent Ikuomola

•President Goodluck Jonathan (middle) being received by National Coordinator, PDP Youth Vanguard, Beke Apere (left). With them is Minister of Power, PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE Prof. Chinedu Nebo at Bwari Area Council, Abuja.

•From right: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Works, Dr. Abubakar Koro Mohammed; MD/CEO, FERMA, Mr. Gabriel Amuchi; Chairman, Senator Ayogu Eze; Mrs. Maryam M. Sanusi, Head of Civil Service of the Federation; Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji (left); FERMA Board Chairman, Mr. Ezekiel O. Adeniji (second left) and some recipients of FERMA Excellence and Commendation Award, at the award presentation ceremony in Abuja

•State House female team captain, Joy Udeh presenting a trophy they won to State House Permanent Secreatry, Emmanuel Ogbile. With them is Director of Administration, State House, Patrick Emefile at the Villa. PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

ELP came the way of women in the Federal Capital Territory who are suffering from cancer, as the Society for Family Health (SFH) donated a Cryotherapy- a machine used for the treatment of pre-cancerous lesion of the cervix to Saffon Hospital, located in Nyanya a satellite town in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). Society for Family Health also donated equipment for the testing of cervical cancer in over 10 hospitals spread across the capital city. Cervical cancer is said to be the second most common cancer among women in Nigeria after breast cancer. About 9,659 women in Nigeria are reported to die of cervical cancer annually. Speaking with journalists after presenting the machine to the management of the hospital, the President Board of Trustees of the SFH, Prof. Shima Gyoh said: “Cancer normally increases with age and I will say that women who are 40 years and above are more at risk than the younger ones, but it can occur at any age. It does not follow any pattern. It just happens that it is commoner in older women. “We want to stress that this machine is not for treating cancer of the cervix. We have discovered that cancer of the cervix is caused by a virus and anytime that virus infects a woman, it may be there for several years before the cancer manifests. “If we can find out that the virus is there before it causes cancer, we want to kill it. This is what the machine is about. “So, this machine is about normal women who have no trouble at all coming for test and if the virus is found, the virus is killed before it stays long enough to cause any trouble.” Gyoh, however, advised the Federal Government to purchase such machines for use in all public hospitals in the country. “This machine costs only 3,000 dollars and it should really be present in every hospital and clinic in Nigeria. Nigeria can afford it, if we put our priorities right,” he stressed. Earlier, the Managing Director of SFH, Sir Bright Ekweremadu, said the SFH has, through its social franchise system, partnered with over 300 private health facilities for the provision of quality healthcare services that are accessible and affordable, especially to the poor and vulnerable in the society. He urged women to “avail themselves of this wonderful privilege of being screened for cervical cancer and if positive, at the early stage, to come in for cryotherapy here at Saffon Hospital.”

Cancer normally increases with age and I will say that women who are 40 years and above are more at risk than the younger ones, but it can occur at any age. It does not follow any pattern. It just happens that it is commoner in older women. We want to stress that this machine is not for treating cancer of the cervix. We have discovered that cancer of the cervix is caused by a virus and anytime that virus infects a woman, it may be there for several years before the cancer manifests

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW Association demands development commission From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

•Director-General, Budget Office, Bright Okogwu (second right); members of the House of Reps Committee on Public Accounts, Lanre Odubote (left) Ifedayo Abeunde; Chairman of the committee, Solomon Olamilekan and Nnena Igbokwe (right) during a meeting at the National Assembly, Abuja. PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

Tika residents bemoan R lack of facilities ESIDENTS of Tika community in Kuje Area Council of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) are lamenting the lack of basic infrastructures in the community. They have appealed to the Chairman, Mr. Shaban Tete to come to their aide. When our reporter visited the community, it was discovered that the community is far from development, because there are no basic social amenities that could give meanings to life and the people are having the feeling of total neglect by the government of Kuje. Some of the residents, who could not hide their pains and disappointment, said that the community has been neglected for a very long, that since its existence, no government’s presence has been felt by the people. According to Mr. Zack Adamu an indigene of the community, they have tried to draw the attention of past administrations to come to their aide by providing the community with basic infrastructures,

From Gbenga Omokhunu

but no administration has listened to the yearning of the people. “This community is backward in everything, because, there are no pipeborne water, no electricity, no healthcare centre, nothing that one would say can give real meanings to life. This community has been left behind in all areas and we are appealing to the chairman, Hon. Shaban Tete to come to our aide. “Our pains is that during elections they always remember to come to our community, and they make passionate promises, that you would think if they are elected, they will not waste any minute before fulfilling their promises. But, once they get the votes they want, they forget about their prom-

•Gbagyi cultural troupe entertaining guests at Kuje.

ises to the people,” he said. Another resident, Baba Yerima said that the past council leaderships have neglected the community completely, and that has made them to feel dejected and abandoned each time they go out of the community to town and they see the good life most people are enjoying in Kuje town. “We are not been treated well at all in this community. The truth is that the reason for setting up local government leaderships is for the people at the grassroots to benefit from the federal or state government through the council chairmen. But, in our case, we cannot say that there is anything we have benefited from the government of Kuje. “We have been neglected for too long and we are tired of this pain-

ful neglect, we need the present council boss to put an end to this suffering by providing basic infrastructures for us, we want to part of those enjoying the dividends democracy, we are part of the government and we should not be suffering this way. “Enough of these fake promises that politicians go to communities like ours to make. What we need is reality and that is the responsibility of government to the people. We need to be considered as people that contributed to the government through our votes during elections, because most of us are supporters of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), but we have never partook from the dividends of democracy of the government of PDP. That is painful,” he said.

NDIGENOUS people of Abuja have urged the Federal Government to create a development commission to take care of the needs of communities displaced as a result of development. The association noted that the commission should be fashioned after the likes of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) or the HydroPower Producing Areas Development Commission (HYPPADEC). The President of OIDA, Pastor Danladi Jeji made the call during the second FCT Heritage Day celebration which held in Gwagwalada. He said displaced communities in Abuja have not been compensated for their confiscated lands, even as he said they are finding it difficult to make a living due to loss of their communities, houses and farmlands to government and private developers. He said: “The proposed Abuja Original Inhabitants Development Commission (AOIDC) should be statutory and should derive its funding from the 30 per cent of all sales accruing from all lands allocated within the FCT. When established, AOIDC would deal with the lingering issues of relocation, resettlement and compensation for all projects, affected communities and persons.” Continuing, he disclosed the association’s plan to sue the Federal Government if it continuous to confiscate their lands without regard for their rights. Presenting a paper entitled “Annihilation of Abuja Original Inhabitants and Imperatives of Democratisation of the Federal Capital Territory,” the Dean, Faculty of Social Sciences Nasarawa State University and Guest Speaker at the occasion, Prof. Andrew Zamani urged the Federal Government to appreciate the need for an allinclusive policy to tackle the problems of the indigenous people of the FCT. Prof. Zamani said: “There are no special privileges for the inhabitants in this regard as is the case for the people of Niger Delta through the Niger Delta Development Commission. Original inhabitants of Abuja need structures for self-governance. The second-tier will provide the basis for a local government system that is people-oriented. More senatorial seats and federal constituencies should be created to increase representation in the National Assembly.

•Gbagyi man at Durumi Mpape, Abuja PHOTOS : ABAYOMI FAYESE

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

ABUJA REVIEW

HEY toiled for the country. They gave their best for Nigeria’s growth and development. Unfortunately, they are living in abject poverty. Some have lost their lives while waiting for their entitlements as a result of some of the stringent procedures introduced into the processes of collecting their pension arrears. This is the sad story of many pensioners in Nigeria, no thanks to pension thieves who manipulate and beat the system to divert pension funds to their private bank accounts. Large sums of money running into billions of Naira have been stolen by many top officials who are saddled with the responsibility of managing and ensuring payment of pension arrears. They transmuted from petty thieves to racketeering syndicate. Initially, they modus operandi was lodging the funds meant for paying the pensioners into their private accounts and deliberately allow the funds to be in their accounts for months before eventually paying the poor pensioners their entitlements. This was with a view to earning fat bank interests. But now, total diversion of the funds is made with no payment made at all to some of the pensioners on flimsy excuses. Even as some of the thieves from Police Pension Funds and other government agencies have been exposed, taken to court, convicted and released on bail, it appears there are no strict laws in place aimed at discouraging those at the helm of affairs from tampering with the funds for their selfish gains. Two months ago, the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) arrested 13 senior civil servants in connection with a fresh fraud in the pension unit of the Office of the Head of Service of the Federation. On the fresh fraud, the Media Consultant of PRTT, Mr. Olajide Fashikun told journalists that some saboteurs were bent on destroying the future of retirees in the country by falsifying documents to defraud government to the tune of N35 billion. Alhaji Kazeem Musa, who worked for several years and retired from the Department of Biological Sciences of the University of Sokoto, has not received any pension arrears since 2007. There are many other worst cases which have resulted in the untimely death of some of the affected retirees. Apart from other measures already taken to sanitise the system, President Goodluck Jonathan, before the commencement of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting last Wednesday, inaugurated a new board for the National Pensions Commission (PenCom). He urged the new team to bring to a halt bad reports associated with pen-

Rooting out pension thieves From the Villa

sion payments in the country by ensuring that pensioners receive their retirement benefits as at when due. Jonathan said: "Government is also mindful of the fate of retirees who have served this great nation. It is therefore of paramount importance to this administration that pensioners receive their retirement benefits as at when due. PenCom is statutorily charged with the responsibilities of regulating and supervising all pension matters in Nigeria. "The enormity and sensitivity of the mandate of the Board of PenCom can therefore not be over-emphasised. The negative reports associated with the administrations of pension under the old scheme in the public sector in recent past have become an issue of grave national concern." Stressing that several radical measures have recently been taken to restructure the scheme, he said: "This included the setting up, as provided by law, the Pension Constitutional Arrangement Department. It is our expectation that the Board of PenCom will work in synergy with this agency to engender a more robust pension system. "In addition, it is expected that the board will work to secure increased compliance with the Pension Reform

By Augustine Ehikioya Act, expand the coverage of the contributory pension scheme to include the informal sector, explore means of utilising the pool of funds towards Nigeria's economic development in line with global best practices and maintain the existing culture of transparency and accountability in the management and custody of the contributory pension fund. "We know that other countries that have similar funds are even coming to invest in Nigeria, there is no reason for PenCom not to invest within and outside this country to even improve on the funds," he added. Former Bauchi State governor,

Dutse traders wary of demolition

OLLOWING the proposed demolition of Dutse Alhaji market by the leadership of Bwari Area Council in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) before the end of January, after completing the construction of the ultra model market, traders are worried over the possibility of affording the shops when completed, before the demolition exercise commences. Some traders who spoke with Abuja Review commended the council for upgrading the market to a modern standard, but lamented that the time given for the proposed demolition is too close for them to afford the money for the shops. According to one of the traders, Mrs Dorcas Kanayo, the new market is commendable, but considering the amount which ranges from between N1.5m to N2.5m for the acquisition of the shops, the time is too close for them to get the money, if the council stick to their plan to demolish the old market for people to move to the

From Gbenga Omokhunu

new shops. “I am happy that Dutse Alhaji is going to have a befitting standard market, where traders and buyers would feel comfortable to operate. But our concern is that the council should also consider the traders who would move to the new shops, by giving us enough time to look for the money, before they start to demolish our old shops. “For me, I do not have enough money now to acquire one of the new shops when completed, but if we are given up to March after completion, I believe that most of us that truly desire to trade in the market, will be able to come out with the required amount,” she said. Another trader, Emmanuel Augustine whose shop was amongst those demolished in November 2013, said that since the demolition of his shop, he has been selling outside the market so that he could make enough money to acquire the

new shop when completed, pleading that the leadership of the council should give the traders more time before completely destroying the old market. “Since my shop was demolished in November, I have been doing my best to make enough money that could afford me the new shop in the market that is under construction, but the truth is that it has been very difficult, I want to appeal to the leadership of the council to consider us, by making the process of getting a shop less cumbersome. “Because, we know that any moment from now they will come and start demolishing the remaining parts of the old market, but, they should not forget that to get the millions to acquire the shops, is not an easy thing. They should assist us by making the processes easy for all of us. So that at the end, everybody will be happy and encouraged to support the government of the council led by Mr Peter Yohanna,” he said.

Adamu Muazu newly inaugurated as the Chairman of PenCom said: "Mr. President, your inaugural speech is very instructive. I have heard and I assure you under my supervision, PenCom will comply with your instruction and with the law. "I also assure you that we will ensure that compliance is made by the various states that have not complied, that the various Federal Government's agencies and, indeed public sector and all informal sectors, will be made to comply as soon as possible. "In addition to that, Mr. President, we will take due diligence and we will consult with various government

agencies, private sector organisations, the PFS and indeed, if need be, with other very successful pension commissions abroad to find ways and means of unveiling these monies that are made available for providing infrastructure and housing to the public. "In so doing, I want to assure you that these monies that are in the confines of the PenCom are owned by individuals. We will make sure, with the best of our ability, that whatever investment we make, is capital guaranteed." Promising that pensioners will not only get their entitlements as at when due, but will also get good returns on their funds, he said: "We will make sure that the returns on the investment must beat inflation and possibly make very good returns for the pensioners. "By the grace of God, we will do whatever it takes. We will make you proud of our work in Pension Commission." The provisions of the law should be reviewed to stipulate stiffer penalties for offenders in order to act as deterrent to others. Offenders also ought not to enjoy options of fines and bail grants when convicted since their actions, even though not through violence or gunshots are silently sending thousands of Nigerians to their early graves.

Community hails council chief on performance From Grace Obike

ATIVES of Kpaduma II community in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), have commended the chairman of Abuja Municipal Area Council (AMAC) Hon. Micah Jiba for the rural electrification project taking place in the community after being in darkness since the beginning of existence. The Secretary of Kpaduma communities Simon Baba, who spoke on behalf of the natives in Abuja, thanked the council boss for reaching out to them in 2013, adding that the rural electrification taking place in the community has given the natives a sense of belonging which they have been denied from the beginning of the community. According to him, the people of Kpaduma II have spent years without electricity, and the AMAC chairman is doing all he can to ensure that there is developing in every community in his area council. “We were informed that the job would have been completed in December 2013, but it is yet to be completed. The council boss has assured us that the project will be completed in January this year and we believe him, because he always stands by his words. “Like Oliver Twist, although we are aware that everything has to go gradual, we hope that in his administration he will help us a get health centre in our community, because, the only hospital we make use of is Asokoro general hospital, which is about 5kms from our community,” he said. He therefore appealed to the council to also provide the community with a primary school, and health care centre which they know is one of the priorities of the council boss as a leader who has passion for his people. “The council boss has almost touched the lives of everybody in rural communities, by providing water boreholes, electricity transformers, access roads and we believe that he will do more to make life easy for those at the grassroots. “I strongly believe that 2014 is going to be better than 2013, base on the steps the council boss is taking to reach out to natives at the grassroots and we will continue to support his administration,” he said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

LEGAL OPINION A Lagos lawyer, CHIJIOKE EMEKA, examines the legal framework for deep seaports development and the economy at a workshop on Maritime Law organised by the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS)

Deep seaports: Prospects and challenges •Continued from last week ORE than 86 per cent of Nigeria-bound cargoes pass through the ports in La gos. The industries within Lagos and its environs are a major attraction. The role of industries cannot be ruled out. Industries need modern ports to move their equipment. Apart from Lagos, how many states can boast of the presence of industries? You cannot rule out the role of industries in port operations and efficiencies. Deep seaports are transit points. What is the reason for developing a deep seaport in Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom and Delta states? We must do things professionally and not politically. There are critical factors to consider when developing a port. A deep seaport is expensive to maintain. A port must be competitive. We have enough ports already. Most of the ports are not viable. Let’s develop our roads and rail network.” Perhaps the jostle by States for deep seaport hosting may be explained by the reality of the implications of the fact that Nigeria currently accounts for 76 per cent of all maritime trade moving around West Africa. It requires no clairvoyance to project that whoever hosts a viable deep seaport along Nigeria’s coastline will likely host the cargo hub serving port for ports along the entire sea way from far West down the entire belly of Africa, ending at Central African maritime curve.

Challenges to deep seaport development in Nigeria The development of deep seaports in Nigeria is not without possible challenges. These may include:

Financial constraints The cost of a Greenfield deep seaport project can be enormous. The huge financial implications can be a set-back to such mega projects. The Ibaka Deepwater Port is estimated to cost at about $2billion. Cost recovery estimations on such a project must be robust. Recovery for longterm gestation projects like a seaport can be slow. Financing can therefore be a significant challenge, which may only be overcome by considerable guarantees coming from government partners. This is why the PPP model, already at work in the ongoing Lekki Port, can be a solution to seamless financing of such mega projects. The private sector-government synergy is expected to interplay to provide robust funding from big local lenders, the global financial system and the International Finance Corporation, as the case may be.

Political interference Political interference can be a challenge to deep seaports development. There are known instances in the past where political interference scuttled private sector efforts at projects at the commanding heights of the economy. Even with concession agreements, once political expedience dictates interference, concession contracts have usually been unable to protect concessionaires from political weight propelled by virtual sovereign immunity and impunity. This is one of the reasons a regime of robust legal framework is required to back up the development of deep seaports.

Lack of adequate legal framework and regulatory regime While the jostle for participation in deep seaport development rages, the project still lacks a formidable legal framework. Deep seaports require distinctive guidelines for their construction and operation. The Nigerian Ports Authority Act 1999, the principal legal framework for ports has not envisaged deep seaports development. The Ports and Harbours Bill currently before the National Assembly has not made significant provisions on regulatory requirements for deep seaports. The Bill only made a broad reference to development of Greenfield port and the required approvals for same. Experts suggest solidly rooted guidelines in the form of legislation as necessary for effective development and operation of deep seaports. There is need for benchmarks to be set and operational issues relating to licensing, marine environmental management and navigation, environmental review criteria, pipeline safety and operation, application of international agreements, common user infrastructure and sharing, record-keeping, inspections, supervisory roles, and termination of licenses, amongst others, clarified [Akabogu, E.; ibid].

•DG, NIALS, Prof. Ephiphany Azinge (SAN)

Ibaka was already under threat of Court actions over alleged violation of intellectual property rights in its conceptualisation. An alumnus of the Nigerian Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies (NIPPS), Kuru, Andrew Okoja, retired Navy Rear Admiral, had claimed that the concept which gave birth to the project was his original idea. The retired naval officer claimed to have developed the concept while undergoing Senior Executive Course in NIPSS in 1993 for the development of a deep seaport in the eastern seaboard of Nigeria. Both NPA and Akwa Ibom State Government were threatened with law suits by Okoja and his NIPSS class. The ownership, construction and operation of the deep seaports are guided by law and ethics. The introduction of the Deep Water Port Act 1974 (DWPA) in the USA and the amendments in 1984, 1990, 1995 and 1996 furnished conditions to meet the necessary requirements for deep water ports. as deducing adverse effects on the marine environment, which might come about as an aftermath of the development of such ports and submitting detailed plans, including financial, technical information, location and the capacity for construction and operation and maintenance of the proposed deepwater ports. In 2000, due to the Amendments in 1996, the importation of natural gas, which would utilize offshore structures, was proposed by industry to the U.S. Coast Guard. Prior to this, the DWPA solely considered crude oil and did not specifically allow the importation of natural gas. Subsequent to dialogue in clarifying jurisdictional roles and procedures for the application process, Coast Guard proceeded with proposing legislative changes to the DWPA. The 9/11 terrorist attacks changed the focus of the entire country with regard to public safety. Following 9/11, potential security threats were analysed throughout the US in all forms of transportation and industries. Soon Congress implemented another law, the Maritime Transportation Security Act 2002 (MTSA). Congress assessed the risks that affected the maritime environment that included the potential hazards of LNG. In November 2002, the President signed the MTSA formally amending the DWPA to extend the definition of deepwater ports to include natural gas facilities, implement measures to improve vessel and facility security. Overtime, agitation on port controls and regulation have favoured reforms that saw to privatisation and concessions of ports to free port activities to competition and effectiveness. Even with the gains of these reforms, it has been cautioned that care should be taken to ensure that foreign investors do not prejudice the interests of cabotage operators when it becomes suitable to them for business or antitrust purposes. Following the US example, Nigeria should find a meeting point between free market in the deep seaport enterprise, and effective legal and regulatory regime that would protect the concessionaires and the country.

Short and long run safety regulations There are several safety issues associated with deep seaports. In the US, the DWPA encouraged the promotion of the deep water ports as a safe and efficient medium of oil transportation with

•Emeka

minimised tanker traffic and associated risks. For the sake of safety measures latest technologies available are used in the construction and operation of the deep water ports which also impose economic, social and environmental effects in the national interest. The concerned deep seaports authorities are responsible for oil spill prevention, containment and cleanup, effect on oceanographic currents patterns, potential dangers from waves, winds, weather, and geological conditions etc. There have been concerns that Nigeria may be easy destination for hazardous cargo. It is believed that a deep seaport that attracts Panamax and Post-Panamax vessels may even increase the possibility. These are part of the concerns for safety, both in the short and long run.

Poor existing road and rail network Although deepwater ports will be most favourable to importers of liquid bulk cargo, implications of evacuation could pose some challenges. Though a detailed system of pipelines is expected to be a core part of the project design, individual companies may have to link up to the system from the landing point to wherever they will locate their storage tanks. For many that have existing facilities already in built-up and congested areas like Apapa, costs on such additional investment may be discouraging. Current security issues affecting existing pipelines are also important to note and prepare against. A major challenge to Ibaka might be the need for effective road network for inland cargo movement. A massive construction programme of heavy-duty, year-round-motorable, integrated road networks, specifically targeted as distributive channels, must be developed alongside the deep seaport. A railway design should also be explored for more effective transportation. Also, the nearby Ibom International airport at Okobo may be harnessed for inland air movement of cargo, especially to the North Central and North East. For Lekki Port, with the bloated urban density issues in mainland Lagos resulting in intractable traffic gridlocks, more robust engineering ingenuity is expected to be deployed to develop seamless evacuation access for the massive cargo expected from non-regional hub cargo traffic.

Poor power capacity As Africa’s population giant, Nigeria has missed huge opportunities in real sector direct foreign investments with her persistent power challenges. With the yet intractable energy challenge in Nigeria, aside from road networks, electricity is expected to be a challenge not only to the deep seaports but for the projected surrounding businesses and new urban settlements that would attend the ports. With the ongoing reforms and concessions by the Federal Government in the power sector, the challenge of power may well be on its way out of Nigeria. Also the plan to site Independent Power Plants in the proposed Ibaka Industrial City may be the answer to likely energy challenges of the deep seaports.

Poor viability assessment culture and moribund businesses

Nigeria’s landscape is littered with many large scale projects that commenced with great hopes and promises and ended up white elephants. Apart from post-development mismanagement, the reason for the dash of hopes is placing political considerations above honest viability assessments of the sustenance of such projects as short-time and long time business models. It has been suggested that promoters of Ibaka Deep Seaport should examine the Calabar Port for answers to its challenges. Posers should be raised whether, apart from its shallow draft and dredging issues, the port is affected by other factors that have robbed it of viability advantage like its neighbour in Port Harcourt. As a cargo hub much of its cargoes are expected to be delivered to neighbouring ports by lighters and may not be affected by shore logistic problems. Yet, for the purpose of achieving the aspect of its business plan that targets gateway status to inland states of the Southeast, Northcentral states and Northeast states, these questions are necessary to cover the spectrum. This is because Calabar challenges may become Ibaka’s challenges, subject to results of an investigation on honest viability assessment. A deep seaport is not a social infrastructure. It is a large and complex business venture that should only be embarked upon with demonstrable viability as self-sustaining and profitable business.

Food for thought From 2006 the Panama Canal, the Atlantic/ Pacific shipping gateway, has been undergoing expansion at the cost of $5.3 billion. The expansion is expected to be completed in 2015 and the expended sum projected to be recovered within 11 years; because it is business.

Summary and recommendations A Deep Seaport is measured in terms of its increased depth of draft with attendant capacity to host and handle larger heavily loaded (economical) vessels. The global trend that saw naval architects and engineers pursuing a predilection for larger designs of carriers; is the incentive for deeper seaports, expected to accommodate Panamax and Post-Panamax ships. With population advantage and with almost 80 per cent of regional cargo traffic being Nigeria-bound, Nigeria is the natural hub of maritime industry in the region and cannot be left behind in the jostle for efficient deep seaports. Deep seaports are capital intensive in development and maintenance. Their viability indicators must include access to population, industrial and trade activities. Thus Nigeria does not need more than Lekki and Ibaka deep seaports, at least for now and in the nearest future. The other suggested deep seaport locations at Badagry in Lagos State, Olokola in Ondo State, Ogidigben near Escravos in Delta State, Agge in Bayelsa State, Bonny in Rivers State, Calabar in Cross River State etc may turn into white elephant projects and should be rested for future developments. With the advantage of massive control power of regional cargo movement, Nigeria stands a huge chance of attaining the regional transshipment base with Lekki Deep Seaport; while Ibaka Deep Seaport would attain the oil and gas hub for much of the Atlantic stretch and an important global supply terminal. Funding constraints, political interference, lack of sufficient legal and regulatory framework, safety concerns, requirement of massive infrastructural support like roads and railway network, poor power capacity, poor viability assessment culture etc, are identified as factors that militate against deep seaport development in Nigeria. The challenges are however surmountable. Legal and regulatory framework for deep seaports development, ownership, operations, safety and security issues should be clearly set out. A middle ground should be found between a free market with regulatory framework for safety, sustainability and the larger national interest. A comprehensive inland river ports development will be a huge cargo transportation network support for deep seaports. Energy should be channeled towards developing a good network of river ports and jetties along Nigeria’s navigable waters. Deep seaport activities will impact positively on Nigeria’s economy, but to reap the benefits, parameters must be set right. Great opportunities for huge can be missed when mismanaged. •Emeka, a maritime practitioner and Principal Counsel, Auxano Law Consult in Lagos. •Concluded

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

NATIONAL BAR

Lawyer seeks to alter NBA NEC membership •Lagos branch partners insurance firm

LAGOS lawyer, Mr. Seth Amaefula, is seeking to stop former chairmen of the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch from becoming automatic members of the National Executive Committee (NEC). In a motion titled: Notice of motion to suspend appointment/confirmation of a NEC representative for NBA Lagos branch, Seth is urging the branch to pass a resolution that the practice of an immediate past chairman graduating to be NEC representative should stop. He said the branch should rather have the power to choose its NEC representative. According to him, the practice which foists a NEC representative on the branch deprives it of an informed choice and ought to be discouraged. Seth said the chairman should not send names of his former colleagues to the NBA secretariat as NEC representative based on the existing practice, adding that this would

By John Austin Unachukwu

be wrong. The motion was adjourned for discussion. Some branches still appoint or elect their NEC representatives. Meanwhile, the NBA Lagos branch has concluded insurance policy with FBN Life Assurance for its members. The branch chairman, Mr. Alex Muoka said: “The policy is not compulsory; it is optional for interested members who should express their interest by paying N5,000 annually as premium for the cover in addition to paying their branch dues. “The policy covers death and personal accident. In case of the death, the assured amount is N750,000. Accident without permanent disability is N250,000 while accident with temporary or permanent disability is N250,000 for medicals.” The policy is open to members of the branch who are below 70.

•From left: Mouka; Branch Secretary Tola Apata and Ist Vice Chairman Nelson Ogbuanya

NBA Vice President to run for Presidency

HE First Vice-President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Mr Osas Justy Erhabor has declared his intention to contest the association’s Presidency in July. He announced his ambition during the meeting of the Southwest Lawyers Forum (also known as Egbe Amofin) in Ibadan. Erhabor was Secretary and Chairman of Ilesa Branch of the NBA. He was the Second Vice-President in the Joseph Daudu (SAN) administration. On both occasions, he was nominated and endorsed by the Egbe. He is also the Vice-Chair of International Human Rights Committee of the Section of International Law of American Bar Association.

•From left: Zik Obi, Foluso Fayokun and Pa Tunji Gomez

NBA holds NEC meeting

HE Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) will hold its quarterly National Executive Committee (NEC) meeting at Fountain Hotel, Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State on March 5-7 by 9am. Constitution of electoral committee to conduct the forthcoming NBA election is expected to top the agenda.

Ungogo branch elects new officers

HE Ungogo branch of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) in Kano State has elected new officers to pilot the affairs of the branch in the next two years. Those elected are: Salisu H. Danjida (chairman), Juliana B. Sale (Vice-Chairman), Mustapha Imam (Secretary), Wada A. Wada( Assistant Secretary), Binta Tukur Abdullahi (Treasurer), Usman Abdullahi (Financial Secretary), Bashir Sale (Public Relations Officer), Mutawakil Ishaq (Welfare Officer) and Idris I. Haruna (NEC Representative).

•From left: Funke Adekoya (SAN), Lady Deby Obodoukwu and Abiodun Owonikoko (SAN)

NBA’s festering democratic deficits A Lagos lawyer, AKINTAYO IWILADE, argues that for the Nigeria Bar Association (NBA) to become a truly democratic organisation, it should adopt universal suffrage for electing its national officers.

•Iwilade

E have always preferred the reputation of being democrats to the notorious inconve niencies of practising democracy. Now we can enjoy the reputation without the inconveniences of practising democracy because we have trivialised democracy to the extent that it is no longer threatening to those in power or demanding on anyone - the late Professor Claude Ake Except we urgently begin to exemplify true and unfettered practice of democracy in the running of our national professional association the Nigerian Bar Association- our claim to being the ‘conscience of the nation’, ‘the voice of the voiceless’, ‘the bulwark against state tyranny’, ‘guardians of our nation’s democracy’, etc, might likely become untenable. To regain our place among the leading ideological and organisational lights seeking to genuinely advance liberty, individual freedom and true social development and progress for all Nigerians, we must urgently recreate ourselves and unarguably become shining ex-

amples of what we advocate for Nigeria in the area of genuine and unfettered democratic practice. Regardless of the many distortions the concept has undergone, one agreeable point is that democracy aims, among other crucial things, at enabling the people the unfettered freedom to exercise their inalienable rights to equal and direct participation in the actual choosing of those to lead them through free, fair and transparent processes. One efficacious way to pursue the attainment of this ideal is to give every member of every community the unfettered right to cast a single equal vote to determine who to lead them. Simply put, the way to democracy is to practise universal adult suffrage as one of the first preconditions for democratic progress- i.e; one person, one vote! one woman, one vote! one man, one vote! one lawyer, one vote! In this wise, the delegates’ voting system, through which national officers of the NBA have emerged for over a decade, abysmally falls short of this pivotal democratic test. The system needs to be discarded if the national Bar is to become the democratic inspiration it ought to be for the rest of Nigeria. Representative voting is an aberration of true democracy or at best, an abridgment of it. Many reasons have been adduced for the adoption of the delegates’ voting system in use. One is the need to avoid a re-occurrence of the Port Harcourt stalemate that saw the national leadership go into non-existence for some years. Another is the view that granting universal suffrage will make Bar elections rowdy, unwieldy and time-consuming. Other views have been canvassed, that universal suffrage will create a sort of ‘mob’ electorate who may dislodge the Senior Advocates from the leadership they hold and offer at the Bar. This latter point has, how-

ever, been most effectively demobilised by the deeply engaging thoughts expressed by eminent Prof Chidi Odinkalu (now Chairman, National Human Rights Commission) in his insightful piece, Modernising the Bar: A necessary debate. Reacting to a view reportedly expressed by a former President of the Bar, Prof Odinkalu said: “In an effort to clothe an anodyne idea with an adverse animus enough to elevate it to a nonexistent danger of existential proportions, the learned Senior Advocate attains undesirable genius with a line that gratuitously insults Senior Advocates and simultaneously gives offence to juniors in claiming: “The only way to dislodge the leadership offered by the rank (of Senior Advocate) is to go for universal suffrage where by way of example juniors who will then be in the majority can be persuaded to vote for the Chairman of the Young Lawyers Forum or any other aggressive junior or any of the midlevel seniors who are in the forefront of the clamour for universal suffrage”. In dislodging the above argument, the Professor clarified: “This line of argument manages – rather painfully – to imply that Senior Advocates lack the capability to win through to the Presidency of the Bar, unless they are protected from competition and also that juniors lack the judgment to discern from among competitors the ones with serious credentials. Yet, it is clearly the case that even in the system Senior Advocates make up less than 18 per cent of the presumptive electorate and thus have shown themselves to be much more durable and competitive leadership materials – but not as a right of birth, tribal hygiene or patronage as the learned Senior Advocate implies.”

On the fears of avoiding a repeat of the Port Harcourt debacle and in consequence, uncritically sticking to the undemocratic delegates’ system, Odinkalu argued very courageously. “The benefits of the present ‘Jamboree’ are neither clear nor demonstrated beyond its historical links to an admittedly painful historical episode in Port Harcourt 20 years ago. But the world has moved on from 20 years ago. Do we have to get stuck in the past?” On the biggest argument in favour of discarding the delegates’ system in favour of Universal Suffrage, Prof Odinkalu concluded: “If a lawyer pays practising fees and branch dues, which, in turn, are the mainstay of the NBA’s finances, why should he or she be compelled to proxy their votes to someone when they can, by themselves, exercise the right to decide who leads their Bar and how?” No attempt is made here to add to the erudite Prof’s responses above as they are at once principled, profoundly analytical, and, as usual, delivered with uncommon and attractive erudition. However, on the fears that granting universal suffrage will make Bar elections rowdy, unwieldy and time consuming, we must say that to build an organisation that would be timeless, democracy’s tenets must be fully operationalised and practised no matter the inconveniences encountered in the process. If there are real or imagined inconveniences on the path to practicsing genuine democracy, it is the inconveniences that must be circumvented, defeated and put out of the way, not democracy itself. Logistical inconveniences are to be put out in favour of democracy and not democracy being put out, undermined or abridged in deference to or in uncritical fear of so-called logistical or veiled •To be continued next week

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

LAW & SOCIETY Group petitions police, SSS over attempted abduction

HUMAN rights group, the Access to Justice (AJ), has petitioned InspectorGeneral of Police, Mohammed Abubakar (IGP) over alleged suppression of police investigation into the attempted abduction of a Port Harcourt resident Mr Arthur Judah by the police in Rivers State. The petition, signed by the group’s Legal Programme Attorney, Mrs Destina Dalumo, was also sent to the Director of the State Security Service (SSS), the Governor of Rivers State, National Human Rights Commission (NHRC), Chairman, Police Service Commission and the Assistant Inspector-General of Police, Zone 6, Calabar, Cross River State. The group said their client’s life is in danger, urging the security authorities to intervene. “Our client is convinced that his life is no longer safe in Port Harcourt. We are in the circumstances requesting that you use your good office to call for the case file and to re-assign the investigation of this matter to a credible police officer and police unit capable of conducting investigations into this matter with integrity,” the group wrote. Judah alleged that the police in Rivers abused their powers in obstructing and, ultimately, sup-

By Joseph Jibueze

pressing criminal investigations into an attempt to abduct him. AJ said sometimes in October, last year, Judah got some strange calls with the caller refusing to divulge his identity. The caller later said his name was “Chief Ezego”, claiming he was Judah’s deceased father’s friend who entrusted him (Chief Ezego) with some inheritance to deliver to Judah. It turned out the claim was false, and the “chief” was later discovered be masterminding Judah’s abduction. Police officers told Judah to play along and meet with the chief. He and his co-conspirators were arrested, only to be released a few hours later purportedly on the order of Rivers Commissioner of Police. AJ said the men were released when the police had not even had the chance to interview them or begin any investigation. “Our client was stunned as to how the attempt to abduct/kidnap him could be treated so lightly by a Police Commissioner. “Our client was also informed that the Rivers CP directed that the case file be transferred to his office and he asked the parties (the complainant and the suspects) to visit his office the next day, November

4, 2013. “On the afore-mentioned date, our client arrived at the CP’s office in the early hours of the morning with the police officers who went for the arrest and they were in the CP’s office till evening with no one attending to them. “Incidentally the crime suspects were not present for the said meeting. At the close of the day, police officers in the office of the CP asked our client and the police officers with him to return the next day. “However, to everyone’s amazement, the police officers who went for the arrest were arrested and detained for reasons only known to the CP. “Subsequently, the CP immediately transferred each of them to different police stations outside Port Harcourt. “Some persons within the law enforcement community conversant with the developments advised our client to immediately leave Port Harcourt ... “We urge you to take urgent and adequate measures to save our client’s life and provide needed security for him. “We urge your urgent intervention in this regard as we look forward to a more transparent and impartial investigation of the case,” AJ wrote.

• From left: Lagos State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr. Ade Ipaye and his Delta State counterpart Mr. Charles Ajuyah (SAN) at an event.

Braithwaite seeks accelerated trial

CTIVIST lawyer, Dr. Tunji Braithwaite has urged an Ikeja High Court to accelerate the hearing of a case before it. Braithwaite, who was alleging disobedience of a subsisting court order by Standard Chartered Bank Nigeria Limited, insisted that the action of the defendant would impact negatively on the legal system. He told the court that the judiciary risked being manipulated by people in high places. Dr. Braithwaite was making his submission in a N10 billion suit he instituted against the bank. He was reacting to a motion for extension of time filed by the defence counsel, Mrs. Oluwatosin Iyayi, to enable the bank file its statement of defence. The court had in June, last year ordered both parties to perfect their court processes in readiness for accelerated hearing of the suit. At the resumed hearing of the matter last week, Dr. Braithwaite urged the court to take a notice that the defendant was deliberately refusing to file its defence and that this was done to manipulate the system and destroying the res, for it to complete its building to 15th floor while the case is pending. “My Lord, I am not happy about the trend of this case. This case will surely try the integrity of the Nigerian legal system and would either have a salutary effect or internal condemnation

By Adebisi Onanuga

of the Nigerian legal system. Your lordship will recall that this court granted us an order to amend our processes since June 2013, but up till now the defendant had deliberately refused to file the statements of defence and manipulating the Nigerian legal system in order to destroy the res of the matter, by continuing to build the house in question to 15th floor.” “There is an order of the court of Appeal, stopping them at the second floor, yet they are now on the 15th floor. This is a serious case to try. As I said, the integrity of the Nigerian legal system is in danger. Why should they continue to destroy the res while the case is still pending?” he asked. Mrs. Iyayi, however, prayed the court to hear her client’s motion for extension of time, pleading that it was not aimed at manipulating the legal system, adding that her client was a lawabiding institution. In her ruling, the trial judge, Justice Doris Okuwobi noted that there was an apparent delay by the defendant in filing its court processes in the case, but that there was little she could do in view of another appeal in the case pending at the Court of Appeal. She adjourned the case till February 13, 2014 for further hearing and ordered the bank to perfect all its processes before the next adjourned date. Dr. Braithwaite sought a declaration of the court that the construction by

•Dr.Braithwaite

the defendant of a 15-floor commercial building comprising a five-level car park at No. 142 Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island, Victoria Island, Lagos is unlawful and damaging to the right of the claimant. He also sought a declaration that notwithstanding the defendant’s alleged illegal development permit, the building constitutes a nuisance and an unlawful obliteration of the claimant’s easement to light, air and linkages – the rights of the claimant. He further prayed the court to order that the building be demolished by the defendant. But Iyayi told the court that the building was legal because it has a permit to build it.

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com

Between Victor Ogene and Joseph Mbu

HEN President Goodluck Jonathan sarcastically referred to some of his critics as ‘little men’, many condemned the diatribe; more so as you cannot walk in the rain and complain of getting soaked. But what can one make of ‘little public officials’ who flagrantly abuse their public power; and because of temporal privileges, act with impunity in the name of the institution they represent. In the past week, Deputy House of Representatives’ spokesman, Victor Ogene, and the notorious Commissioner of Police, Rivers State, Mbu Joseph Mbu, took the gold medal in this respect. There were other culprits. For the umpteenth time, Mbu was again in the news for the wrong reason. The police under his command was accused of shooting rubber bullets at Senator Magnus Abe and other unarmed members of the so called Save Rivers Movement, a group championing the political interests of Governor Rotimi Amaechi of Rivers State. Ostensibly, the group was formed as a counterpoise to another nebulous association of political jobbers, called, the Grassroots Development Initiative, beholden to Nyesom Wike, the Minister of State for Education, who is boastful that he has enormous powers in the politics of the state. I have sympathy for the professional challenges facing Mr. Mbu, as the state Police Commissioner, considering that it is extremely difficult to serve two politically wayward masters at the same time. Nay, in the high octane political drama, playing out in Rivers, Governor Amaechi is involved in a life-threatening political battle with President Jonathan; and Mr. Mbu is no more than a pawn in the chess game. Interestingly, under our jejune federal constitution, President Jonathan through the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), instead of Public Law and Order, is the de jure and de facto boss of the Commissioner of Police; but in the eyes of ordinary Nigerians, Governor Amaechi, is erroneously considered the boss of the Commissioner. So, the poor fellow is drawn between the un-protective laws of the country, that will not aide him, in a battle with the authorities, and the whims and caprices of desperate politicians and their dangerous compatriots. But this challenge will not justify his increasing decent into anarchical language; even when he is intermittently drawn into a farcical showdown by those opposed to his boss. In pursuit of professional advancement, Commissioner Mbu must appreciate that there is life beyond the prospects of achieving an ultimate career goal. Mr. Mbu’s lowest moment last week, was his choice of words over the alleged shooting incidence involving Senator Abe. He did not speak as a mature law officer. Instead, he boasted as if he is the law of the state. Such arrogance shows that the commissioner may have lost his cool, in the tug-of-war, with the political interests mobilised against him in Rivers. Unfortunately for him, in the end-game in Rivers, should anything happen to any of the dramatis personae in any confrontation with the police, Mr. Mbu will be held accountable, at least in the court of public opinion. It is, therefore, expedient that Mr. Mbu be immediately redeployed, by the IGP. As has been stated by the court and many commentators on the right to peaceful assembly, the police have no right to issue any permit or disperse a peaceful assembly, for lack of permit, under a truly constitutional democracy. But that is one side of the story. The other side is that, under the Police Act, the Police have subsisting extra-ordinary powers that impugn the rights of free citizens in any modern democracy. These impurities are contained in the police power of arrest and power to prevent the commission of crime (read riotous assembly), which definitions are nebulous. But Victor Ogene’s tantrum against the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy is even more gratuitous. According to Mr. Ogene, the Minister was grandstanding by making public, instead of treating as a secret, her answers to the so called and much-advertised 50 questions on the economy, raised by the House Committee on Finance, for the Minister to answer. Yet, Mr. Ogene purports that the committee was acting in the interest of the Representatives of Nigeria. So except for purposes of mischief, it is difficult to appreciate how the minister can be censored on this point, when the committee was celebrating publicly, their capacity to raise 50 ‘take home questions or assignment’ for the minister at their previous encounter. Even more intriguing is Ogene’s claim that ‘nobody is deceived by high-sounding economic terms’ in the answers. That unnecessary diatribe gave him and those he represented away, as economic illiterates, who are intimidated by economic jargons contained in the minister’s answers. The resort to clear treats and intimidation about the powers of the parliament over an appointed public official, further confirms that Ogene is merely pursing the misguided interest, of some of his colleagues. If truly Ogene and those pushing him are working for our common interests; then his choice of words must be circumspect. Regrettably, part of the challenge for our young democracy is that many of the political actors are unable to distinguish between democratic ethos and militarised languages. So, when you here Mbu or Ogene talking as if they hold the ultimate ace, based on their misguided interpretation of their constitutional responsibilities, you will understand that they are products of decades of militarised environment. Unfortunately, our courts have not yet completely weaned themselves from the effects of the years of a militarised polity; otherwise, they would in clear exercise of their prerogative powers, shoot down these pretenders, each time they want to ride roughshod over our laws and the wellbeing of our democracy.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

NATIONAL BAR The crisis rocking the Egbe Amofin (Southwest Lawyers Forum) may soon be resolved. The group’s leaders held parallel meetings in Ibadan and Lagos at the weekend, and there are indications that both parties are open to an amicable resolution of the issues, report Legal Editor JOHN AUSTIN UNACHUKWU and JOSEPH JIBUEZE.

NBA election: Egbe Amofin calls for reconciliation

ITH less than six months to the election of new officers to run the affairs of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), the Southwest Lawyers Forum, known as Egbe Amofin, has set up a committee to reconcile warring factions in its fold. The group has been mirred in a leadership crisis, culminating in some members, including about 15 NBA branch chairmen, “sacking” the group’s leadership and setting up a Central Working/Steering Committee. Problems began at its meeting in Abeokuta on August 17, last year, when the forum set up a screening committee to vet its candidates for the NBA elections, as well as put up a committee to review its constitution to restructure the forum and reposition it. The meeting adjourned to meet again in early October, last year in the Akure, Ondo State home of Chief Ifedayo Adedipe (SAN). The meeting, however, did not hold, prompting a group of 15 NBA branch chairmen to request for an extra-ordinary general meeting, which was held on December 7, last year at Chief Adedipe’s house. During the meeting, the chairmen considered the reports of the Constitution Drafting Committee and the screening committee, among others. They subsequently elected interim officers to run Egbe Amofin’s affairs. Also at the meeting, they ratified the report of the Screening Committee and adopted former NBA General Secretary Deacon Dele Adesina (SAN) as its Presidential candidate. However, the Chief Bandele Aiku (SAN)-led group fixed its meeting at the Chief Afe Babalola Bar Centre in Ibadan, Oyo State, which was held last Saturday. On the same day in Lagos, the Central Working/Steering Committee, under the leadership of interim chairman Adebayo Ayodele, met in Lagos. NBA branch chairmen at the Lagos meeting were Ayodele (Abeokuta), Olubunmi Olugbade (Ikere Ekiti), Kunle Adetowubo (Ondo), Gbenga Oguniran (Ogbomosho), Muyiwa Obamawa (Sagamu), Bode Oyeyemi (Badagry), S. K Owosile (Ikorodu), A. Adewunmi (Ado Ekiti), Monday Ubani (Ikeja) and A. Ahmed (Owo). Chairmen of Ile-Ife, Ota, Okitipupa, Ikole and Ikirin branches were said to have sent their apologies for being absent. The Ibadan meeting started with the consideration of a resolution signed by 12 NBA branch chairmen calling for peace and reconciliation within the forum. The resolution reads in part: “Following the break away of a splinter group of the Southwest Lawyers’ Forum (Egbe Amofin) by reason of a caucus meeting held by some members of Egbe Amofin in Akure on December 7, 2013, it has become necessary to save the unity of Egbe Amofin, our collective heritage, and our place within the Nigerian Bar Association. “Whereas we recognise our common tie is in Egbe Amofin as the umbrella body representing the interest of Southwest lawyers; whereas there might be disagreements between some members of the Egbe Amofin, we the under listed NBA Southwest Branch Chairmen unanimously resolved as follows: “That we unequivocally dissociate ourselves and our branches from the convening, the holding of the meeting of the breakaway caucus of the Southwest Lawyers Forum held in Akure on December 7, 2013. “That we further dissociate ourselves from the resolution allegedly reached at the said caucus meeting on the adoption of Dele Adesina (SAN), or any other candidate as the nominee of the Southwest for the next NBA Presidential elections in 2014. “That we identify only one Egbe Amofin under the leadership of Chief Bamidele Aiku (SAN) as Chairman, Ranti Ajeleti Esq as Secretary, and Mrs. Toyin Adegoke as Treasurer. “That it is our decision that Egbe Amofin remains a united forum and all publications on the state of affairs within the Egbe by various caucuses, groups and persons within the Egbe Amofin should cease. That we call on all our respected leaders, patrons, chairmen, and members to stand together and close ranks quickly to resolve all lingering disagreements.” After reading this resolution, the branch chairmen who were signatory to it were called one

after the other and they confirmed the authenticity of the document. Afterwards, the meeting adopted the document, discussed and eventually agreed to set up a reconciliation committee, headed by Chief Solomon Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN). The committee was given three weeks to reach out to all aggrieved members of the forum and reconcile everybody. Other members are Chief L. O. Oke (SAN) and Mrs. C.J. Aremu (SAN). The meeting dissolved the screening committee, which it set up in the Abeokuta meeting and constituted a new screening committee with former NBA President Chief Priscila Kuye as Chairman. Members are Ahmed Raji (SAN), Dr. Babatunde Ajibade (SAN), Mobalaji Ojibare, Chief Adebiyi Odugbesan, Adekunle Babalola, Alex Muoka, Ola Orinmoloye and Oluwaseyi Ojoba. The committee was given two weeks to send its report to the house. The chairman of reconciliation committee was authorised to bring in one or two branch chairmen from the other faction into the screening committee. The meeting adjourned till February 8 at the same venue to consider the committees’ report. On how he intends to go after this reconciliation, Awomolo told The Nation: “I am praying that God will give me the grace to go about it. God is the God of peace and He will bring peace among Yoruba lawyers. The tongue and the teeth, close as they are they quarrel, but they reconcile, otherwise the owner of the tongue and the teeth will not live any more. “So, we need to reconcile ourselves. What is the purpose of this quarrel in the first place? I want to be this and I want to be that, but it is only God that promotes, makes leaders and puts people into positions; it is not by power and by might. So, I will try my very best that God will help us to bring back the Egbe as it should be. You too, the press should help me, if you have suggestions, send to me so that we can move forward.” Prof. Gabriel Olawuyin (SAN) said the group would gain nothing through wrangling; adding that he fully supports the peace moves. “We should reconcile the warring parties. I don’t believe that it is beyond us to do that. The moment we reconcile the various parties, then the war ahead will be much easier for us. I don’t believe that there is any need for us to continue to wrangle over trivialities because as far as I am concerned, they are trivialities and we shouldn’t because of offices create dissentions that will tear apart the entire organisation. “We will reconcile everybody, those of us who have been walking on the sidelines, we will do everything possible to reconcile our people. We have an idea of where the problem lies and by the grace of God we shall be able to manage everything.” Chairman of NBA Ibadan branch Seun Abimbola said: “Some of had insisted all along that the Egbe Amofin Forum remains one. We do not believe that the disagreement that exists should be allowed to fester and to break into camps. Yes, we might have needs, we might have desires, we might have aspirations, we might have expectations, we might have ambitions, but all of that will be achievable within the same umbrella of this forum, so I am happy about the move to reconcile and I hope all the parties and the players will give back the reconciliation move so that we can have one house.” Chairman, NBA Lagos branch, Alex Muoka said: “I agree with the decision to reconcile the breakaway faction; it shows maturity and good judgment. It is obvious to everyone that there is strength in unity and it is in the interest of the Southwest to have a strong and united forum rather than splinter groups.” On his advice to the committee, Muoka said: “It is difficult to presume to advise a senior lawyer, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria and an elder like Chief Awomolo. I can only suggest that in speaking with the breakaway group, he should caution that history would judge them harshly if the consequences of their actions impacts negatively on the success of the Egbe’s candidates in the 2014 Bar elections.” Secretary of Ikere branch, Dr. Adeniyi Adedoyin praised the group for “towing the path of the bigger brother in allowing the rec-

•From left: Secretary Egbe Amofin, Ranti Ajeleti, Chairman Chief Aiku and Treasurer Mrs. Toyin Adegoke

•From left: NBA First Vice-President Osas Erhabor; former NBA President Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN) and Oyo State Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Adebayo Ojo

•Chief O. B. Okuboyejo and Chief Awomolo

onciliation committee to be constituted.” “Elections will come and go, Egbe will remain united and that is what we all stand for. Secondly, Chief Awomolo is a consummate Bar man. It is highly commendable that somebody of his status is the chairman of that committee. It is my belief that he will do a thorough and a very good job and at the end of the day, Egbe will be united, strong and we will all be happy,” Adedoyin said. Former Ikorodu branch chairman Nurudeen Ogbara said: “This is a right step in the right direction, but there is need to do more than setting up a reconciliation committee. There is a need to set up a committee to find out both the remote and immediate causes of what has happened and then proffer solution.” At the Lagos meeting, the Egbe Amofin “Central Working Committee” said they were sticking with their adoption of Deacon Dele Adesina (SAN) as their Presidential candidate. According to them, an agreement was reached in 2008 that Adesina should run when it is the Southwest’s turn again after he stepped down for former NBA President Oluwarotimi Akeredolu (SAN). Addressing journalists after the meeting, Ayodele said 17 out of the 23 branches that make up the Southwest bar were in support of Adesina’s candidacy. He said: “We had directed Adesina in 2008 to step down for Chief Olarotimi Akeredolu (SAN). That meeting was chaired by Chief Aiku. If, in 2008, Adesina obeyed us, why must we not keep to our words since he listened to us the last time? “We re-affirm our support for the aspiration of Mr Adesina, the endorsed candidate, and charge him to continue to exploit all legitimate and realistic ways to sell his candidature.

“We resolve to jointly and individually work hard to achieve a successful election of Adesina as the President of NBA come July 2014,” he added. The factional group described the Ibadan meeting as “unfortunate”, but indicated that their door remains open for reconciliation “We consider this state of affairs as unfortunate. We believe the outcome of the Ibadan meeting today will convince the Chief Aiku group that majority drives democracy and that there is the need to allow equity, fairness and justice to prevail in this matter. We resolve that the obvious destabilisation effort of some of the members using the respected Chief Aiku should not be allowed to succeed. It must continue to be resisted. The strength of the forum must be preserved. “The House resolved to extend its hands of fellowship to all and sundry with a view to unify the forum under the principle of equity, fairness and justice which are essential elements of democracy and rule of law.” The group’s draft constitution was exhaustively debated at the Lagos meeting and it was resolved that it would be sent to a five-member committee to harmonise decisions. The meeting reviewed Egbe Amofin’s activities in the recent past, noting that it appears to have been limited to NBA election issues. It was resolved that the group would take “definite and dynamic” interest in the affairs of legal practitioners of Yoruba extraction. It plans to organise an Egbe Amofin law week to be held at the source of Yoruba-land, Ile-Ife in May this year. “The House” also considered the need for a bar news for the group. The Lagos meeting adjourned till February 1.

POLITICS

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

The House of Representatives will begin the scrutiny of the 2014 Appropriation Bill this week. VICTOR OLUWASEGUN and DELE ANOFI examine the aspects of the budget that may deepen the existing conflict between the Presidency and the House.

Presidency, House rift over budget deepens

HE budget controversy is not over yet. The document was submitted to the National Assembly was late. The budget, according to many legislators, has not reflected any serious attempt by the Federal Government to alleviate the suffering of the masses. They also frowned at the delay, stressing that timing is critical to its passage and implementation. The N4.6 trillion budget, which was laid before the two chambers by the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, on December 19, last year is likely to be a bone of contention between the executive and legislature as the National Assembly resumes sitting this week. The House has already complained about the breach of the Fiscal Responsibility Act by the Federal Government. The legislators pointed out that the government failed to submit the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF), six months before the budget was laid before the National Assembly. The Spokesman of the House, Zakari Mohammed, said that the breach has implications for the due process. This year’s budget is premised on 2.3883 million barrel per day. Many lawmakers are of the opinion that a budget in which the recurrent expenditure is over 72 percent and the capital expenditure is 27 percent may be counter-productive. Last year, the differences in the crude oil benchmark between the National Assembly and the Executive on the one hand, and the two chambers on the other, were resolved. While President Goodluck Jonathan proposed $74, the Senate approved $76.5. But, the House raised it to $79, contrary to the position of the joint Committee of the two chambers on the MTEF. The Minority Leader, Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila, who spearheaded the opposition to the $76.5 benchmark, said that, since the MTEF was a rolling plan, it was better to stick to the 2013 benchmark. He was supported by the members of the House. A five-member conference Committee on the 2013-2015 Medium Term Expenditure Framework set up by the Speaker, Aminu Tambuwal, met its Senate counterpart and agreed on the $ 77 per barrel as the oil benchmark for the budget. The members of the committee are the Chairman, Finance Committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin, the Chairman Aids, Loans and Debt Management, Adeyinka Ajayi, Daniel Reyenieju, Abdulrahman Terab and Fort Dike. Recent analysis of the budget has shown some projected expenditure in the budget, which may generate a fresh row between the Presidency and the House during the budget debate. For instance, in the budget, the Federal Government plans to spend N7 billion on the proposed ‘National Dialogue’. The All Progressives Congress (APC), which is now in majority in the House of Representatives, thinks that the ‘National Dialogue’ is a waste of time. The fact that President Goodluck Jonathan did not give a breakdown of how the funds would be utilized may not help his case. The Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, said: “The Capital budget is N1.1 trillion; its about 27 percent of the budget and the recurrent is about 72 percent”. She explained that the budget, which excludes the SURE-P of about N268 billion for the Federal Government, “is the budget that continues Mr. president’s drive to really diversify the economy and create jobs.” The public perception is that the House of Representatives is more thorough when it comes to budget scrutiny. There was a rift between the House of Representatives Committee on Finance and the Minister of Finance over “the 50 questions on the economy” last year. The Finance Committee had generated the questions after reviewing key aspects of the Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and the Fiscal Strategy Paper ( FSP) submitted to the National Assembly by the Presidency. The committee focused on crude Oil production, Crude Oil benchmark price, revenue management and diversification, debt profile and debt service payment, high non- debt recurrent expenditures, capital projects implementation and financing terms amongst others.The committee said that the House would not consider the budget, until the questions are answered. The

• Tambuwal

•Dr Jonathan

Contentious issues • Shortfall in revenue earnings • Crude oil benchmark • Medium Term Expenditure Framework • Funding for national dialogue • Recurrent/capital expenditure imbalance

• • • • •

committee gave the Minister two weeks to answer the questions in writing. Last week, the minster forwarded his reply.The Chairman of the House Committee on Rules and Business has said that the budget consideration was one of the important issues on the agenda of the House this week. Hon. Zakari Mohammed said that the minister’s response to the 50 questions will aid the House during the debate.”The Finance Committee was given a responsibility by the mandate of the House and the Committee must report back to the House what it was asked to do,” he said. The Minister of Finance seems to have eventually understood the import of the position of the lawmakers on the 50 questions by responding with a document of over one hundred pages. Areas that may further cause friction between the Presidency and the House are not difficult to envisage. One of these is the alleged fraudulent utilisation of the ‘Service Wide Vote’ in previous budgets, which may cause the House to put this component in the 2014 budget under the microscope. The House Committee on Public Accounts headed by Solomon Olamilekan-Adeola has vowed to probe the misappropriation of the Service wide vote. He alleged that trillions of naira were wrongfully applied. For this year, the capital expenditure figures captured under the Service Wide Vote of the Federal Ministry of Finance is in excess of N433.5 billion. Although the lawmakers may welcome the N100 billion meant to finance constituency projects for federal legislators, they may likely scrutinise the remaining expenditure on the service wide vote, which include N62.8 billion for

special intervention, N8 billion for national job creation scheme; N30 billion for the sinking fund for infrastructural development; N14 billion for Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Company (NELMCO) and N16 billion for the bulk trader. Uunder the miscellaneous heading of the service wide vote, N27.5 billion is proposed for the unexplained contingency funding, while N5,149,600,000 will be set aside for adjustments to the recurrent budget. There are other nebulous expenses. They include N5 billion for capital cost adjustments, N21 billion earmarked for election logistics support and the N7 billion proposed for payment of outsourced services for the Federal Government and another N10 billion for a special account not specified. With the service wide vote, the Ministry of Finance gets the largest chunk with N1.6 trillion allocation from the budget proposal. This total allocation of N1,653,424,146,940 is 35.6 per cent of the budget for 2014. The position of the Public Account Committee was that the Service Wide Vote should not be more than five percent of the budget or it should be eliminated from the budget. The Committee believed it is a drain pipe on the economy because it is often manipulated and subjected to abuse, to the detriment of the economy. Also, there is the issue of the non-compliance of MDAs with Section 22 of the Fiscal Responsibility Act, which mandates government-owned corporations listed in the schedule to the Act to pay 80 percent of their operating surplus into the Consolidated Revenue Fund (CRF) of the Federal Government. In a document by the Fiscal Responsibility Commission to the House

Contigency funding Service Wide Vote Non-compliance with FRA Violation of Appropriation Law Debt substainability

This year’s budget is premised on 2.3883 million barrel per day. Many lawmakers are of the opinion that a budget in which the recurrent expenditure is over 72 per cent and the capital expenditure is 27 per cent may be counter-productive.

Committee on Finance, the Commission said many of the MDAs are saying they could not comply with the section because of “Presidential Directives.” Consequently, the House Committee on Finance held an investigative hearing to ensure that the internally Generated Revenue (IGR) of listed corporations are captured in the revenue framework viz the 2013 budget. It is also expected that the lawmakers would demand that all of over 800 MDAs of government would be listed in this year’s budget. How the hitherto unlisted MDAs would react to the new development remains to be seen, as the remittance of government share of the IGR was shrouded in secrecy. The reduction in the expected income to the nation due to oil theft is one area that will generate controversy. Okonjo-Iweala, while giving reasons for the lower budget estimates for 2014, as against that of 2013, said: “ You can understand that we have some revenue challenges, which we had been very clear on all along because of the losses we suffered in terms of oil revenue. Also, there are losses from non- oil revenue due to the lower customs duties. But the House is not likely to accept this excuse. During the inauguration of the Ad-Hoc Committee on Crude Oil Theft on December 11, last year, Tambuwal accused the Presidency of collusion in crude oil theft. He said: “We must realise that, without the protection of highly placed people, without the connivance of officials and experts in the sector, the activity of illegal bunkering would have been curtailed long ago. “No country can endure such blatant rape of its resources by a few criminals, who seem to grow bolder by the day. And no self respecting parliament can watch this kind of gross sabotage and not intervene.” Mitchell Rivasi The Acting Co- President ACPEU, Michael Rivasi, said at the 10th regional meeting (West Africa) of the ACP-EU Joint Parliamentary Assembly in Abuja in July last year, that the loss of 400, 000 barrels of oil per day is huge. She said that there must be collusion by government officials and the major oil companies.” We need to get traceability on oil to avoid theft. We need to apply the Kimberly process. Every oil has its DNA, Major criminality is involved. How can you have 400,000 barrels stolen in a day?” She suggested that the international community should not “take oil that has no certificate of origin” but further wondered “how will this be effective if the government officials are colluding and are issuing the certificate of origin for stolen oil? The House may therefore, not accept the assertion that the oil theft is the major reason for the reduction in the 2014 budget because of its belief that the Federal Government is aiding it. Besides, the legislators are cynical about the claim of a reduced income in the face of the accusation by the Central Bank Governor, Mallam Lamido Sanusi, that the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) failed to remit $49.8bn to the Federation Account from January, 2012 to July 2013. Although the missing $49.8 is said to have been creatively scaled down to $10 billion, the Presidency is seeking the resignation of the CBN Governor over the misinformation. Gbajabiamila said that the House would not assist the President in sacking Sanusi, adding that, when the National Assembly asked Jonathan to sack Oteh, the Director-General of the Securities and Exchange Commission, he refused. Obviously, the missing fund may be another source of contention during the budget consideration. Another issue is the flagrant contravention of the appropriation law the Executive. In this case, the issue of the N255 Armoured cars purchased by the Aviation Minister, Ms. Stellah Oduah, readily comes to mind. The report by the Nkiruka Onyejeocha-led House Committee on Aviation had urged President Jonathan to review the continued engagement of Stella Oduah as the Minister of Aviation due to the roles she played in the procurement of the vehicles for her use by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) The report, which indicted the Minister of hav•Continued on page 44

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

POLITICS

Presidency, House bicker over budget

•Continued from page 43

ing contravened the Appropriation Act, 2013 and the approved revised thresholds by exceeding the ministerial approval limit of N100 million, was considered and adopted by the House. The Minister approved N643m for the purchase of 54 vehicles. The debt sustainability will be another point of focus in the 2014 budget. The debt stock, as at June 2013, stood at US$6.9 billion. The unbridled borrowing has always been a sore point between the Executive and Legislature. Recently, the Adeyinka Ajayi-led House Committee on Aids, Loans and Debt Management, began to probe the debt profile. But the Federal Government has always claimed that it borrowed based on the national need, adding that over 40 percent of the country’s debt stock was incurred by the states. A letter from the Secretary to the Government of the Federation ( SGF) Senator Anyim Pius Anyim, in response to a query from the House of Representatives on the non-compliance with the Fiscal responsibility, in terms of overt borrowing, said: “The Federal Government is quite clear and definite with its policies and strategies for borrowing and public debt management. Hence, it recognizes that it would borrow only when it is absolutely necessary and as much as possible on concessionary terms.” Anyim argued that the Federal Government is “ guided by the 3 per cent fiscal deficit/GDP ratio prescribed by the FRA, 2007.” In spite of this, the House Committee on Finance has lamented the nonexistence of a debt exit strategy by the Executive The poor implementation of the previous budgets will also likely come up for debate. Speaking of the 2013 budget releases and implementation, the Finance Minister, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo- Iweala told reporters on December 19 last year that: “of the previous budget implementation, I believe we released 64 percent of that budget.” But members are likely to question her assertion as the House believes that implementation of 2013 budget did not even reach the 40 percent threshold. Recall that the House had once threatened President Goodluck Jonathan with impeachment over low budget implementation. Subsidy funding might be another sore point between the House and the Executive. The Dakuku Peterside-led House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) has been mandated to probe the NNPC over the subsidy for Dual Purpose Kerosine (DPK) to ascertain the actual amount spent on kerosine subsidy from 2010 to 2013. Dakuku said that the country had spent over N63bon subsidizing kerosine in the last three year, i.e 2010,n2011 and 2012 at N110b, N320b and N320b respectively for those years. But conflicting claims by the Minister of Finance and the NNPC on the

•Dr Okonjo-Iweala

source of money through which kerosine is subsidized and the amount involved therein would set the House scanning subsidy components in the 2014 budget thoroughly. Of the N4. 6 trillion proposed as the 2014 budget, subsidy estimates and debt payments would cost over N2 trillion. The plan for the Presidency to deposit N1.5bn for an 11th aircraft in the presidential fleet may meet with reservation. Already, the aircrafts of the PAF include two Falcon 7X jets, two Falcon 900 jets, a Gulfstream 550, one Boeing 737 BBJ (Nigerian Air Force 001 or Eagle One), and a Gulfstream IVSP, one Gulfstream V, Cessna Citation 2 aircraft and Hawker Sidney 125800 jet. A lawmaker joking said: “the House may not approve this item unless, of course, the Presidency is able to convince members that it is starting a viable commercial airline operation.” The fact that the President and Vice President Namandi Sambo are to spend N2.4 billion for both foreign and local trips may not go down well with the lawmakers, neither would they rush to approve N34.5 million for the purchase of two animals for the Villa Zoo. Nigerians also expect the lawmakers to be interested in knowing why over N2 billion was allegedly budgeted by an establishment like the National Mathematical Centre (NMC), Sheda, for the fueling and maintenance of aircraft, sea boats and railway equipment which it does not have. The Centre reportedly appropriated “N509,216, N429,056 and N465,522 on the maintenance of aircraft, sea boats and railway equipment” with an extra N293,974 and N421,224 earmarked for same. Sequel to the consideration of the 8clause recommendation in the report by the House Committees on Finance, Appropriation, Legislative Budget and Research, and Aids, Loans and Debt Management, the accepted parameters for 2014-2016 MTEF were: (i) “Crude Oil production of 2, 3883 mbpd, 2,5007mbpd and 2,5497 mbpd for 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively; (ii) “aver-

age exchange rate of N160/USD for the next three years; The third clause, “ adoption of US$76.50 per barrel as the benchmark price of crude oil,” was rejected after a stormy debate.(it was eventually agreed at $77 by both chambers (iv) “Corporate Tax and VAT rate of 30 percent and 5 percent respectively; (v) “ that the Government should strengthen and consolidate its fiscal strategy to narrow the gap between projected and actual revenue for the period 2014-2016 curtailing oil theft and diversifying the economy to increase tax bases so as to increase tax revenue; (vi) “ that the details of the SURE-P projects to be executed be attached as an addendum to the annual budget estimates for approval by the a National Assembly. As the House resumes plenary from the Christmas and New year break, and begins consideration in the 2014 budget, it is apparent that it will definitely not be business as usual. Though the issue in which the House advised President Goodluck Jonathan to sack the Director General of the Security and Exchange Commission, Arumah Oteh because she is not qualified and the refusal of the do such, and the same treatment the President gave the House Committee on Aviation’s report on the N255 million armoured car scandal involving the Aviation Minister, Stella Oduah, has cast the National Assembly as a toothless bulldog, members say a more assertive NASS is in the offing. Speaking on if or not the House would be thorough in considering the 2014 budget, Dakuku Peterside, Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream) said: “The members of National Assembly are duty bound to defend the interest of Nigerians. They have a responsibility to ensure that funds are judiciously applied for the good of all Nigerians not for the good of individuals. They are under a moral duty, they are under oath to defend the interest of the generality of Nigerians especially the common man on the street, “ It is not the elite that voted them into power, the elites in all communities are infinitesimal, not more than 2 percent of Nigerians. And so, 98 percent of the common people put them in power. And I don’t believe that under the leadership of Tambuwal, the House will renege on that duty- it will not. So, I’m confident that the House of Representatives which is the custodian of the budget will do justice to this budget and the final outcome will impress Nigerians.” Mohammed was emphatic last week that the House will not be a rubber stamp for the 2014 budget. “We must consider the budget because its a money bill, but we will not be blackmailed or bamboozled to just assume its a case of garbage in, garbage out. Anybody who thinks it is going to be like that is just joking because we are going to ensure a sense of fairness in its consideration to the benefit of Nigerians who are our employers,” he said.

Aspirant promises to fight corruption

ELTA State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governor ship aspirant Mr. Tony Prest has vowed to fight corruption, if elected as the governor. He said he would liberate the state and return it to the path of progress in 2015. The politician lamented that Delta State has not realised its potentials as a promising atate. He complained that its resources have not be deployed to its development. Prest described corruption as a major bane of development, adding that the main focus of his government is anti-graft war.

By Musa Odoshimokhe

He said: “Every Delta indigene knows that corruption has destroyed the state. I know that we are not a helpless people and we cannot be slaves in our own land to a mafia-like, bloodthirsty and corrupt cabal. “We cannot give up on our future and that of our children yet unborn. We cannot just sit down and be gossiping about corruption, banditry and brigandry nightmare of our state without doing anything about freeing ourselves from this enslavement that we are in.”

‘APC ‘ll provide good governance’

LL Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Alhaji Rasheed Shitta-Bey has said that he joined the party in furtheranace of his service to the grassroots. Speaking at a rally organised by the APC in Surulere Constituency, Lagos, the politician promised to mobilise for its victory at the polls. Shitta-Bey, a former member of the House of Representatives, said: “Now, I am coming to the APC. This is a home coming. My people have been calling for my return to the party. I have to listen to them in order to contribute my quota to the development of the party. “The MPPP will have its convention on February 1, where I will officially resign as its chairman and fully integrate with the APC.” “I have always been a progressive. I have been a follower of Chief Obafemi Awolowo. I have passed through the Alliance for Democracy (AD) and went to establish the MPPP and now, I am moving to the APC.” The politician said that the time is ripe for the progressive bloc to provide a credible leadership for the country. He said the Yoruba and the Southwest, in particular, will be part of the central government, which theAPC will produce in 2015.

By Musa Odoshimokhe

Urging Nigerians to embrace the progressive party, he assured that the party will not fail Nigerians. He added: “I want to move closer to my people at the grassroots, to put all my effort to ensure the success of the APC within my immediate constituency and the country at large. I am leaving my national position in the MPPP, for my local government in the APC.” He said the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led government in the country has not justified its continuation at the centre and all hands must be at the deck to get the party off the way, to enable the progressives provide leadership.

• Shitta-Bey

‘PDP must field credible candidate’

CHIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ekiti State,Ambassador Dare Bejide, has said that the party is capable of winning back its lost members, if credible candidates emerge through transparent process. Speaking with reporters in AdoEkiti, the capital, he said that members, who have left the party did so out of the fear that their principals might be schemed out. The former Nigeria High Commissioner to Canada urged the party to take the advantage of the next elections to win lost members back to its fold by fielding cred-

ible candidates for elective positions. He described himself as the most qaulified governorship aspirant in the Ekiti PDP. Bejide said: “I am a home boy. I have been living with my people all the while. Even, when I was in government, I did not stay in Government House. I stayed with my people here. So, the people too know who care for them and I know they would not abandon me. “Our party must be very careful in the way it chooses its candidate. It must look for a non-controversial figure, who will enjoy the support of the followers, even outside PDP. “

No division in Lagos PDP, says chairman

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (right), his Edo State counterpart, Adams Oshiomhole (left), and guest speaker Miss Toyosi Akerele (middle) during the Edo Youth Conference in Benin City, Edo State.

HE Lagos State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is not fractionalised, its Chairman, Captain Tunji Shelle (rtd), has said. He also said that the chapter has passed a vote of confidence on Chief Olabode George as its leader, adding that the retired soldier will lead the chapter to victory in 2015. In a statement signed on the behalf of the chairman by the Publicity Secretary, Mr. Taofeek Gani, he chided some people, who he described as strange forces, for peddling the rumour of division at a time the chapter has resolved its internal problems. Shelle said: “Ordinarily, we ought to ignore the statement credited to the faceless group, but for record purpose, we are inclined to state categorically that there is no faction in the Lagos PDP. We have never heard such a name in the Lagos PDP. We are one united family in Lagos PDP and it is laughable that a person or few persons can cowardly claim factionalisation of the party. Indeed, they are agent provocateurs.” The chairman urged party members to unite for the next general elections and put to shame the agents of destabilisation. He advised them to be weary of disgrunted elements impersonating loyal members. Shelle added: “As a matter of necessity, the Lagos State PDP has reiterated its vote of confidence on its leaders. They have their individual merits and roles to play in the party. This chapter has reaffirmed its unflinching support and loyalty to Chief Olabode George as our prime leader”.

HEALTH

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

There is a rise in cases of child birth defects. Of 10,000 births, 27 are said to be with defects, causing worries in medical circles. Such defects are spinal bifida (split spine) and hydrocephalus (water in the brain), which are neural tube defects (NTDs). Doctors say the defects could have been arrested if their mothers had taken folic acid before conception or 25 days into conception. WALE ADEPOJU reports.

Agony of babies born with defects

HEN they conceived, the women were happy and eagerly looking forward to delivery. They expected to have healthy children. But when they were delivered, the women were shocked. They gave birth to babies with defects. The story would have been different if the women had used folic acid, it was said. The lives of Festus Fajemilo, 10, Aliyah Yusuf, seven, Michael Mbonu, five, Victor Odusola, nine, and Oluwasegun Adeniran, seven, could have been different had their mothers realised the importance of folic acid before getting pregnant. They are among the 27 out of 10,000 births, who suffer from neural tube defects (NTDs), such as hydrocephalus, which is water in the brain, and spinal bifida, medically known as split spine. They couldn’t do things children of their ages do. Some still use diapers like one-year-olds. They have to be helped every time because they cannot do things by themselves. Many times they have suffered discrimination and rejection. But, should this be? No. Master Adeniran is living with hydrocephalus. He could not walk until last year. He underwent surgery at just 14 days old to reduce his massive head. He, too, like Miss Yusuf, was urinating and excreting on himself without control. He couldn’t get admission to a regular school because at his age he only crawls. Miss Yusuf was born with spinal bifida. She urinates and excretes frequently. At her age, she still uses diapers because of the incontinence she had to contend with. Her studies couldn’t go smoothly. Little Odusola has hydrocephalus and has to be helped always to do things. Master Mbonu’s condition is similar to those of his peers. His head is too big for his neck to carry. He, too, urinates and excretes on himself. He also uses diapers to stay dry. Experts say the ailment can be prevented by mothers who use folic acid prior to conception and 25 days into conception to increase folate level. Folic acid is cheap and accessible, yet many woman of child’s bearing age do not use it. Neurosurgeon, Neurosurgery Unit, Department of Surgery, Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Dr Femi Bankole recommended that women who could become pregnant should take 400 micrograms of synthetic folic acid daily. Bankole said NTDs involves some groups’ deformities affecting the central nervous system. He said many studies done in the past 20 years have shown a significant reduction in NTDs in mothers who take folic acid prior to pregnancy. “The truth is that expectant mothers take folic acid during the course of their pregnancy but because NTDs are formed very early in pregnancy between first to three weeks when most of them were unaware they are even pregnant so some of them with poor foliate state still have babies with birth defects,” he added. The surgeon said the intervention should be that women planning to get pregnant or that of child-bearing age must take folic acid so that when they get pregnant their folic acid level would be as high as possible. This, Bankole said, would help to reduce the risk of having NTDs by at least 50 per cent, adding: “People who have had previous NTDs can reduce it by 70 per cent.” He identified spinal bifida and hydrocephalus as two of NTDs, which affect the spinal cord and the

•Master Mbonu

• Master Fajemilo

• Dr Bankole

‘My life as a split spine patient’

S Olufunke Ogunrombi has been living with spina bifide for almost 50 years. She read about how folic acid can prevent congenital/ birth defects in 2011, but was surprised that would-be mothers in Nigeria don’t know its importance to having a normal baby. Miss Ogunrombi said she could probably have had a different experience if her mother had taken the drug before she was conceived. She, however, said she had no regrets because she enjoys a lot of love from her family and friends. Ms Ogunrombi said: “What I have is split spine. This is because my spinal cord didn’t fully form. So, this affects my limbs from waist downward. This means, I have a deformity of the limb.” Recalling what she went through, she said: “As a teenager I developed sores on my legs, but now, I only have it on my left leg. This is one of the complications that come with the ailment.” The other is incontinence, which also comes with the condition, although it depends on the severity or stage of the ailment. “I was born in Ile-Ife, Osun State at the Seventh Day Adventist Hospital. I started primary school there before I move with my parents to Lagos where I continued my education at Ilupeju Secondary School. “But I didn’t really experience any form of discrimination until I gained admission to study Laboratory Technology at, the University of Agriculture, Abeokuta (UNAAB) in Ogun State. “I was a friendly person and I was so blessed with a lot of good friends, who always helped me with things,” she said. Ms Ogunrombi said people with disability were susceptible to discrimination because people see and address them as lesser people.

She said: “It was at UNAAB I experience a serious discrimination from some of my lecturers after I missed an examination due to illness. I was indisposed and had to travel to Lagos for treatment, when I returned to the school I tried to get a make up examination, but they refused to give it to me. A particular lecturer said, ‘What are you doing here? You that should go and sit somewhere.’ ” This, she said, made her get upset, adding: “That was a major discrimination I ever experienced in my life. That lecturer refused to mark my script. When eventually I was able to get a make up examination, it took the intervention of the Head of Department before he could mark the script.” The rejection and discrimination, she said, endeared some of her course mates to her. Ms Ogunrombi urged people who have children born with birth defects to see them as members of their families. “Some will lock up their child when a friend comes visiting so as not to be identified with him. “My parents, especially my father, usually introduces me to his friends and I will walk up to them to greet them. They have been so wonderful, caring and supportive to me.” She said it was very difficult managing spinal bifida, stressing: “It was during my teen years that my legs developed sores. This made me to start going in and out of the hospitals. “I’ve had many surgeries. I can’t recollect the number, including skin grafting, coupled with the incontinence products such as adult pads, which I have to buy. It is recently that adult pads are made available and they are mostly imported and quite expensive too.” She said getting doctors’ prescription such as anti-biotic and special need was also problematic.

This, she said, was why some parents abandoned their wards such as children born with hydrocephalus, which is water in the head, in hospital. “This, however, was not common in advanced countries. If there is enough facilities for children born with congenital problems, they won’t become a burden to their parents,” she added. Ms Ogunrombi urged the Federal Governement to help raise awareness on NTDs and other ailments. Calling for more access to folic acid, she stressed: “The best way to increase access to folic acid is to fortify food because some people don’t take vitamin or mineral supplements. Ms Ogunrombi urged those living with birth defects to have a positive mental attitude and trust God because He alone heals. “They should be optimistic and family members should also show support. My parents always tell me there is nothing I can’t achieve. Parents should make them feel like a normal child by helping them to be inclusive by introducing their child to visitors. This will boost their confidence. Now, I run a supermarket in the house.”

brain respectively. Bankole advised would-be mothers to take a lot of food rich in folic acid or folic acid supplement. Beans, soybeans, cowpea, liver, dark leafy vegetables and spinach are quite good for them, he added. Others are vegetables, which should not be overcooked or its water strained so that it doesn’t lose its vitamins and citrus fruits such as orange.

Women, Bankole said, only need 40 microgrammes, which is one-10th of the regular folic acid tablet. This, he added, can be found in fortified food, such as grains, pastas or cereals. Others are daily multi-vitamin and eating of various of foods as part of a healthy diet. A Consultant Neurosurgeon at LUTH, Dr Tayo Ojo, said the problems develop in the third week of life, most

essentially before the mother even knows that she is pregnant. “In most instances, spinal bifida doesn’t come alone. There are other abnormalities that come with it; there are hydrocephalus, leg deformities and urinary deformity. Ojo said countries with good policies have been able to fortify all foods with folic acid. “This is because we don’t know what causes Spina bifida but we know

•Miss Ogunrombi

that at about the third week of life many cells are actively dividing. Where folic acid is not enough in the body, they don’t divide very well or do what they should do. But they’ve congenital anomalies. When folic acid is enough all those processes go as they should go,” he said. Nigeria, he said, has no data or register for the condition. Ojo suggested that there should be a National Registry “so that if there’s any of such occurrence experts can look at the document after a year to know which part of the country has more of it and what is causing it and what month of the year it occurs and others”. A lecturer and Consultant Neurosurgeon, as the Department of Neurological Surgery, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan, Oyo State, Dr Amos Olufemi Adeleye, said taking folic acid before and during early pregnancy either from multivitamin or fortified foods can prevent about 70 per cent of defects of the brain and spine. Also, a Professor of Public Health Parasitology, Modibbo Adama, at the University of Technology, Yola, Adamawa State, Oladele Akogun, said folic acid is necessary for all women of child-bearing age. He said the easiest way to be sure of getting the recommended daily amount of folic acid in food may not be easily achieved. Rather, they should take daily multi-vitamin/supplement. The Festus Fajemilo Foundation also urged women to use folic acid as a prevention for hydrocephalus and spina bifida. It added: “Unfortunately, there is a high level of ignorance among the people; hence they attach spiritual and cultural sentiments to the issue.” Its founder, Mr Afolabi Fajemilo, said the foundation was joining the National Council on Folic Acid (NCFA) to raise awareness on folic acid. He said there was the need to increase knowledge of the benefits of folic acid to promote behavioural change so that more women can take sufficient folic acid before they become pregnant and after conception. “We want to ensure that more women recognise folic acid as a safe supplement for expectant mothers and their foetus (unborn baby). We want to increase awareness on the need to take folic acid before conception and up to the end of 12th week of pregnancy and to tell them that the level of folic acid required cannot be obtained from food alone because a daily folic acid supplement is also needed,” he added. Statistics from the Global Report on Birth Defects, March of Dimes Birth Defects Foundation showed pregnancies affected with NTDs as 27 out 0f 10,000 births. It also showed that countries where fortified foods were consumed have a less than 10 per 10,000. Fajemilo said in Nigeria only few products are fortified with folic acid at the moment,. Efforts, he said, were being made to ensure that flour, which is widely consumed, is fortified. It is now fortified only with iron. “We want to increase people’s understanding of the importance of folic acid. And encourage consumers to purchase foods fortified with folic acid. Also, to create consumer acceptance of fortified food so that legislation to fortify flour and potentially other food will be approved,” Fajemilo said.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

HEALTH She is battling a life-threatening ailment. All she requires to live is N3.5 million, but her parents are poor. Will good Samaritans come to little Desola Kalejaye’s aid? WALE ADEPOJU reports

Girl, 2, needs N3.5m for heart surgery in India

T two, when she should be going about playing with her mates, little Desola Kalejaye is suffering from a life-threatening hole-in-theheart. She requires N3.5 million for surgery in India so as to live. The snag is her parents cannot afford the operation cost, which also covers air tickets, accommodation and post-treatment. Her father, Mr Adeola Kalejaye said the ailment started at birth. “We discovered she had hernia at birth but the doctor treating her said she had to wait until she’s about oneand-a-half years old before she could be allowed to have a hernia surgery,” he said.

Her heart also started beating “very fast”, Kalejaiye said. “This made me to take her to the General Hospital for post treatment. It was from there that she was transferred to the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Kalejaye said.“ At LUTH, the doctor said she should have the hernia surgery. The doctor also said this was the cause of her heavy breathing. He said it was at the Federal Medical Centre, Abeokuta that doctors diagnosed her ailment to be a hole-in-the-heart, adding that they were advised to have echocardiogram (ECG). “After the shock discov-

ery, the doctor advised that my daughter be flown abroad, especially India for a surgery,” Kalejaye said. He said her hernia is not life-threatening, but that the hole-in-the-heart is. The consultant said after the heart surgery, she would rest for some weeks before going for that of hernia. Kalejaye is appealing to well-meaning people, corporate organisations and the government for help. He said: “Desola is my first child and I’m very worried about her ailment. As a father, I’ve tried all I could without any solution. This is why I am begging that Nigerians should help me so that my daughter can have

•Baby Kalejaye

the treatment.” Do you want to see little Desola smile again? Her bank details are: Kalejaye Desola A.: FirstBank: 3079144789

•An accountant, Mr Gbeyin Shonibare (left), Managing Director, Mart-Life Detox Clinic Mrs Idowu Ashiru and her husband, Prof Oladapo Ashiru at a briefing on a book to mark the 50th anniversary of Mrs Ashiru’s father, Chief Samuel Shonibare, in Lagos.

Shun tobacco, alcohol, expert advises public

MEDICAL doctor, A b d u l a t e e f Akegbeyale, has warned against the taking of tobacco and alcohol. According to him, high blood pressure (HBP), also known as hypertension, is associated with smoking and alcohol. Others are infrequent exercise and excessive salt consumption. He spoke at an health seminar organised by the Women Wing of the Muslim Association of Nigeria (MAN), Agege, Alimosho, Lagos Branch. Dr Akegbeyale urged Nigeri-

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

ans to go for hypertension and diabetes’ tests to reduce sudden death. He described obesity as one of the causes of diabetes. Others include excessive sugar, old age, hereditary factor and poor pancreas. Some of the symptoms are weight loss, inadequate appetite, boil, excessive urinating at night, dry tongue and mouth. The ailment, he said, is common among the middle aged and the elderly. It includes

heart failure, kidney failure, stroke, loss of sight and death. Tests were carried out on some participants who were also counselled to live a moderate lifestyle. The chairperson of the Women Wing, Alhaja Sherifat Ajagbe, said the seminar was aimed at educating members on healthy living. “Our coming together should not be limited to spiritual exercise alone. We should talk on how to live good lifestyles so that we can

influence other around us. If we can continue to have this seminar, it will make us live better,” she said. She said the association‘s project on breast cancer screening would hold in April. Chairman of the branch Alhaji Raimi Olagunju, advised medical practitioners to seek ways of reducing terminal diseases. He urged the government to commit more funds to the health sector. He challenged research institutions and teaching hospitals to asist in eradicating diseases.

24 Nigerian dentists get global honour

WENTY-four Nigerian specialists have been inducted as fellows into the International College of Dentists (ICD). Four of them were honorary. The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Prof Akin Osibogun said their induction would elevate the standard and quality of dental practice in the country. Osibogun, who spoke at the

By Wale Adepoju

International Section XX Regional 34 West Africa 2014 Convocation, said the fellows’ selection would promote quality dental health services. The dentists, he said, would ensure that oral health standards were maintained, quality assured and scholarship promoted. “The training of more dental professionals will be by having

more international fellows coming from Nigeria,” he added. Osibogun said people were not taking oral health seriously, but the awareness is increasing. He added, “As we are having more professionals, the awareness is bound to increase.” President, Nigerian Dental Association (NDA), Dr Olurotimi Olojede described the selection as “reward for hardwork”.

He said they would move the policy of the Federal Government on oral health forward. ICD Section XX International Councillor, Prof Gbemisola Agbelusi, said this showed that the country is now a part of the college. “We are one body. We can collaborate with them and they can organise exchange programmes for our students,” she added.

DENTAL TALK with Dr Samuel Awosolu 08108155239 (SMS Only); email- samawosolu@yahoo.co.uk

Saliva’s role in oral, general health

ALIVA is a clear, colourless liquid produced by gland located in several part of the oral and maxilla facial complex. There are major glands in view of the fact that they produce the majority of saliva (volume). Namely the parotids, submandibular, and sublingual glands. They are all paired in order word there are two of each of the major glands. There are several hundred of smaller salivary glands. These are the minor salivary glands scattered all over the inner, surface of the lips, check hard and soft tissue,Tongue surfaces. There are different consistencies of saliva produced by the glands either thin,ropy or watery. The minor glands often secrete those that are for lubrication protection. They also secrete proteins. Saliva is of great importance, chief amongst the functions include acting to lubricate the mouth and prevent it from drying. It also serves as a protective film and in antibacterial functions due to the presence of immunoglobulins it helps to dissolve substances food e.t.c. It is of use in medicolegal situations as most often saliva stains can be used to identify blood grouping people referred to as secretors DNA can be obtained via cell of the oral cavity the inside of the mouth. Saliva is also a biochemical buffer as it contains several ions chiefly hydrogen carbonate which is important body buffer. Helps to prevent the PH (Hydrogen ico concentration in dental plaque which accumulates on tooth surface). This is important because should the PH of saliva decrease below a critical point. Enamel the protective layer of the tooth starts to dissolve(Dental caries set in). Hence the hydrogen carbonate in saliva is an effective defence against the acid produced by cariogenic , that is ‘caries causing’ bacteriacaries(decay). People with good flow rate of saliva and production of saliva often suffer lower caries experience. In other words when one produces adequate saliva there is less tendency to develop dental caries. Fluoride is secreted into the saliva as produced from the salivary glands –fluoride has a protective role as it makes teeth less, susceptible and more resistant to attack by the action of cariogenic bacteria. Fluoride is added in toothpastes too for the same reasons and the results are addictive, up to an optimum value. Saliva can also be used as a guide to measure the concentration of ions such as lead, cadmium, copper ,iodine sodium, potassium and chloride in the body. So in cases of metal poisoning the levels of these substances in saliva can give an indication of the toxic levels in the body Digestive enzymes are present saliva chief amongst is an enzyme called Amylase. The essence of amylase is to break down complex starch molecules to give maltase and longer chain polysaccharides. Hence the

use of saliva in forensics and medico-legal situations. Cigarette but with saliva have been used to trace perpetrators of crime, bite marks saliva stains have also been used in criminal analysis. Sugars suchas glucose is found in saliva. Similarly break down products as seen in diabetics hence for, can be smelt in breath lipids such as steroid hormones oestrogen/testosterone present in saliva and effect bacteria population. These can also be of high medical importance whereby are assayed/ analysed and used to monitor plasma hormone levels found in saliva, These levels have a direct proportion to the amount of steroid in the blood (plasma). A number of nitrogen containing compounds are found in saliva-amino acids, ammonia, area, sialin. All these substance when broken down by plaque enzymes can form ammonia which affects PH-(Hdrogen ion). Concentration of plague – Remember the more acidiclower PH of plaque is the more likely the tooth is subject to attack of dental decay. Hence the balancing effect of ammonia which has a basichighter PH. In other words, ammonia reutralised the acidic (cover) PH of cariogenic bacteria –a sort of neutralising effect. The flow rate of saliva depends on several factors including circadian – clock work (timebased ) kind of rythm. Is both dependent on age, activity of the salivary gland, can saliva be used as a diagnostic tool? There has hope for this for a number of years in which case saliva be collected for assay rather than blood. In the diagnosis of disease this will be most significant should blood component be transferable across the salivary gland interface with blood. This is most true for urea, glucose and steroid. Hormones most other ions occur in low levels to be significance in assay. Disease affects the salivary gland that makes the flow reduced. These diseases such as inflammation of the glands (duct) sialadenitis, sjogren syndrome or in people undergoing cancer treatment as Radiation can damage and affect the salivary glands. Transplant rejection scenario may affect the salivary glands, cystic fibrosis a disease the lungs and pancreasthe main defect caused by a defective chloride transport protein – decreases salivary secretion. •To be continued next week

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

SPACE FOR SALE

PUBLIC NOTICE

BUKOLA

DURU

I, Formerly known and addressed as Miss. Ajibola Bukola Olabintan now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ajibola Grace Adebukola Olagunju. N. Y. S. C, Nursing and Mid-Wifery Council of Nigeria (N & MCN) and general public to take note.

UWABUOFU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Asimiyu Adenike Shakirat, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Adekoya Adenike Shakirat. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Nnedinma Ogochukwu Duru, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Nnedinma Ogochukwu Obi. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

UWABUOFU I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Ifeakachukwu Lilian Uwabuofu, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Ifeakachukwu Lilian Ossai. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE IWUANYANWU I, Ozocheta Osinachi Anthony is the same person as Iwuanyanwu Osinachi Anthony. Now wish to be known and addressed as Ozocheta Osinachi Anthony. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

SULE I formerly known and addressed as MISS KARIMAT IBRAHIM SULE, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS KARIMAT DORCAS ADEGBITE. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE OHUAWUNWA I formerly known and addressed as FESTUS IZUCHUKWU OHUAWUNWA now wish to be known and addressed as FESTUS IZUCHUKWU FESTUS. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

OKEKE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Okeke Amarachi Vivian, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Okpechi Amarachi Vivian. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE EMENIKE I formerly known and addressed as MISS CHISOM JOY EMENIKE now wish to be known and addressed as MRS CHISOM JOY ONYEMAUCHE. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

AFOLABI I formerly known and addressed as MISS OPEYEMI JOYCE AFOLABI, now wish to be known and addressed as MRS OPEYEMI JOYCE OKEBIORUN. All former documents remain valid. General Public please take note.

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

am interested in penis enlargement because I have a small member and I don’t like the way it makes me feel. But I want permanent enlargement. Is it possible and what do you recommend? Jeremiah Jeremiah permanent enlargement of the penis is possible and the way to achieve that is through cosmetic surgery. So if you are interested in this option, you will need to consult a very good plastic surgeon. The cheaper alternative is the use of penis enlargement supplements and pumps. I recommend combining the supplement and pump for faster results. The supplement will enlarge the tissue from within while the penis pump works from the outside. As for how it works, it is a simple process really. When stretched over time, skin cells multiply to bring about tissue expansion. In the case of penis enlargement, it is the erectile tissues of the penis known as the corpus cavernosa and corpus spongiosumthat expand to accommodate more blood, giving the beneficiary a bigger penis. For reliable enlargement supplements, look for Extenze Plus or Big bam Boo. For the penis pumps, get the Bull Fighter Pump or the Penis Enlargement Pump – Uche Hello, I will like to find out what product will be most helpful and cost effective for someone who ejaculates too early and a lady who cannot climax and also gets tired easily. My wife hardly feels like having sex and at 43 years of age, she is still young – Charles Charles you can wear a penis sleeve during intercourse or you can apply a delay cream to prevent premature ejaculation. I recommend the Glow in the Dark Penis Sleeve. It will enable you last longer, make your penis look bigger and stimulate your partner for quicker orgasms too. But if you want to use the delay cream, then go for Power Plus Delay Spray or theProlonging Delay Cream. Both products are very effective desensitizers and are easy to use. And for your wife, first she needs a libido supplement and an energy booster. Get her Max Desire supplement for Women. She will also need an arousal gel like the 69 Nipple and Clit

Arousal Gel and a good but affordable vibrator such as the Erotic Stud vibrator. A combination of all of these novelties will take care of her problem. The vibrator in particular will enable you to keep stimulating her after you have ejaculated until she climaxes. It takes the average woman twenty minutes of constant clitoral stimulation to climax. But because most men don’t last that long, many women hardly have orgasms. The truth however is that any woman can have an orgasm. It is not impossible. You just need to know what to do – Uche My wife and I are in our late forties and we are healthy. The only problem is that we hardly have sex since after having three children. Our whole life is about our work and family. I want to have fun again – Niyi Of course your situation is fixable. The problem married people have is that very often, they are so involved in children oriented things and their daily work such that it deprives them of any kind of sexual impulse. Both of you just need something that will enable you focus on romance and sex two or three times a week and nothing does that better than adult movies. So get a feature film like Foreigner and Fighters. These two adult feature films come in two disc combo sets that contain a dvd and a blu ray disc. So the production quality is very high. Five minutes into watching any of these movies, you will both want to tear each other’s clothes off. This I can guarantee you– Uche Please how can I get Red Lips Premium? I have heard so much about it from my friends and they say it is the best erection enhancer in the market – Isa Isa call the numbers here or order online at www.zeevirtualmedia.com - Uche Adults in need of these treatments/novelties can call 08191978308 or 08027901621for help or visit www.zeevirtualmedia.com. Zee Virtual Media delivers all over Nigeria. For enquiries email us at custserv@zeevirtualmedia.com-Uche Edochie, MD, Zee Virtual Media.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

STOP PRESS Attention: Leaders and members of APC

EX-GOVERNOR ALI MODU SHERIFF (SAS) MISLEADS NIGERIAN PUBLIC WITH DUBIOUS DOCUMENTARY ON HIS TRAGIC VISIT TO BORNO STATE

n the last three days, former Governor of Borno State, Ali Modu Sheriff, a.k.a SAS has been placing a hurriedly and dubiously packaged documentary on the network of some National TV stations with the sole aim of giving a completely different impression on what happened in Borno State, during his tragic visit that many believed, resulted in breakdown of law and order as well as the unfortunate carnage of Tuesday, January 14, 2014, which left 50 innocent citizens of Borno dead and over 40 persons injured. A horrible visit that ended one year of uninterrupted peace in Maiduguri. In the documentary, produced in Abuja, some 100 taxis, hired from States neighboring Borno to receive SAS at the Gombe International Airport, which also followed his convoy to Shani, Biu and Maiduguri, were made to falsely appear like cars of Borno citizens who turned out to embrace SAS in Maiduguri. This is not the case. If viewers carefully analyze the repeated documentary clips, it will be absolutely clear to everyone that hired and paid taxis, carrying hired and imported political thugs, were merely in the ex-Governor’s convoy and not the good people of Borno State that have unanimously rejected SAS and his ways.

This is a very primitive attempt because the people of Borno have since spoken against SAS as far back as 2011 when SAS, contesting as an incumbent, with all his billions and machinery of Government, lost Borno Central Senatorial election to a wheel chaired- light weight in the PDP. Here is the result for the purpose of the purpose of history: Governor Ali Modu Sheriff of ANPP = 120,377 votes (Loser) Ahmed Zannah of PDP

= 189,232 Votes (Winner)

Margin

68,855 votes

It is important to recall that when SAS lost that election, there were spontaneous parties on the streets of city and major towns of Maiduguri, Bama, Biu, Monguno and many parts of Borno State to celebrate the fall of SAS. The problem is clearly that of a rich man forcing himself on a people that rejected him.

A popular politician doesn’t need manipulated TV documentaries to showcase his or her popularity. A popular politician couldn’t have been chased out of the State he claims to have been well received. Those that received him, Also in the documentary, the producers carefully edited if true they did, would have been too large and enough, to aspects like the colossal humiliation of SAS during his visit ensure he wasn’t driven. to the Shehu of Borno’s palace on Monday, January 13, 2014. It is imperative to note that, youths, as credibly There was a time Allanguro SAS was very popular in Borno reported, lined up and waited for SAS to complete his visit State, there was no good access to internet services, there to the Shehu before unleashing stones to diminish the was no facebook or twitter platforms that are today being unwanted guest. Here again, if one clearly analyzes the massively used to educate, enlighten and mobilize people; documentary clip, youths were shown running after SAS’s the youths at that time were not as enlightened, educated convoy with dust all over the place whereas the massive and committed to good governance as the youths of today. stoning episode was dubiously edited. Videos of the angry Today’s youths cannot be bought with billions. They are youths chasing their unwanted visitor were falsely made to honourable men and women who want good leadership appear as if they were chasing the convoy to catch glimpse not ruthless dictatorship. of SAS in his admiration. Most unprofessionally, the narrator Moreover, popularity speaks for itself. It can never be stagein the documentary, also spoke words to that effect, totally managed. misleading innocent viewers. Still in the documentary, analysis by a apt viewer will suggest Long live Borno people the duplication of many shots by the producer to give a false impression of crowd. Thankfully, despite all these manipulation, the documentary couldn’t represent the kind Abuwar Zannah Komi of crowd the whole charade was intended to show. (Coordinator) The whole aim of the documentary is to mislead Nigerians into believing that SAS was accorded a rousing welcome during his ill fated visit. The rubbish in a hurry, was also meant to create a false impression that SAS is popular in Borno State.

Signed:

Bitrus Mamzah (Organizing Secretary)

for Yerwa Youths for Advanced Leadership 2y’s-AL

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

CROSSWORD PUZZLE

With ekpoita :funtreatsvilla@yahoo.com / 08077706130

7 9

14 15 17

16 21

18 24

DOWN

ACROSS

1. Misfortune (4)

1. Canoe (4) 4. Price (4)

2. Keen (4)

7. Container (4)

3. Until (3)

8. Father (2)

4. Gonorrhea (4)

9. Tack (4)

5. Range (4)

11. Not Near (4)

6. Prostititute (4)

13. Final (3)

10. Insect (3)

14. Wasted (5)

12. Gave food (3)

15. Indicating location (2)

14. Pig’s pen (3)

17. Grain (3)

15. Skill (3)

19. Unit (2)

16. Verruca (4)

21. Aid in crime (4)

18. Asia (4)

24. Pain (4)

19. Exclamation (2)

26. Eggs (3)

20. Tide (4)

27. As it is (2)

22. Boyfriend (3)

28. Narrated (4)

23 Fish (3)

29. Net (4)

25. Expression of surprise (3)

WORD PUZZLE Find alternative words to the clues below and fill them in their spaces in the grid.When you are done another word for ‘APPEALING’ would be spelt. The first one has been solved to spur you on.

poetry

ShOwBiTz

Rosie O’Donnell Marries Michelle Rounds

A B A T E

ROMANCE Romance came at morning love story without end we stole a kiss by the river the haven of love way down in the glen soprano voices came hither ecstasy lingered then with the bliss of romance. Only a shy young maiden was I how could my heart ever know that love was steadily seeping into the innocence of my soul?

A week after announcing that she had suffered a frightening heart attack, the TV host has revealed that she tied the knot with fianceé Michelle Rounds on June 9, her rep confirms to E! News. “Rosie and Michelle got married in a private ceremony in New York on June 9,” O’Donnell’s rep tells E! News...

Alba Unveils New Blond Hairdo for Stripper Role in Sin City Sequel

CLUES 1. Ebb 2. Fact 3. Vagrant 4. Awaken 5.Turn Away

Romance came with glory love’s fable now I pen we fell in love one September at a haven of love way down in the glen your kind caress I remember I was eager to dance on wings of true Romance.

HUMOUR

Teacher & Student Teacher :What happened in 1809? Student: Abraham Lincoln was born. Teacher :What happened in 1819? Student: Abraham Lincoln was ten years old

- Joyce Hemsley.

Feelings

Gorgeous Jessica Alba took a lighter approach to life by debuting a new blond ‘do over the weekend. And it was all in the name of work: The 31-year-old is currently prepping for her role as stripper Nancy Callahan in the highly anticipated sequel to 2005’s Sin City.

Pep Talk

Hunger, temptation longing laughter, joy and tears. Anger, loving, curiosity hopeful, happiness and fears. All these are inside me And they all are coming out. Don’t know if I’m coming or going Jennifer Or to scream or shout!-

6. Crawl 7. Flatter 8. Inaction 9. Speak out 10.Occurrence

Wilson.

Teacher: How old is********** your dad. Student: He is as old as I am. Teacher: How is it possible? Student: Because he became a dad only after I was born. A gift for girlfriend Man 1: I want to buy a gift for my girlfriend for her birthday but I don’t know what she would like. Give me a suggestion. Man 2: Does she like you? Man 1: Yes Man 2: Then she would like anything.

A well-cultivated mind is, so to speak, made up of all the minds of preceding ages; it is only one single mind which has been educated during all this time. - Bernard de Bovier de Fontenelle

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 20-1-14

High-cap stocks drag equities down

HE Nigerian stock market opened this week with widespread price appreciation but declines in share prices of several highly capitalised stocks overwhelmed the overall market position. While 35 stocks recorded gains against 29 stocks that suffered declines during the first trading session of the week, losses by highly capitalised stocks that control more than half of the market capitalisation of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) coloured the overall market situation. Key indices at the NSE closed negative as total market value of all quoted equities dropped by N76 billion to close at N13.289 trillion. It had opened at N13.365 trillion. The All Share Index (ASI), which tracks all quoted equities, slipped from 41,751.55 points to 41,471.28 points. The top losers’ list was dominated by large cap stocks, es-

By Taofik Salako

pecially market-determining stocks in the banking, breweries and manufacturing sectors. Nestle Nigeria, the highest-priced stock at NSE, led the decliners with a loss of N9.95 to close at N1, 155.05. Dangote Cement, NSE’s most capitalised stock, followed with a drop of N4.98. Guinness Nigeria lost N2.30 to close at N235.50. UAC of Nigeria dropped by N1 to close at N69. PZ Cussons Nigeria dropped by 60 kobo to N37.55. Forte Oil declined by 49 kobo to N82.51. FBN Holdings lost 30 kobo to close at N15.80. Guaranty Trust Bank slipped by 26 kobo to N28.24. Zenith Bank dropped by 25 kobo to N24.86 while Dangote Sugar Refinery lost 23 kobo to close at N12. Investors continued to seek for bargains in the low-price segment of the market. Lowpriced stocks, otherwise known as penny stocks, dominated the top activity

chart. NEM Insurance, which traded around 60 kobo, was the most active stock with a turnover of 35.42 million shares valued at N28.44 million in 61 deals. UBA Capital placed second with a turnover of 29.54 million shares worth N70.38 million in 197 deals. Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) was the third most active stock with exchange of 29.06 million shares worth N120.1 million in 261 deals. Total turnover stood at 308.71 million shares valued at N4.53 billion in 5,531 deals. Financial services sector accounted for 185.72 million shares valued at N1.49 billion in 2,825 deals. Meanwhile, Oando topped the gainers’ list with a gain of N1.10 to close at N26.70. International Breweries and Nigerian Breweries trailed with a gain of N1 each to close at N30 and N166.20 respectively. Beta Glass added 80 kobo to close at N16.83. UACN Property Development Company chalked up 46 kobo to close at N21. Unilever Nigeria rose by 42 kobo to close at N54. Union Bank of Nigeria gathered 40 kobo to close at N10.40 while Access Bank rose by 31 kobo to close at N9.88 per share.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 20-1-14

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

MONEYLINK

Money supply rises marginally to N15.5tr R

OAD money supply (M2), grew by 0.7 per cent to N15.5 trillion in the first half of last year, a report by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has shown. The money supply is the total amount of monetary assets available in an economy at a specific time. The report, endorsed by CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi showed improvement against the growth of 14.8 per cent at the end of the preceding period. However, on an annualised basis, M2 grew by 1.4 per cent, compared with the indicative benchmark of 16.4 per cent for the year. The growth reflected the 4.7 per cent rise in net domestic credit of the banking system, partly offsetting the decline in foreign assets (net) and other assets (net). It said narrow money supply (M1) fell by 6.5 per cent at the end of the review period, as currency outside

Stories by Collins Nweze

banks (COB) and demand deposits declined by 11.2 and 2.3 per cent, respectively. “As a ratio of total monetary assets, COB stood at 7.2 per cent, compared with 8.4 per cent recorded at the end of the preceding period. The decline reflected improvement in financial inclusion and the increased use of alternative modes of payment. Net domestic credit (NDC) to the economy grew by 4.7 per cent to N13.2 trillion at the end of the last year, relative to the level at the end of the second half of 2012,” it said. This, it said, contrasted with the decline of 6.4 per cent at the end of the preceding period. The development reflected the growth in net claims on both the Federal Government and the private sector. Also, net claims on the Federal Gov-

AfDB approves devt framework

HE African Development Bank (AfDB) Board of Directors has approved the Institution’s Results Measurement Framework (RMF) for 2013 to 2016. The RMF is corporate management tools that will help the bank meet its development goals. The RMF is framed around 100 performance indicators organised into four interconnected levels, namely: Development progress in Africa (Level 1); AfDB’s contribution to development in Africa (Level 2); the bank’s operational performance (Level 3); and its organisational efficiency (Level 4). According to the bank, the exercise will further enhance the bank’s ability to maintain high standards in delivering develop-

ment results on the African continent. Also, it will systematically track performance at all four levels through the Annual Development Effectiveness Reviews. “The document is based on extensive research and draws on international best practice in the area of managing for development results. It not only builds on lessons learnt from experience in implementing the previous RMF, but also benefits from consultations from other development institutions,” it said. The bank’s director, Department for Quality and Results, Simon Mizrahi said that “the Results Measurement Framework is not an end in itself: It is a development tool for the Bank to achieve its objectives.”

per cent, compared with the growth rate of 3.1 per cent at the end of the preceding period. “The growth in private sector credit reflected, wholly, the 3.8 per cent rise in claims on the core private sector, compared with the 2.6 per cent growth at the end of the preceding period. The contribution of claims on the private sector to the change in total monetary assets stood at 3.5 per cent, compared with 7.3 per cent recorded at the end of the preceding period,” it said. Equally, consumer credit, at N628.6 billion, grew marginally by 0.8 per cent in the review period, compared with the 7.5 per cent growth in the second half of 2012. “As a ratio of credit to the core private sector, con-

ernment (NCG) rose by 2.3 per cent, in contrast to the decline of 116.4 per cent at the end of the preceding period. That, it said, development reflected, mainly, the banking system’s investment in government securities, especially treasury bills, which grew by 16.7 per cent at the end of the review period. “The growth in net claims on the Federal Government poses a risk to domestic interest rates and private sector credit. However, the Federal Government, as in the second half of 2012, remained a net lender to the system, a situation which tends to mitigate the risk,” it said. According to the CBN, Credit to the private sector (CP) increased by 3.6

Ex-Standard Bank team forms financial advisory firm

structuring techniques to help African companies access the right type of capital,” Van der Spuy said. “We’re focusing on Nigeria. We’ve got about 20 or 25 deals we’re working on right now and some of them are in countries like Senegal, South Africa and Sierra Leone.” Alkebulan, which opened in September, has a partnership with consultancy africapractice with offices in six African countries. The firm is joining banks, including Barclays Plc’s African unit, Citigroup Inc. and Standard Chartered Plc, in tapping African growth rates that exceed those of many developed countries. Alkebulan will probably take on another four people and may have some staff based in Africa by the end of this year, Van der Spuy said. “For the first two years we’ll be finding our rhythm and then there should be a takeoff,” he said.

IVE former employees of Standard Bank Group Limited have formed a London-based advisory firm to arrange financing for companies and projects across the continent. Bloomberg report said Alkebulan Ltd., which derives from the ancient pre-Roman name for Africa, will focus on Nigeria, the continent’s biggest oil producer, Managing Partner Andre van der Spuy, who spent 12 years as part of Standard Bank’s investment banking team, said. The firm’s other partners are Jonty Levin, who worked on the Johannesburg-based bank’s structured finance team, focusing on emerging markets; Sylma du Plessis, who headed its high-yield financing unit; Julian Rennie and Leigh Hall. “We believe we can use financial

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

NIDF NESF

OBB Rate Call Rate

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 20-1-14

SYMBOL TRANSEXPR ROYALEX IHIS BETAGLAS UPL PORTPAINT MAYBAKER COSTAIN UBCAP OANDO

O/PRICE 1.22 0.63 3.00 16.03 4.30 4.95 2.25 1.15 2.32 25.60

C/PRICE 1.34 0.69 3.15 16.83 4.51 5.19 2.35 1.20 2.42 26.70

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

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

CHANGE 0.12 0.06 0.15 0.80 0.21 0.24 0.10 0.05 0.10 1.10

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

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -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 WINDOWx 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%

O/PRICE 0.55 1.65 0.67 0.68 0.70 2.80 0.82 4.61 3.94 230.00

C/PRICE 0.51 1.57 0.64 0.65 0.67 2.69 0.80 4.50 3.85 225.02

CHANGE -0.04 -0.03 -0.03 -0.03 -0.03 -0.11 -0.02 -0.11 -0.09 -4.98

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%

Movement

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

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

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 20-1-14

SYMBOL CILEASING VONO UTC JAPAULOIL IPWA FIDSON NPFMCRFBK LIVESTOCK HONYFLOUR DANGCEM

THE US dollar, yesterday, set a two-month high versus the euro on, having enjoyed a solid comeback last week. The rise came after a string of mostly upbeat data convinced markets the Federal Reserve will continue its gradual withdrawal of stimulus. Reuters report showed that the euro eased versus the US dollar, slipping 0.1 per cent to about $1.3530. The euro fell to $1.3508 earlier on Monday, its lowest level against the greenback in nearly two months. It said the beleaguered Australian dollar got a bit of relief after China’s annual economic growth in the October-December quarter of 2013 came in at 7.7 per cent, down from 7.8 per cent in the previous three months but slightly ahead of market expectations for growth of 7.6 per cent.

Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

Dollar appreciates against Euro

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

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

sumer credit constituted 4.2 per cent, compared with 4.3 per cent at the end of the second half of 2012.

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

•Sanusi Lamido

Offer Price

Bid Price

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 167.44 165.99 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 9.08 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.09 1.07 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 1.16 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.71 0.72 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 1.33 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,611.15 1,607.37 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 GUARANTE0.08ED INCOME FUND143.11 142.62 LEGACY FUND 0.78 0.76 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND 1,892.63 1,894.44 • ARM AGGRESSIVE • KAKAWA GUARANTEED • STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE • AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE • OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

NEWS

Civil servants use up 37% of recurrent budget, says govt •Continued from page 2

“After our initial reconciliation, we now have a revised amount of $10.8 billion which still needs to be accounted for. This revised $10.8 billion outstanding is the amount put forward by the Federal Ministry of Finance, following ongoing reconciliation exercises with the NNPC at FAAC meetings over the past two years. “The Federal Ministry of Finance has played its role in bringing all parties to the table to agree and discuss the outstanding funds that should be remitted to the government. The next stage of this discussion is to ensure that these funds are paid into the Federation Account.” She added that “what will actually bring in the money is the hard work of completing the reconciliation exercises to find out what NNPC has spent on its operation (with supporting invoices and documentation) and what has to be remitted to the Treasury. It has not been completed, so claims by any parties in this exercise are premature”. In 2014, the Federal Government, she said, will continue to focus on the completion of critical infrastructure, projects. “Government has advanced the implementation of the Power

Road Map with the successful privatisation of four power generating companies and 10 power distribution companies. “In 2014, we shall focus on completing the privatisation of the NIPP projects, speed up work on our gas pipeline infrastructure and investment in hydro – electric power. In addition, we will also accelerate work on ongoing road and rail projects across the country – in particular, the Lagos-Ibadan Road and the Second Niger Bridge. We will also speed up upgrading of our aviation infrastructure especially the construction our five new airport terminals and 13 perishable air cargo terminals.” She said the government would continue with efforts to reduce the cost of governance. “Specific measures to be taken in line with Mr. President’s directive include holding the training of MDAs’ and parastatals’ personnel in Nigeria while overseas training programmes will only be approved in exceptional cases. Moreover, the number of overseas trips by government officials will be curtailed while the size of delegations accompanying key government officials on foreign trips will also be reduced. She said the President’s of-

‘Challenging budget process often leads to slippages in our budget timetables, and that means we have a reduced time period for implementing the budget’ fice had already begun trimming down the size of the delegations, which accompany him for foreign visits. The Head of Service and the Director-General of the Budget Office will develop new guidelines for foreign travel by government officials which will be circulated to all MDAs. We anticipate to save about N3 billion from the introduction of this new policy. Minister for Power Prof. Chinedu Nebo assured that there will be improved power supply In the East, Nebo said gas pipeline and

electricity installations were being vandalised by thieves whereas the vandalisation of gas pipelines in the West was the activities of saboteurs who deliberately vandalise the pipes at various locations to frustrate government’s efforts. Minister for Works Mike Onolemenmen said the Abuja-Lokoja road would be completed in April same as the Benin-Ore axis of the Benin-Ore-Sagamu Expressway, with the completion of the Sagamu end scheduled for the end of 2014. The ground breaking ceremony of the Second Niger Bridge, he said, will be carried out this year to effectively herald the commencement of work on the Second Niger Bridge. Prof. Akpan Ekpo of the West African Institute for Financial and Economic Management (WAIFEM) warned against delay in the passage of the budget as this may impact negatively on its full implementation. Dr. Okonjo-Iweala said: “Challenging budget process often leads to slippages in our budget timetables, and that means we have a reduced time period for implementing the budget. “She urged the National Assembly “to review the 2014 budget promptly so the Executive can implement it expeditiously for the benefit of Nigerians”.

Oshiomhole sacks commissioner

T was time for Edo State Commissioner for Youths and Sports, Lady Omorede Osifo to go home yesterday. She has been sacked. Her sack, according to government sources was as a result of the youth summit organised by the state government last weekend. The source said Ms Omorede was not happy that she was informed about the event through a text message on her mobile phone. It was also learnt that Governor Adams Oshiomhole was angry that Ms Omorede arrived at the summit in a tracksuit after the opening ceremony and walked away before the

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

event ended. Sources said the governor was peeved by the poor lightning at the Dr. Samuel Ogbemudia Stadium where a musical concert was held for the youths. Commissioner for Information and Orientation Mr. Louis Odion said Ms Omorede’s removal was a normal administrative process. A statement by the Chief Press Secretary, Peter Okhiria said the governor wished the sacked official well and appointed Chris Okaeben to oversee the affairs of the ministry pending the approval of the state House of Assembly.

18 feared dead in Borno community attack

IGHTEEN people were feared dead after suspected Boko Haram militants attacked a community on the Alau Dam -Alau Ngawo Fate in Jere Local Government Area of Borno on Sunday night. Many houses were also destroyed. A former council official in Jere Local Government Mustapha Galtimari said 18 bodies were counted in his presence after the attack. He said: “We don’t know the problem of our security operatives but even when you inform them about happenings or something about to happen they no longer pay attention and they would not send soldiers until after the attack. We called on the authorities but nobody came to our rescue. These boys came and killed people.” Spokesman of 7 Division Nigerian Army, Col Muhammadu Dole, confirmed the attack in a telephone interview with reporters in Maiduguri. He said the Division is yet to receive details on the casualty figures.

FOREIGN NEWS Afghan Taliban launch attack on Nato base in Kandahar

ATO officials in Afghanistan say one of their soldiers was killed when insurgents attacked a base in the southern province of Kandahar. The attackers detonated a car bomb at the entrance to the Zhari base south of Kandahar city, before other militants opened fire. Officials say nine gunmen took part in the attack - Nato

said all were killed. Nato-led combat troops are due to leave Afghanistan at the end of 2014 after 13 years fighting the Taliban. Last week, a Taliban spokesman told the BBC the militants are “confident of victory” over Nato-led forces and already control large areas of the country. Presidential elections are due in April, which the Taliban say are a “fake process”.

South Korean trade official kidnapped in Libya

HE head of South Korea’s trade mission in Libya has been abducted in the capital Tripoli. He was kidnapped in an upscale district of the city on Sunday evening, according to officials in Seoul. The authorities have struggled to secure Libya since the 2011 war that toppled Muammar Ghaddafi, with militia and armed gangs still controlling large parts of the country. This is the second kidnapping of a foreign national in the last few days. Mr Han Seo-Woo, who headed the Libya unit of South Korea’s Trade-Investment Promotion Agency, was on his way home from work when his vehicle was ambushed in an affluent neighbourhood of Tripoli. His driver, an Iraqi national, was left behind by the kidnappers.

N/Korea: Jailed man calls for US action

N American citizen held for more than a year in North Korea has spoken to foreign media, and called for US “co-operation” to secure his release. Kenneth Bae gave his first “press conference” since his detention under heavy prison guard. Mr Bae, a Korean-American, was arrested in November 2012 and sentenced to 15 years’ hard labour in May. North Korea said he had used his tourism business to form groups to overthrow the

government. Correspondents say Mr Bae described as both a tour operator and Christian missionary may have been speaking under strict editorial control. “As far as I know, I have now been here for the longest amongst American citizens who came here and got detained,” he said. “I believe that my problem can be solved by close co-operation and agreement between the American government and the government of this country.”

Central African Republic MPs elect Catherine Samba-Panza

ANGUI mayor Catherine SambaPanza, 59, has been elected interim president of the Central African Republic, making her the first woman to hold the post. She beat her rival Desire Kolingba in the second round of voting by the interim parliament. Meanwhile, EU foreign ministers agreed at a meeting on Monday to send troops to CAR, diplomatic sources said. Violence has continued, with two Muslim men killed and burnt in the capital Bangui on Sunday. Nearly a million people have been forced from their homes - 20% of the population - by the conflict between Muslims and Christians.

•Samba-Panza

Thomas Fessy reports from Bangui: '”In the absence of government, angry mobs now rule the streets'” In her victory speech, Ms Samba-Panza urged Christian militias, known as anti-balaka, and Muslim fighters in the exSeleka rebel movement to end

the bloodshed. “I call on my children, especially the anti-balaka, to put down their arms and stop all the fighting. The same goes for the ex-Seleka - they should not have fear. I don't want to hear any more talk of murders and killings,'” she said, the Associ-

Vietnam sentences 30 to death over drug smuggling

COURT in Vietnam has sentenced 30 people to death over heroin smuggling in what is said to be the largest such trial ever held in the country. The trial, over the smuggling of nearly two tonnes of heroin, began in Quang Ninh province in early January. Dozens of others were also given prison sentences from two years to life. This is the largest-ever drug trial in Vietnam in terms of the number of defendants and the death sentences given, says the

BBC's Nga Pham. A total of 89 defendants, including the 21 men and nine women who were sentenced to death, were arrested last year on various charges. They belong to different drug rings accused of smuggling the heroin from Laos through Vietnam and China since 2006, state media report. Presiding Judge Ngo Duc told AFP news agency that the trial was held at the prison because of the seriousness of the case. This is only the first stage of a special investigation carried out

by Quang Ninh police, and the extent of the crimes may be a lot larger, our correspondent reports from neighbouring Bangkok. Punishments for drug-related crimes in Vietnam are relatively harsh, but this trial shows the immensity of drug trafficking problems in the country, our correspondent adds. At least 86 people were sentenced to death in 2012, with more than 500 on death row in Vietnam, rights group Amnesty International said in its annual report 2013.

ated Press news agency reports. Cheers broke out in the National Transitional Council, which serves as an interim parliament, when Ms SambaPanza’s victory was announced. “Starting today, I am the president of all Central Africans, without exclusion,” she is quoted by AFP news agency as saying. Ms Samba-Panza succeeds CAR’s first Muslim leader Michel Djotodia, who resigned on 10 January under pressure from regional leaders and the former colonial power, France, over his failure to curb the conflict. She is a Christian but the successful businesswoman is seen as politically neutral. She was accepted by both sides when she was proposed as Bangui’s mayor under the interim administration. There are currently about 4,000 African troops and 1,600 French troops in CAR to help end the violence. They will be bolstered by about 500 troops that EU foreign ministers have decided to deploy, AFP reports. Ms Samba-Panza won 75 votes in the run-off, against 53 for Mr Kolingba, the son of a former president. The election went to a second round after Ms SambaPanza failed to secure an outright majority in the first round. Six other candidates were knocked out in the first round. About 129 members of the 135-seat council took part in the secret ballot, AFP reports.

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

NBC's pronouncement, not COSON's victory, says Tony Okoroji

•Moses

•Debbie

Nigerian Idol enters Season 4

•Organisers set for auditions

N a couple of days, the fourth season of Nigerian Idol, a music reality show, will kick-off with auditions in five Nigerian cities, including Benin, Calabar, Port Harcourt, Makurdi and Lagos. This was disclosed recently by Optima Media Group, the organizers of the show. According to Rotimi Pedro, CEO of Optima Media Group, “The last three seasons have seen Nigerian Idol grow to become the most viewed music reality show, especially among the youths. The fourth season will be a more exciting television experience, as we have raised the standards in terms of contents, production and overall interactivity with this edition.” The premium global singing competition, which seeks to discover and turn talented singers to superstars, made its debut in Nigeria in 2010. The last edition produced Moses Adigwe, the first male winner in the history of the talent hunt in Nigeria. Season 4 of the show will be produced by Optima Media Group, while global

brands, Etisalat and Pepsi, return as major sponsors. The producers said a new co-host would team up with urbane on-air personality, Ill Rhymz, to deliver a captivating season. Traditionally, the show lasts for five months, featuring tough drills, surprise evictions and gruelling rehearsals resulting in stellar performances. In the competition, the winner will be rewarded with N7.5 million cash prize, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry, an iPod and a brand new SUV car. The first runner-up will also be rewarded with N1.5 million cash prize, a Galaxy Tab, Blackberry and iPod; while the 2nd runner-up will receive N1million, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod. The sponsors have assured that no contestant will go home empty-handed. Each finalist from the 4th to 10th place has been assured of N100, 000, a Galaxy Tab, a Blackberry and an iPod. However, the judges as well as the new co-anchor for the show, which will begin airing from February through June, are yet to be announced.

ESPITE being favoured by the recent pronouncement of the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC), which directed aggrieved parties to pay royalty to his organisation, the chairman of Copyright Society of Nigeria (COSON), Chief Tony Okoroji, has described the situation as a “no victor, no vanquished” judgement. The Broadcasting Organisation of Nigeria (BON) and Independent Broadcasters Association of Nigeria (IBAN) had outlawed the airing of songs belonging to members of COSON to protest what it said was COSON’s arbitrary charges for use of musical works by its members. Following its mediation on the matter, NBC in a statement signed by its Head of Public Affairs, Awwalu Salihu, ordered BON and IBAN to suspend the ban they placed on broadcast of musical works by some Nigerian musicians and advised all parties to discontinue legal proceedings on the tussle. Okoroji, in what could be said to be a diplomatic statement, noted that the NBC's pronouncement should rather be seen as a historic

wanted to be an actress and thus decided to start off by producing her own movie, which was sponsored by her father, Dr Henry Omorodion. Although it set out to showcase her first work, the event turned out to be a mini concert, where German-Nigerian hip hop/soul singer and songwriter, Nneka Lucia Egbuna led the lineup that included Waje and Omawumi Megbele who performed to the excited audience. Anchored by Jara TV pre-

By Victor Akande

moment in the development of creative industries in Nigeria. Okoroji, who spoke with journalists at the Benin Airport during the commissioning of the COSON’s comprehensive copyright licensing programme in Edo State said, “I know that some

might see it as victory for one group or another. But in this process, I do not think in terms of victors or vanquished. I am interested in the progress of the Nigerian nation. I believe that the full engagement of the NBC and NCC in ensuring the proper enforcement of our copyright legislations is a mo-

Collette Orji takes charity home

N line with her pristine vision to continuously impact her society positively, Collette Orji, a fast-rising Nollywood actress, last Saturday, visited her home town, Ufoma in Anambra State, where she distributed loads of wrappers to women as well as materials to school

First Cut premieres in style

T was an unusual film premiere recently when Chico Ejiro's latest flick, First Cut, was previewed with pomp and circumstance at the Eko Hotel and Suites, Victoria Island, Lagos. The event provided so much fun for friends and family members of the producer, Lisa Henry Omorodion, who was cutting her teeth in the film industry. It was a big debut for Lisa who, according to sources,

•Okoroji

mentous development, which will have tremendous impact on the Nigerian economy down the road. I have spent a lifetime campaigning for an environment in which people receive fair compensations for the creative works they do because I verily believe that this is how we will unleash the massive creative energy in our people for the creation of wealth and employment for hundreds of thousands of our citizens.” The COSON boss also expressed his readiness to work with his colleagues at the BON, IBAN, NBC and NCC so as to resolve all the issues within the time frame set out by the NBC. According to him, respect for intellectual property rights will not only benefit the music, film or literary industries, but also return broadcasting stations to the “hotbeds for the creation of profitable, marketable and exportable programming, instead of just being sellers of air time. “I know that people have resisted these developments because of fear-fear of tomorrow. There is nothing to fear. Nothing can be more tragic than our remaining trapped in our bad habits because of fear.”

senters, Uti Nwachukwu and Helen Paul, the star-studded event also had parents of the producer, Chief and Mrs. Omorodion, Fidelis Duker, Lilian Bach, IK Ogbonna, Yvonne Ekwere and Toni Tones in attendance. The movie stars Joseph Benjamin, Monalisa Chinda, Lisa Omorodion and Bobby Obodo, among others. First Cut is a movie about rape, treacherous love triangle, conflicting family ties and fashion.

By Mercy Michael

children, among others. It will be recalled that the Abuja-based thespian, last year, launched Coco Medicare Foundation, a non-governmental organisation (NGO) which, in conjunction with Work Hard Hospital, India, offered free medical check to over 100 widows. While commenting on the recent initiative, she said, “This has never been done in my place. When I got there, women came out in large numbers and were excited to cook. Some of them would stop and ask me, ‘What do you say you are doing for our children?’ The mothers received wrappers too. It couldn’t go round as the turnout was bigger than we had imagined. Saturday, January 11, was the local government election in Anambra State, so the event didn’t start until about 4.00p.m. because the same venue of the event was a polling station.” So, after the elections were over, we brought the kids from both Ufoma Community School and Amazing Grace Primary School. They were all there waiting for us with their teachers. We all marched unto the venue and each of them got a sit. “It was beautiful. I felt joy in my heart. I wish I had so much money. It’s just the beginning of the year and I haven't earned a dime. Coco House Boutique was closed all through the Yuletide period because the head of my sales girls lost her dad and I asked them to take stocks and resume in January. So, I haven't even earned a dime from De-

•Orji

cember till now. But I had to do it.” Looking back now, she still feels so happy about the success she recorded last year. For her, it was a year of fulfillment, as she said, “2013 was an amazing year. God chose and screened each job I did last year. I didn’t have to do 50 movies that spread all around and died one week after release. To crown it all, I was honoured with the “Best Upcoming Actress of The Year” award at the Papyrus Maga-

zine Screen Actors Awards (PAMSAA). I also launched Coco House Boutique and Coco Medicare Foundation. I signed deals and business arrangements worth more than I’ve done in five years at a time. I took business and pleasure trips all around the world and God was my pilot at all times. God stood with me and blessed my family with good health. I have every reason to use my little resources to invest in the lives of the kids via my foundation.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

NEWS

11 die in Niger accident

HANDOVER OF SERVICE CHIEFS

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

LEVEN members of J’amatul Izalatul Bidia Wo Ikamati Sunnah (JIBWIS) on Sunday night died in an accident on the Suleja-Minna road. Nine others were injured. The victims were said to be returning to Zuru in Kebbi State en-route Minna after attending an education appeal fund in Abuja. Unit Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) in Suleja Edwin Nwokike confirmed that the accident involved a Toyota Hiace bus and a Volkswagen Golf car. Nwokike said the accident may have been caused by over speeding. He said the driver of the car was alone and died on the spot. Nine passengers in the bus also died on the spot. The unit commander said eight of the nine injured passengers have been treated and discharged.

Pupil ‘hangs self’ in Kwara

SENIOR Secondary School (SSS) three pupil allegedly killed himself at Oro, Irepodun Local Government Area of Kwara State yesterday. The pupil was the head boy of Oro Grammar School. He was said to have hanged himself in one of the classrooms. It was gathered that the deceased hailed from OkerimiOro, a nearby community. A student observed that the head boy was not around and alerted the authorities, which organised a search party. The lifeless body dangling from a

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

rope, was eventually discovered. It was discovered that all school gates were locked immediately after the discovery. The management of the school, it was gathered, sent the pupils home to avoid any breakdown of law and order. It was gathered that the father of the late school boy was recently appointed a supervisory councillor. Police spokesman Ajayi Okasanya confirmed the incident.

•Air Marshal Badeh (left) taking over from his predecessor, Adm. Ibrahim in Abuja …yesterday

Soldiers take over Makurdi

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

RMED troops from 72 Special Battalion Forces and Nigeria Army School of Military Engineering (NASME) have been deployed in Makurdi, Benue State, following

the crisis between Tiv farmers and Fulani herdsmen. The crisis led to the death of five Tiv farmers in an early morning attack. Residents of Makurdi woke up yesterday to see armed troops in the city. Some of the soldiers were seen moving around the MakurdiGboko road. Police spokesman Daniel Ezeala could not be reached for comments.

•Chief of Air StaffAir Vice Marshal Adesola Amo- • Lt.-Gen. Ihejirika (left) handing over to Maj.-Gen. Minimah …yesterday su, during the handover ceremony.

Council poll cancelled in Jigawa

HE Jigawa State Independent Electoral Commission has cancelled the chairmanship elections in Hadejia and MalamMadori local government areas. A statement by the commission’s spokesman, Habibu Yusif Babura, said the commission also suspended the councillorship election in Gujungu Ward of Taura Local Government Area. The statement reads: “By virtue of the powers conferred on the commission, the commission wishes to announce the

From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

suspension of the elections in Hadejia and Malam-Madori local governments’, as well as the councillorship election in Gujungu Ward of Taura Local Government Area. “The decision to suspend the election was informed by the occurrence of a serious breach of peace, ballot boxes’ snatching, mutilation of electoral documents and disturbances, which hindered the compilation of the results. “The commission will announce a date for a repeat election in the affected areas.”

PHOTOS: NAN

Kano records 100 rape cases

ANO State Commissioner for Justice Maliki Kuliya yesterday confirmed that 100 rape cases were recorded last year. He said more than 40 offenders were convicted, all of whom are serving various jail terms.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

At a briefing with reporters yesterday, Kuliya said people are now familiar with reporting such cases to the police, unlike before when the victims’ parents or guardians keep silent over fear of stigmatisation.

‘Don’t discredit House’

• Vice Admiral Ezeoba (left) handing over to Rear Admiral Jibrin.

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

PEAKER of the Niger State House of Assembly Adamu Usman has warned that the House should not be turned into a protest ground. He spoke yesterday at the Assembly complex in Minna, following the unruly behaviour of some youths. They had accompanied some elders from Lapai Local Government Area to complain about a lawmaker, Usman Magaji. Irked by their behaviour, the Speaker said the Assembly is a sacred House for honourable characters and would not entertain any desecration by any lawless and unruly group. “As a House, we want to register our displeasure with the way and manner these youths are behaving. Everyone has the constitutional right to air their views and grievances but this should be done in an orderly manner.

CDS: insurgency will be crushed by April

HIEF of Defence Staff (CDS) Air Marshal Alexander Sabundu Badeh has declared that the Boko Haram insurgency will be crushed by April. Air Marshal Badeh made the declaration yesterday shortly after he took over from Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim. “The security situation in the Northeast must be brought to an end before April. Substantial progress has been recorded in the war against the insurgents. “We must bring it (insurgency) to a stop before April so that we will not have constitutional problems on our

From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

hands.” It was a flurry of activities yesterday, as new Service Chiefs took over from their predecessors in colourful ceremonies. Admiral Ola Sa’ad Ibrahim handed over to Air Marshal Badeh, who was elevated from Chief of Air Staff to Chief of Defence Staff. Earlier, Air Marshal Badeh handed over to Air Vice Admiral Adesola Amosu as the new Chief of Air Staff. Ex-Chief of Army Staff Lt. Gen. Azubuike Ihejirika handed over to Major General Kenneth Minimah.

Ihejirika dismissed media reports that over 30 senior officers were forced into retirement to pave the way for Minimah. He said there were only five officers senior to Minimah and most of them submitted their retirement letters last week. He said: “I also want to remark that some papers published recently that 31 Army generals might be leaving because of their relative seniority to the new Army chief. “It is a fact that only five officers ranked higher in seniority to the new Army chief up to the time he was appointed. And I want to in-

form you that most of these officers; the five I am talking about have submitted their letters of voluntary retirement to me because they feel they should retire at this point in time to make the work of the Army chief easy.” In the Navy, Rear Admiral Usman Jibrin took over from Vice Admiral Dele Ezeoba as Chief of Naval Staff. The retiring Service Chiefs thanked President Goodluck Jonathan for giving them the opportunity to serve. They enjoined serving officers and men to give the new Service Chiefs their support and loyalty to the nation.

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 21, 2014

NEWS

Ex-PHCN workers in alleged N700m fraud

HE Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) has been rocked by a N700 million fraud allegedly committed by workers of the Warri Business District of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN). It was learnt that bills collected by those involved in the syndicate were either not remitted or paid in full into the coffers of the company. The Nation investigation showed that the lid was blown off the deal when electricity was disconnected from over

•12,000 households thrown into darkness From Shola O’Neil, Warri

12,000 households living in the Steel Camp of the Delta Steel Company in Ovwian-Aladja, Delta State. Aggrieved families said electricity bills paid by the households over the past three years were not remitted to the account of the company. One of the victims, Mrs. Rose Edewor, said: “We celebrated the Yuletide in dark-

ness. First, they raised the amount paid by each flat from N500 to N1,000 and then to N1,500. We still didn’t complain until they increased it to N5,500. “It was while protesting against the new bill that we went to their Benin office to see what was happening. That was when we discovered that there was no record that we hadpaid in the last three years.” Further investigations

showed that the PHCN officials perfected the crime by setting up a ‘special committee’ to collect rent from the residents, but failed to remit the fund. “We found out that they remitted only a tiny fraction of money collected,” a worker of BEDC in Warri said. BEDC officials from Benin City moved to Udu for a meeting with the aggrieved consumers. It was gathered that the

meeting could not hold, owing to a deadlock over the venue. While the consumers wanted the meeting to be held on the School II premises of DSC, the BEDC official preferred a neutral place. The delegation, according to information, said the security of their members could not be guaranteed in the school. Attempts to get the views of BEDC officials were unsuccessful, as one of the officials cited lack of competence to comment on the matter.

HE Orunto of Ondo, Chief Ebun Faturoti, is dead. He died on Saturday. He was 76. A statement by the family said: “He was a trendsetter in the architecture profession in Nigeria, having pioneered outstanding designs all over the nation. He was the vice president of the Architect Registration Council of Nigeria (ARCON) for about 10 years. “At the national level, he was the chairman, Governing Council of the National Institute of Sports (NIS).” He will be buried on February 14 in Ondo, after a funeral service at the All Saints Church,Ogbonkowo, Ondo. He is survived by children and grandchildren.

•The late Faturoti

ANAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi yesterday slammed his Imo State counterpart, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, for accusing political leaders in the state of undermining the progress of the Igbo in the country’s political power equation. Obi, in a statement, described Okorocha as “a rabblerouser, an ingrate and one so arrogant that he has no respect for senior citizens.”

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

Ondo chief dies

From Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Onitsha

SURE-P trains 75 supervisors

Gunmen kidnap septuagenarian in Abia UNMEN have abducted a septuagenarian, Mrs. Rose Onyendilefu, at Ikem Nvosi in Isiala Ngwa North Local Government Area of Abia State. It was learnt the incident occurred about noon on Sunday when the victim was returning from church. A source said since the kidnap of the old woman, residents have been living in fear. Sources said the gunmen took the 70-year-old woman away in their Jetta Passat car. The abductors, he said, were yet to contact the woman’s family. Attempts by our reporter to reach the family for comments proved abortive. Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the incident. He said the matter had been reported at Isiala Ngwa North Police Division, adding that efforts were on to arrest the kidnappers. Ogbonna urged anyone with information to report at the Isiala Ngwa Police Division or any nearby police station.

Obi slams Okorocha

•Delta State Deputy Governor Prof. Amos Utuama (SAN), who represented Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, presenting a Staff of Office to the Odiologbo of Olomoro Kingdom, His Royal Majesty Umukoro Josiah Aghaza 1, at Olomoro, Isoko South Local Government....yesterday.

JTF lays siege to Bayelsa community

ROOPS from the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, have laid siege to Igbomatoro, a community in Bayelsa State, notorious for oil theft in the Niger Delta. Investigations showed that illegal refineries dot the waterways of the community in Southern Ijaw Local Government. Besides, there is always movement of crude oil in barges, Cotonou boats and other smaller vessels along the highly-polluted waters of the community. JTF operatives were said to have begun a surveillance of the community on Sunday morning. The Police, Navy and the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) were said to have joined in the operation. Residents alleged that JTF arrived the community on nine gunboats and 15 speedboats. They said the soldiers were armed, accusing them of arresting, maiming and torturing innocent indigenes. According to a text message to our correspondent by a source in the community, who refused to mention his name, “JTF invaded Igbomatoru 1 and 2. They broke into people’s homes and forced youths to desert the place. “They arrived our community with nine gunboats and 15 speedboats, arresting, maiming and torturing innocent people. There is no offence to warrant this ugly incident.”

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

But the JTF Media Coordinator, Col. Onyema Nwachukwu, said the people were not happy because they wanted the task force to leave the area to enable them continue economic sabotage. Nwachukwu, in a statement, said the operation was carried out by the troops of 343 Regiment Sector 2 of the JTF after investigations showed that the community was a hub of economic sabotage. “Troops of 343 Regiment of Sector 2 of the JTF, in a renewed vigour to combat oil bunkering in the Niger Delta, have carried out a cordon-and-search operation in Igbematoru community. “The combined troops of 343 Regiment, Nigeria Police and Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps carried out the search on the hideouts of identified suspected oil bunkers . “The operation was informed by the disturbing fact that Igbematoru has been high on the graph of occurrences of oil bunkering, necessitating the operation.” Confirming that the operation was executed, the spokesman said it yielded positive results. According to him, the troops recovered the tools used for bunkering, such as 103 pumping machines, 32 hoses of various lengths and diameters, 17 hard saw machines and eight adjustable spanners.

Itsekiri leaders petition US over Ugborodo ‘missing $6m’

HE leaders of oil-bearing Ugborodo community in Warri South-West Local Government Area of Delta State have petitioned the United States of America over the ‘missing’ $6 million donated to the community by Chevron Nigeria Ltd. It was learnt that the US is pressurising the management of the multinational oil firm to trace the fund, which was donated in January 2008 to facilitate the relocation of the community residents. A former Secretary of the Governing Council of Ugborodo Community Trust, Pa J.O.S. Ayomike, who spoke yesterday at a news conference in Warri, said the people were determined to know how the money was managed. Said he: “The America ambassador has been told of the disappearance of Chevron’s $6 million and probably, the US

From Shola O’Neil, South-south Regional Editor

State Department is also interested. The money was donated by the American oil firm in 2008 as part of its counterpart funding for the Ugborodo New Town project.” Pa Ayomike, a renowned historian and literary critic, said he and other leaders got wind of the donation in 2011. He said: “In January 2008, Chevron donated $6 million to Ugborodo. Rather than use the money for this project, and without the knowledge of Ugborodo leaders and the registered trustees, the governor and his surrogates allegedly paid the money into a bank account and appointed signatories. “After five years, the money has not been used for the purpose it was meant. Rather, it has been accruing interests and there is apparent shortfall

in the account . Ugborodo people are not aware of this deal till today. Pa Ayomike said the people also want to know what happened to the N3.85 billion contributed by government towards the development of the new town project, as professional valuers indicated that the work done on the site was worth less than N60 million. Ayomike, who chairs the It-

sekiri Leaders of Thought, said Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan should be questioned for his alleged role in the matter. He said the Navy and other key players in the incident leading to the deaths of 22 Ugborodo indigenes in the clash must be prosecuted. The crisis was escalated by the proposed Export Processing Zone (EPZ) in the area.

ings of the committee, however, said the rule of law must be enforced, stressing that without it, there would be no order in the society. He said: “I thank the chairman and members of the committee for doing a thorough job. When I asked you to go into the enquiry, I didn’t realise it would take much work to produce this kind of result.”

Probe panel submits report

COMMITTEE set up by Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole to investigate the unauthorised journey to Italy by the chairman, vice-chairman and councillors in Orhiomwon Council yesterday submitted a three-volume report to the governor. Oshiomhole, who assured that government would implement the find-

HE Subsidy Re-investment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) has trained 75 supervisors under its Community Service Scheme (CSS), Cross River State Chairman Mr. Jarigbe Jarigbe has said. He spoke yesterday in Calabar during a workshop for the 75 supervisors in Southern Cross River on Monitoring and Evaluation of CSS projects in the state. Jarigbe said the significance of the programme was to enthrone accountability. He said SURE-P was initiated to alleviate the suffering of the people, especially unemployed women, youths and vulnerable groups. “In the first ramp-up of the programme, 3,000 beneficiaries were recruited from each state and Abuja. “The enormity of the workforce requires effective management to achieve the set goal, thereby making this training a necessity.

Bayelsa community leader assassinated From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

IX gunmen have killed a former chairman of Peremabiri Community Development Committee (CDC), Mr. Morris Jonathan. The victim was said to have been attacked and killed by his assailants at his home in Akenpai, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The killing of the 34-yearold civil servant was said to have created panic in the community. It was learnt that the body of the deceased had been deposited at the mortuary of the Federal Medical Centre, Yenagoa. Peremabiri, an oil-producing community, is located in Southern Ijaw Local Government. No reason was given for the murder of the community leader and no group had claimed responsibility. According to an eyewitness, the gunmen stormed Jonathan’s home about 1am after shooting into the air. They later forced themselves into the victim’s bedroom and shot him dead. They were said to have left immediately without removing any item. Commissioner of Police Hilary Opara confirmed the incident. He said police had begun investigations, adding that nobody had been arrested.

THE NATION TUESDAY JANUARY 21, 2014

NEWS

Petitioner urges arrest of lawmaker for attempted murder

HE Assistant InspectorGeneral of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 6, Calabar, has been urged to arrest the lawmaker representing Ikwo/Ezza South in the House of Representatives, Tobias Okwuru, for the attempted murder of Chief Christopher Ngwuta. Ngwuta, in a petition by his lawyer, Ogban Ebenezer Uno, alleged that Okwuru and his thugs assaulted him near his home at Amaezeka in Ezza

•‘Allegation handiwork of mischief makers’ From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

South Local Government Area, with the intention to kill him. He said the incident occurred at midnight after the lawmaker chased him away from two locations in the day. The legislator, according to the petition, first confronted him at Onueke Mini Stadium,

accusing him of frustrating his ambition to re-contest the House of Representatives seat. “Our client, sensing danger, on the advice of the Chairman of Ezza South Local Government, left the stadium. Okwuru also confronted him in the evening, threatening him in at the home of the father of the chair of Ezza South. “Again, on the advice of the

council chair, our client left the scene. When our client was going home in his car he ran into an ambush of Okwuru and his thugs in a Prado Sport Utility Vehicle, with registration number MHR 231, owned by Okwuru, who pointed him at to the thugs,” Uno said. The petitioner alleged that the thugs stabbed him several times and left him in coma in

a pool of his blood. “Our client was rescued by good Samaritans, who took him to a hospital at Onueke where he was revived before being transferred to the Federal Teaching Hospital, Abakaliki . Our client’s condition is serious.” Ngwuta said: “We appeal to you to arrest the assailants to act as a deterrent to others.’’ Ezza South Chairman Laz Ogbee, in a telephone chat, confirmed the incident.

Said he: “I was the one, who took him to hospital in my car. I also paid his medical bills. I have continued to pay the bills now that he is an out-patient.” But Okwuru denied the allegation, describing it as the handiwork of mischief makers. The lawmaker, who spoke through his media assistant, Monday Eze, said he was focused on delivering the dividends of democracy to his constituents.

Bishop warns North’s elders

From Chris Oji, Enugu

NGLICAN Bishop of Enugu Diocese, Emmanuel Chukwuma, has warned the Northern Elders Forum on its threat to sue former Chief of Army Staff Lt. General Azubuike Ihejirika, at the International Criminal Court (ICC). Chukwuma, who is also the Southeast Chairman of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), said people would resist such move. The forum had threatened to sue the former Army chief over his alleged role in army operations in the Northeast. Chukwuma slammed the Northern elders for keeping quiet when Ndigbo were being killed daily. “Northern elders should be warned; otherwise, they are calling for another war. I want to tell them that they should drop the idea of sueing Ihejirika,” he said. The cleric said President Goodluck Jonathan should balance the appointment of service chiefs by including an Easterner, otherwise the Senate should not approve the appointments. The bishop, who described Tukur’s exit as belated, urged the Chairman, Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) Board of Trustees, Chief Tony Anenih, to resign.

Rev Chukwuma with a copy of The Nation at the news conference ...yesterday.

ASUP decries non-payment of salary

From Chris Oji, Enugu

HE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) in Zone D met in Enugu at the weekend, with a resolution affecting the welfare of chapters. The chapters include Abia State Polytechnics, Aba; Federal Polytechnic, Oko; Institute of Management and Technology (IMT), Enugu; and Akwa Ibom State College of Arts and Science, Ikono. In a communiqué, ASUP decried the non-payment of salary in Abia State Polytechnic for over seven months. It said it would not accept the excuse of poor finances. But reports, however, said the school, was owing financial institutions over N1.4 billion. ASUP, Zone D hailed the Abia State government for increasing the monthly subvention of the institution from N25 million to N90 million, “but, however, noted that practical and urgent steps must be taken to clear the backlog of salaries and debts owed banks.”

END-OF-THE-ROAD

Release bodies of our members, says MASSOB

T •An accident involving a Mitsubishi SUV and a Toyota Yaris at the Taskforce Road, Alausa, Lagos... yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES.

From Odogwu Emeka, Onitsha

HE Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB) yesterday demanded the bodies of three of its members allegedly killed by soldiers during the raid on its security office on the Onitsha-Owerri Road, Onitsha, Anambra State. MASSOB leader, Chief Ralph Uwazuruike, who addressed reporters, said the release became imperative, following worries by the deceased’s families and MASSOB that the bodies be released for a befitting funeral, to prevent their spirits from roaming. MASSOB also demanded the release of those arrested before, during and after the raid, who included, Friday Igiri, Kenneth Nwabueze and Ezeigwe . The group’s leader spoke through his personal assistant, Emmanuel Omenka. His words: “We demand the release of the bodies for funeral. We are surprised that soldiers always involve themselves in MASSOB’s affairs. For four days, they raided our security office at Mgbuka junction and arrested three of our members. They should tell us our offence.”

College prepares pupils for future challenges

•A truck-laden with softdrinks crashed into a building on Lagos-Abeokuta Expressway... yesterday. PHOTO: RAHAMAN SANUSI

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

N a bid to prepare pupils to confront future challenges Kingston College Ibadan (KCI), yesterday kicked off its maiden edition of Inter-School Quiz Competition for Primary Schools in Oyo State. The participating schools include, St Patrick School, BISKAN Golden Heritage School, Mary Hill Convent School, Precious Heritage School, Police Children School 1, Airforce Primary School, IAR&T Staff School, Kingdom Heritage Model School, St Catherine School, Olives International School, Develiz Golden School, Resebud School and Grace Kiddies Porch School. KCI Principal, Mr Innocent Agofure said the competition focuses on tasking pupils intellect which prepares them to confront future challenges. The quiz, he said, seeks to stoke the spirit of competitiveness in primary school pupils, adding that it is design to encourage them to collectively solve problems. Agofure said:” We are passion-driven to provide a top-notch qualitative education and I encourage all participating schools to put in their best as success can only be achieved through hard work”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

NEWS Police arraign Amaechi’s aide’s orderly, 10 others

APC Reps demand removal of House Leader, others

•Possession of walkie-talkie alleged

POLICE orderly attached to Rivers State Government House Chief of Staff, Chief Tony Okocha, was taken before a Chief Magistrate’s Court in Port Harcourt, the state capital, yesterday. He was charged with illegal possession of walkie-talkie at the smashed rally of the Save Rivers Movement (SRM) in Obio/Akpor on January 12. Akporbari Aminikpo (29), a Police Sergeant was charged alongside 10 others held by the Police for participating in the demonstration at the Eleme axis of East-West road, last Monday over the alleged shooting of Senator Magnus Abe. Other suspects are Barinaaghaalo Kugbor (26), GodGift Brienalor (24), Stephen Nuata (24), Sunday Dugbor (20), Dubor Kpeghasi (30), Promise Kagbor (29),Baribor Nnade (25), Kiesira Nteegha (22), Lucky Pourii (25) and Baridor Kukue (27).

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

Aminikpo and his SSS counterpart attached to Okocha were tagged spies and arrested by the police at the venue of the Rumuola rally while working with their boss. The SSS personnel was later released while the Police officer remained in their custody till yesterday. He was charged with illegal possession of walkie Talkie, conspiracy, among others. The other 10 suspects arrested for participating in the proAmaechi protest were slammed with a- three-count charge of conspiracy, unlawful gathering and possession of dangerous weapons. They pleaded not guilty to the charges and were released in the sum of N50,000 each by the trial Magistrate, Daisy Wanjoku. The Magistrate also ordered that one surety take all the accused on bail. The prosecutor, Sergeant Iko-

Continued from page 2

government offices, for President Jonathan to declare a state of emergency in the Niger Delta state and force Amaechi out. The Rivers governor’s associate said Wike and his supporters, in collaboration with the state’s Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, were behind the plot to cause a breakdown of law and order with the use of the exmilitants, to be coordinated by some “ex-Generals” (former warlords). It was also learnt that part of the plot was that immediately after the declaration of the state of emergency, a retired soldier from Rivers state would be made a military administrator and the Presidency would make it difficult for Amaechi to return as governor. The appointment by President Jonathan, for the first time, of a Rivers indigene, Maj.-Gen. Kenneth Bipiduonyeofori Minimah, as the Chief of Army Staff, according to the source, was part of the plan by the Presidency and the leaders of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), to take over Rivers state in 2015 at all costs. The associate of the NGF chairman said: “The anti-Amaechi protests in Port Harcourt may escalate into fiery street battles, between the anti-Amaechi demonstrators and the teeming supporters of the Rivers Governor.” The NUJ, Rivers council, yesterday in a communiqué issued at the end of its emergency State Executive Council (SEC) meeting, following incessant attacks on journalists in the state, and signed by the Chairman, Opaka

members were set to defect to the APC. “As it stands today, as I talk to you now, we have (APC) 172, PDP is 167 and the rest which is 20 to 22 belong to the other parties. “We have about 10 members who are coming into the APC as soon as we resume on Tuesday, (January 21)”.

Continued from page 2

68(1)(g) of the Constitution and the pending case marked: FHC/ ABJ/CS/621/2013, the defecting lawmakers “cannot lawfully vote and contribute to any motion for the removal or change of any of the principal officers” of the House. PDP also wants the court to declare that the defecting lawmakers, who are plaintiffs in the earlier suit before Justice Mohammed of the same court, “are not competent to sponsor, contribute or vote on any motion calling for the removal or change in the leadership of the House or the removal of any principal officers of the House”. It prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from “altering or changing the House’s leadership. In their preliminary objections, Magaji (for House of Reps, Tambuwal and Ihedioha), Hon (for 12th and 13th, 15th to 30th defendants) and Apia (for 36th to 41st) defendants) urged the court to strike out the suit for want of jurisdiction. They contended, among others, that the plaintiff lacked the locus standi to institute the suit; that the suit is not justiceable; that the court lacked the jurisdiction to dabble in the internal affairs of the House, and that the case amounts to an academic or hypothetical exercise.

Court restrains Reps

•Amaechi

si Omanoye, told the court that the accused committed the offence contrary to sections 517 A, 70, 249 (d)and 430 (1) of the Criminal Code Cap 37 Vol. II Laws of Rivers State of Nigeria, 1999. Hundreds of Eleme/Ogoni youths last Monday barricaded the Akpaju/Aleto bridge of the Eleme part of East-West road, to express their grievances over the alleged “assassination attempt” on Senator Abe by the Police at a disrupted rally by “Save Rivers

•Mbu

Movement”(SRM), a non-Governmental Organisation, supporting Amaechi ‘s government. Senator Abe was allegedly shot with rubber bullets. He is receiving treatment at a London hospital. The police have however, denied the alleged shooting. The suspects were represented before the Magistrate by Mr. C.E. Brown, who applied for their bail. The case was adjourned till February 27, for hearing.

Anti-Amaechi militants ‘got N50,000, AK-47’

militants, mostly youths between 20 and 35 years, were assured of more “operations,” with the intention of making Rivers state ungovernable and Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) to completely lose focus. An ally of Amaechi, also yesterday, raised the alarm that some ex-Niger Delta militants had concluded arrangements to commence massive protests in Port Harcourt today, to pave the way for the declaration of a state of emergency in Rivers state. The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Rivers council, condemned Sunday’s militants’ attack on journalists, especially those from the Channels Television, who were in Bori for the live transmission of the SRM’s rally lost valuable items.Their vehicles, including the Outside Broadcasting (OB) van, were vandalised. The Council of Orashi Ethnic Nationality in Rivers state also demanded an apology from Amaechi and the people of Ikwerre ethnic nationality, for recommending the Supervising Minister of Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, to President Goodluck Jonathan as a minister. Amaechi and Wike are Ikwerre. The NGF chairman’s ally, who is a top Rivers government official, but would not want to be named, also confirmed in an interview in Port Harcourt yesterday that the protesting ex-militants intended to lock down the Rivers state capital and besiege

Continued from page 2 Mohammed spoke at the weekend in Kaiama, Kaiama Local Government Area of Kwara State, shortly after a meeting with some politicians in the council. The House spokesperson, alongside 34 members of the defunct new PDP, defected to the APC. He said that 10 other PDP

Dokubo, and the Secretary, Stanley Job Stanley, described the ugly situations as unacceptable. Rivers NUJ said: “Journalists are professionals carrying out their duties, as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and other International Charters, of which Nigeria is a signatory. Journalists are not interested parties in the political crisis, currently rocking Rivers State. “We condemn the attack on journalists working for Channels Television on Sunday, January 19, 2014, at Bori, during the botched SRM rally. We recall similar attacks on journalists working for TV Continental (TVC), The Sun newspaper, Rivers State Television (RSTV), and Rhythm 93.7 FM, Port Harcourt, among others. “We find this situation unacceptable and urge political parties, groups and their followers to engage in their activities and leave journalists alone to practise their chosen profession. We also condemn a situation where policemen and other security agents attack journalists or even standby and watch, while journalists are being attacked by hoodlums. “We call on the police and other security agencies to ensure the safety of lives and property of all Nigerians in Rivers State, irrespective of their political affiliations. We also call on the police and other security agencies to ensure the protection of journalists operating in the state, in the discharge of their professional responsibilities.” The NUJ, Rivers council, also

warned that should the incessant attacks on journalists in Rivers state continue, it would take appropriate steps, including the withdrawal of the services of its members. While demanding an apology from Amaechi for recommending Wike as a minister, the council of Orashi ethnic nationality, through its Director, Media and Publicity, Ndu Nwobosi, declared that the ex-Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt (Wike) was not only a cog in Rivers wheel of progress, but a selfish and mischievous person. The Orashi group noted that the quest for power by Wike, the Director-General of Amaechi Campaign Organisation in 2011 and two-term Chairman of Obio/Akpor LGA of Rivers state, had turned him into a vessel for the destruction of the people and hijacking of their resources. The council of Orashi ethnic nationality said: “We wish to advise the people of Ikwerre to request the removal of Wike as a minister, to save the Ikwerre Ethnic Nationality from further embarrassment. With the turn of events, Rivers people would have been comfortable without an Ikwerre minister. “Against the warning of President Goodluck Jonathan, Governor Amaechi insisted that Wike must be made a minister. The option left for the Rivers State Governor is to apologise to the Rivers people, for the trauma his action has caused.

the defection of some of the defendants was still a subject of litigation before Justice Ahmed Mohammed, the defendants, particularly the Minority Leader, Femi Gbajabiamila, have issued threats to change the leadership of the House. He stated that unless the defendants were restrained, they could carry out the threat and thereby prejudice the earlier suit, cause a breakdown of law and other and paralyse the activities of the House. The plaintiff raised two questions for the court’s determination and sought for four reliefs. The PDP wants the court to determine whether, in view of the mandatory provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution, and in view of the pendency of an earlier suit by the defecting law makers, they (the defecting legislators) can participate in any proceedings to remove the House’ principal officers. The party equally wants the court to determine whether, in view of the provision of Section 68(1)(g) of the Constitution and the pending suit by the defecting legislators, they (the defecting law makers) can lawfully alter the composition or constitution of the House’s leadership. It is praying the court to declare that in view of Section

22 PDP Senators to dump PDP for APC Continued from page 2

planned to defect to the APC on the floor of the Senate today. Boroffice said: “The report is not correct. I am a member of the APC, but I don’t intend to submit any letter of defection.” A PDP Senator representing Adamawa North Senatorial District, Senator Bindowo Jibrilla, said on Sunday that no fewer than 17 of his colleagues will defect from the PDP to the APC when the Senate resumes. Jibrila, who in a BBC Hausa Service monitored in Abuja, said the move was being taken to express their displeasure with the management of the party at the national level. He said: “To be candid, we are 17 senators that will dump PDP for APC in the Senate very soon. This is a serious matter and not

a joke, making me to lead the way by joining the APC already.” The defecting senators going by Jibrila’s calculations are: Senators Bukola Saraki and Shaaba Lafiagi from Kwara State, Magnus Abe and Wilson Ake from Rivers State, and Basheer Mohammed and Hayatu Gwarzo from Kano State. Others are: Umar Abubakar Tutare and Aisha Jummai Alhassan from Taraba State, Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central), Adamu Abdullahi (Nasarawa West) and the three PDP senators from Sokoto and Jigawa states when Governor Sule Lamido defects from PDP to APC this month. The PDP has 73 senators. APC has 33. Labour Party has two. APGA has one.

Mu’azu takes over as PDP chairman Continued from page 2

friends from childhood. He described Muazu as a “very intelligent, healthy and strong young man” who has what it takes to reposition the party and resolve its lingering crisis. “We know what is between us. I want to assure everyone here that Muazu is my friend and brother,” Yuguda said. Former presidential Adviser on National Assembly Senator Mohammed Abba Aji, who contested the position with Muazu,

was the first to congratulate the chair. President Goodluck Jonathan praised the PDP NEC members and leaders for the maturity exhibited in resolving the party’s leadership crisis. He described all the contestants for the chairmanship as eminently qualified for the job, but that “Muazu had additional unique attributes that stood him out” Jonathan said to Muazu: “You are the best that will handle PDP

for now. You are someone that will build bridges and not just be fighting.” He urged the chairman to ensure he worked in harmony with all stakeholders. The NEC meeting witnessed the largest turnout of PDP party chieftains in recent times. At the meeting were the leadership of the National Assembly, governors elected on the platform of the PDP, former governors, past party chairmen, BoT members, among others.

Why Jonathan endorsed party chair Continued from page 2

•Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole and Mr Osagie Obayuwana, Chairman, Committee of Enquiry into the alleged unauthorised journey by the Chairman, Secretary and Councillors of Orhiomwon Local Government , during the the submission of the Committee’s report to the Governor...yesterday.

A source told our correspondent yesterday that Jonathan felt he was yet to adequately compensate Mu’azu for what he did, despite appointing him as the chairman of the Board of the National Pensions Commission. The source said: “Of course, the appointment of Mu’azu received full presidential backing

and there is a bond between the two which is unknown to many. The fact is that they have come a long way together. You will recollect that Mu’azu refused to return from exile when the late President Umaru Yar’Adua was in the saddle. He knew he could not be protected by that administration even if Jonathan was the Vice President then. “Immediately Jonathan be-

came the Acting President, Mu’azu returned and he was even received at The Presidency by Jonathan. It could not have been anything different because Mu’azu played an important role at a time Jonathan needed his help. Most people did not know that he spent close to two weeks in Bauchi State when the heat of impeachment of his then boss got to him in Bayelsa.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

SPORT EXTRA City star reflects on ‘lucky’ win

PREMIERSHIP

Albion striker poised for £6m exit

EFENDER Martin Demichelis has a d m i t t e d Manchester City were “lucky” to win at Newcastle on Sunday as “minimal details” went their way. Thanks to goals from Edin Dzeko and Alvaro Negredo. However, it was a controversial win as Newcastle had a superb Cheik Tiote strike chalked off as three home players were in an offside position inside the penalty area and adjudged to be interfering with play despite not getting a touch. The disallowed goal infuriated Toon boss Alan Pardew and his side will have felt they did enough in the match to have at least earned a draw. Demichelis was pleased with the hard-fought win, though, but admitted they had been fortunate. He told City TV: “It’s true that at the beginning of the season, we didn’t feel that comfortable. We were trying to get to know each other and we lost because of minimal details. “[At Newcastle] we were lucky on those details. The players are getting to know each other more, so we really fell confident playing away now.”

•Suarez

Liverpool has quality for top-four finish—Suarez

UIS Suarez believes he can get his wish to play UEFA Champions League football at Liverpool if they maintain their current form. The Uruguay striker looked set to leave Anfield before the start of this season as he made no secret of his desire to play in Europe’s premier club competition. Liverpool held on to their prized asset and his value has soared further due to his outstanding form since his return from a 10-game suspension for biting Chelsea defender Branislav Ivanovic last season. Suarez scored twice in a 5-3

•Demichelis

victory at Stoke City in the Premier League on Sunday to take his incredible tally to 22 goals in only 16 top-flight games. The Merseyside club are fourth in the table, six points behind leaders Arsenal, and Suarez – the leading scorer in the Premier League – is confident they can bring Champions League football back to Anfield. He told the club’s official website: “It’s very important because we know that in the last two years we haven’t demonstrated that Liverpool can play in the Champions League. “Now we are playing very well and we have the level

Wenger buoyed by Wilshere form

RSENE Wenger believes Jack Wilshere is returning to the peak of his powers after

inspiring Arsenal’s win at Aston Villa on Monday. The England international opened the scoring and then

•Wilshere

set up a second goal for Olivier Giroud less than a minute later as the London club won 2-1 at Villa Park to go back to the top of the Premier League. Wilshere struggled with injury earlier this season and then a loss of form led to Wenger omitting him from Arsenal’s line-up. But the 22-year-old showed his class in the victory at Villa and Wenger points to Wilshere’s fitness levels as being the key to his return to form. “Jack has found his change of pace back and his penetration.” said the Arsenal manager. “His game is about that. He’s not only a passer, he’s a guy who’s incisive with the ball. “That’s his strength and for that you need to be at the top of your game physically. You can see it when he’s training well physically. He’s coming back to his best.” Arsenal are waiting to discover the extent of injuries suffered by Tomas Rosicky (nose) and Nacho Monreal (metatarsal) at Villa Park.

to play in the Champions League. We have really good players and if we continue at this level, we can do it.” Suarez’s sensational form has led to him being billed as one of best players in world football, but the former Ajax man is happy to reward his club and supporters for standing by him. He added: “When you are a child, you imagine a lot. Now many people or players speak

about that and it’s unbelievable for me, “And also for Liverpool, because in the last two or three years we have not played very well and not demonstrated our level. Now we are back to that. “You work hard for the supporters and the people. It’s important because the last few months were a little difficult for me. Now I’ve changed and it’s okay.”

EST BROMWICH Albion, Striker Shane Long is expected to finally complete a £6million move to Hull City from West Brom this week. Albion striker poised for £6m exit Long has been a top target of Tigers boss Steve Bruce since the January transfer window opened and he has been attempting to sort out a deal for the Republic of Ireland international. Both Albion and Hull have refused to confirm a deal is close but well-placed reports in the West Midlands now suggest a fee has been agreed - said to be in the region of £6million - and the move is now subject to him passing a medical and agreeing personal terms. Long had said earlier in the week he was refusing to think about a switch to the KC Stadium until he heard the deal was definitely going ahead, but he did admit he would listen to any offers if it became clear that the Baggies were prepared to sell him. New coach Pepe Mel is believed to be running the rule over the squad he inherited from Steve Clarke but may need to secure some cash if he is to be given any funds to bring in his own players this month and it seems the Long deal will do just that. Bruce has been on the lookout for proven Premier League striking talent to help the Tigers stay up this season and views Long, who has 19 goals in 81 league appearances for the Baggies, as the ideal man to help them in their task.

•Long

Riise makes Fulham goal plea

HE Norwegian has challenged his side to sharpen up in front of goal for Tuesday night’s FA Cup third-round replay against Norwich at Craven Cottage. Rene Meulensteen’s side were swatted aside 4-1 by Sunderland on Saturday, in a dispiriting league defeat in west London that drags Fulham straight back into the relegation picture. Now former Liverpool full-back Riise believes Fulham must be far more cut-throat when on the ball against Chris Hughton’s Norwich, to lead into Saturday’s imposing league trip to Arsenal. “We had 60 per cent possession (against Sunderland), we dominated possession but we didn’t take our chances,” Riise told Fulham’s official website.

“We should be more experienced to keep control of the game, especially when we got back to 2-1. We’ve been conceding too many goals, especially from set-pieces. “We have to do better in games like this, and now we’ve definitely got to get the win against Norwich.” Meanwhile, boss Meulensteen hopes loan signing Clint Dempsey will quickly hit the form that so endeared him to Craven Cottage regulars in his first stint at the club. United States forward Dempsey, on loan from Seattle Sounders, scored 50 league goals at Fulham between 2007 and 2012. And after two quick appearances at the start of his second Fulham stint, Meulensteen expects him to hit full form. “It won’t take long for him to be right back

up there,” said Fulham’s head coach. “He’s just got to keep working, but that’s his character and that’s exactly what we know he will do.”

32-year-old is on a season-long loan from Manchester City but he is enjoying a new lease of life at Everton and England boss Roy Hodgson was at Goodison Park on Saturday to see him in action against Norwich. Barry has been out of the international picture since suffering an abdominal injury in a friendly against Norway immediately prior to Euro 2012 but he hopes he caught Hodgson’s eye at the weekend. The midfielder said:

“I’m not sure he would be expecting me to be scoring goals but that was a solid performance as well. “I’m definitely still available. I’ve not spoken to the manager since I got injured after the Euros so we will see. “The manager knows about my game so it’s not like I’m young and coming through. “The manager has used players, rightly, who have got the team qualified and generally he will, I’m sure, stick with those.

•Riise

England hopes for Barry

•Barry

FTER netting one of his best goals in the Premier League, Gareth Barry has admitted he has not given up hope of an England recall. The

SPORT EXTRA

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

TRANSFER...TRANSFER...TRANSFER...

Defoe ready to move on

OTTENHAM Hotspur striker Jermain Defoe believes he has made the right decision to quit the Premier League in favour of joining MLS side Toronto FC, Sky Sports understands. The England international, 32, will leave North London for North America at the end of February. Upon his arrival for a reported MLS record fee of £6 million, the 32-yearold will earn £90,000-a-week in wages. After netting 143 goals in two stints at Tottenham, Defoe feels it is finally the right time to leave the club. “I was there nine years so you can imagine what it’s like. I think everyone knows how I feel about Tottenham,” said Defoe. “I have had a special relationship with the fans over the years but it’s football and players move on. “At the age of 31 it is a great opportunity for me and my family.” Defoe, who rejoined Tottenham from Portsmouth in a deal reportedly worth £15.75 million in January 2009, has tallied 10 goals and three assists in 21 appearances across all competitions for Spurs in 2013/ 14. •Nasri

Pellegrini: Nasri blow won’t affect January transfer window plans

Chelsea set to sign £13m French wonderkid

HELSEA are reportedly closing in on a deal to sign Saint-Etienne defender Kurt Zouma according to the Metro. Read great Chelsea stories in Indonesian Bahasa! Chelsea berita. The 19 year old defender’s agent has revealed that his client is in late stage talks with a number of clubs including most specifically a Premier League side, with this source claiming confidently that Jose Mourinho is the man winning the race to sign the French Under 21 international. The tough tackling centre-back is in the middle of a ten match ban garnered following a hideous leg breaking tackle on Sochaux midfielder Thomas Guerbert and Saint-Etienne are looking to sell the starlet for a fee of around £13m. Blues boss Mourinho may well see Zouma as an ideal defensive addition that can boost the club’s options at the back in the short term whilst perhaps being seen as a long term replacement for 33 year old veteran John Terry. Zouma is already into his third season in the Ligue 1 side’s first team set-up and is considered one of the hottest prospects in French football.

ANCHESTER CITY will not be forced into a January transfer window move because of Samir Nasri’s injury, Manuel Pellegrini has said. Manuel Pellegrini who confirmed that Samir Nasri is set to miss ‘six or seven weeks’ with the knee injury he picked up against Newcastle insisted it won’t effect his plans for the January transfer window.

The City manager is ready to let striker John Guidetti move on loan to Stoke but said Joleon Lescott’s situation at the club ‘has not changed’. And Pellegrini insisted Nasri’s absence won’t force an unscheduled dip into the transfer market this month. Pellegrini said: “Samir is very important player for us. He was also playing in a very good moment so

we hope he can come back as soon as possible but I think less than six or seven weeks will be difficult. “It has not changed our philosophy. We know exactly what we are going to do in the transfer window. On Guidetti, he said: “Yes, John is going on loan, I said two or three weeks ago and I don’t know if he is already arranged with Stoke but he is going on loan.”

Aston Villa to land Wigan Athletic forward

RANT Holt is set to join Aston Villa on loan for the rest of the season, which would see him link up with former manager Paul Lambert. The veteran striker was believed to have been at Villa this morning for a medical ahead of the proposed loan move. Holt has only scored two goals in 21 appearances for Wigan since joining from Norwich in the summer of 2013 and is looking to recapture his scoring form in the Premier League for a struggling Villa side who sit five points above the relegation places. Under former Norwich manager Paul

Lambert, Holt mustered 78 goals in his time with the Canaries and Lambert will hope he can help Aston Villa to score more goals. Christian Benteke’s goal against Arsenal was only their eighth home goal all season. Holt should provide good competition and cover for Benteke who has only scored five goals this season. Villa have lacked goals and with striker Libo Kozak out for the rest of the season with a broken leg, Holt will be a needed acquisition. The 32-year-old scored eight goals last season in the Premier League and if he can emulate that again with Villa the Claret and Blues will have no trouble

surviving for another year. Wigan manager Uwe Rosler believes the move will be good for Grant Holt according to The Birmingham Mail. “It is a great opportunity for Grant to work under his previous manager who got the best out of him.

•Holt

Everton linked with £1m move for Kenwyne Jones

VERTON has joined the race to sign Kenwyne Jones by offering up to £1million for the out-of-favour striker, according to the Guardian. Cardiff were thought to have wanted to take the 29-year-old away from the Potteries earlier in the season, however it now seems Roberto Martinez would like to bring the striker to Merseyside. The Trinidad and Tobago international failed to turn up for The Potters’ Premier League clash with title chasers Liverpool on Sunday and the official line from Stoke manager Mark Hughes was that Jones was ill at home. Rumours are now circulating that the striker has gone on strike to force

through a move to Everton even though The Toffees will only offer £1million for him and Stoke are

•Jones

looking for closer to £3million. After signing for the Staffordshirebased club in the summer of 2010 for £8million, Jones was a big hit with the Stoke fans and was a main contributor in the team that saw Stoke to the FA Cup final and qualify for Europe - but since Peter Crouch’s arrival at The Britannia Stadium, Jones has fallen out of favour and usually finds himself on the bench only playing in cup games. The striker has only started four Premier League games this season and with the signing of John Guidetti imminent, Jones will only fall further down the pecking order at Stoke and it seems he wants out even if Hughes is determined to keep him.

Birmingham City outcast completes loan move to Greece

IRMINGHAM CITY midfielder Darren Ambrose has completed his loan move to Greek side Apollon Smirnis until the end of the season. Ambrose joined Birmingham from Crystal Palace in the summer of 2012 and has only made 10 appearances. He has played once this season for Birmingham after being plagued by injury. His only game came in September when the Blues lost 3-0 to Burnley at Turf Moor. Ambrose will be linking up with former Northern Ireland manager Lawrie Sanchez. The Greek side are currently 13th in the Greek Super League table. This will be Ambrose’s sixth different club since 2001 and he will hope to get more game time now that he has moved to Greece after a disappointing spell with Birmingham City. Blues manager Lee Clark wished him well but thinks the experience will be good for him, reports The Birmingham Mail. Clark said: “Darren hasn’t played a lot of football for us but he has trained the majority of the days, played most of the development games and behind closed doors games. “He’s a talented footballer. For whatever reason when it has come to Birmingham, it hasn’t happened for him. “He has found it more and more difficult. Maybe he has lost a bit of confidence. “I think the fresh start for him and his family will prove productive and certainly me as a manager and us as a club wish him well.”

•Ambrose

THE NATION TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014

SPORT EXTRA

CHAN: Eagles to face Morocco in quarter final N IGERIA will meet Morocco in the quarterfinals of the 2014 African Nations Championship (CHAN) in South Africa. The Super Eagles qualified for the last eight after finishing as runners-up in Group A with six points from three games behind Mali, who topped the section with seven points after three games. Nigeria was thus scheduled to meet the winners of Group B which was decided after the final preliminary round of games in the section on Monday evening. Morocco topped the group after goals from Abdelssamad Rafik, Mouhchine Iajour and

Adbelkabir El Quadi gave the Lions of the Atlas a 3-1 win over Uganda at the Cape Town Stadium. The win meant Morocco amassed five points from their three preliminary games and racked up a goals difference of plus two which saw them finish ahead of Zimbabwe, Uganda and Burkina Faso in descending order. Nigeria and Morocco will now meet for a place in the last four of the competition on January 26 at the Free State Stadium, Mangaung in Bloemfontein. The Super Eagles will go into

the game as slight favourites given how well they have bounced back from a slow start to the competition.

Stephen Keshi’s charges lost 1-2 to Mali in their first game before heartwarming performances saw them comprehensively outwit Mozambique and South Africa in their final two preliminary games.

Lazio rejects 8m Euros Everton bid for Onazi

TALY’S number one sports daily La Gazzetta dello Sport has reported that Lazio had rejected an undisclosed bid from Everton for the signature of Nigeria international Eddy Onazi. Allnigeriasoccer.com can now reveal the offer that was turned down by the leadership of the Biancocelesti. Everton had tabled an offer worth around • 8 million but Lazio blocked the bid from the English Premier League club

as it failed to meet the valuation of Eddy Onazi which has been pegged at •10 million. Lazio has stubbornly refused to shift grounds on the asking price of the central midfielder . And from all indications, the Nigerian will remain in Rome until at least this summer. Eddy Onazi still has a contract with Lazio until June 30, 2016.

•Onazi

ITH just few days to the kick-off of the Nigeria National League (NNL) new season, participating clubs are in the race against time to complete their registration formalities to avoid sanctions. The new professional league season will commence on Saturday, January 25 with all the 32 clubs going into the race this weekend with the goal of finishing in the first four positions that will gain promotion to the lucrative Premier League in 2014/2015 season. But they have to complete their registration formalities to be able to take part in the competition hence the last minute rush to comply with the NNL demands. Also, many clubs have complied with the order of the NNL Board that all football clubs should as a matter of necessity are incorporated as a Limited Liability Company (Ltd.). According to NNL Secretary, Lawrence Katken, many clubs taking part in the 2013/2014 football season have come forward to return their completed registration documents to ensure that they will be participating in the league.

Pillars dump Dubai trip for Super Four

•Ready for league kick- off •ABS, 3SC comply with incorporation order “We have seen many clubs come forward to complete their registration formalities. We are encouraged by the large turnout of clubs that have returned the completed forms. We are ready to go hence we appeal to those yet to do the needful to make haste while the sun shines”, Katken said. The NNL scribe also reminded clubs who are yet to pay and collect the branded Official Match-balls to do so or face sanction. He said the league board will take action against clubs that have not paid for their consignment. Among the clubs that have complied with the directive are ABS and Kwara United of Ilorin; Spotlight FC of Katsina; Pleatue Utd; Supreme Court FC of Abuja and First Bank FC of Lagos as well as Kogi Utd; COD of Lagos and Gateway FC of Abeokuta. Meanwhile, only a handful of the clubs are yet to complete the incorporation of the football outfits as Limited Liability Company (Ltd) with Ilorinbased ABS; Spotlight, Mighty Jets and 3SC being the exception. Although the NNL board had at the last Annual Club Congress given March 2014 as the deadline for the incorporation of all clubs, not many have complied withthe directive.

Delegates arrive for General Assembly, Elections in Lagos

a positive narrative for the Nigerian Premier League sponsored by Glo. Globacom also commended the Eagles’ coaching crew led by Stephen Keshi for their tenacity while asking Nigerians to sustain their support and prayers for the team. Globacom is the major partner of the Nigeria Football Federation and official sponsor of the Nigerian national teams.

ANO Pillars FC have altered their proposed trip to Dubai, the commercial capital of the United Arab Emirates for a two week preseason camping because of their involvement in the Super Four competition for clubs representing the country on the continent. NationSport exclusively reported that the Sai Masugida would leave Nigeria last weekend for Dubai but the club’s General Management, Alhaji Abba Galadima has revealed that the reigning league champions have reconsidered their stance regarding the trip to Dubai because of the Super Four that they would like to take active part in. Pillars failed to win the competition last year when it was held in Kano and featured Heartland, Enugu Rangers and Lobi Stars. They could only placed second after they lost to the Naze Millionaires but beat both Rangers and Lobi to end up as the runners up with 6 points behind Heartland

Cubs beat registration deadline

TUG OF WAR SPORTS

CHAN 2014: Glo celebrates Eagles’ quarter final ticket

ELECOMMUNICATIONS giant, Globacom, has congratulated the home based national team; Super Eagles campaigning in the on-going African Nations Championship in South Africa on its qualification for the quarter finals, describing it is a good omen for Nigerian football. The Eagles defeated hardfighting Bafana Bafana of South Africa by three goals to one to emerge runners up in Group A behind Mali who also defeated Mozambique. A statement by Globacom in Lagos on Monday described the Eagles as true conquerors, urging them to go for the trophy. The Eagles opened scoring in the 22 second minute through Ejike Uzoenyi before Ifeanyi Ede added the second goal through a penalty. Ejike scored the third goal in the 64th minute before the South Africans pulled one back through Bernard Parker’s penalty in the 74th minute. It was a remarkable comeback for the Nigerians who lost the first match to Mali by 1 goal to two and struggled against the Mambas of Mozambique in an encounter that ended 4-2 in Nigeria’s favour. “We reckon with the great fighting spirit the team has, so far demonstrated and we believe the spirit will help the team to achieve the ultimate goal of lifting the trophy,” the statement said. “A team that has scored 8 goals in three matches deserves commendation and we urge them not to rest on their oars until the trophy is lifted.” Glo stated, adding that the improving performance of the Nigerian side in the championship is

NIGERIA NATIONAL LEAGUE

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri that rammed home 7 points from three matches. Alhaji Galadima said that with their CAF Champions League preliminary round first leg tie against AS Vita of DR Congo just around the corner, they need all the competitive matches that they could get to get back into shape and start the money spinning clubs tournament with a flourish just as they did last season. “We are no longer going to Dubai because of the Super Four. We are going to stay back here and fully get prepared for the Super Four which we are hoping to win this term. We almost won it last year if not for our momentary loss of concentration against Heartland which cost us at least a draw in the match. “We shall be ready this time around and we are going to storm Abuja with so much expectation this time around,” Alhaji Galadima told NationSport. Pillars will contend with

Bayelsa United, Warri Wolves and Enyimba in the four day event at Abuja and it was put together by the League Management Company(LMC) to test the preparedness of the teams hoisting the country’s flag in Africa with the delay to the start of the 2013/2014 league season. Meanwhile, Kano Pillars have said that they are proud of the quality of the representation of their three players in the fold of the Super Eagles at the ongoing African Nations Championship(CHAN) in South Africa. The Media Officer of the club, Idris Malikawa told NationSport that the victory had by the Eagles against the hosts showed that the team was ready to overcome adversity and go ahead to lift the title just like the main Super Eagles did at the last AFCON hosted by the same country. Pillars have three players in the Eagles’ 23-man squad to South Africa and they are Rabiu Ali, Shehu Abdullahi and Umar Zango.

ELEGATES have arrived for The Tug of War Federation of Nigeria General Assembly holding in Lagos today. The highlight of the gathering would be the elections into the board of the body. According to the Secretary General of TFN Abdulkareem Macaulay, about 30 delegates from all parts of the country are due to take part in the election billed for the Board Room of the Nigeria Olympic Committee by 11am Macaulay, while speaking to newsmen in Lagos yesterday said officials from the Nigeria Olympic Committee (NOC), Nigeria Olympian Association (NOA), the National Sports Commission (NSC), Sports

Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), among others, will supervise the polls for the 15man board. The election was originally scheduled for December 2013 but was put on hold due to logistics shortfalls. Prominent among the positions to be contested for are the seats of President, Senior Vice President, First Vice president and second vice president. Findings reveal that incumbent President, Deacon Anthony Oyetayo is in the running for the leadership post while no fewer than six other members of the board will face competitions to retain their seats.

AFTER LOSING TO NIGERIA

Sports Minister, Mbalula blasts Bafana’s goalkeeper

INISTER of Sport Fikile Mbalula has criticised Moeneeb Josephs’ performance against Nigeria on Sunday following Bafana’s exit in the 2014 Chan tournament. Josephs conceded a penalty on the day to hand Nigeria the second goal, and Mbalula believes that the Western Capeborn shot-stopper should have done better. Josephs joined Bafana a few days prior to the tournament, and he was called to face Nigeria after it was confirmed Khune will miss the clash due to an ankle injury. “That goalkeeper [Moeneeb Josephs], he was playing with the team, but he added up a whole lot of mess,” Mbalula told reporters at the Cape Town Stadium. “The second goal... the goalkeeper commits a penalty, alone, single-handedly, and without being assisted by

anybody. “I love Moeneeb Josephs but I don’t know what was going on with him yesterday. That is a total disgrace, a performance like that,” he said. Mbalula added that he’s still speechless, and cannot talk to any of the players as he was hoping for a better performance against the second string Nigerian side. “I saw outside, people were lining up to greet them (Bafana Bafana). I’ll never greet them. I did not even go to the dressing room. I did not even call them. To me, that was a disaster,” said Mbalula.

•Josephs

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, JANUARY 21, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.9

NO.2,735

‘The President and commander-in-Chief should not allow his selfish interest to override his sense of responsibility to Nigerians as a people and the Nigerian nation’ WAHEED ODUSILE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

GALE of retirements originating from –where else? – Abuja has been sweeping the nation this past week. No, I take back this bureaucratic rendering. To call it by its proper name, what has been sweeping the nation is a gale of dismissals. To show that he is still in control even as everything around him seems to be collapsing, President Goodluck Jonathan dismissed – beg your pardon, “approved” the dismissalof the chiefs of the armed services. If he cannot dismiss the pesky Governor of the Central Bank, he can at least give the marching orders to the top brass who think they count for much more in the political scheme. And as if to serve further notice that he is in office and in power, he followed up by “approving” the dismissal of the beleaguered chairman of the fractious PDP who had been taunting those demanding his ouster and has seemed immovable. They said the most cutting things about Bamanga Tukur; they called him all manner of names, denounced his management style and generally disparaged him in a manner that would have discomfited a hippo. But he sat tight. When he was not warning of the dire consequences of his forced exit, among which could well be another civil war, he was running around making abject supplications to anyone he thought could help save his job. Okay, the PDP is the biggest political party in Africa, but why would anyone submit to so much abuse to retain the post of chairman? After all it is not the case that the chairmanship of Africa’s biggest political party translates into any position of consequence in the African context. In fact, outside these shores, the chairman of the PDP might just as well be the chairman of the TDT for all that anyone cares. But all politics is local. And on the local scene, the chairman of the ruling party is a major player by virtue of that office and of his person. He has only to let a state governor know that he needs some pocket change for the weekend, and it is delivered in crisp, mintfresh bundles amounting to – well, let us just say several million Naira. No governor who values his perch would be temerarious enough to dispatch less than N5 million for the chairman’s weekend entertainment, or to ignore the birthday of the chairman’s wife, or the birth of her latest grandchild The chairman may not be able to award a major contract singlehandedly, but he can influence who gets it. He receives far more patronage than he dispenses. When it comes to selecting the party’s candidates for elected office, the party chairman is kingmaker of king makers. The aspirant who fails to reckon with him is courting hu-

OLATUNJI DARE

AT HOME ABROAD olatunji.dare@thenationonlineng.net

Retirements of the lexical kind

•Tukur

miliation at the party’s convention. To dislodge a chairman — any chairman – of the PDP is therefore no mean achievement. The fact that former president Olusegun Obasanjo performed that feat six times does not render it any easier. After all, no one has ever accused him of subtlety. But Dr Jonathan dislodged the well-connected and tenacious Bamanga Tukur without fuss and without thrusting himself into the vortex of the controversy that had dogged Tukur almost from the day he became party chair. That is class. Watch out, then, those who have been carrying on in the belief that Dr Jonathan is well and truly finished. He is in charge; he knows it, and if it ever doubted it, the world will know when he takes off in his latest executive jet to confer with other global leaders at

RIPPLES AMAECHI: JONATHAN’S GOVERNMENT WORSE THAN ABACHA’S

Yes, SAINT ABACHA

OTHING wrong with ambition, particularly when the objective is positive social transformation; but shouldn’t it, at least, be realistic? It would appear that the presidency is tormented by the burden of abject non-performance, and its response is wild daydreaming. Other than futile fantasising, what could have prompted the federal government’s “Operation Light-Up Rural Nigeria,” launched by President Goodluck Jonathan in Durumi, Bwari Area Council of Abuja? The thought-provoking project is reportedly designed to employ renewable energy, that is, solar energy, to supply electricity to rural communities, especially those not connected to the National Grid. Jonathan said at the inauguration of the scheme: “We are starting the year by giving light to our people, especially in the rural communities. Operation Light-Up Rural Nigeria has been initiated under the second phase of our power sector reform programme planned for the postprivatisation period.” According to him, the initiative was conceived as a means of advancing his administration’s vision of providing electricity to all Nigerians; and it would be launched in three communities in each of the country’s 36 states under the first phase of the programme. Typically, the noise-making ceremony at-

the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland, with stopovers in Juba, in Sudan, and Bangui, in the Central African Republic. Canada can keep its dry martini. If there is any good thing about the gale of dismissals, it is that even in the jarring discontinuities of climate change, it is absolutely certain to be followed by a gale of appointments. Nature merely abhors a vacuum; politics forcefully repels it the way like poles of a magnet repel each other. This column cannot hire or fire; it cannot influence who comes and who goes; it cannot even “approve” an appointment or a dismissal. But in the gale of retirements that will soon be followed by a gale of appointments, I have been conducting a lexical excursus to identify those terms that need to be retired from the vocabulary of news reporting in Nigeria. After relating that Bamanga Tukur had finally handed in his resignation, the newspapers went on to add in the manner of someone imparting a profound secret that a new chairman would soon “emerge.” And the follow-up story is sure to declare that a new chairman has indeed “emerged” These people who are forever “emerging” on the pages of our newspapers: Where did they emerge from? It is almost as if they have been in hiding, or as if the mask has finally been yanked off their timorous faces. For all we know, they might even have been languishing in a place of involuntary confinement until they were sprung. It is time to retire that word, howsoever conjugated, from the vocabulary of political reporting. Don’t make the man or woman of the moment look like something that just crawled out from under a rock or from the swamps. Concerning the service chiefs, it was reported that President Jonathan had “approved” their “retirement,” making what is at bottom a dismissal look like an act of be-

HARDBALL

Operation Fool Rural Nigeria tracted dignitaries who came to witness yet another moment of governmental grandstanding. It would be interesting to see how this project develops after the hype. Nigerians are used to hearing about the government’s grandiosities that never translate into concreteness; and, by all indications, this case is not likely to be any different. Perhaps this is the administration’s idea of multi-tasking, but it is evidently unproductive. Power generation and transmission remain critically unsuccessful across the country’s urban areas, and the latest diversion with an emphasis on using renewable energy in the rural communities holds little or no promise, despite Jonathan’s sugar-coated remarks. Nigerians are still grappling with Jonathan’s unbelievable comments when he made an effort to convince them about his administration’s plan to ensure that they enjoy improved electricity supply this year. He said: “Government will also strengthen regulation of the sector, and closely monitor electricity delivery to increase this beyond 18 hours per day.” Many considered this a New Year joke as the

nevolence. Nor is that the only problem with that framing. By implying that the decision to defenestrate them was taken elsewhere by another person or authority, it reduces President Jonathan to a mere rubberstamp. As he was once moved to remind the public, the Constitution vests him with the powers of a leviathan, but he has chosen to act like a lamb. To cast him as a mere rubberstamp is therefore a calculated insult to his office and person. The insult is repeated, if not compounded, whenever it is reported that the President has “approved” an appointment to a high national office. Again the subversive implication is that the appointment was determined by another authority, and that the president merely played rubberstamp. As everyone knows, Dr Jonathan is an engaged, hand-on, resolute president who never shies away from taking the hard decisions called forth in the governance of a diverse, complex country , home to unquestionably the most querulous people on earth. The news media and his aides should accord him his due. He is no rubberstamp. Finally, in this centennial of the birth of Nigeria, the term “amalgamation” is in the air. They are planning a year-long bash that will be underwritten by the “private sector,” according to the coordinator of the jamboree, Chief Anyim Pius Anyim. I hope the “private sector” he has in mind does not include the NNPC and the Ports Authority and other parastatals that are ever so often corralled into underwriting dubious projects. Anyim should look to those business concerns that have historically made rich pickings from the colonisation of Nigeria – UAC, Lever Brothers, Cadbury, Union Bank, to name only a few among them. There are, in addition, latecomers like the enormously influential construction giant Julius Berger, and of course the oil companies forever playing by their own murky rules. I don’t know who first applied the term “amalgamation” to the merging of the northern and southern territories to produce Nigeria. If Anyim and company must have their bash, they should come up with another term for what they are celebrating. “Amalgamation” is an ugly word. It is a soulless term, evocative of the fusion of two objects. Frederick Lugard’s conjuration produced no amalgam. It was all about the resources that could be extracted from the territories. It was never about the peoples inhabiting them. This is the time to retire that term. •For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above implication that the country was already enjoying 18 hours of power supply daily and government only wanted to increase the hours was simply out- of- this-world. Jonathan also said, “We shall boost investments in transmission to ensure power generated is properly evacuated and distributed. In this regard, we have already mobilised an additional $1.5 billion for the upgrade of the transmission network in 2014 and beyond.” Curiously, there is a lack of details about “Operation Light-Up Rural Nigeria”, which makes the project even more incredible. Such a far-reaching project deserves not only wide publicity but also elaborate profiling, if the government does not intend it just as a political gimmick. Of course, it is possible that this move, coming in the build-up to the 2015 general elections, has a political motive of seeking acceptance and support in rural Nigeria. In other words, it may be another means of fooling the rural populace, just as the urban population is continuously deceived on the power issue. There is no question that lighting up Nigeria should be a country-wide affair, involving both urban and rural communities. This segmented approach to solving the electrification problem, with no brightness either way, is another example of confused governance.

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