The Nation July 17, 2013

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VOL. 8, NO. 2549 WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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Governors’ convoy under attack in Rivers violence Protest as Amaechi hosts Aliyu, Nyako, Lamido, Kwankwaso

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From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

BLOODBATH was averted yesterday at the Port Harcourt International Airport, Omagwa, Rivers State.

Governor Rotimi Amaechi’s supporters and Minister of State for Education Nyesom Wike’s clashed, hurling missiles at one another.

Caught in the violence were four visiting governors - Alhaji Rabiu Kwakwanso (Kano State), Alhaji Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu (Niger State), Alhaji Sule Lamido (Jigawa State) and Alhaji Murtala Nyako (Adamawa State).

The governors flew into Port Harcourt to see the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF).

Eye witnesses said that the mob attacked the convoy of the governor and his visitors with stones and clubs, smashing the windshield of some of the vehicles, including the coaster bus in which commissioners rode.

They were shouting obscenities at the convoy. A four litre keg suspected to contain some acid was also found .

Over 5,000 supporters of Wike, under the aegis of the Grassroots Development Initia-

•A damaged Sports Utility Vehicle (SUV) in the convoy ...yesterday

Continued on page 4

‘

With the way the police are being used and abused and with officers like Mbu in the force, we...may be forced to reconsider our position on the financial contribution of the states towards the funding of the Nigeria Police

’ Senate kills six-year tenure

•Anti-Amaechi protesters at the Port Harcourt Airport...yesterday

North’s elders: we’ll take back presidency in 2015

•Legislators weaken NLC, TUC

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From Onyedi Ojiabor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

HE Senate yesterday killed the proposal for six-year single tenure for president and governors as it voted on recommendations for further alteration of the 1999 Constitution.

The lawmakers also rejected local government autonomy and mayoral status for the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

It curiously voted ‘yes’ to make any woman eligible for marriage even if she is underage.

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It endorsed a proposal that Presidential assent shall no more Continued on page 4

•Substances suspected to be acid...yesterday

•Senator Mark

LDERS from the North yesterday said the region is prepared to take the presidency back in 2015.

Northern Elders Forum Secretary Prof. Ango Abdullahi said in Kaduna that the various groups in the region were working together to ensure that power returns to the North .

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

Abdullahi, a former Special Adviser to ex-President Olusegun Obasanjo on Food Security, said has former boss begged the North to allow him have a second term since the original arrangement for rotational presidency did not in-

clude having two terms. He said the North granted Obasanjo’s request - in line with constitutional provision.

Abdullahi, who spoke at a news conference, said he was speaking onbehalf of Continued on page 4

•JAIZ BANK CAPITAL HITS N13B P55 •CBN AUDITS BANK WORKERS P30

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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NEWS

Two months

•Kenyan President Uhuru Kenyatta (middle) receiving a gift from the Deputy Managing Director, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc Mr. Kennedy Uzoka (left)during a luncheon organised by UBA Plc in honour of the Kenyan President in Abuja...on Monday. With them is Vice Chairman, UBA Plc Ambassador Joe Keshi.

Three states in the North, Adamawa, Yobe and Borno are under a state of emergency. Two months after President Goodluck Jonathan put these states under emergency, the governors and residents look forward to the end of the military action, write Lawal Ado and Yusuf Zango, News Agency of Nigeria (NAN)

•Tanguy MoulinFournier (middle) being welcomed by relatives and officials as the seven members of the MoulinFournier family arrived from Yaounde, at the Orly Airport, near Paris, on April 20. The French family was released after being held in Nigeria for two months

by Boko Haram.

E •Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (third left); Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment Olusegun Aganga (second left); Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle (1st Right); Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Otunba Bimbo Ashiru (second right); President, Odu'ACCIMA, Iyalode Alaba Lawson (first left); Director-General, SMEDAN, Bature Masari (third right); and some members of Ogun State Council on Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) during the inauguration of the council in Abeokuta…yesterday.

•Lagos State Commissioner of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs Ademorin Kuye (middle) cutting the tape to commission a new branch of the Stanbic IBTC Bank at Gbagada, Lagos...yesterday.

With him are Head Personal and Business Banking, West Africa Standard Bank, Mr. Lincoln Mali (left) and Branch Manager, Stanbic IBTC Bank , Gbagada, Mr. Fola Ariyo.

PHOTO: OMILABU

BOLA

,

•From left: Senior Special Assistant to the Lagos State Governor on Gas Dr. Bode Adeniran, Permanent Secretary Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resources Development Mrs. Iyabode Obasa, Managing Director, Navgas Limited Mr. Ian Brown and Director ,Finanace and Administration, Ministry of Energy and Mineral Resource Development Mrs. Jokotola Ogundimu Ojosipe, during a tour of Navgas in Apapa.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIMAS

VER since President Goodluck Jonathan’s declaration of a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states on May 14, residents of the states have been expressing mixed feelings over the action.

Although, observers in Borno and Yobe agree that the activities of the Boko Haram are visible in both states, several residents of Adamawa, who believe that the sect’s operations are not widespread in the state, insist that there is no need for emergency there.

Nevertheless, when the declaration was made, Governor Murtala Nyako of Adamawa appealed to the people to accept the development in good faith, conceding that the declaration could have come as a surprise to many citizens.

The governor admitted that Adamawa had witnessed “few criminal activities by armed hoodlums in the last few years, as it was in other states of the federation.’’

Nyako said in spite of such criminal activities, Adamawa had enjoyed peace in recent times to the extent that it was adjudged the most peaceful state in the Northeastern geopolitical zone by some national and international peace groups.

“I therefore call upon all the citizens of the state to remain calm and not to do anything that could be construed to be against the emergency,’’ he added.

The governor’s appeal for calm was also re-echoed by his son, Abdul-Aziz Nyako when he spoke in his capacity as the Sarkin Matasa — youth leader of Adamawa Emirate Council.

“If we make things smooth and easier for security operatives, things will also be made easier for us,’’ he said, during one of his enlightenment campaign tours of the emirate’s districts.

The youth leader, however, called for the opening of a register that would contain the names of the residents of various wards in the state and the background information on them.

The Director of Press and Media Affairs in Adamawa, Alhaji Ahmad Sajoh, said the governor had been making efforts to initiate more proactive community-based security measures in the state.

He said Nyako had met with stakeholders in the border communities adjacent to Cameroon Republic, soliciting their support for the security

agencies.

“We are also making efforts to open a media centre to bridge any communication gap between the military and civilian populace so as to ensure a good working relationship.

“We want the military to have an effective way of passing messages to the civilian populace and vice versa,’’ Sajoh said.

Operational Commander of the military force deployed to Adamawa Brig.-Gen Fatai Alli urged the security officers in the state to make discipline and compliance with professional rules of engagement their watchword.

Alli said the Federal Government’s security measures had been yielding results because no attack between the security agencies and the people had been recorded since the emergency.

Commissioner of Police in Adamawa State Mr Godfrey Okeke said following the clampdown on terrorists by the military in Gwoza area of Borno, the police had arrested 11 suspects who fled to Adamawa.

While reiterating the police command’s commitment to protecting the people’s lives and property, Okeke praised the state government for its support for the state joint patrol team codenamed Operation Tsaro.

E, however, listed commu nication problems, induced by the suspension of GSM services in some areas, and the porous border with Cameroon, which traverses nine local governments in the state, as some of the major challenges facing the command in its fight against terrorism. The GSM ban has since been lifted.

Although Yola, the state capital is serene, the state of emergency, which was slammed on Adamawa, has taken its toll on socio-economic and commercial activities in the state.

Alhaji Adamu Ngurore, the spokesman for Adamawa Traders Union, said before the recent restoration of the mobile telecommunication services; socio-economic and commercial activities in Yola nosedived.

He pleaded with the Federal Government to review the state of emergency in Adamawa, insisting that

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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NEWS

gone, emergency rule still biting

•A file picture taken on April 21 shows children walking outside a charred house in the remote northeast town of Baga.

PHOTOS: AFP .

peace and order had been restored to the state.

“We have been peaceful, law-abiding and supportive to the security operatives; we hope the government will take that into consideration and review our case,’’ Ngurore said.

Besides, Alhaji Hussaini Isa, the Chairman of the Adamawa Chapter of the Amalgamated Commercial Motorcycles Owners and Riders Association of Nigeria (ACOMORAN), called on the Federal Government to lift the state of emergency.

“What we witnessed in the state concerning security challenges before the onset of the state of emergency was largely linked to armed robbery attacks and other criminal activities.

“Even though, we cannot rule it out that there were elements of Boko Haram attacks in some parts of the state, especially from the neighbouring Borno State, Adamawa has remained largely peaceful,’’ he added.

Isa, however, noted that the state of emergency had directly affected the activities of the association’s members, leading to a decline in their daily income.

“Before the emergency rule, the daily earnings of most of our members ranged between N8,000 and N10,000 per person but now, the daily income has drastically reduced to between N4,000 and N5, 000,’’ he said.

Sharing similar sentiments, Mr Audu Zira, a vendor of mobile phone recharge cards in Jimeta, said his sales had plummeted as a result of the state of emergency.

Nevertheless, Mr Augustine Mako from Numan Local Government Area disagreed with those calling for lifting of the state of emergency in Adamawa, insisting that it should continue until the security situation became normal.

“I recall that in previous times, there were crises and killings of innocent lives in Adamawa; what is happening now in Adamawa, in respect of the state of emergency, should continue for the time being,’’ he said.

“But if the security operatives feel that the security challenges are over;

the government should go ahead and lift the state of emergency,’’ he said.

On the whole, Alli, the commander of the military force in Adamawa, said: “No life has been lost in Adamawa since the declaration of the emergency.

“Before the declaration of the state of emergency, we recorded some series of attacks on police stations and banks in some local government areas but things now are better.

“In spite of the relative calm, we are not relaxing or taking any chances in ensuring that the state of emergency achieves its aims and objectives of achieving lasting peace as well as security of lives and property in the state,’’ he added.

HE general praised the government and people of the state for their support and cooperation for the security agents, extolling the people, in particular, for their understanding of all the security measures so far taken to restore peace and order in the state.

“I will like to commend the traditional institutions too for their contributions in sensitising the public to their expectations under the state of emergency,’’ he said.

Speaking on how Adamawa has been coping under the state of emergency, Nyako said his administration had kept the youth in the state busy, thereby making it difficult for the Boko Haram sect to recruit them for their nefarious activities.

“When I took over as governor, many youths were idle and jobless; they were roaming around, thereby making it easy for them to be lured by the sect members.

“But with the emergence of youth empowerment programmes like the vocational training, farming skills and local apprenticeship schemes, many of them have become self-reliant,’’ he said.

Nyako argued that his administration had already taken some security measures in the state, prior to the declaration of the state of emergency.

Nevertheless, he noted that the cooperation, which his administration enjoyed from the various stakeholders, including the security operatives

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and youth groups, had been helpful in efforts to make the state safe.

The governor thanked the people for their conduct and cooperation with security operatives, adding that it was a thing of pride for the state government to note that the security operatives had never been provoked to the level of using arms against the people.

Nyako said he was convinced that the Federal Government would soon lift the state of emergency, in view of the peaceful situation in the state.

All the same, observers believe that the Federal Government and the security agencies are in the best position to decide when to end the state of emergency, insisting that what is important now is safety of the people’s lives and property.

The recent media report of an attack on a secondary school in Yobe, where no fewer than 24 students were killed, heightened the concern of the government, security agencies and citizens about the worsening security situation in the state.

Media reports indicate that the students were killed in a pre-dawn attack on Government Secondary School, Mamudo, in Potiskum Local Government Area.

Commissioner of Police in Yobe State Alhaji Sanusi Rufa’i confirmed that apart from the slain students, a teacher and a preacher were also killed in the attack, which left four other students injured.

In recent times, observers have seen Yobe, Borno and Adamawa states as flashpoints of violence perpetrated by the Boko Haram sect.

Considering the trend of the security challenges facing the three states, which had somewhat crippled the socio-economic and commercial activities in the area, Jonathan declared a state of emergency in the states.

Making the declaration, Jonathan underscored the determination of his administration to tackle the problems of violence and insecurity across the country.

He condemned the breakdown of law and order in the affected states, adding that the Boko Haram insurgents had taken over in some parts

of the states.

“Following recent developments in the affected states, it has become necessary for government to take extraordinary measures to restore normalcy.

“After wide consultations, and in exercise of the powers conferred on me by the provisions of Section 305, Sub-section 1 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, as amended, I hereby declare a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states.

“Accordingly, the Chief of Defence Staff has been directed to immediately deploy more troops to these states for more effective internal security operations.

“The troops and other security agencies involved in these operations have orders to take all necessary actions, within the ambit of their rules of engagement, to put an end to the impunity of insurgents and terrorists…,’’ Jonathan said in a broadcast.

Two months after the historic declaration, observers note with a sense of happiness that peace had returned to the affected states.

For instance, they note that in Damaturu and Potiskum — the commercial nerve centres of Yobe — socio-economic and commercial activities have picked up considerably.

Corroborating their views, Col. Ibrahim Ali, the Commander of the Joint Military Task Force in Yobe, said that the task force had succeeded in efforts to improve the security situation in the state.

E said the JTF had suc ceeded in ridding Damaturu and Potiskum of the Boko Haram insurgents, noting that there had never been “any major encounter between his forces and the insurgents since the declaration of emergency rule.’’

Ali attributed the success to the cordial relations existing between the JTF and the general public.

He said the people were quite forthcoming with regard to information on the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents in the area.

Ali pledged the JTF’s readiness to ease the difficulties being encountered by the public in the course of

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discharging its duties.

The Special Adviser to Governor Ibrahin Gaidam on Media, Alhaji Abdullahi Bego, said the state government had adopted a pragmatic approach in efforts to tackle the security challenges facing the state.

He said that the approach comprised providing logistical support for security agencies and encouraging the public to assist the security agents with vital information on the insurgents’ activities.

“Things are getting back to normal, our people are cooperating, while the security agents are fully complying with the rules of engagement,’’ he said.

EGO said the government also adopted measures to alleviate the sufferings of those citizens, who were directly affected by the activities of the insurgents.

He also said that no fewer than 300 classrooms had been renovated, while N197 million had been provided by the state government to assist the affected people.

Bego, however, called for more Federal Government’s assistance to the states that were affected by the activities of the Boko Haram insurgents.

Alhaji Usman Saleh, a leader of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), said normalcy had returned to Damaturu and its environs, adding that the number of the passengers of commercial vehicles had increased significantly.

“We are now finding it difficult to meet the demands of our passengers; sometimes, many passengers are stranded because of shortage of vehicles to convey them to various destinations,’’ he said.

The comments by the residents and security agents in Yobe notwithstanding, observers underscore the need to provide the security agents with more modern equipment to facilitate the fulfilment of their assignment.

They believe that with good equipment and training, the security agents’ mode of operation, especially at checkpoints, will improve, while aiding the realisation of their assignment.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

NEWS Governors’ convoy under attack in Rivers violence Continued from page 1

tive (GDI), armed with placards bearing various inscriptions, moved to the airport as early as 7 am, protesting against the governors’ visit.

The minister, who intends to succeed Amaechi in 2015, is the grand patron of GDI. Wike’s loyalists were confronted by Amaechi’s supporters at the parking lot of the airport, with missiles flying and people scampering to safety.

Information Commissioner Ibim Semenitari said: “There were jitters in the Presidency over the visit of governors of Adamawa, Jigawa, Kano and Niger to Rivers State Governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum, Rt. Hon Chibuike Amaechi in Port Harcourt today (yesterday).

“Members of the Nyesom Wike’s campaign organisation, GDI, had mobilised hoodlums to disrupt the visit, chanting solidarity songs in favour of the Presidency and attempted to attack Governor Amaechi and his team.

“Wike had boasted after the failed impeachment attempt at the Rivers State House of Assembly that he would set Rivers State ablaze and render it ungovernable. A four-litre keg, suspected to contain some acid, was found beside the mob.

“Rivers State Police Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu denied knowledge of the mob’s presence. Although the police stated that the airport is a public place and everyone has a right to visit freely and unhindered.

“This portends grave danger and has far-reaching implications for our fledgling democracy.”

Some of the placards by

•Amaechi (middle) hosting visiting governors (from left) Kwankwaso (Kano), Lamido (Jigawa), Aliyu (Niger) and Nyako (Adamawa)…yesterday

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What the governors said

E have come to visit with our colleague and brother the Governor of Rivers State Rt. Hon Chibuike Rotimi Amaechi, CON, Chairman Nigeria Governors Forum “The visit is to ascertain for ourselves some of the things we have read in the newspapers, seen on television and heard on radio which are threats to peace, security and democracy.

“We are pleased to notice the peaceful atmosphere in town and that people in the state are going about their normal business and that the governor and government are in charge. This is especially reassuring as opposed to the organised protest by a handful of persons at the Port Harcourt Airport when we arrived.

“Having interacted with our colleague and other persons, we are shocked at the role of the police in Rivers State and condemn its clear partisanship in the show of shame that took place at the Rivers State House of Assembly.

Wike’s supporters read: “Northern governors should concentrate on Boko Haram”; “Amaechi not elected Rivers governor to be NGF Chairman”; “Nyako and co, leave our resources alone”; “Soyinka, face Southwest” and “Aliyu and others in

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja “As Chief Executives of our states who have sworn to protect lives and property in our various states, we are particularly troubled by the development in Rivers State.

“We commend the House of Representatives for its proactive leadership in the crisis and appreciate the Senate committee’s thoroughness in addressing the matter.”

“We wish to call on the Inspector-General of police to hearken to the voice of reason and immediately redeploy and discipline Commissioner Mbu. “His actions smirk of unprofessionalism and political partisanship which is unbecoming of his office.

“With the way the police are being used and abused and with officers like Mbu in the force, we do not see the need for state governments to fund an antagonistic police and may be forced to reconsider our position on the financial contribution of the states towards the funding of the Police.”

Rivers State to cause confusion.”

A prominent Nigerian, who witnessed the incident at the airport, but would not want his name in print, said the clash was uncalled for, stressing that it heightened tension in the area,

“Arising from the actions of the police and Mr. Joseph Mbu in Rivers State, the call for state police as a constitutional provision has become a necessity.

“We note that events in Rivers State have again brought to the fore the question of true federalism and the need for institutions derived from constitutions be allowed to function without undue interference. As federating units, we must be allowed the space to guarantee our people sustainable development as provided by the Constitution.

“We acknowledge the great work Governor Amaechi and his team are doing in Rivers State and commend his maturity and calm even in the face of apparent persecution.

“We join well meaning Nigerians to call on all political actors to diffuse tension and stop all actions capable of overheating the polity and derailing our nascent democracy.

“We must all work together to build one united and indivisible nation and strengthen our democracy.”

leading to confusion. Passengers had to either hide or run for their lives.

The Police Command, led by Johnson Oni, soldiers and operatives of the State Security Service (SSS) prevented the breakdown of law and order.

Rivers crisis: Lawyers write National Assembly over lawsuit

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WO Rivers State-based lawyers, Tamunoteim Asobari and John Kpakol, have written the National Assembly leadership to notify them of their lawsuit over the political crisis in the oil-rich state.

They sued the lawmakers and the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Mohammed Abubakar at the Federal High Court, Abuja, on Monday.

The two are urging the court to declare that there are no facts indicating that the Rivers State House of Assembly is unable to carry out its legislative func-

By Joseph Jibueze

tions.

The plaintiffs, therefore, want the court to nullify the National Assembly’s resolutions aimed at restoring order in the state.

The lawyers sent the letters to the Senate President David Mark and House of Representatives Speaker Aminu Tambuwal yesterday.

They reminded the lawmakers that with the suit now before a competent court of law, any action they take in a bid to enforce their resolutions on Riv-

ers crisis would be sub judice.

According to the plaintiffs, having being notified of the suit, the lawmakers must stay action on any plan to intervene in the crisis any manner.

However, it could not be ascertained as at press time whether the Natioal Assembly leadership received the correspondence.

In law, sub judice (Latin for ‘under judgment’) means that a particular case or matter is under trial or being considered by a judge or court.

It is generally considered inappropriate to comment pub-

licly or on cases sub judice, or to take action regarding a matter over which a suit has been filed, which can be an offence in itself, leading to contempt of court, for which a person can be jailed.

The plaintiffs sued the Senate, Mark, Tambuwal, Abubakar and Chairman, Senate Committee on States and Local Government Senator Kabiru Gaya.

Asobari said he is a native of Degema Local Government Area of Rivers State, while Kpakol stated he hails from Gokan Local Government Area.

Continued on page 59

Senate kills six-year tenure for president, governors Continued from page 1

be required for the purpose of altering the Nigerian Constitution.

It also approved a proposal that a presidential or governor’s assent would not be required after a bill passed and transmitted to the president’s or governor had stayed for 30 days with the president or governor as the case may be.

It granted financial autonomy to State Houses of Assembly.

The Senate also endorsed first line charge for State Independent Electoral Commission, State Houses of Assembly, Auditor-General of the State and State Judiciary, but failed to approve first line charge for the Attorney-General .

Before the historic voting began, Senate President David Mark reminded senators that they were on the threshold of history.

Mark told the lawmakers, that for any clause to pass, 73 yes votes were needed.

“I urge every Senator to vote

according to his conscience. Every voting will accordingly be reflected on the votes and proceedings of the Senate. We have gone through this before and because of the importance of the issues slated for voting, we are not to resume debate again. You must, therefore, endeavour to vote according to your conscience,” Mark said.

On presidential assent for Constitution amendment, the Senate voted that “for the purpose of altering the provisions of this Constitution, the assent of the President shall not be required.”

In all, 95 senators endorsed the proposal while three opposed it.

Clause 4 which sought the alteration of Section 29 of the Constitution almost threw works.

In the upper chamber into turmoil.

The Section is on renunciation of citizenship.

It states (29)(1) “Any citizen of Nigeria of full age who wishes to renounce his Nigerian citizenship shall make a declara-

tion in the prescribed manner for the renunciation. (4) For the purpose of subsection (1) of this section (a) ‘full age” means the age of eighteen years and above (b) any woman who is married shall be deemed to be of full age.”

The Constitution review Committee recommended that the Section 29(4)(b) should be deleted.

The Senate voted 75 ‘yes’ and 13 ‘no’ to delete the Section.

The endorsement of the clause by the Senate became a battle between Senator Ahmed Sani Yerima (Zamfara West) and other senator.

Yerima said the clause is against Islamic law and insisted that it should not be deleted.

He noted that declaring maturity age for women is against Islamic law.

He said the Constitution forbids the National Assembly from making law on Islamic matters.

Yerima insisted that a second vote should be taken on the

passed clause.

Mark said he is not an expert on Islamic law and added that if Islamic scholars raise the same sentiment, it should be revisited.

But Senator Danjuma Goje (Gombe Central) took up the matter from Yerima.

He accused the Senate President of double standard.

Mark took exception to the accusation and reiterated that he had been very consistent in the consideration of the clauses.

He wondered why the issue should be made a personal matter.

Following insistence by Yerima, Mark agreed that the clause should be revisited.

Mark said, “Once more, because of the serious nature of the laws we make and because we want our actions to stand the test of time, we will revisit the issue raised by Yerima.

“This is because of the sensitivity of issues that has to do with religion, we should revisit Continued on page 59

The Secretary-General of the GDI, Samuel Nwanosike, who is also the Rivers Publicity Secretary of the PDP, in a telephone interview, said it was a “peaceful” protest, with Wike’s supporters “singing and dancing,” to show that they were not hap-

py with the governors’ visit.

Nwanosike said: “Rivers people are not happy with Amaechi and the four visiting governors.

We went to the airport for a peaceful protest, singing and dancing. Over 5,000 chiefs, women and youths from the 23 local government areas of the state participated in the protest. Nobody threw stones.

“The four governors should leave Rivers State resources alone. We are tired of their presence. They should quickly return to the North and face Boko Haram suicide bombers.

“Oni was at the airport while we were protesting and he did a good job as a professional police officer. He said everybody had the right to protest, but we should not block the road.”

The four governors later met with their host (Amaechi) at the Government House, Port Harcourt, on how to ensure peace in Rivers State and other parts of Nigeria.

Rising from their meeting with Amaechi, which lasted for more than three hours, the four northern governors issued a statement made available to reporters.

‘If it is on the ba- North’s elders: sis of one man, one we’ll take back vote, the demogra- presidency in 2015 phy shows that the North can keep basis of one man, one vote can power indefinitely in the power as long as it keep present Nigeria state.

“If it is on the basis of one man, wants because it one vote, the demography will always win shows that the North can keep as long as it wants beelections’ power cause it will always win elecContinued from page 1

the (NEF).

According to him, if the North cannot claim the presidency through rotation, it in-

tends to do so, relying on its massive voting population.

Based on population alone, the North can hold on to power in the country for as long as it wishes.

North has three of the six geopolitical zones in the country.

Abdullahi said: “I want to make it absolutely clear to you that the Arewa Consultative Forum (ACF) and all these other groups that have emerged in the recent past are committed to the interest that underlies northern interest. There is no question about that.

“The North is determined and is insisting that the leadership of the country will rotate to it in 2015 and I am making that very clear to you. On behalf of all of us, ACF in front because they have been the oldest group and the Middle Belt Forum (MBF) and our other groups that have been very active and strong.

“All of us are likely to have this very tough and common agenda. Not that the North is power blind, no, it will be argued on the rational argument that is on the ground today. The North on the

tions.”

The former Vice Chancellor noted that rotational presidency between the North and South was accepted many years ago at the 1987 Political Reform Conference, where it was resolved that every part of the country should be part of the leadership.

He noted that the North had always made sacrifices in the interest of the country, adding that “some of us who participated in conferences - Constitutional Conferences from 1987 till the last one, the Political Reform Conference, it was accepted that every part of this country should feel part of the leadership and this is the basis of the acceptance of the rotation between the North and the South.

“This is what happened in the constitutional conference. There was no question of geo-political zones. The geo-political zones were later introductions. So Continued on page 59

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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NEWS

Why Sudanese President wasn’t arrested, by Foreign Ministry T HE Ministry of Foreign Affairs yesterday explained why Sudanese President Omar al-Bashir was not arrested in Nigeria. It said by the statute of the African Union (AU), he was supposed to enjoy immunity like other delegates.

It also said al-Bashir was in the country under the auspices of the AU and the nation owes an obligation to respect the decision of the continental body.

The ministry said the presence of al-Bashir is a matter between the AU and the international community.

The Ministry made the clarifications in a statement in Abuja against the backdrop of controversy trailing the presence of al-Bashir in Nigeria for the AU Summit, It said Nigeria is standing by the 2009 Resolution of the AU that the UN Security Council should defer the proceedings initiated against Presi-

•’Al-Bashir, participants have immunity in line with AU practice’ From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

dent al- Bashir in accordance with Article 16 of the Rome Statute of the International Crime Commission (ICC).

The statement said: “With respect to the participation of H E President Omar Hassan El-Bashir of the Republic of The Sudan, it should be emphasised that Nigeria, as an active member of the continental body, is under an obligation to comply with the decision of the African Union on the Special Summit.

“The decision to hold this Summit was taken by the Assembly of Heads of State and Government of the African Union. Therefore, member states do not require the invitation from Nigeria to attend.

“Indeed, standard Host Country Agreements for such Sum-

mits grant privileges and immunities to all foreign participants expected at the conference, including obligations on the part of host countries to provide all the necessary facilities for the entry and exit to participants.

“President al-Bashir was therefore in Nigeria under the auspices of the African Union, based on the Assembly decision to convene the Special Summit in Abuja, to deal with three diseases that together constitute a heavy burden on member states.”

The Ministry urged Nigerians not to make an issue out of al-Bashir’s trip to Nigeria.

It added: “Any attempt to make an issue out of the attendance of President al- Bashir at the AU Summit will only serve to unnecessarily shift focus away from the important objectives of the Spe-

Army rules out promotion, decoration for al-Mustapha

T

T

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor , Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja and Kolade Edeyemi, Kano

al.

Chief Clark made his position known in a statement in Abuja.

He said: “I recall that sometime in November 2011,I appealed to the Federal Government and the Lagos State Government to pardon Al-Mustapha on the ground that the trial is becoming punitive and has taken over 12 years at the time.

“Now that he has been freed by the Court of Appeal, he should settle down, get integrated with other Nigerians and there should be spirit of forgiveness from both sides and no one should indulge in unnecessary politicking on the validity or otherwise of the judgement”.

In Kano yesterday, al-Mustapha visited some Islamic scholars,. who expressed appreciation to God for his freedom and urged him to dedi-

cial Summit.

“It is, therefore, a matter between the African Union and the international community.”

The Ministry said the Federal Government decided to stick to the 2009 resolution of the AU urging the UN Security Council to defer action against al-Bashir.

“For the records and avoidance of doubt, Nigeria’s position in this regard is consistent with the AU Assembly decision adopted at the 13th Ordinary Session of the Heads of State and Government in Sirte, Libya on 3rd July, 2009, as it concerns President al-Bashir of The Sudan.

“In this regard, it is worthy to recall that following the lack of action on the request by the African Union to the UN Security Council to defer the proceedings initiated

•al-Bashir

against President al- Bashir in accordance with Article 16 of the Rome Statute of the ICC, the AU Assembly of Heads of State and Government decided inter-alia that the “…AU Member States shall not cooperate pursuant to the provisions of Article 98 of the Rome Statute of the ICC relating to immunities, for the arrest and surrender of President Omar El-Bashir of The Sudan…”

“The AU decision further reiterated its request to the UN Security Council and appropriate response is still being awaited to-date. As a responsible member of the AU, Nigeria has a duty to take full cognisance of this decision in the overall interest of Africa.”

Reps invite Adoke over $1.092b Malabu oil deal

•Clark calls for review of criminal justice administration

HE authorities of the Nigerian Army have denied reports in some national dailies and online portals announcing plans by the Army to promote and decorate Major Hamzat alMustapha with the rank of a Brigadier General.

A statement by the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier-General Ibrahim Attahiru, yesterday said there was no truth in the report.

Gen. Attahiru said all administrative procedures in respect of the Army are guided by extant administrative rules and guidelines covering the entire Nigerian Armed Forces.

The statement reads: “The attention of the Nigerian Army has been drawn to an erroneous publication being circulated on the Internet about the decoration of the former Chief Security Officer to the late Head of State, General Sani Abacha, Major Hamza al- Mustapha with the rank of a Brigadier General following his recent acquittal by the court.

“The Nigerian Army as a professional force wishes to state that all administrative procedures are guided by extant administrative rules and regulations, such as the Armed Forces of Nigeria Harmonised Terms and Conditions of Service amongst others.

“The Nigerian Army wishes to advise the media to always cross check facts before going to the press, to avoid misinformation, misrepresentation and sensationalism in its reportage.”

Also yesterday, Southsouth leader Chief Edwin Clark hailed the discharge and acquittal of al-Mustapha just as he called for the review of the country’s criminal justice administration law and other enabling rules.

This, he said, is to ensure that there is no delay in the dispensation of justice.

The elderstateman said thefreedom granted Major alMustapha, is justified after about 15 years of standing tri-

Govt to ASUU: end strike

•al-Mustapha

cate his life to Allah in this Ramadan period and always.

His first point of call was the Al-furquan Mosque in Nassarawa GRA where the Chief Imam, Sheikh Bashir Umar prayed to Allah to continue to guide and protect alMustapha, while urging him to give all his heart to Allah who has made it possible for him to regain his freedom.

Sheikh Umar said: “You have to see all these persecution and tribulation you suffered as the will of Allah; and what you should do now is to totally submit yourself to God. Prophet Yusuf had similar trials but at the end, he was compensated by Allah with greater position.”

HE House of Representatives has invited Attoney-General and Justice Minister Mohammed Adoke over a letter purportedly written to a foreign organisation, Global Witness, saying that the House has cleared him of any wrong doing in the $1.092 billion Malabu Oil Deal.

The anti- corruption organisation indicted Adoke in its request for immediate action to recover the $215million of assets being disputed by EVP and Malabu. The assets are currently been frozen by the UK High Court”.

The House has mandated its Committee on Justice to invite Adoke to find out if its true that he wrote such a letter and also to ascertain if the letter as he claimed is from the House and what the content of the letter is.

The committee is to report back within a week.

Part of the letter allegedly written by Adoke reads: “You may wish to note that the House of Representatives

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

of the Federal Republic of Nigeria had instituted a probe into the transaction and, at the end, they were satisfied that there was no infraction on the constitution or any other Nigerian law.

“While I thank you for the concern shown in respect of the transaction, I wish to state that since the OPL 245 resolution agreement did not breach the constitution or any extant law and was approved by all relevant authorities and persons, I am therefore unable to justify the call for investigation of the officials of the Ministry of Finance or indeed any other person or authority.

“In view of the foregoing, I wish to reiterate that the settlement relating to OPL 245 did not breach the constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999 and/or any extant law. The transaction was completely transparent and received the approval of relevant authorities and persons.”

•Minority Leader, House of Representatives Femi Gbajabiamila (third left); members – Opeyemi Bamidele (left); Samuel Adejare; Nasiru Zango (right) and Yusuf Lason, after a session at the National Assembly, Abuja...yesterday.

PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

THE Federal Government has again pleaded with the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) to call off its strike and return to the classes.

The Minister of Education, Prof. Ruqayyatu Rufa’i, made the call yesterday in an interview with reporters after a Workshop on World Bank Initiated Africa Centres of Excellence (ACE) Project in Abuja.

“We are still pleading with them, let them do all they can to make our students return to classes.

“We are talking, and we will continue to talk. We are also meeting with all stakeholders to resolve the crisis, and we are confident that very soon, the strike will be called off,” Rufa’i said.

Besides, the minister said, government was making concerted efforts to restructure the university system, which was the main demand

by ASUU. Earlier speaking at the workshop, the minister said that the ACE project was a higher education project seeking to promote regional specialisation among participating universities within the Science, Technology and Mathematics (STEM) areas.

ASUP suspends action THE Academic Staff Union of Polytechnics (ASUP) yesterday said that it had decided to suspend its indefinite strike, which began on April 29.

“We have decided to suspend the strike from tomorrow, July 17,’’ the union’s President, Mr Chibuzor Asomogba, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Lagos, after a National Executive Council (NEC) meeting.

Asomogba, who spoke with NAN on phone, said that all ASUP members were expected to return to work today, adding that there would be more details later.

Why I can’t honour Reps, by ex-EFCC boss Waziri From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

A FORMER Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission, Mrs. Farida Waziri yesterday wrote the House of Representatives explaining why she would not be able to appear before its committee probing the status of about N500billion assets recovered by the anti-graft agency.

She said she is out of the country and might not be able to meet with the timeline for her appearance before the House Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes.

In a letter to the committee through her Confidential Secretary, Alfred I. Oko, the ex-EFCC chairman said she is willing to attend subsequent meetings on the issue at stake.

The letter said: “I regret my absence at the Public Hearing due to my being out of the country following an earlier schedule that conflicts with the date of the meeting.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 2013

6

NEWS American firm to develop Nigeria’s health facilities

By Wale Adepoju AMERICAN Hospital Management Company (AHMC) and Crystal Thorpe will develop and manage Nigerian hospitals and polyclinics.

The agreement was signed at AHMC’s Global Headquarters in Washington D.C., United States, on two healthcare projects in Lagos and Abuja.

AHMC President/CEO Randall Arlett; Executive Vice President Daniel Smigelski; Regional Vice President Greg Kuntz; the company’s Controller Shanita Goree and Managing Director of Crystal Thorpe, Ms. Ugonna Ogueri, attended the ceremony.

AHMC said the centres were being developed because of the needs identified in the market for state-of-the-art facilities of international standards.

“AHMC’s management model, based on American healthcare management practices and fundamentals, will be deployed and adapted to the unique environments in which the hospitals will operate to deliver enhanced operational capabilities, quality, safety and profitability,” the company said.

Ogueri said: “Our partnership with AHMC will bring the best of global health care service to Nigerians. We are very excited at the opportunity to be partnering with AHMC in developing world-class health care facilities in Nigeria.

Ministry partners UNFPA From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

THE Minister of Youth Development, Inuwa Abdul-Kadir, yesterday said his ministry will consolidate the partnership with the United Nations Population Fund (UNFPA) and other stakeholders to make Nigerian youths selfreliant and socially responsible.

Abdul-Kadir spoke in Abuja when he hosted UNFPA Executive Director, Prof Babatunde Oshotimehin.

The minister restated the importance of a robust partnership with UNFPA for technical manpower and other resources, which the ministry has been enjoying from the organisation.

He promised to explore new areas of cooperation and engagements to develop the youths.

Abdul-Kadir said he was convinced that there is need to develop a functional educational system to empower the youths in health, economic empowerment and general valueorientation outside the regular school curriculum.

Jega: INEC ‘ll soon declare APC status

I

NDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman, Prof Attahiru Jega, yesterday said the commission will soon make public the registration status of the newly formed All Progressive Congress (APC).

He said as soon as the commission completes scrutinising the documents submitted by the promoters of the mega-party for registration, it would make a formal pronouncement.

Addressing reporters in Minna, the Niger State capital, Jega said: “As soon as the exercise of scrutinising the documents submitted is completed, we will let Nigerians

From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

know the outcome.”

Jega was in Minna for a workshop organised by the United Development Programme (UNDP) and the Democratic Governance for Development Project (DGD) in collaboration with InterParty Advisory Council (IPAC) on revalidation of reviewed code of conduct for political parties.

He said: “The commission is assiduously working on all documents submitted by APC and as soon as we finished scrutinising all relevant information and documents submitted, we will let

Nigerians know of the outcome.”

The INEC chairman had said the reviewed code of conduct was a new framework for ensuring that politics in Nigeria becomes violence-free.

Jega explained that contrary to the 2011 elections’ code, where punishment was not stipulated against offences committed by any political party, the revised version punishments have been spelt out for any erring party.

He also said the Central Working Committee of IPAC has been expanded from two to seven members to create room for more parties to be represented on the commit-

tee.

Jega said 20 out 25 political parties present at the workshop had signed to the validation of the new code as a generally accepted document for guiding political parties in 2015 general election.

Also expressing optimism of APC scaling INEC registration hurdle, the Secretary General of Congress for Progressive Change (CPC), Buba Galadima said the proposed opposition party had submitted all that was required of it by the electoral body.

He further the proposed party agreed to all the changes effected in the new code of conduct guideline.

Jonathan seeks stronger ties From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

PRESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday called for the strengthening of the Bi-National Commission between Nigeria and the United States (US).

The President spoke during an audience with the outgoing US Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. Terence McCulley, at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

He described the commission, which was established during President Barack Obama’s first term in office, as a laudable initiative which should be nurtured and built upon by both countries.

The President, in a statement by his Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, also called for regularity of the biannual meetings of the commission, which is co-chaired by the US Secretary of State and Nigeria’s Minister of Foreign Affairs.

‘Nigeria political leadership is oppressive’

By Musa Odoshimokhe •Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (left) unveiling the plaque at the inauguration of the Trauma and Burns Centre at Gbagada General Hospital, Lagos...yesterday. With him are Health Commissioner Dr Jide Idris (second right); his Special Duties counterpart, Dr Wale Ahmed and Special Adviser to the Governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adesina

Reps begin consideration of constitution

F

ROM next week, all committees in the House of Representatives will be engaged in nothing else but with the report of the Constitution review, it was learnt yesterday.

Speaker Aminu Tambuwal spoke yesterday on the suspension of the various oversight functions of the committee for the consideration of the constitution review report.

The House, it was also learnt, began the consideration of the report of the Ad Hoc Committee on Constitution Review yesterday.

The report was laid before the House on July 4. Members went straight to business after Majority Leader Mulikat

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

Akande Adeola moved a motion that the House move into the Committee of the Whole.

The Deputy Speaker and Chairman of the Ad Hoc Committee on the Review of the Constitution, Emeka Ihedioha, read a synopsis of the report.

Yesterday was the first day for the consideration.

Members raised issues about the procedure for contribution. This took a while to resolve.

Tambuwal warned members not to vote against the decisions of their constituents, as documented in the result of the people’s public sessions.

He said: “Let me once again say that what we have before us is not our opinion but the aggregate of all opinions from our constituencies.

Whether it’s individually or collectively, we do not have any issue against any politician. But we aim to strengthen democracy.”

The Speaker said he had heard that the people’s public sessions be subjected to a referendum.

He said: “The constitution has proscribed the procedure for amendment, and we can’t go outside it. The constitution did not prescribe a referendum. As issues are raised, we, as members who facilitated the people’s pub-

lic session, have no power over the decision of the people.

“My charge is that we proceed with the wishes of the people. I appeal to all of us that when the time to vote comes with the result, we should not vote against the wishes of our people.”

The House deferred the consideration till today to allow members bring copies to the floor.

Tambuwal said there would be a clause-by-clause and section-by-section considerations of the constitution review report today.

He said voting would come after the consideration of the report.

Jonathan: HIV/AIDS response plan to test 80m Nigerians

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday said the President’s Comprehensive Response Plan (PCRP) will test 80 million Nigerians of 15 years and above to know their HIV status to check its spread in the country.

The President spoke during the AIDS Watch Africa Champions breakfast meeting at the International Conference Centre (ICC), Abuja.

The PCRP, he said, also aims to enrol additional 600,000 eligible adults and children into the AntiRetroviral Therapy (ART) and provide ART for 244,000 HIV-positive expectant mothers.

According to him, the plan is intended to provide access to prevention services for 500,000 Most-at-Risk-Popu-

HIV/AIDS: Agency takes campaign to schools From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

THE National Commission for Colleges of Education (NCCE) has taken the campaign on the global fight against the spread of the HIV/AIDS among youths to primary and secondary schools.

It advised Colleges of Education to include the teaching of HIV/AIDS in their curriculum to teach pupils basic prevention methods.

The Executive Secretary of the NCCE, Professor Mohammed Ibn Junaid said the campaign was in line with the Family Life and Emerging Health Issues (FLEHI) established by the Federal Ministry of Education in 2007.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

lations (MARPS) and four million young persons as well as activate 2,000 new Prevention of Mother-ToChild Transmission (PMTCT) besides 2,000 ART service delivery points across the country.

Jonathan explained that

the plan was developed after looking at the previous performance on HIV/AIDS, its shortcomings and what needed to be accomplished.

He said: “What is even more important is our political will to continue to make a difference in the lives of persons living with HIV/ AIDS and to prevent its

spread.

“The response to HIV/ AIDS scourge must be designed to enhance human dignity and to protect its citizens’ inalienable rights under the rule of law.”

According to him, the deliberations of the Abuja+12 Conference, which is a special follow-up summit on HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Malaria and Other Related Diseases, was enlightening and informative.

His administration, he said, was committed to the implementation of the PCRP. The President said there were gaps in the access to HIV/AIDS service in Nigeria, adding that significant achievements have been made in reducing the zeroprevalence from 5.8 per cent in 2001 to 4.1 per cent in 2010.

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HE former Archbishop and Primate of Church of Nigeria (Anglican Communion), Most Rev. Peter Akinola, has said Nigerian lawmakers are lawless and unofficial bureau de change.

In a lecture titled: The Cost of Corruption, the cleric said the lawmakers have bartered public interest in the course of discharging their official responsibilities.

Akinola noted that Nigeria’s political leadership has become a revolving gateway for selfish, self-seeking and self-serving elected officials.

He said: “A politician may be clueless, as regards what direction to take his or her life before assuming office. But once the jackpot of an elected or appointed position has been made, it is a turning point to prosperity and life in abundance.”

The cleric said politicians could walk into public office empty-handed and smile out with stupendous wealth.

“The barefoot political hustlers of yesterday ride out tomorrow, commanding a fleet of state-of-the-art cars that are enough to start a small vehicle selling business,” Rev. Akinola said.

According to him, the situation is worsened by politicians’ uncontrollable desires to undermine the constitution.

The cleric said several politicians hold on to power by transiting to the next level when the situation demands it.

He said: “Some governors see no limit to powers, nor exercise powers within the limit of the law. Governors can even rule from abroad with indeterminate period. They say it is all in the service of the people when governors acquire aircraft while the ordinary people they govern can barely make ends meet.”

He adjourned the matter till today.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

C ITYBEATS Eye cancer

CITYBEATS LINE: 07059022999

'I've been sentenced to eternal misery'

threatens boy's sight

By Uyoatta Eshiet

•Father of 18-year-old 'killed by friends' seeks justice

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HO will wipe the tears of the father of an 18-year-old man, Abubakar Mustapha, who died on June 7 in the Iloro area of Agege, a Lagos suburb? It was just a few days to his 19th birthday.

He was allegedly lured by one of his friends "to help settle a fight." But unknown to him, it was a set-up by an embittered friend to settle old scores. He was allegedly stabbed to death with an arrow by his assailants.

It was pin-drop silence in his parents' home - 22, Shomide Street, Idimangoro, Agege, Lagos - when this reporter visited on Monday.

They were yet to put the traumatic experience behind them - a month after.

Abubakar Amodu, the bereaved father, fought tears as he recalled the incident that has torn the family's joy.

The 51-year-old indigene of Okaba in Anpka Local Government Area of Kogi State relived his son's last minutes: "I had sent him on an errand within the neighbourhood; I did not know it would be the last time I would see him. He was said to have been invited by one of his friends to settle a quarrel with some of his friends. He did not know it was a conspiracy to lure him to death.

"He ran into an ambush laid for him by the very people he was to reconcile with. A fight broke out and he was allegedly hit with an arrow in the abdomen. He fell down in a pool of his blood, while his attackers ran away. My son was taken to the Orile-Agege General Hospital where he was con-

‘My life has not been the same since. It will certainly take a long time for me to get over his gruesome killing ... a few days to his 19th birthday’

By Kunle Akinrinade

firmed dead by doctors."

He bemoaned: "I have been sentenced to eternal misery.

My life has not been the same since. It will certainly take a long time for me to get over his gruesome killing, more so that it happened a few days to his 19th birthday. He was looking forward to celebrating his birthday on July 19 before his death."

An eyewitness who preferred anonymity, also said: "At about 1 pm on that day, I was ironing some clothes when he (Mustapha) left to carry out some tasks for his father. A few minutes later, a student in one of the schools near the spot where Mustapha was attacked alerted me that some boys were fighting him. I ran there. But before I got there, he had been stabbed in the abdomen.

"He collapsed while I was trying to rescue him from the boys who were more than twenty. One of them tried to hit him with an umbrella, but I held his hands. They ran away on sighting men of the

Dopemu Police Station. The policemen tried to rescue him too, but he had collapsed with blood gushing out of his abdomen. He could not talk but was gasping for breath."

"With the policemen, we took him to a nearby public health centre, but the doctors there refused to attend to him. We later took him to Orile-Agege General Hospital, where he was confirmed dead," he said, adding: "One of his friends, Wasiu, who accompanied him to the scene of the incident, was seriously beaten. He is still nursing swollen eyes."

The late Mustapha, he recalled, had quarreled with one of his friends called Idowu on Tuesday June 4, when the latter was beating an unidentified boy in the community. He had allegedly rebuked Idowu for his action and this led to a an altercation that was settled the next day. The truce, it was learnt, did not go down well with Idowu.

"Mustapha was unassuming and he detested bickering.

And that must have been the reason he decided to answer the call for rapproachement, not knowing that it was a bait to kill him by the heartless boys. It is indeed sad that those who killed Mustapha were Junior Secondary School (JSS) students from some of the public schools in the community," the source added.

The deceased, according to his father, had abandoned school because "some boys were harassing him for no clear reason."

"In order not to be idle, he decided to learn spray paint-

• The late Mustapha

ing. And he was following me to my workshop, pending when he would find a better school to continue his education. He was to relocate to Kaduna that weekend to continue his studies with one of my siblings," Amodu said.

He added: "In fact, he could have left Lagos two weeks earlier if not for the fact that I could not raise his transport fare because of my situation.

Now, see what the wicked boys have done to him."

It was gathered that the police had made some arrests.

However, the late Mustapha's father said it was against the tenets of Islam not to bury the dead promptly; hence, he appealled to police authorities to expedite their investigations to allow him bury his son.

He pleaded: "Mustapha is my first son and his gruesome killing by his friends should not be swept under the carpet because I learnt that the families of my son’s alleged killers, who are being held in police custody, are making efforts to secure their freedom."

Though Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide initially said she was yet to confirm the incident, police sources told The Nation yesterday that investigations were in top gear on the matter.

Catholic Knights condemn abortion

By Uyoatta Eshiet

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HE Order of the Knights of Saint Mulumba, Maryland Sub-Council, Lagos State, has reiterated its opposition to abortion.

It condemned any attempt to enact a law that will legitimise the "murder," and urged the National Assembly to ensure that "anti-life and anti-people laws are not enacted, no matter the persuasions."

To give vent to their opposition against abortion, members of the association embarked on a group visit to the Kosofe Local Government Secretariat, where its Chairman, Chief Afolabi Babatunde Sofola, received them.

The association's Grand Knight, Bernard Nkwo, presented to Sofola, a letter of appeal against abortion, addressed to Governor Babatunde Fashola.

Nkwo stated: "Available estimates indicate that worldwide, more than 60 million unborn babies are killed each year by surgical operation in hospitals, clinics and private homes."

He urged Fashola to ensure that the relevant ministries and

• L-R: Nkwo, Sofola and Mr Emmanuel Onwuka, a Knight, during the visit to the council chief

local councils in the state are encouraged to sensitise youths on the dangers and complications of pre-marital sex, which often times create the ground for abortion and their resultant dangerous effects on victims, families and society.

Nkwo also admonished Nigerians to resist the current National Health Bill with proabortion provisions and other inclusions that go against natural justice and reasoning. To do otherwise, he said, would condemn Nigeria to a country where citizens' vital organs would be exported, as it is being currently done in some Asian countries.

Nkwo said over the years, Knights of Saint Mulumba, Maryland Sub-Council, an association of committed Catholics within the Lagos Metropolitan Council of the Order of the Knights of Saint

7

Mulumba Nigeria, had mounted stringent campaigns against abortion. In May, the body organised some Pro-Life

activities with the theme: ‘Professing Our Faith through Defense of Human Life", he stated.

"Congratulations, you were picked as a winner in the NTA promo draw on Victoria Island. Please come over and claim your prize," the caller said.

"I'm sorry I can't leave my shop now. Maybe some other time," replied Kingsley Eluke.

"Come for your car or ...," the caller added.

"Jesus Christ! Eluke, 28, an Idumota market trader, yelled.

He received the above text message from NTA. Eluke went to collect his new Hyundai Accent car yesterday.

It was the NTA 2 Lagos Television Viewers Bonanza Promo. It was the climax of the year-long promo, held in conjunction with Adnom Com-

By Nneka Nwaneri

Trader wins car in promo

munications.

"This is to reward our loyal viewers", said Adnom's Chief Executive Officer, Mr Omiran Adeniji.

With N500 tickets, the winners got exciting gift items.

The second winner, Zainab Suleiman, won a double-door refrigerator; Adeniran Bankole won a KVA generator; Edward Ameh, Saibu Adeshewa and Esang Ekong bagged LCDA flat-screen televisions. Mary Anyamele won an Ipad and bedside fridges were won by Eloma Henry, Steve Evuleocha, Olumide Akinwodola, Victor Oguja and Ehujuo Stanley.

MR Mudasiru Adeniran and his wife, Walaya, today, number among the most traumatised parents. Reason: The heart-rending state of health of their four-year-old son, Faruk.

For some time now, the toddler has been in acute pains because of a cancerous infection threatening his left eye.

Now, the family is running from pillar to post in its bid to raise the N1.2 million urgently needed to restore Faruk's health. Hence, his parents want the Lagos State Government and Nigerians to come to the boy's aid.

Faruk's mother said "he is, at present, at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) in a very bad situation.

She added that "he needs to be urgently attended to in order to preserve his life and save him from total blindness. At present, the boy's left eye is completely covered."

The boy's father, an iron bender and his mother, a tailor who live at Agric, an area in Ikorodu, a suburb of the state, said they had spent over N350,000 since the sickness started in March last year, adding that they sold all their valuables and also borrowed money to continue with his treatment.

The treatment started from the University of Ibadan Teaching Hospital. The boy is now at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH),

• Faruk

Ikeja, Adeniran said.

He said there is no way they can raise the money needed to treat the boy, which is why the family is seeking help from kind-hearted Nigerians, organisations and government.

The state Ministry of Health had convened a State Medical Board for the purpose of the treatment and the hospital put the preliminary estimated cost of the treatment at N1.178 million.

The Head, Ophthalmology Department, LASUTH, Dr M.M Idris, in an "estimate paper" made available to The Nation, said that for the 45-week radiotherapy treatment of the boy, the family would spend N778,250; Chemotherapy/surgery, N150,000, while miscellaneous expenses were put at N250,000.

He also stated that the cost estimate is subject to change as the course of the treatment progresses.

Meawhile, an account has been opened with the First Bank Plc under his name, Faruk Mudasiru and number, 3068528279 for the attention of his prospective helper.

Exhibition holds for youths A youth development programme, Youth Enterprise Exhibition (YEEX), will hold on Saturday from 10am to 6pm at the LCCI Convention and Exhibition Centre, Alausa, Ikeja, Lagos.

The event is being organised by 3wise Magazine, with the support of the Office of Limited Partnerships, Lagos State Ministry of Justice and Ministry of Commerce and Industry.

Enterprising youths will showcase their products and undergo mentoring by the state Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI).

Publisher of 3wise Magazine and the programme's founder, Mr Tayo Adedugbe, said it is a larger platform to expose the youths to new opportunities to network.

He said exhibitors would pay N15,000 on their products, while participants attend freeof-charge, adding: "We are working with the LCCI, which will provide mentoring for the exhibitors. Also, we are making a special issue of 3wise Magazine that will publish the event and the involvement of all."

He said the main targets are youths with creativity potentials between 18 and 35 years, adding: "We want to make them useful to the society."

By Sampson Unamka

Expected at the event include: Mr Ade Ipaye, Lagos Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Mr Ade Ipaye; former Chairman of Eco Bank, Chief John Odeyemi; former Vice-Chancellor, University of Lagos, Professor Ibidapo-Obe and the DirectorGeneral, LCCI, Mr Muda Yusuf.

Other exhibitors and supporters expected there include: Access Bank, BellaNaija, Jumia, Jobberman, Naij, FATE Foundation, School of Media and Communication of PanAtlantic University; Ipublicizenaija and the US-Nigeria Trade Council.

• Adedugbe

Sweet Sensation's new brand SWEET Sensation confectionery has introduced new brand of delicacy - 'SS Feli-Feli.' It has been unveiled at the outfit's FESTAC, Lagos office.

Its Managing Director, Lady Kehinde Kamson, said the new product was borne out of a strong desire "to provide another sweet experience for our ever-increasing loyal customers who always expect trendsetting products and brands.”

Head, Marketing, Oluyemi Yusuf, said the product is a

promise kept by Sweet Sensation to always be ahead with innovative products that perfectly meet our customers' needs.

"We plan to replicate this with a roll-out campaign from the FESTAC outlet. The launch of SS FELI-FELI is a direct response to our customers' craving for something new and which will not only woo customers but point the new direction in the Nigerian QSR industry," he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

8

NEWS

How ‘burglars’ used 430 keys to steal cocoa

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PROSECUTION witness, Mr. Vincent Ughamadu, yesterday told an Itire Magistrate’s Court, Lagos, how two middle-aged men brought a bag containing 430 keys to burgle a firm and steal cocoa.

Ganiyu Abolaji, 46 and Wahab Agbalaya, 42, are standing trial on a three- count charge of conspiracy, possession of 430 keys and instruments of burglary without explanation and attempt to break Olam’s warehouse with intent to steal.

Led in evidence by prosecuting Inspector Ezekiel Ayorinde, Ughamadu, a Computer Science student at the Lagos State University, LASU, who worked as a security guard at Olam Nigeria Limited warehouse, told the Magistrate Mrs. F.O. AbegundeDavies that he was approached on September 10 last year by the (Mallam) security guard of the company, who told him about a plot to steal cocoa from the company’s warehouse.

He said having been informed by the Warehouse Manager, Fatoba Olusola, of burglary and theft of cocoa at the company, he recorded his conversation with the Mallam.

Ughamadu told the court that the Mallam, about 8pm on September 10 last year came with Agbalaya (second defendant) and told him about the plan to steal some bags of cocoa, which they would sell and they would give him his share.

Said he: “As the Mallam was trying to convince him to support the deal, I recorded the conversation on my phone and informed the Warehouse Manager, who told me to play along so that they would be caught.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

“I also called my coordinator, because it was Asex Security that posted me to Olam as a private guard.

“Around 11pm, the second defendant came with a black bag, the Mallam brought them to me and told me that the two men were the people who would remove the bags of cocoa.

“Meanwhile, my boss had told me to play along with them so that they would be caught.

“So, they went to the warehouse with some keys. Some of the keys opened the padlocks and some did not open them. They went back, brought more keys and opened the padlocks.

“They tried to open the burglary proof, but could not. So, they came back and told me they would bring a welder and more keys as well as a vehicle with which they would transport the cocoa bags.

“I informed the manager as the developments went on.

Immediately they left, some policemen came and I told them that the suspects would return. The police said they were going for a patrol and that we should inform them when the men returned.

“I was surprised when the police came back and arrested me. When I got to the station, I saw the defendants and I identified Agbalaya as the person who the Mallam brought and the same person who told me they were going to get a welder.

“I played the recorded conversation on my phone for the police and my manager and they told me to put it in a Compact Disc (CD), which I did with my computer at home.”

Trial of Kalejaiye stalled

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From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

HE planned beginning of the trial of Kunle Kalejaiye (SAN) over alleged professional misconduct was stalled yesterday.

The trial could not hold owing to the failure by the fiveman panel constituted by the Legal Practitioners Disciplinary Committee (LPDC) to form a quorum.

Of the panel’s five members, only three were present, forcing the body to adjourn till September 11.

Kalejaiye, accused of engaging in illicit telephone exchanges in 2008 with then Chairman of the Osun State Election Tribunal, Justice Thomas Naron, was present when the case was mentioned.

While the judge has since been sacked upon the recommendation of the National Judicial Council (NJC), the LPDC has found it difficult to hear the case involving Kalejaiye.

An earlier panel constituted to hear the three-count complaint against Kalejaiye had some members disqualified upon an objection raised by Kalejaiye through his lawyer, Alex Iziyon (SAN).

Upon Kalejaiye’s objection, LDPC Chairman, Joseph Daudu (SAN) and Yusuf Ali (SAN) excused themselves from the initial panel.

Bloody day at Ekiti PDP secretariat

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T was bloody yesterday at the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Secretariat in Ado-Ekiti, where two factions of the party clashed.

Ajilosun, the area where the secretariat is located, was deserted. Motorists and pedestrians took cover for nearly 40 minutes, peeping from nearby houses and offices to catch a glimpse of the violence.

As guns boomed, chairs, stones and broken bottles were freely used by the rampaging factions in a bizarre display of might. In the confusion, reporters ran for their dear lives.

From afar, a man was seen pinned to the floor. He was attacked by seven men. When he regained freedom, he ran for his life.

The victim was discovered to be the PDP state Legal Adviser and former Speaker of the House of Assembly, Mr. Kola Adefemi.

It was learnt that another member, Mr. Olatunji Olanrewaju, who is the state Auditor of the PDP and two others also sustained injuries.

Factions in the party have made issues out of zoning, consensus and conduct of ‘democratic primaries’ as a

•Members injured From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

means of getting the party’s standard-bearer for the 2014 governorship elections.

Between last week and now, opposing statements have been issued and press conferences held in respect of claims and counter-claims regarding how the party’s standardbearer would emerge.

The faction led by the state Chairman, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, had been the butt of the latest attacks notably from the Ayo Fayose group and the Forum of Former PDP Local Government Chairmen led by Chief Diran Adeleye, for supporting “a consensus candidate option”.

Chief Ogundipe set up an 11-man committee headed by retired Justice Edward Ojuolape to “select the consensus candidate based on the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan.”

Fayose and the group had in separate statements warned the Makanjuola-led faction to steer clear of the consensus moves, which they described as “unjust, illogical and insensitive to the popu-

lar agitations within the party.”

The statement reads: “We insist on exercising our constitutional rights as automatic delegates in a free and fair primary election. We caution the Chairman against causing problems in PDP. We insist that Ekiti people must be allowed to select their standardbearer. We will do everything to prevent the subjugation of the constitution in this case.”

Yesterday, reporters were invited to the party secretariat by the Deputy Chairman of the party, Mr. Femi Bamisile and the state Publicity Secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, to announce the suspension of Chief Ogundipe. But some thugs, believed to be loyal to those opposed to Ogundipe’s consensus moves, stormed the place.

In a statement issued to the reporters and signed by six of the 14-member state party executives, Ogundipe was announced suspended for one month “over sundry offences to allow for full investigation of the allegations of corruption and bribery levelled against him.”

The statement titled: ‘There is no Consensus Committee yet’, alleged that the state chairman had, among other offences, constituted a consensus committee without wide consultation. An attachment to the statement listed eight reasons why the consensus committee should be rejected.

The statement directed Ogundipe’s deputy, Bamisile, to assume leadership, pending the conclusion of investigations by the committee set up to probe his (Ogundipe’s) activities.

Those who signed the suspension included the Secretary, Dr. Tope Aluko, Publicity Secretary, Pastor Kola Oluwawole, state Women’s Leader, Mrs. Busola Oyebode, Vice- Chairman, Central, Mr. Femi Ogunleye, state Organising Secretary, Alhaji Lateef Agbaje, state Treasurer, Aluko A.O. and state Youth Leader, Tayelolu Olatunji.

Contacted on the phone, Chief Ogundipe, who was reportedly out of the state, said he was not aware of the press conference, adding: “No one took me into confidence before the conference was called.”

‘I ‘ll contest against Amosun in 2015’

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MEMBER of the House of Representa-

tives from Ogun State, Abiodun Akinlade, has declared his intention to contest the governorship election in 2015.

Akinlade, who is the Chairman, House Committee on Science and Technology, said being a democrat, he would not allow himself to be stampeded out of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) because of his political aspirations.

In a statement yesterday, Akinlade decried his purported sanction by some members of the ACN in Yewa South Local Government, saying his final decision was informed by the wishes of his constituents.

Said he: “This sounds like a rude joke to me because the constitution of our party is

A

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

clear on how party disciplines are to be carried out. Needless to emphasise that it is only the party executives that are vested with such powers.

“This maybe an attempt to stampede me out of the party and frustrate my yet-to-be declared intention, which they feel threatens their political benefactor’s ambition to return to power.

“I have never read where suspension order on an elected office holder of a political party would be carried out on the pages of a newspaper, because I have not up till this moment been summoned by the party, let alone be served any letter.

“Ostensibly, it is to curry the favour of the incumbent, without the knowledge of the duly constituted executive mem-

bers of the party. Definitely, they could not be acting in the best interest of the party.

Saying he would not have reacted to the suspension but for concerns from his colleagues and associates to clarify the situation, the lawmaker added: “If my considered acknowledgement to heed the call of my people to serve them in any other capacity, including the office of the governor, seems to ruffle certain feathers, then, God willing, I shall contest the office of the governor of Ogun State against Senator Ibikunle Amosun in 2015, as long as this remains part of my constitutional right as a free citizen of Nigeria from Ogun State. It does not infringe on others’ fundamental human rights and franchise.

“Let me also call on the leadership of our party to call to

•Amosun

order individuals acting in their private capacity because of the pecuniary gains of political office and appointments to upturn the peaceful co-existence among our party members and supporters in order to sustain our electoral victories, which were won through hard work and coordinated efforts.

Fuel subsidy protest: Court told how DPO shot Daramola

LAGOS High Court, Ikeja has been told how the dismissed Divisional Police Officer (DPO), Pen Cinema, Agege, Mr. Segun Fabunmi, shot at Adedamola Daramola and some fuel subsidy protesters on January 9 last year at Yaya Abatan, Ogba, Lagos.

At the resumed trial of the

By Adebisi Onanuga

DPO yesterday, two prosecution witnesses, Adekunle Alabi and Alimi Abubakar, accused Fabunmi of allegedly shooting at some fuel subsidy protesters.

The witnesses levelled the allegation when testifying before the court presided over

by Justice Olabisi Akinlade.

Led in evidence by Mrs. Olabisi Ogungbesan, the Director of Public Prosecutions, Lagos State, Abubakar told the court how the incident happened.

The witness recalled that he and other persons were reading newspapers at Yaya Abatan junction, Agege, when the policemen arrived in two patrol vehicles.

Abubakar said when the team, which was led by the defendant, arrived about 8am, one of the officers shot into the air and towards the ground to scare people.

He said Fabunmi, seeing this, moved to the officer and

snatched the gun from him.

The witness alleged that the defendant shot at the people at the junction including the deceased, Daramola.

He said: “I can’t tell how many times he fired, but I was hit by a bullet on my leg.

“Daramola was standing by my side and the bullet also injured him. He ran towards Abeokuta Street and I ran into a nearby mosque.”

Abubakar claimed that from his hiding, he saw Fabunmi chasing Daramola and other people towards Abeokuta Street.

The witness, however, admitted not seeing Fabunmi shoot Daramola because he was in a hiding.

He said he was later taken by some boys with the injured Daramola to the Ifako General Hospital after the police left.

According to him, Daramola died following the bullet wounds he sustained and he was referred to another hospital for treatment.

Another witness, Alabi,

who lives at 84, Yaya Abatan Street, said he saw Fabunmi snatch the gun from another policeman and he shot the protesters.

The witness said the deceased, who was a tailor, was among the boys that were injured after the alleged shooting spree.

“I saw everything from my house where I hid.

“After the police left, I came out and I saw a bullet, which I gave to the traditional ruler (Baale) of the community.

“Some policemen later took my statement and asked me to give evidence in court,” Alabi said.

Fabunmi is standing trial before the court for the alleged murder of Daramola during the January 2012 protest against the removal of fuel subsidy.

He was also charged with allegedly inflicting bodily harm on Abubakar and two other protesters, Egbujor Samuel and Chibuzo Udo, by shooting them.

Justice Akinlade adjourned the matter till October 25 for continuation of trial.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

9

NEWS

Lagos ACN decries acquittal of al- Mustapha L AGOS State chapter of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) has decried the acquittal of Maj. Hamza alMustapha in the assassination of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola.

She was the slain wife of the winner of the June 12, 1993 presidential election, the late Chief MKO Abiola. al-Mustapha was the Chief Security Officer (CSO) to the late Head of State Gen. Sani Abacha.

ACN said the acquittal is another indictment on the capacity of the judiciary to avail Nigerians of justice.

It said the acquittal was a shame and followed a pattern that had never punished high net-worth offenders for crimes they committed either against the state or their compatriots.

In a statement in Lagos by its Publicity Secretary Joe Igbokwe, Lagos ACN said given the weighty evidence that had been brought against al- Mustapha, including the confessions of Barnabas Msheilla Kabila (aka Sgt. Rogers) and Maj. Muhammed

Abdul, the men that allegedly killed Mrs. Abiola and Alhaji Lateef Shofolahan; dismissing the case for lack of evidence seemed to be a way of ensuring that al- Mustapha escaped justice and not in any way a means of polishing the soiled image of the judiciary.

The party urged the Lagos State Government to appeal the judgment, as it believed that there was weighty evidence that linked al-Mustapha to the murder of Alhaja Abiola.

The statement reads: “We are shocked at the acquittal of alMustapha, given the evidence that had been brought against him and his co-accused. We wonder how the Appeal Court arrived at its judgment. We are aware of the huge cache of evidence marshalled by the prosecution and we are aware that these are incontrovertible evidence against al-Mustapha, contrary to the ruling of the Appeal Court, which chose to

hide under the well-abused lingo of Nigerian judges that ‘the prosecution had not proved its case beyond all reasonable doubt’. “We see this as a convenient alibi for a pliable judiciary, such as ours, without the healthy interface of a jury, to pervert justice and ensure that criminals are not punished for their crimes.

“Lagos ACN notes that the acquittal is coming a few days after the popular Internet news site, Saharareporters.com, did a detailed report of an extensive plan to free al-Mustapha and ensure he is not punished for the assassination of Alhaja Abiola. We see this acquittal as a shame on the country and particularly a shame on the judiciary, which seems not to be in a hurry to clear its name of the sordid history of filth, which has prevented it from being an independent and incorruptible dispenser of justice.

If the judiciary continues to

operate at the behest of the highest bidder, we see no hope for the country.

“We believe that the judiciary, by this questionable verdict, is hoping to consign the killing of Kudirat Abiola to the long list of unsolved assassination cases that hunt the country today. We recall the murder of Bola Ige where the alleged killers were helped to evade justice and even rewarded with political offices.

We recall the murder of Marshall Harry, A.K. Dikibo, Hassan Olajokun, Ogbonnaya Uche, Funsho Williams, Dr. Daramola, among the uncountable cases of murderous impunity that have been interred in the thriving list of Nigerian judicial ‘whodunnit’.

We see the verdict of the Appeal Court acquitting alMustapha as an attempt to enrich the country’s bloating list of unsolved murder and assassination cases and we warn that this will come up to hunt all of us in future.

“Lagos ACN is not satisfied with the quality of verdicts that

Ondo student leaders remembered

Police rescue Chinese from kidnappers From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

T •al-Mustapha

our courts churn out as there is an impression among Nigerians that the courts are there for only the rich to manipulate. We therefore believe that a thorough jury system will help enrich the verdict of our courts.

“While we align ourselves with the opinions of millions of Nigerians, who have enjoined the Lagos State Government to not only appeal the latest verdict but also pursue the course of justice for the slain Kudirat Abiola, we state that the country is sitting on a keg of gun powder if Nigerians, high and low, could be killed at will and their killings shoved under the carpet.”

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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HE National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) in Ondo State yesterday held a public lecture in commemoration of four Students’ Union Government (SUG) leaders, who died in an accident on July 13 last year when returning from Abuja on an official engagement.

The deceased are Aremo Oyebode, Vice-President, NANS External Affairs, who was also a student of Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo; Awopegba Adedapo, SUG President, Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA); Oyinkansola Olotu, SUG President, Ondo State School of Midwifery; and Akintola Abiodun, SUG President, Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo.

The theme of the lecture is: ‘Celebration of our fallen heroes; The pains and the lessons’.

Student leaders marched in procession from Adegbemile Cultural Centre, Akure through NEPA to Babafunke Ajasin Auditorium, venue of the public lecture.

They wore black cloths and sang solidarity songs.

They wept as they marched.

Their procession caused a traffic jam.

Delivering a speech, one of the survivors, who is the Chairman, NANS JCC, Ondo axis, Owonola Emmanuel, described the fallen heroes as an epitome of dedication, commitment, diligence and patriotism. He said their contributions to humanity and student unionism would not be forgotten.

Emmanuel thanked the state government for its support to the survivors and for compensating the parents of the deceased.

He urged Governor Olusegun Mimiko to impress it on the management of the deceased’s schools to immortalise them and keep their memories alive.

The student leader also enjoined government to assist the survivors.

HE police in Ogun State yesterday rescued two Chinese - Messrs Song Jiang She and Zhang Wen Xue, from kidnappers after a gun duel with their abductors.

The Chinese, who are workers of Lee Group of Companies, Ikorodu, Lagos, were kidnapped at Odongunyan, Ikorodu but rescued at Shotunbo, near Sagamu, Ogun State by policemen attached to the Ogijo Divisional Headquarters.

One of the kidnappers, who was injured during an exchange of gunshot between them and the police, was arrested and others fled with bullet wounds.

The rescue was led by a Superintendent of Police, Mr. Toyin Afolaogun.

Ogun State Commissioner of Police Mr. Ikemefuna Okoye, who visited the kidnappers’ den, ordered the area to be cordoned off and placed under surveillance to prevent the use of the building for criminal activities.

Police spokesman Mr. Olumuyiwa Adejobi said three home-made pistols, live cartridges, masks, mobile telephones, dangerous weapons and an operational car BMW with registration number CK 737 LSD were recovered from the suspects.

He urged the public to alert the police in case they come across anyone with bullet wounds.

Fashola promises to redevelop industrial estate

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

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•Prof. Adelabu inspecting a parade by corps members... yesterday

E

Fayemi urges youths on unity

KITI State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi has urged youths to see themselves as future leaders and imbibe the spirit of national unity. He said they have a role to play to enable Nigeria accomplish its developmental goals and remain an indivisible nation.

The governor spoke through his deputy, Prof.

Modupe Adelabu, at the closing of the 2013 Batch ‘B’ Orientation Course for the Na-

O

tional Youths Service Corps (NYSC) members at the NYSC Permanent Camp, Ise/ Orun, Emure–Ekiti.

Noting that the future of any country depends on youths, the governor enjoined the corps members to unite to ensure peace and harmony.

He stressed the importance of the NYSC scheme and the orientation given to corps members, adding: “A modern society requires a

certain degree of preparation and orientation before the assumption of leadership role.”

Governor Fayemi said the three-week orientation must have exposed the corps members to some pressing needs in the society.

According to him, the period offered opportunities for sober reflection and the means of tackling the challenges confronting the nation.

The governor advised the corps members to be lawabiding, avoid late outing and respect the cultural norms and values of their host communities.

He said government has put security measures in place to ensure their safety throughout their stay in the state.

About 1,784 graduates were posted to Ekiti for the compulsory one-year NYSC programme.

Oyo floats medium-term strategic plan

YO State Governor Senator Abiola Ajimobi has approved the process of preparation of the successor medium-term strategic plan expected to span 2014 to 2016.

He said this at the opening of the 2013 Conference of Directors of Planning, Research and Statistics (DPRS) in the public service, held in Ibadan.

The governor said this was in line with the resolutions of the Joint Planning Board (JPB) and the National Council on Development Planning (NCDP), held in Benue State last December.

He described as timely and

reliable, the statistics on social, economic and environmental conditions.

He said they are key factors for development, evidencebased planning and policy decisions, which require reliable and sound statistical basis.

Governor Ajimobi said towards this, his administration has enacted a law to reposition the state’s statistical system, towards transforming the Department of Macro Statistics and Research in the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget into the Bureau of Statistics.

He said the process of ap-

pointing a Statistician-General for the state was on.

Ajimobi hailed the National Planning Commission for involving the top management of the Ministry of Economic Planning and Budget in the review of the National Implementation Plan (NIP) and the development of the National Integrated Infrastructure Master-Plan (NIIMP).

He hoped that the experience gathered from the exercise would improve them for better performance.

The governor said his administration was looking forward to a successful conduct

of the GDP computation.

The Minister/Deputy Chairman of the National Planning Commission, Dr. Shamsuddeen Usman, said the conference would afford participants the opportunity to be acquainted with the key findings of the mid-term report of the transformation agenda.

According to him, it would also give them the opportunity to review the extent of the implementation of key recommendations arising from the Katsina and other previous conferences towards enhanced growth and development.

AGOS State Governor Mr. Babatunde Fashola has promised to redevelop the Yaba Industrial Estate to conform with modern trend and compete with others.

The industrial estate, established in 1954 by the Federal Government to promote small scale enterprises, is not functioning to full capacity.

Governor Fashola, who visited the estate yesterday with the Commissioner for Commerce and Industry, Mrs. Sola Oworu and Special Adviser on Commerce, Mr. Seye Oladejo, reiterated government’s commitment to redevelop it.

He said some businesses in the area have outgrown the space they are operating in, hence the need for government to move in and intervene.

Fashola added that the redevelopment would include solution to power outage, which he said was one of the major challenges of the industrial estate.

His words: “This place was created around 1954. It has quite a long history, chequered history in some cases, success stories here and there. We’ve just come out of court after a fire and an attempt to redevelop. So we can work together here.

“It’s possible to create steady power supply here, which is the main problem of most of the manufacturers we talked to.

They are doing business, they are producing, but they could do with cheaper power.”

Governor Fashola said government might subscribe to the model of the Isolo Industrial Estate, where a central unit provided power to the industries, thereby saving cost for the manufacturers.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

10

NEWS RAMADAN KAREEM

SOLAT TIME (Kano) Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

– 4:46 – 12:33 – 3:55 – 6:58 – 8:10

am pm pm pm pm

(Osun) Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

– 5:12 – 12:49 – 4:13 – 7:04 – 8:17

(Anambra) am pm pm pm pm

Fajr Zuhr Asr Magrib Ishai

– 5:04 – 12:39 – 4:03 – 6:52 – 8:05

am pm pm pm pm

Ramadan 8th, 1434AH

(Source: Islamicfinder.org)

Food prices rise in Enugu

Agency to spray Mosques against mosquitoes

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HE Bauchi State Agency for the Control of HIV/AIDS, Tuberculosis, Leprosy and Malaria (BACATMA) is to spray insecticide in mosques to prevent mosquito bites and malaria among Muslims during Ramadan.

The Director, Malaria Control Projects, Dr Lawal Abubakar, stated this in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Tuesday in Bauchi.

He said the exercise was aimed at reducing the rate of malaria infection among the people, adding that the fasting period coincided with the rainy season when mosquitoes breed in stagnant waters.

“During this period, people tend to stay long in mosques, and since it is the rainy season the exercise will make a positive impact towards destroying the parasites at their larvae stage.

“The spraying will be carried out in mosques and their surroundings so that the parasites will be destroyed at the larvae stage since they hatch in large numbers,’’ he said.

•Wife of Transition Committee Chairman of Faskari Local Government of Katsina State, Hajia Sa’adatu Faskari-Ahmad (right), distributing foodstuffs and detergent to less-privileged women as Ramadan fasting assistance in Faskari ... on Monday.

RAMADAN GUIDE WITH FEMI ABBAS

e-mail: femabbas@yahoo.com Tel: 08122697498

How Ramadan strengthens health

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EAR in year out , Muslims in most parts of the world always view Ramadan from economic, social, moral and spiritual perspectives. What they don’t seem to know is that the practical lessons of this divine month are far beyond those perspectives.

Science is in a state of continuous evolution and new discoveries follow one another’s heels. There is a large flow of information coming like a spring from symposia, encyclopaedias and medical journals which put the modern man always on the right path of knowledge.

Biologically, human beings grow old and eventually die. Very few people ponder over this occurrence. We have all accepted it as a natural phenomenon which we must abide by willingly or unwillingly.

Apart from old age, most people die not because they are naturally ripe for death but because the blood flowing through their coronary arteries clots sometimes prematurely and render their body systems partially effective in fully ineffective.

Because of the excessive consumption of such improper diets, and other defective factors in our biological set-ups human arteries become hard and rusty hence the mad rush for treatment.

This process of rustiness in human system is medically called Atheroma. And many theories have been advanced to explain its mechanism especially how it causes rustiness in human the blood vessels.

One of the great advantages of fasting (especially Ramadan fasting) is to increase the power of the blood to dissolve blood clots whether the clots are in the coronary arteries of the heart that cause heart attack or in the cerebral arteries that cause stroke.

Fasting, therefore, does not only lower blood pressure and alleviate angina pectoris (severe chest pain resulting from a reduced supply of blood and oxygen to the heart); it also prevents arteriosclerosis (an arterial disease occurring especially in the elderly, characterized by elasticity and thickening of the blood flow). Not only that. Fasting also reduces the mortality rate of myocardial infarction otherwise called heart attack.

The blood sugar is maintained at a steady level during fasting, the glucose being formed in the level from glycogen and natural fat which have been mobilized to dispose tissue. If, however, there is any tendency of hypoglycemia (a decreased sugar level in the blood), the adrenal medulla a (vital endocrine gland that secretes hormones into the bloodstream) immediately secrets increased amount of catecholamine: adrenaline and nonadrenaline which prepare the body for either “fight of flight”.

Ramadan brings about an increase in secretion of growth hormone by the pituitary. Growth hormone causes an increase in human weight and acceleration of linear growth with widening epiphysis (the end of a long at the point where it was previously separated by cartilage to allow bone to grow) especially in young animals.

Emulate the nationalists, MURIC urges politicians

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HE Muslim Rights Concern (MURIC) has called on politicians to toe the line of the nation’s nationalists in piloting the affairs of the country.

Its director Professor Ishaq Akintola, reminded Nigerians of the main purpose of Ramadan fast, namely, to refill man’s cup of piety. Akintola called their attention to signposts of piety and the effect it can have on the Nigerian body polity.

His words: “Whereas the founders of the Nigerian nation neither amassed wealth nor did they misappropriate public funds, the leaders of today sleep on beds of gold with public funds stashed inside their pillow-cas-

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

es. Whereas Alhaji Ahmadu Bello, Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe and Chief Obafemi Awolowo are not known to have stolen one kobo, Nigerian politicians of today have the noun ‘thief’ and the verb ‘to steal’.

“Today the Nigerian proletariat is overworked, underpaid and overtaxed. Workers’ takehome pay cannot take them home. The price of food items have skyrocketed. Hundreds now sleep under the bridge.

Most Nigerian hospitals are sheer public mortuaries. The education sector is in crisis. Power supply remains epileptic.”

MURIC appealed to Nigeri-

an leaders to seize the opportunity of the Ramadan period to change their ways.

Ramadan, he said, offers the opportunity for sober reflections.

“This is the time for leaders to adopt altruism. Nigeria’s proverbial milk and honey belongs to the working class and to those who have toiled for this nation, namely, the retirees. It is also the period for the citizenry to look inwards and show remorse. Nigerian must change their mindset. We must rise up again to promote those values that are capable of turning our country around: Honesty, transparency, accountability, diligence, tolerance, forgiveness and love,” he said.

Ondo deputy governor seeking peace, unity

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THE Deputy Governor of Ondo State, Alhaji Ali Olanusi, has urged Muslims to pray for peace and unity of the country.

Olanusi enjoined the faithful to refrain from any act that could tarnish their image.

“Peace is an essential ingredient of development and as such, we must all continue

to ensure peaceful co-existence with our neighbours across the nation,” he said.

He hoped that the nation would overcome all it security challenges.

Olanusi assured that the state government would continue to provide a comfortable environment for all religious groups in the state.

•Olanusi

Don: Fasting prevents diabetes, cancer

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nutritionist, Dr Ramota Karim, says fasting is capable of preventing nutritionally-induced diseases such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer.

Dr Karim, a lecturer at the University of Ilorin, told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday that fasting allows the digestive system to rest and flourish.

“Nutritionally-induced diseases, such as diabetes, hypertension and cancer can be prevented with fasting.

“The physiological effects of fasting are numerous and these include lowering of blood sugar, cholesterol and systolic blood pressure related to diabetes and hypertension.

“A good break for the digestive system would make it rest, heal and flourish better,” she said.

According to the nutritionist, fasting eliminates a load of accumulated toxins in the body and allows the liver to regenerate and work efficiently.

She added that it was not advisable to breakfast with heavy food and acidic fruits.

RADERS and consumers in Enugu are lamenting the hike in the prices of grains, fruits, sugar, vegetables and other food items as the Ramadan enters its sixth day.

A correspondent of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), who visited the Enugu Main Market on Monday, reports that prices of fruits, millet, guinea corn, cowpea, beans and sugar have increased.

The prices of vegetable oil and rice, however, remained stable.

A bag of guinea corn, which formerly sold for N8,000, now goes for N10,000.

Mr Nonso Ugwu, a grain seller, told NAN that the prices of groundnuts, cowpea, beans as well as maize have increased.

He said a bag of groundnuts which used to cost N18,000, now sell for N21,000 while beans, formerly N22,000, now cost N23,000.

Ugwu explained that the price of maize had increased from N10,000 to N10,500 while cowpea formerly sold at N20,000 now cost N22,000.

He said some species of beans and cowpeas were brought from Borno and Gombe.

Ugwu said that due to the security challenges in the Northeast, it had been difficult to get enough of the commodities at cheaper rates.

Agu Onwudire, a grain seller, also told NAN that before now, a small bag of millet was sold at N11,000 but it now goes for N13,000.

“The planting season is also partly responsible for the price increase,’’ he said.

Tijjani Yunusa and Mrs Linda Amadi, both tomato sellers, told NAN that tomatoes were seasonal, adding that the commodity was transported from Kano, Zaria, Gboko and Nsukka.

“At the moment, the tomatoes in the market are the ones from Nsukka and Gboko.

“By August, tomatoes from Kano and Zaria will be available while that of Nsukka and Gboko will be out of the market because of the planting season,’’ Amadi said.

Yunusa said a basket of tomatoes formerly selling at N6,000 now sold at N6,500, while the small basket of tomatoes that used to cost N3,000 is being sold at N3,500.

“Muslims are experiencing hike in the prices of grains, mainly guinea corn, millet and sugar because they are among the foods we need for breaking our fast,’’ he said.

Mr Babangida Ahmmadu and Mr Augustine Nwaonu, both onion sellers, told NAN that they were bringing the onions from Sokoto State.

Ahmmadu said that a bag of new onion formerly sold at N13,000 now cost N13,500 while the old onion bag remained stable at N15,000.

Mr Okwudili Okoh, a pepper seller, said there was a decrease in the price of a bag of pepper from N6,500 to N4,000.

Mrs Nkechi Elo, a fruit seller, said the price of water melon had also increased as result of the Ramadan.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

NEWS

Southwest PDP urges court to effect Oyinlola’s replacement

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HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest has urged the Federal High Court, Abuja to endorse its substitution of Prince Olagunsoye Oyinlola with Prof. Adewale Oladipo as its National Secretary.

The party, in a motion on notice filed yesterday, said its action was in compliance with the court’s judgment of January 11, this year, sacking Oyinlola as the party’s National Secretary because he was not validly nominated by the Southwest chapter of the PDP. The party pleaded with the court to direct its national body and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to amend their records to reflect the new changes.

The application seeks the following prayers: •An order extending the time limited by the judgment of the court dated January 11 for the conduct of a valid congress of the Southwest zone chapter of the 2nd defendant (PDP)for the purposes of nominating a candidate for the office of National Secretary of the 2nd defendant, to replace the 1st defendant (Oyinlola) removed pursuant to the judgment, till July 13.

•An order deeming the nomination of Prof. Oladipo by the extra-ordinary Southwest Zonal Congress of the PDP held in Ibadan on July 13 as proper and due compliance with the said judgment of the court for the purpose of the replacement of the 1st defendant in the office of National Secretary .

The application filed by Chief Adebayo Dayo, Semiu Sodipo (for themselves and

Peterside: attack on governors barbaric THE Chairman House Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream), Dakuku Peterside, has described as “barbaric, sadistic and dangerous” attack on Northern governors who visited Governor Rotimi Amaechi in Port Harcourt yesterday.

He accused “desperate politicians of hiring of thugs and ex-militants to deliberately embarrass Northern governors who were in Port Harcourt to pay solidarity visit to Amaechi”.

In a statement by his Special Assistant on Media, Mr Sylvester Asoya, Peterside said: “When did we degenerate to this Hobbesian and primitive state? Those who are fanning this amber of discord must be ready to reap the whirlwind. They should reflect on the events of Western Region Parliament in Ibadan that eventually led to the end of the First Republic and the disputed Ondo State election in 1983, and decide if this is the path they want to go.

“I wonder why the police in Rivers State under the Commissioner Mbu Joseph Mbu chose to play politics with safety and security of the people of Rivers State and tarnish the image of Rivers people who are naturally friendly and hospitable.”

‘Oladipo duly nominated as PDP National Secretary’

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HE Peoples Democratic Party(PDP) in the Southwest has said Prof Wale Oladipo was duly nominated as the party’s National Secretary.

It described as “unfounded and puerile” claims that he was not validly chosen.

In a statement by the Zonal Publicity Secretary, Waheed Lawal, the party said Oladipo’s nomination was in accordance with the provisions of Part 7 VII,Section 28, Subsection 3, 4 and 5 of the party’s constitution.

It said the Lagos PDP was wrong to have faulted the process leading to Prof. Oladapo’s choice.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

on behalf of the PDP) has Oyinlola, PDP and INEC as defendants.

The plaintiffs said, in a supporting affidavit, that although the orders contained in the January 11 judgment were still valid, their motion was informed by the fact

while the court ordered Oyinlola’s replacement within 21 days of the judgment, compliance was immediately impossible because of the internal crisis in the party. “ The Southwest Zonal Congress could not be conducted due to internal dishar-

The party said: “We make particular reference to subsection 4, which says’ an extraordinary meeting of the Zonal Congress shall be held if requested by at least two third of the members of the State Executive Committees.

“In essence, an extra ordinary meeting can be called by members of the State Executive Committees of four States (which is two-third). But in this case, five states namely,Ekiti,Ogun, Osun,Oyo and Ondo called for the meeting. Even at that, about 29 delegates came from Lagos including the Zonal Organising Secretary, Adedeji Doherty; Zonal Youth Leader, Hon.Bolaji Jeje and Ex-official member, Olalekan Abubakar.” mony in the Southwest and failure to convene a quorum of its Executive Committee.

“Following the appointment of a Caretaker Committee for the Southwest Zone of the 2nd defendant the process of reconciliation towards the Congress commenced.

“An Extra-ordinary Southwest Zonal Congress of the 2nd defendant was thereafter validly convened by the Caretaker Committee and conducted without rancor or disagreement on July 13.

“That the congress was conducted outside the time limited by the judgment of

the court.

“That the delay was not due to any disrespect to this honourable court.

“That Prof. Oladipo was validly and unanimously nominated to replace the 1st defendant in the office of National Secretary of the 2nd defendant at the Extra-ordinary Southwest Zonal Congress.

“That the default fees for the delay in compliance with the time limited by the judgment of this honourable court has been paid.

“That the court has the power to extend the time limited by the judgment for the conduct of a Southwest Zonal Congress for the nomination of a replacement for the 1st defendant in the office of National Secretary of the 2nd defendant.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

NEWS

Sanusi, Otunla absent at probe hearing T

•AMCON clears air on Cecilia Ibru’s seized N14.4b land

HE Governor of Central Bank of Nige ria (CBN), Sanusi Lamido Sanusi and the Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Jonah Otunla, failed to attend the public probe of the House of Representatives hearing to unravel the status of assets seized and recovered by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

Although they sent representatives yesterday, the Committee on Drugs, Narcotics and Financial Crimes refused to accept their representations.

The Committee said the CBN Governor and the AGF would be given a fresh date as a result of the commencement of the consideration of the report of the Adhoc Committee on the review of 1999 Constitution.

The Committee also sought clarification from the Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) on the status of land belonging to the former Managing Director of the defunct Oceanic Bank, Mrs. Cecilia Ibru.

AMCON’s Managing Director, Mustapha Chike Obi, told the Committee that the parcel of land re-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

covered from Mrs Ibru was 101 hectares and not 1001 hectares as contained in the Committee’s document, adding that the value of N14.5billion indicated by a document at the disposal of the Committee was incorrect. He was, however, silent on the actual value, saying that the land was recovered from Mrs. Ibru who surrendered it to the bank based on a court order.

He said: “AMCON subsequently paid for the land in order to recover value for the shareholders of the bank and it has nothing to do with the EFCC and EFCC did not recover a kobo from that asset.

“All the value in the asset was given back to the shareholders of Oceanic Bank and the correct size is 101 hectares that have been encroached upon and reduced to 96 hectares as at today. It is not an EFCC recovery; they only helped in their law enforcement capacity,” Chike Obi said.

However, the representative of Access Bank, Yinka Tiamiyu, who was the Chief Inspector of the bank, disclosed that the EFCC has six accounts with the bank.

According to him, three of the accounts were in Naira denomination, while the others were in US dollar, Euro and Pound Sterling, stating that as at Monday, both the Euro and Pound denominated accounts were in zero balances, but were active.

Tiamiyu gave the breakdown of the Naira denominated accounts as EFCC Trust account (regular account), with N74,957,997.57, Fixed Deposit account, with N3,210,535,866.59, while the Trust (domiciliary) account has a balance of $4,962,849.9.

The EFCC Recovery account had N290,745.02 as at Monday.

The Committee, however, asked if he was aware of any reasons for movement of monies in any of the accounts, and if money was being moved from any of the accounts to fund the Fixed deposit account.

Tiamiyu said he was not in any position to be privy to such reasons.

Chairman of the Committee, Adams Jagaba, urged those who defied the invitation to endeavour to turn up at the next appointment date, or face the wrath of the committee.

2013 Budget: Reps, Okonjo-Iweala disagree over implementation level

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HE Minister of Finance and Coordinator of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, and the House of Representatives Joint Committees on Finance, Appropriation and Legislative Compliance, yesterday disagreed on the level of releases and implementation of this year’s budget.

While Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala said the economy was doing well and that the budget was on course on releases and implementation of capital components of the budget, the lawmakers said the appropriation was not being fully implemented.

The forum was meant to find out the level of implementation of the budget, as well as the level of releases to Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

Members also wanted to know the true picture of the constituency projects which

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•400,000 barrels lost to oil theft daily From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

are fast becoming a source of friction between the Legislature and the Executive.

The Joint Committee also wanted to know what the Minister meant when she allegedly said the economy would collapse if the N32 billion moved from the budget for other purposes was not returned in the current supplementary budget before the National Assembly. Besides, they also asked to be briefed on the outlook of the economy.

Mrs. Okonjo-Iweala, who had the Accountant- General of the Federation, Jonah Otunla and the Director-General of the Budget Office, Bright Okogu, beside her, said N400 billion has been released in the first quarter of the year, and N200 billion for the second quarter.

She said the Federal Government released N50billion for the

execution of constituency projects in this year’s budget.

She said the Ministry of Finance opened a special account with CBN for constituency projects based on the directive of President Goodluck Jonathan.

She said the biggest challenge with the Executive is the 400, 000 barrels of crude lost to oil theft daily, adding that this culminates to about N160 billion loss monthly. “We need to act decisively on the theft of crude oil,” she said.

She said the Executive had been drawing on the Excess Crude Oil Account to meet the shortfall.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said the discovery of Shale oil in the United States has reduced their demand for Nigerian crude and that the government was “experiencing shortfall from Customs.” Because certain imports are down.

Lagos Assembly re-orders budget

HE Lagos State House of Assembly has ap proved the request by the executive for the re-ordering of the 2013 Budget.

This is to address internal loans to support the Lagos Home Ownership Mortgage Scheme to enable the government to address the problem of housing deficit in the state.

The House okayed the request at plenary yesterday after adopting the recommendations of the Joint Committees on Economic Planning and Budget and Lands and Housing which

•To address housing deficit

By Oziegbe Okoeki

were mandated to look into the request last week.

The committee in its findings, among other things, said the state government would not realise its target on the capital receipts which was to support the capital development in the budget, and that the initial Capital Expenditure of the Ministry of Housing of N10billion has been increased to N17billion.

The Commissioner for

Economic Planning and Budget, Ben Akabueze, last week requested the re-ordering of the budget, noting that the “budget deficit will be increased” to N7billion to address “considerable housing deficit” in the state, adding that it would not lead to an increase in the budget estimate, but that the increment would be sourced through a loan to build 600units of houses.

The amendment did not increase the 2013 budget size, he added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

EMPOWERMENT

470 Ogun teachers trained in ICT Ogun

JOBS

PASSION

Shema trains 4,820 youths

A lift for people behind bars

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Katsina

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

H

E walked through the woods, made his way across farmlands and marched in muddy terrains just to find two children who missed out in the last immunisation exercise held in Zangon Kataf Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

Such was the importance of the health plan that Deputy Governor Nuhu Audu Bajoga who chairs the state Task Force on Polio Eradication and Strengthening Routine Immunisation, did not want to take chances.

He launched out on the search like the biblical shepherd who went after one missing sheep, leaving the 99 others behind.

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Enugu

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Email: news_extra@yahoo.com

Kaduna deputy governor searches for un-immunised kids

From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

Ambassador Bajoga left the comfort of his office in Kaduna, the state capital, to locate and immunise two children who failed to be innoculated in the last exercise in Ungwan Aya and Madauchi villages, neither could their whereabouts be ascertained.

The report of the missing kids gave the state government cause for concern.

Determined to find and immunise them as part of government’s efforts to rid the state of child killer disease,

Bajoga took a trip to the two villages, accompanied by the Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health, chairman of Zangon Kataf council and polio officials.

The two villages located almost 200km away from Kaduna metropolis city are mainly farming communities. As he went through the settlements, he preached the message of immunisation.

He told the people of Madauchi to

be patient and respond to the immunisation call for the total eradication of the virus. He appealed to the people to accept the programme, and not feel that government is disturbing them.

“Do not think that government is unnecessarily disturbing you with regular rounds of polio vaccine,” he told them.

“It’s important we vaccinate children so as to wipe out polio in the

world. So be patient and comply at all times for the good of our children and our society.”

Aside the efforts to locate the missing children, the deputy governor personally supervised the immunisation of some Fulani children at Ungwan Aya and assessed their response to the exercise. He was not disappointed with what he saw.

But he insisted, though, that parents must heed the call for children to be allowed to partake in the rou•Continued on Page 46

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HE new lease of life being enjoyed by the aged, widows, HIV/AIDS patients and other vulnerable citizens in Ekiti State has continued with the introduction of Soup Kitchen by the wife of the state governor, Erelu Bisi Fayemi through her Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF).

Under the Soup Kitchen plan, the needy are fed three times a day three days in a week.

It boosts the subsisting freebies introduced by the government.

Such freebies include payment of a monthly N5,000 to the aged from 65 years, consistent free medical missions for all categories of residents in the state, free healthcare for children under five years, the aged over 65 years, expectant mothers and indigent disabled persons.

The feeding plan started with 200 persons, with beneficiaries accessing meals across centres in Ado-Ekiti, Osi, Itapa, Emure, Aramoko and other centres across the state. Now, there are 3000 persons benefitting from the programme.

The Soup Kitchen follows closely on the heels of the Food Bank launched in October 2012 through which well over 3,000 selected individuals had been accessing raw food materials at centres located in Ado-Ekiti and other locations in the state, according to Erelu Fayemi, EDF founder.

The governor’s wife said the EDF spearheaded the food bank and soup kitchen as part of its contributions to the administration’s resolve to banish poverty and extreme hunger from the state.

Said she at the soup kitchen launch: “The target of the current administration is to ensure that every family secures access to free nutritious meals a minimum of nine times every week. This is not just a dream, it is a goal towards which we are working.”

On the soup kitchen, the EDF is collaborating with the Centre for Family and Reproductive Health Initiative (CFRHI), a non-governmental organisation, founded by the State Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi.

•Erelu Bisi Fayemi (right) attends to the free meal beneficiaries. With them is Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Chief Ronke Okusanya

Fayemi’s wife cares for the needy 3000 on three square meals free

By Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

The governor’s wife said the ultimate target of the initiators is to ensure that the soup kitchen is replicated in each of the 177 wards of the state before the end of the year.

She is optimistic that the target will be achieved if indigenous people of the state residing at home or in the Diaspora, as well as political appointees in the state, support the initia-

tive.

The Deputy Governor, Prof.

Modupe Adelabu, and some top female officials of the state were with the governor’s wife as she spoke during the launch of the feeding plan.

The beauty of the soup kitchen, as noted by the governor’s wife, is the decision by some of the beneficiaries with catering background to cook the foods and serve as volunteers in each centre.

“This will erase any suspicion about the quality and safety of the

food. We don’t want political opponents to turn round and say that there is something else to the initiative.

“That is why those who are cooking and serving are among those eating it,” Fayemi’s wife said.

She said the introduction of the soup kitchen was in fulfilment of some of the electioneering promises of the governor when criss-crossing the nooks and cranny of the state for votes.

She thanked organisations and individuals that have contributed to

the success of the projects so far and sought further support.

She urged all political office holders in the state to ensure the establishment of at least one soup kitchen in their ward to take government nearer to the people at the grassroots.

In her remarks, Prof. Modupe Owolabi said the initiative was the begining of good things that the people of the state have longed for.

She described the project as an imitation of best practices in the developed world, adding that the government was proud of the ef•Continued on Page 46

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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•Governor Abdulfatah-Ahmed

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HE Kwara State government has said it would upgrade 120 secondary schools to meet global standards of teaching, infrastructure and pupil-teacher ratio in the state.

This is contained in a statement issued by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media and Communications, Dr Muideen Akorede, in Ilorin.

The statement said the move was designed to enhance the quality of education and teaching standards in schools in line with the education reform programme tagged “every child counts’’.

“Secondary education builds on the strong foundation laid at the basic level, so we have to get it right by providing high standard education in an atmo-

Niger immunises 2m kids

HE Niger State Primary Healthcare Development Agency has immunised no fewer than two million children against polio during the just concluded round of Immunisation Plus Days exercise (IPDs).

The chairman of the agency, Dr Aliyu Yabagi told journalists in Minna that the exercise was part of the IPDs for children below the age of five years.

He said that the state and local governments contributed over N10 million towards the success of the exercise.

He said the agency embarked on a massive campaign in mobilising all stakeholders in the communities, in order for parents to allow

their children to be immunised.

Yabagi praised traditional rulers and religious leaders for their roles in the sensitisation exercise on the importance of immunisation.

He said that the agency was still faced with the issue of rejection of the immunisation by some parents in Chanchaga Local Government Area.

He also commended donor agencies for their support towards polio awareness and the importance of immunisation, which he said assisted the agency to achieve the recorded success.

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Kwara to upgrade 120 schools sphere conducive to quality learning for our children before they begin tertiary education.

“That is why we are matching our teacher training with a curriculum overhaul and comprehensive upgrading of our secondary schools,’’ it said.

The statement said in an attempt to ensure geographical spread and equitable distribution of development projects, 40 secondary schools had been selected for overhaul from each of the three senatorial zones in the state.

The proposed upgrade will cover classrooms rehabilitation and construction; provision of science equipment; computer laboratories and sports facilities in all schools selected for the first phase of the project.

It said that another set of schools would be upgraded once work on the 120 was completed.

The statement stressed that the proposed overhaul of the schools would improve on the 400 blocks of classrooms rehabilitated by the state government in the last two years.

TOTAL of 4, 820 youths have been trained in various skills at the Katsina Youth Crafts Village since it was established in 2009 by the state government, an official has said.

The Special Adviser on Science and Technology to Governor Ibrahim Shema,Alhaji Sule Kuki, said this in an interview with the newsmen in Katsina.

He said the centre was established to train unemployed youths on various skills in order to make them self employed.

“The beneficiaries were trained on trades like welding and fabrication, tie and dye, auto mechanics and electrical, handset and computer repairs, carpentry and others,” he said.

The special adviser said those trained were assisted by the government with working tools and start up capital with which to set up their own businesses.

According to him, the beneficiaries included

Briefly •Hon. Joseph Bamgbose(middle) addressing residents of the Badagry West Local Council Development Area during the de-worming of pupils of primary schools at the Asiwaju BolaTinubu Model Primary School, Apa, Badagry.

‘I’ll empower widows, aged, others’

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F there is one thing that gives the lawmaker representing Oshodi-Isolo 11 constituency at the Lagos state House of Assembly, Hon. Omowunmi Olatunji-Edet joy

Council chair remembers the elderly

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OPE was rekindled for senior citizens of Oriade Local Council Development Area in Lagos State as the council chairman, Hon Ibrahim Babatunde Sanusi last week began the payment of their monthly allowance.

Hon Sanusi disclosed that 300 elderly persons will benefit from welfare package of N5000 per month. He disclosed this during the flag- off of the distribution of welfare package to the elderly at the council secretariat.

He said the council will continue to update its data to get more of the elderly to benefit from the welfare package every month.

“We are giving the aged social security package; it was quarterly before but now we are making it monthly and also extending it to more wards within the council’s jurisdiction. We are giving 300 people this month; we believe that this donation will help improve their welfare,” he said.

The council also gave out eight transformers to the Community Development Associations (CDAs) for their use. Giving reason for the distribution of the transformers, the council chairman said it was in response to the complaints of the residents with regards to blackout occasioned

T

By Amidu Arije

by malfunctioning transformers.

“There are a lot of complaints from the CDAs on the issue of transformer; most of the transformers are old and malfunctioning, they have spent a lot repairing them yet they don’t work very well. Some communities experience blackout till now. For us to stop this, we decided that we should assist the CDAs who are in blackout to provide them with transformers so that they can have access to electricity; we want the transformer issue problem to be a past in LCDA,” he said.

Hon Ramot Hassan, who was assisted by the council chairman to commission the transformers, praised the efforts of the council chair in alleviating the sufferings of the people through the provision of the transformers and granting of monthly welfare package to the elderly in the council.

He urged theresidentsto make proper use of the materials given to them.

Other things gave out include presentation of internet base laptops to the Police Force to improve security in the area and the royal fathers to ease communication problems.

Monarch seeks govt’s help

HE CHAIRMAN of Mushin Local Government, Hon Babatunde Adepitan, has visited the new palace of the Olu of Mushin, Oba Fatai Aileru.

The palace, a two-storey building, which is under construction,still needs much to be done The Olu, who invited the chairman to see the level of work done, thanked him for the many laudable projects he has carried out to lift the youth and market women in the community, sought government’s help to complete the

• From left: Lagos State Commissioner for Information,Mr.Lateef Ibirogba, Commissioner for Local Governement and Chieftaincy Affairs,Mr Ademorin Kuye,Princess Uzamat Akinbile, Deputy Speaker,Lagos House of Assembly,Hon.Kolawole Taiwo and Hon.Bisi Yusuf during the presentation of awards to one of the beneficiaries of Goodwill Empowerment Project in Lagos.

Lawmaker lifts constituents

By Nneka Nwaneri

palace.

The chairman, who was impressed with the level of work done so far promised to assist in the completion of the building in cash or kind.

“The government will come in because you are our traditional father, and in the next two to three months, we will help out with the little remaining,”Adepitan said.

•From left: Oba Aileru; Hon Adepitan; Prince Yayah Aileru and Aare Biodun Osunkoya during the inspection of the building.

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N Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Chieftain in Alimosho Local Government Area of Lagos State, Princess

Uzamat Akinbile, has distributed poverty alleviation materials to residents and community development associations.

Speaking at the event tagged: Goodwill Project 2013, Akinbile, who is the Supervisory Councillor for Agriculture, Rural and Social Development in Agbado/Oke-Odo Local Council Development Area, said that she was touched by the plight of the residents and the limited resources by community development associations to carry out self–help projects.

“There is need for public office holders to initiate community-based developmental projects that would uplift rural dwellers and alleviate poverty in the society. I was encouraged to embark on this gesture because there are many skilled residents who, for lack of fund do not have necessary work tools to earn a living while many communities lack basic infrastructure or social amenities to make life worth living especially in the rural areas.”

Speaking further on the choice of the choice of beneficiaries, Princess Akinbile said they were picked after a careful selection by a committee.

“We selected 10 outstanding community development associations across the wards in the Agbado/Oke-Odo council area for a N50,000 grant each as support for their self-

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help developmental projects. We have single handedly constructed and commissioned a culvert project in Ward G to alleviate the untold hardship experienced by road users and we have also rehabilitated a borehole in Temidire community. This is not my first time of reaching out to my people; many residents have benefited from my charity in the past, especially in the areas of health education and free treatment for infirmed mothers and their children. I have given free medical treatment to people and I have also distributed drugs, mosquito nets and other items to empower indigent residents who don’t have any means of livelihood or resources to prosecute their children’s education. I am not tired yet of doing more because it’s a calling to help humanity, not to actualise self-seeking goals,” she added.

In his message on the occasion, Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola, who was represented by Hon. Dele Ogunsakin, praised Akinbile for her gesture saying :” she has demonstrated outstanding commitment toward grassroot development which is the pivot of national development and one of the cardinal programmes of the Action Congress of Nigeria. toward executing About 100 artisans and traders were given various items and tools ranging from hair dryers, clippers, baking oven, freezers, generators, computers, public address systems and digital camera among others.

Lagos

By Oziegbe Okoeki

most, it is putting smiles on the faces of the less privileged and needy in the society.

And that is why she is dedicating the celebration of her 40th birthday which comes up on August 15 to reach out to widows, the aged, youths, less privileged, needy, orphanages and motherless babies homes in her constituency.

Omowunmi-Edet disclosed this to reporters in her office at the Assembly complex on Friday while intimating them with programmes lined up to celebrate her birthday on August 14 and 15 According to her, “It has always been my duty to put smiles on peoples faces but I want this one to be different, it is going to be a landmark because I am looking forward to how I can affect more lives; to empower both the widows, aged, down trodden, youths, destitutes, politicians who are feeling aggrieved because of neglect over the years.

Those are the type of people that will benefit from my empowerment programme on that day which will be mind blowing”, she said.

The lawmaker is also planning sporting events and competition for the youths, “I feel it is going to bring smiles and joy to the youths, they are going to engage in a lot of sporting events and competition across the wards in my constituency and winners will be awarded beautiful packages and cash gift”, she said.

“I will also give out start-up kits to people that have learnt some skills like hair dressing, tailoring etc. Kits like dryers, clippers, generators, sewing machines, pop-corn machines, recharge card printing machines etc.

And for others who want to engage in trade like the mothers I have packages for them like deep freezers, fridge etc,”she said.

School marks eight anniversary ALL is set for the eigth year anniversary of Havillah Private Schools prize giving day and end of the year party. It is billed to hold at The Next Car Wash, Arepo Ogun State on Friday, July 19, at 10am.

In a statement credited to the proprietress Mrs. Fakeyede Y.O. said this year’s celebration will be eventful.

Al-makura advises journalists

Katsina trains 4, 820 youths

youths from the state and its neighbours as well as the neighbouring Niger Republic.

Kuki said the state government had recently approved the construction of two additional skills training centres in Daura and Funtua following the successes recorded by the youth

crafts village.

“Many officials from other states have visited the crafts village to study the operations and facilities for its replication in their respective states,” he said.

UN centre graduates 282

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O fewer than 282 people have graduated from the United Nations Development Programme Vocational Skill Acquisition Centre at Oshodi, Lagos.

The centre, situated inside Oshodi/Isolo Local Government, is being maintained by the council.

Speaking during the 10th graduation ceremony, the council Chairman, Hon Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh emphasised the need to promote vocational training among Nigerian youths.

On the benefits of skill acquisition, MuseAriyoh said it will keep the youth away from the street.

“Our goal is to assist unemployed youths who are yet to gain admission into university with basic skills that are required in the economy, and most importantly instill in them the sense of creativity and self employment. It is also designed to stimulate selfreliance and improve leadership,” he said.

He said he has subsidised some courses to enable more youths access the training opportunity. “It is in the process of achieving this that our administration has decided to

By Rofiat Salami

subsidised the expected amount to be paid for some courses. We have also gone the extra mile by sponsoring some youths to acquire various skills at the centre instead of lying idle on the streets which of course we know the danger inherent in it,” he said.

The graduates were trained in various courses at the centre among which are, computer studies and engineering, catering and hotel management, hairdressing and cosmetology, fashion designing and training, bead and hat making, photo and cinematography, building technology and performing arts.

Muse-Ariyoh thanked the instructors for their efforts on the graduates He urged them to make good use of the skills they have acquired.

“Please use this privilege to eke out a living for yourself. All of us cannot be opportuned to secure white collar jobs. I will like to thank the instructors for their perseverance and endurance, it has been a job well done,” he said.

GOVERNOR Umaru Al-makura of Nasarawa State has advised journalists to be objective in their reportage.

The governor gave the advice in Lafia when the Management of Precious FM paid him a courtesy visit.

The governor described journalism as an old profession which mirrors the society, adding that the professionals played crucial role in national development.

He said the state government would give special attention to the welfare of journalists working in the state to be in a position to disseminate information effectively.

Fed Govt to build 550 housing units

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From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

HE Federal Government will build 550 housing units in the 22 states of the federation ravaged by flood in 2012, the Kwara state Chair, Committee on Flood, Relief and Rehabilitation, Alhaji Dabarako Mohammed has disclosed.

He added that each of the 22 states would enjoy 25 housing units from the Federal Government. Dabarako, who is the state head of service told reporters in Ilorin, the state capital, that the state had put measures in place to mitigate flooding in 2013. He listed some of the states that will benefit from the Federal Government housing project as Kwara Kogi, Delta, Bayelsa, Niger and other states where the impact of the 2012 flooding was devastating.

•From left: An inductee, Chief Badru Olaogun;Chairman,Board of Trustees, Professional Excellence Foundation of Nigeria; Chief Julius Adelusi-Adeluyi, and founder, Dr. Dipo Bailey during the maiden edition of the induction ceremony in Lagos.

•Chairman,Igando-Ikotun Local Council Development Area, Chief Abosede AdeshinaWillams, being assisted by Mrs Felicia Ayankola, representing HOD Education, during the de-worming exercise for public primary school pupils.

Honour for DESOPADEC commissioner, others

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HE Commissioner representing Ndokwa nation on the Board of Delta State Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC),Rev Chukudi Eke, has described Governor Uduaghan as the exemplary administrator he has been emulatingsince he assumed office.

Rev. Eke who was recently conferred with the prestigious Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Administration (FCIA), at the International Conference Centre Abuja, seized the opportunity of his induction to showcase the success of the 3-point agenda of the administration of Governor Uduaghan.

He noted that: “It’s only a visionary leader that can map out his action-plan and, thereafter, follow its implementation to the letter.”

Commissioner Eke applauded the innovation and doggedness of Governor Uduaghan in the pursuit of his visionary agenda of Delta Beyond oil Revenue,saying, “it takes only visionary administrators to create and maintain an economy that’s not totally dependent on oil revenue that we are almost certain may not last forever. In fact, the innovative administrative capability and sustainable skills of Governor Uduaghan have set him apart from his peers as a pacesetter and visionary leader.” He thanked the governor for recognising his talents and carrying along educated, experienced and talented Delta people in Diaspora in his administration.

Rev. Chukwudi Eke, a graduate of the prestigious Harvard University, Cambridge, USA was one of the trained administrators who earned the Fellowship of the Chartered

Institute of Administration.

Other notable Nigerians who received similar include: Dr. Emeka Anyaoku (former Secretary-General of the Commonwealth of Nations),Alhaji Bala BawaKa’oje (President of Association of Professional Bodies of Nigeria, former Member of the Federal House of Representatives and one time Minister of Sports and social Development), Hon. Ekpuk Silas Udom (a serving Commissioner in Akwa-Ibom State), and Hon. Gogo Levi Charles(Rivers State Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning) among others.

Speaking at the event, Chief Dr. Emeka Anyaoku remarked that unlike Rev. Eke and other professional administrators who studied and were assessed before bagging the award, he was profoundly thankful to be recognised as a seasoned administrator by the Chartered Institute of administration.

The President and Chairman of the Executive Council of the CIA, Adm. Dr. Goddy Ibidaminabo, remarked that CIA gave the Fellowship of the Chartered Institute of Administration (FCIA) to Dr. Anyaoku in recognition of his leadership qualities as well as one who served his people at both national and international capacities.

Over 2000 guests attended the event at the International Conference Centre, Abuja. His Royal Majesty, Obi Edward Akaeze II, the Obi of Ubulu-Uku congratulated Rev. Eke on the award and said that “with Rev. Eke’s education, experience, expertise and exposure in national and international administration standard and practice, he truly deserves such award.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Soldiers everywhere

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•Dasuki revelation of soldiers’ presence in 28 states shows the militarisation of our democracy

ATIONAL Security Adviser Mr. Mohammed Sambo Dasuki made a startling revelation when he said that soldiers’ presence is actively felt in 28 states of the federation. The deployment of troops is the government’s answer to the increasing security challenges posed by terrorists, armed robbers, kidnappers and other anti-social elements making life unbearable for law-abiding citizens. But is this the right solution to the problem?

We are afraid ‘no’. Yes, Nigerians know that soldiers are on the streets in many parts of the country, but not in their wildest imagination could they have thought the soldiers’ presence was anything near what Mr Dasuki revealed.

Speaking at a session on National CivilMilitary Dialogue in Ajuji Hotel, Abuja, the national security adviser noted that: “The past decade has witnessed multiple forms of unrest —from armed robbery,

‘What we are witnessing in the country, 14 years after our return to democratic rule, has been an increasing reliance on the military for internal security and to quell insurgencies in parts of the country. It is as if the government has passed a vote of no confidence on the Nigeria Police’

kidnapping, electoral, communal to ethno-religious violence …Currently, we are battling with insurgency and terrorism. This has raised the flag of security demands to levels higher than we have witnessed since the civil war. It has meant that the military are seeing more deployments in aid of civil authority than anticipated”.

No doubt soldiers can be called to assist civilian authority to check civil disobedience; that should be only when the police can no longer cope. In other words, they should be the last resort. But what we are witnessing in the country, 14 years after our return to democratic rule, has been an increasing reliance on the military for internal security and to quell insurgencies in parts of the country.

It is as if the government has passed a vote of no confidence on the Nigeria Police.

Mr. Dasuki captured the scenario concisely: “… Policing the domestic arena is not the duty of the military, whose training is directed against external enemies of the state. However, our recent history has seen the military in joint activities with other para-military outfits currently in about 28 states”. That military presence in a democratic setting should be a routine as it is in the country now is enough cause for concern. A situation where soldiers are visible on the streets in 28 of our 36 states is unacceptable.

We ought to have learnt our lessons from soldiers’ expeditions in Odi, Bayelsa State, Gbaramutu, also in the Niger Delta region, and other places where they left in their trail tales of tears

and sorrow. As a matter of fact, some of the country’s leaders in power at the various times when these atrocities were committed by soldiers in the process of quelling civil disobedience should be answering charges at the International Court of Justice if what happened had taken place in some other climes. But soldiers cannot be blamed entirely for the actions because they are not trained to handle such crises.

Aside the huge price we have had to pay during such expeditions, the fact is that, as the national security adviser said at the occasion, deployment of troops for such internal crises has robbed the military of its professionalism and has led to avoidable frictions between the soldiers and the civilian populace. How, for instance, is professionalism enhanced if soldiers are sent to ensure free and fair elections? Chances are such assignments will put them in direct contact with people with all kinds of intentions; thus, they (soldiers) could easily be compromised in the process.

What we are saying in essence is that the government must face the reality by giving the police the desired attention.

Whatever gains we think we are making by using soldiers for duties they are not trained to handle will pale into insignificance if only we are able to quantify in monetary terms what we are losing to their involvement in civil duties. We reject Dasuki’s plea that Nigerians should accept the military presence as a necessity. On the contrary, it is the government that should do what is required to make the police force more efficient.

Nigerian Army at 150

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•Professionalism remains a major challenge

T one hundred and fifty years, the Nigerian Army is expected to have come of age. Backed by a large population of about 160 million people and an economy fuelled largely by petro-dollars, it is expected that Nigeria, a country that loves and covets the appellation, ‘Giant of Africa’, would have become the super power of the African continent. But, this is hardly so with the strong showing of South Africa and Egypt.

In its 150 years of existence, the Nigerian Army that started as the Royal West African Frontier Force (RWAFF), a colonial military formation, has failed to rise to expectations following Nigeria’s attainment of independent country status in 1960. It has failed to really blend with the people and be seen as a force established and funded for the patriotic duty of warding off external aggression and occasionally brought in to quell internal insurrection.

It demonstrates the disconnect in government-people relations as, on many occasions, the military, with the Army as the main component, has been drawn into extra-constitutional role of preserving unpopular governments. During elections, the Army is drawn into ostensibly keeping the peace, but, in reality, like the Colonial Army, it is seen as coming in on the side of the ruling political party. This is an issue to consider at this point.

In celebrating this year’s Army Week, the organisers chose the theme, ‘Enhancing the Nigerian Army Capacity-Building Efforts Towards Improved National Security’. The discussion was apt at a time that the country is confronted with a myriad challenges and the Army is a major participant. It is involved in action in

combating terrorism in areas of the North where insurgents have made life very unsafe and is deployed in 28 of the 36 states of the country in containing activities of criminals.

In the process, the weaknesses of the Army have been well advertised and its capacity undermined.

The years of military rule exposed the Army to corrupt influences. Rather than such rule strengthening the Army, it suffered from the attendant distractions.

Military rule led to subversion of the rule, principles and standard practices. During the period too, the Army remained poorly equipped and divisions were starved of equipment that could have made the Army fully prepared to play its constitutionally-assigned duties and responsibilities.

Inadequate funding, political influence on postings, deployments, disengagements and promotions have been major limiting factors. The famous statement by a former Chief of Army Staff, General Salisu Ibrahim, that he was handing over to his successor an Army of ‘anything goes’ is quite instructive.

There is no evidence that much has changed in this. Even when personnel have been deployed to conflict areas, their conducts have largely fallen short of established rules of engagement. This led to an outcry after the Baga conflict that claimed the lives of many civilians in an operation that some local and international news channels as well as the National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) dubbed a massacre.

The way forward is for the Army to step up efforts at professional training and reorientation. One hundred and fifty

years is a long enough time to shed the colonial toga and have a real Peoples Army- one that the people believe in and will willingly share intelligence with, an Army that would no longer be available for the government of the day to engage in dirty, partisan roles.

If Nigeria is to be a true ‘Giant of Africa’, it must step up the quality of its military, especially the Army. In peace time, as is the case in Egypt, it would help to cement the bond between it and the people, if Army personnel could be involved in development activities.

Above all, in the years ahead, the message of military subordination to civil authorities should be emphasised. It is no longer fashionable that the military would disobey, disregard or overthrow civil authorities. This is the way forward and it is in the interest of the Army and other military bodies, as well as the country at large.

‘If Nigeria is to be a true ‘Giant of Africa’, it must step up the quality of its military, especially the Army. In peace time, as is the case in Egypt, it would help to cement the bond between it and the people, if Army personnel could be involved in development activities’

Mr. Zimmerman goes free, but tragedy remains

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HE VERDICT by a Florida jury that George Zimmerman is not guilty of murder or manslaughter in the death of Trayvon Martin settles — pending review by the U.S. Justice Department — the legal question of his criminal culpability. Jurors listened attentively and deliberated carefully, and the rule of law must be respected. But the central tragedy of this case — the death of a 17-year-old boy who had been on a simple errand to get snacks — remains.

“You have no further business with the court,” the Seminole County judge told Mr. Zimmerman moments after the jury of six women at 9:47 p.m. Saturday delivered the twin verdicts of not guilty to the tense courtroom — and to a national audience attracted by the cable television coverage. Mr. Zimmerman, a neighborhood watch volunteer, shot Mr. Martin on Feb. 26, 2012, claiming self-defense after he said the teenager knocked him to the ground and hit his head against the sidewalk.

Prosecutors had argued that Mr. Zimmerman instigated the confrontation by assuming the youth had no place in the gated Sanford community and was up to no good and then following him against the express advice of police.

Mr. Martin, who was unarmed, was walking back to his father’s home after going to a store for candy and a soft drink.

Never a simple homicide, Mr. Martin’s death became the subject of a charged debate about race, criminal profiling and Florida’s permissive “stand your ground” gun law. Despite the jury’s verdict, those issues are not likely to go away. One reason the death of this boy in a gray hooded sweatshirt so resonated that even the president of the United States felt compelled to comment was that it brought to the surface historic concerns of minority parents about the vulnerability of their sons. The ineptness of Florida authorities in the initial investigation of this death validated that worry and deepened the distrust.

Unfortunately, though, much of the public debate has done grievous disservice to the legitimacy of these issues. Hucksters and political demagogues exploited tragedy — a boy’s death, a family’s grief, a man’s freedom — and created what has become the now all-too-familiar media circus of oversaturation and rush to judgment.

Mr. Zimmerman’s attorney called the prosecution “disgraceful.” But we think it was valuable that the case was aired in an open court before a fair-minded judge and decided by a jury that appeared to be careful and take its time. Guilt was not proved beyond a reasonable doubt, and Mr. Zimmerman is free to resume his life even as his attorney lamented that it “will never be the same.”

That also is as it should be. Mr. Zimmerman could have done what police told him to do and stayed in his vehicle. No one would have heard about him — and Trayvon Martin could have been able to get home on that rainy Sunday evening.

– Washington Post

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh • Editor Gbenga Omotoso •Chairman, Editorial Board Sam Omatseye •General Editor Kunle Fagbemi •Editor, Online Lekan Otufodunrin •Managing Editor Northern Operation Yusuf Alli •Managing Editor Waheed Odusile •Deputy Editor Lawal Ogienagbon •Deputy Editor (News) Adeniyi Adesina •Deputy Editor (Nation’s Capital) Yomi Odunuga •Group Political Editor Emmanuel Oladesu •Group Business Editor Ayodele Aminu •Sport Editor Ade Ojeikere •Editorial Page Editor Sanya Oni

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The political atmosphere in Nigeria has always been dramatic and full of intrigues.

It beats one’s imagination that a blessed nation like Nigeria can throw up some clowns who call themselves legislators and whose behaviour only but bring untold embarrassment to the image of Nigeria.

The nation and the world got a rude shocker on Tuesday July 9, when the crisis in the Rivers State’s People’s Democratic Party (PDP) precipitated a commotion at the House of Assembly chambers. The video clips of the fracas which we saw on TV and online were not only disturbing to an average mind, but showed how desperate some people could go in order to vent their anger. Members of the state House of were seen openly attacking each other with dangerous objects which left some of them injured in the process and later hospitalised.

Five legislators opposed to Rivers Governor Rotimi Amaechi had purportedly impeached the Speaker Hon Otelemabala Amachree and therefore presented Hon Evans Bipi as new Speaker. For the impeachment of any elected official to be constitutional and valid, there must be a two-thirds majority vote of the members of such House. Specifically, by virtue of Section 92 Subsection (2)(c) of the 1999 Constitution, a Speaker of a state House of Assembly can only be removed from office by a resolution of not less than two-third majority of the members of the House. In the case of the Rivers House, this mandatory constitutional provision was breached and therefore a valid impeachment cannot be said to have taken place.

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IR: Nigeria would be better if the leaders and the led change their attitudes, love one another, and turn to God for Him to heal our land. We all need to turn around and sow in righteousness, so that Nigeria would see better days.

We should not lose hope in the country, despite the socio-political and economic challenges, but should always be in fervent prayers, repentance of sins, look unto God,

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Rivers crisis and political expediency from office for such national embarrassment. Are there not better ways to resolve whatever impasse there are or grudges they have against each other?

The role played by the police is not clear since despite their presence, the crisis persisted and it is uncertain if they came to douse the crisis or to add to an already aggravated situation. We are all aware of the political issues in Rivers state

for some time now and even the Governor himself had raised an alarm on security issues and safety but what have the security agencies done to forestall any breakdown of law and order? The role played by the police on that day is not only questionable but leaves much to be desired and this should be investigated by the Senate and any police officer found culpable should be made to face the law. The

IR: All over the world, it is the responsibility of a government to protect and care for the needs of her citizens. If the people get to see that they are priority in government’s agenda, payment of taxes and other levies becomes something that is done willingly and deliberately. It becomes habitual for the people to support the government in any way possible. They will not go on strike or go on demonstration if the pump price of petrol is increased.

Unfortunately, Nigeria is a country where the welfare of her citizens has become dormant, sacrificed on the altar of greed and wickedness. Over the years, government’s actions or the lack of it has led to the shutting down of many

firms and industries. The result is a steady increase in the rate of unemployment. The collective wealth of the country is continually channelled into personal pockets by successive rulers. As if to add salt to injury, the government has now devised a means of duping the citizens especially the unemployed.

Few years ago, the government of Ikedi Ohakim extorted about two thousand naira (N 2,000) from unemployed indigenes of Imo State on the pretext of giving them jobs in the state civil service. These unemployed persons were shamelessly “419nied” by the very government that swore an oath to protect their interests. What happened to the promised jobs and the money collected is, as they say, history.

Sadly, the scenario is playing out again today in Cross River State.

The government has come up with a phantom desire to employ teachers into the state secondary schools to teach science subjects. Of a truth, there is a dearth of science teachers in most secondary schools in the state. The government has decided to cash-in on this and has asked interested applicants to pay a non-refundable fee of two thousand naira (N2, 000) into UBA account number 1000989395 with Secondary Education Board as account name. This is not the first time that the government is duping the unemployed in the state.

Few months ago, some persons who were employed under the UBE scheme and sacked after work-

have faith in God, for God will shower His blessings and favour on the faithful-believers.

Also, our economic management team, should adopt policies that have human face and the effective utilization of the nation’s resources for the development of the country.

The leaders and the led should shun selfish interests, as capitalism is returning Nigeria to the era of slavery and the solution is the abolition of greed and antagonistic

competition in our economic system.

The federal government should tackle the seeming insurmountable power problems in the country to fast-track socio-economic and infrastructural development. The continued unity of Nigeria is in our hands. Nigeria will be great if we do the right things.

I want to plead that all of us should work seriously to ensure that Nigeria remains one united nation. By 2014

Nigeria will be 100 years and we just have to make it work, as there is power in number as in China, India, USA and Indonesia. We cannot fold our hands and see our unity shattered. Let us all join hands to see Nigeria work. Also, we must all be concerned about the security of our nation that is being threatened.

It is worrisome that many politicians in Nigeria still believe in and practise the culture of impunity.

Why would a legislator who is supposed to be a shining example to the upcoming generation of youths be seen on national television exchanging blows with a fellow lawmaker? Are these people really law makers or law breakers? In saner climes, these clowns should have been put behind bars or recalled

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members of the House who took part in such show of shame by assaulting their colleagues should likewise be investigated and properly sanctioned.

The culture of impunity must stop in Nigeria and people who break the law must be made to face the law and be punished for their offences if found culpable. This is very vital if Nigeria must move forward. We cannot continue dancing round the same circle all the time without learning from our history. The only way to stop impunity is to punish offenders without minding whose ox is gored and it will be impossible to do this without the cooperation of everyone concerned.

• Tayo Demola Lagos

Jobs for sale in Cross River

The change Nigeria needs

•Prophet Oladipupo FunmiladeJoel (Baba Sekunderin) Lagos

ing for two years, were made to pay one thousand naira each to have them re-instated. Nobody has heard anything from Sylvia Atsu, the chairperson of the Post Primary Education Board, since then.

Even those that were recently offered “permanent appointment” after working for about six years as volunteer teachers were made to pay one thousand naira each (N1, 000) before the appointment. The “beneficiaries” have not been paid any salary since December, 2012 when they collected their letter.

It is bad enough for a graduate to roam the streets in search of jobs after many years of graduation. For the government to use them as a channel to make wealth is a crime against morality, humanity and even divinity. If the government is sincere about giving jobs to the unemployed, why not employ them and deduct the money from their salary? Why should somebody who has no job be made to part with a sum of money before being employed? In any case, why should a form consisting of about three pages cost as much as two thousand naira (N2, 000)? What is the guarantee that politicians will not buy-out the entire positions for their cronies?

• Undiandeye Jerome Anguel Bedia Village, Obudu, Cross River State.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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COMMENTS

CBN and medical tourism; Kudirat Abiola and Rewane murders: Al Mustapha free?

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PPARENTLY NHIS is recruiting Accenture to assist it in‘restrategising’. NHIS should note that Accenture will be paid Tony up-front and well, Marinho something the NHIS does not do with its partners. Accenture should ask why NHIS delays payment of bills from doctors by up to six months with the attendant opportunities for ‘I-beg-payme-now’ chop-chop corruption. Accenture should recommend that NHIS pays within one month of bill receipt.

Accenture should recommend that even if there is a dispute on the bills of one or two patients then the rest of the bill should be paid immediately while the disputed bills are being sorted. Doctors, clinics and hospitals cannot survive if their money is ‘NHIS Withheld’ and getting finder’s fee bank interest for someone. Accenture should investigate the approved poor fees chargeable by the medical teams for services rendered. Good services cost good money. That is why NHIS has recruited Accenture.

Accenture should recommend that NHIS extends the act and pays its medical [practitioners better.

Back to the issue of medical tourism. To pay for a N4.8m medical machine we must divide by N1,500/patient = 3,200 patients, a few years work, at a scan charge of N1,500/patient without adding salaries, rent, generator, taxes or Nigeria’s ‘Anti-inflation’ interest rates of 21-25% per annum. The cost of a similar scan per patient in USA is $200 or N30,000 ie. 160 patients would cover the machine cost - a few weeks work. As 7Up says, ‘the difference is clear’-ly against us –Nigerian doctors and professionals. Not every doctor practices in Abuja, or Ikoyi/VI. How many times have soldiers used ‘hospitals are mere consulting clinics’ as an excuse for coup plots? Do you know what the sign ‘O/S’? It means ‘out of stock’ and it could mean suffering and death for the patient. How can a hospital not have oxygen at midnight when your child is gasping? The ‘happiest people’ in the world are also

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FEW weeks ago, the issue of arming the vigilante group in Zamfara State became a subject of high-wired politics at the hollow chambers of the National Assembly. It almost deteriorated into fisticuffs when two senators engaged each other over the debate.

Since then, the issue has become a subject of intense debates all over the country, more especially in security parlance.

Now the arms have arrived in the country. This has opened a new page in the roiling controversy. Pronto: the federal government has seized a total number of 1,500 double-barrelled guns imported by the Zamfara State government for distribution to its vigilance group. Reports say Muhammed Dahiru Abubakar, the Inspector-General of Police, personally ordered the seizure of the arms said to have been imported from Ukraine based on the alleged contravention of firearms laws of the land.

This is certainly not a good time for Abdulaziz Yari, the Zamfara State governor. Yari is claiming that the state needs the lethal weapon so badly in order to curb the incessant armed robbery attacks in the state.

The attack, he claims, has become too worrisome due to the terror, pains and death which the men of the underworld usually unleash on innocent citizens of the state whenever they struck. The governor was said to have felt betrayed by the police hierarchy, which was said to have earlier granted a silent ap-

‘I believe that once we find solution to poverty and hunger in the society, the likes of Yari will not need to import large quantity of arms and ammunition to protect the citizens’

the ‘most foolish’- swallowing suffering so easily! Doctors did not create the scenario of medical tourism and doctors cannot solve it. They suffer mentally and are as much victims as the citizen who cannot afford to travel abroad for treatment and has inferior treatment from outofstockitis of the good quality drugs and equipment.

Do you know the doctor’s pain of knowing what to do and knowing how to do it but being prevented from doing it by a lack of equipment? Even worse is to be told to ‘manage’ with obsolete facilities - a waste of skill. Doctors did not cause medical tourism but they know who did cause it and doctors can diagnose the problem and offer simple treatment. Listen to the professionals’ needs.

Those who did cause medical tourism are the self-serving civil servants and politicians who cut and cancel medical budgets for Nigerian citizens and are themselves on frequent medical tourism trips abroad sometimes disguised as official government trips –someone has to pay!

Those who cause medical tourism in Nigeria are sitting in CBN making base interbank interest rates –MPR- 12% and approving 21-25% interest rates for commercial banks. Doctors and other medical professionals are often trying their best and failing. Bankers ‘make it’ in Nigeria even as they refuse medical loans. Doctors need tools as the new 21st Century medicine is high-tech and machines are upgraded or changed every few years -except in Nigeria where second hand equipment is mostly our lot.

Nigeria usually gets the leftovers, as usual! We do not even fund or carry out adequate research into malariaour major killer.

If only Sanusi had announced a new CBN ‘Anti-Medical Tourism Plan’ with special entrepreneurship ‘selfdevelopment/self-recognition’ loans and even medical practice development long term 4-5 year 2-5% interest loans to professionals across capital-intensive disciplines professions including Medicine. This would allow doctors in and out of government hospitals and other medical professionals to acquire the life-changing cutting-edge equipment needed to deliver high quality services. Only then will we face the medical and other tourism threats on equal footing– with quality equipment and services at

home.

Remember, every patient would travel if the opportunity arose. This confirms a lack of faith in the system- a systemic failure, not a doctor failure! The Nigerian professional is at an all-round disadvantage –financially, access to new equipment and even professionally as it takes money to travel abroad to train on new equipment – money that is not easily recovered from an NHIS which wants to pay minimally for services rendered and does not countenance or take full cognisance of the changing and rising cost involved in providing those medical services in the field. Add the necessary acquisition of second hand, often rubbish, equipment because medical establishments often cannot afford the newest and the best.

This is the long established tokunbo-isation of medical equipment and medicine.

So Al Mustapha is acquitted, free and riding high in Kano. Will Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane and other Abacha-era victims also be freed and resurrect from their graves so their loved ones can also welcome them with parades, parties and prayers. Will they be reinstated in their own ‘armies? Will the Abacha-era death games begin again? Will the bloodshed during the Abacha regime ever be explained, avenged or apologised for? So who killed them or did they kill themselves? Those who think political murder is an acceptable ‘joke’ or legitimate game plan will pay some way, no matter how many millions have been secreted away.

‘So Al Mustapha is acquitted, free and riding high in Kano. Will Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane and other Abacha-era victims also be freed and resurrect from their graves so their loved ones can also welcome them with parades, parties and prayers’

Zamfara as scapegoat proval to the state to import the arms.

The issue of arms importation came about when the state was facing serious challenge of armed robbery in 2012. Yari was said to have reached an agreement with the state police commissioner on the need to set up a vigilance group.

The meeting agreed that the vigilance group should be armed. The governor then decided to import double-barrelled guns which he hoped would be licenced by the police through a dealer in Kano.

It was learnt that the importation tactically bypassed the Presidency because of the belief that individuals could buy double-barrelled guns and apply for licence thereafter.

The state government must also have thought that the Inspector-General of Police would give approval for the arms because he is an indigene of the state and he is also aware of the security challenges facing the state.

Sha’aba Lafiagi, a senator and vice-chairman of the Senate Committee on National Security and Intelligence, had, on the floor of the Senate, alleged that the Zamfara State governor had purchased guns and ammunition to arm vigilance groups in his state. Lafiagi alleged that the governor had approached the IG for a permit after he bought the guns.

When the news broke out, the Nigeria Police Force denied issuing gun permit to the Zamfara State government to be used by vigilance group in the state. In a statement, the police had insisted that it was an offence for a person to have in his possession or under his control any prohibited firearms without a licence granted by the President of the country or the IG. “While vigilance groups and other sincere community efforts towards safety and security are encouraged to work in

partnership with local police authorities, the conduct and practice of such groups must be in total conformity with the law of the land.”

Making justification for the purchase of the arms, Ibrahim Birnin Magaji, Zamfara State Information Commissioner who spoke on the issue in a recent interview aired on the Hausa Service of BBC, said the number of policemen in the state were not enough to protect the lives and property of the citizens. The arms, according to him, would be distributed to members of the vigilante group living in the areas and who know every nook and cranny of the state. The idea, he said, “is to enhance the security in the state and help the security personnel in carrying out their duties by taking them round the state.”

Just as Zamfara arms were being confiscated, Peter Obi, the governor of Anambra State was distributing about 300 fully fitted security vehicles to 177 communities in the state.

He also handed over N230.1 million to the communities to be shared among them at the rate of N1.3 million per community. This money is for the payment of salary of 10 members of each community’s vigilante group. Before this latest gesture, the state had, sometimes ago, put together a form of vigilante outfit which was then known as Bakassi boys, to bring sanity to the appalling security situation in the state.

Now, Zamfara is being made a scapegoat for deciding to take the bull by its horns, as far as security is concerned in the state. That sounds unfair. Perhaps, Yari, the governor of the troubled state needs to talk to his brother governors in the Niger Delta to find out the means by which they have been fighting oil pipeline vandals and other miscreants without raising eyebrows from any quarters. Any of the militant leaders can also give him a pep talk on

how to import firearms without really stepping on toes.

Whichever way this issue is viewed, I personally think that Yari is just unlucky as many states have established and are still establishing vigilante groups to fight off hoodlums from their states. If we take the issue of the entire North, it may be apt to believe that the insurgency in the North-east, which necessitated the emergency rule slammed on Adamawa, Yobe and Borno states, may have a spiral or collateral effect on a contiguous state as Zamfara. Those who are terrorizing the indigenes of Zamfara could as well be some remnants or renegades of Boko Haram who are out to fill their pockets and stomachs. And we all know that this new generation of crooks have always beaten our lethargic security system to the game.

As for the Police and other security agencies operating in the state, it is true that they may lack enough manpower or even firepower to withstand the volcanic onslaught of the bandits. But adequate operational strategy could be employed to beat the hoodlums to their games. In the past, a number of security agents have been found either wanting or of complicity with criminals, the very criminals they are employed to track down. This, they do, for pecuniary gains in a rateat-rat society such as ours.

Recently, the military claimed that they were part of internal security arrangements in 28 out of the 36 states of the country, including the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

This is alarming. What this means is that we have almost lost the whole country to hoodlums who have overrun everywhere. Had it not been for the presence of the military in strategic locations in some volatile areas of the country, probably the story could have been different by now.

But beyond throwing tight secu-

Dele Agekameh rity cordons everywhere, we must urgently find a way to put able-bodied men and women back to work as well as put food on people’s tables. This way, I believe that once we find solution to poverty and hunger in the society, the likes of Yari will not need to import large quantity of arms and ammunition to protect the citizens. On the other hand, the security agencies, especially the Police, should rise up to the occasion in view of the tonguelashing they get every day on the sickening security situation in the country. They need to demonstrate that they are equal to the task.

Security is one of the most important statutory requirements that a governor needs to accomplish in order to be able to govern the people. Be this as it may, one can clearly understand the predicament of the Zamfara governor at the moment.

That is why we should not condemn Yari for the importation of the lethal weapons. Rather, we should blame a system that is not working, a system that has pauperized everybody, a system that cannot provide jobs for school leavers and food for the teeming hungry mouths all over the place. It is a pity. A great pity indeed!

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22

COMMENTS ‘It is like you have stolen my thougts and feelings by what you wrote about Rivers “Where are the elders?” All you wrote is 100% true. Nigeria is in real trouble. An Igbo proverb states that a thief sent by his father, operates without fear. Nigeria is now a community where thieves are guarded by the head of the vigilante while operating. Where can we run to? Like Okonkwo, the father is killing the son instead of protecting him.

Things are fast falling apart. From Sunday Ossai, Ketu Lagos’

•Amaechi

For Dare Olatunji I believe our society is governed by laws as guaranteed by our constitution and one of such laws prescribes capital punishment for such offence, which you disagree with. That this aspect of law is no longer obtainable in some countries is no reason why it should be jettisoned. You seemed to suggest offences, including capital, should not be investigated or subjected to due process of extant law. I can only imagine and shudder at what becomes of our society when we get to the situation you canvass. We can ill afford this. Take Boko Haram for example, the government has been accused of not doing enough to stop it, yet no one has made any suggestion to bring about any solution to the menace. Please, capital punishment should be. To govern a country like Nigeria with propensity for crimes, sans capital punihment is an invitation to anarchy.

From Ikem We humans cannot be as wise as God. When someone kills a fellow human being and investigation proves it, the killer has to be killed too. Anonymous If you allow a killer to go scot-free with impunity, any other person may be his next target. Anonymous When the law prescribes a punitive measure against a certain offence in the society, any lawful authority that uses that law lawfully against the offender must not be reprimanded.

Such an authority has done nothing wrong other than obeying the law. From Ewang I totally disagree with your opinion on the back page of The Nation Newspaper of July 9, on capital punishment. It was full of sentiments not in tandem with our culture and tradition. No amount of advocacy can destroy a solid fact no matter how wealthy it might be. The Bible says, those who kill by the sword shall die by the sword. I am wondering what other governors are waiting for to sign the execution of other convicts. I believe you read Justice Mary Odili’s observations in affirming the conviction of a soldier who strangulated his 12-year-old wife for ritual purposes. Your paper on Saturday July 6, reported it. Should such convict be allowed to go or stay and eat in the prison hoping for parole? I disagree with you. From Iroh Cosmas, Enugu There is a mystic bond between wrong and punishment. The wrong is the negation of the right and punishment is the negation of that negation. It is of essence that punishment should be directly proportional to the wrong.

From Lucas Nwaoboshi With an Adams on the throne, those executed would have thought that death had bypassed them. bBut till their last breadth, they could not understand what went wrong.

Who is to blame? The government that did not care for its citizens, or its poor citizens who took to crime to survive? Things have really fallen apart for the dead and the centre can never hold again. Anonymous The unruly servant makes a wild master.

First, stop Boko Haram before eliminating capital punishment in Nigeria. We are not yet ripe for that. Talk about Black Apartheid in Nigeria between the self-styled Majority and the rest of us. Regards. From AEO, Uyo Is there no Black Apartheid in Nigeria?

Please, say why my language is not listed in the 1999 Constitution and even in my handset?

Thanks! From Augustine, Uyo It seems we are running a country of dishonest men and women.True or false?

Then, let us move away by launching my book entitled: The Twelve Main Tribes of Nigeria and Struggles to build a United Country. I will send

you a copy if you agree to serialise it in the spirit of patroitism. From AEO, Uyo I quite agree with you that capital punishment is not a deterrent, albeit life imprisonment without option of parole could be an alternative. But the bottom line is that convicts on death row should be properly tried before THE final execution. This will forestall erroneous execution and miscarriage of justice. From Ojo A. Ayodele, Emure Ekiti Capital punishment if removed from our constitution will increase the rate of killing which has assumed a frightening dimension.

Nigeria is not ripe for the abolition of capital punishment. From Idris Sule, Abuja.

For Segun Gbadegesin It was a shameful act, thanks for being the mouth piece of the commoners... The man said he never had a shoe to go to school; now that he has got more than one, he does not want us to rest. Anonymous Powerful, punchy and absolutely revealing.

You have said the truth. Please, note: paragraph 5, line 4; the word is ‘forbidden’.

From Ade, Nasarawa We all know that the truth is bitter but I strongly believe in the rule of law if Nigeria is operating a democratic system of government. I am strongly with the Rivers State governor and the 27 House members because I know the end shall justify the means.

But, before that, we need to stand for the rights of our people. From Cassy President Jonathan is not capable of any serious thought that can engineer the kind of transformation envisaged in Segun Gbadegesin’s piece.

The only transformational thought our President is capable of is the kind that will transform a shoeless school boy to a stupendously wealthy politician whose wealth can not be reasonably justified outside of graft. From M. A. Tsuwa, No.1 Club Road, Bauchi How I wish that that man called Jonathan will read and take a clue from your colomn, because he is heading towards doom day by day. What a piece, “Transformational Leadership Revisited”! Anonymous It is painful to see things degenerating to this level in Rivers State. A president who went to school without shoes is now denying others from wearing shoes. Surely, the Commissioner of Police in the state has the backing of the president. It is very clear that Goodluck Jonathan is behind the troubles in Rivers State. Anonymous In this Rivers State crisis, Mr. President is not helping matters. We should all be concerned as it has actually affected the country’s image in the comity of nations.

Anonymous Re: “Transformational leadership revisited.” Personally, Mr President needs to transform some of his advisers in order to get it right, that is: Leadership of transformational development. To some extent, Mr President transformed the rule of law. However, the bully-culture of recent times should be retreated from so that all the three regions or the six geo-political zones will not begin to use the life-jackets with the bad expectation of a sinking boat! From Lanre Oseni

For Gbenga Omotoso Thanks for this incisive treatise on a cancerous issue. When a mother goat chews, its kids watch its jaws. The youths are watching. Trust me, they will surpass their present ‘teachers’ in law-bending and lawbreaking...time shall tell! Anonymous There are elders in Rivers State, but elders are different from elders. The love of money has beclouded their sense of reasoning. The elders who should have been the pillar of truth in Rivers have become tools the president is using against the governor. The elders in Rivers should remember that their children are watching, that no matter how the president claims to love them, it is not genuine, but for his own political interest.

enga Omotoso he intention of the Legislature to either make or amend law is not to cure any

From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos Sir, you left no stone unturned in your analysis of the happening in Rivers State. I thought it to be a political interest as it happened to Dariye, Fayose, and others but this one is going brutal. I smell a state of emergency. From Godwin C. C. Mba (Esq) The desparation of President Goodluck Jonathan for 20I5 is the root cause of this legislative rascality by these five hypocrites who call themselves lawmakers. These are mere thugs who are not educated about democratic norms. President Jonathan should not challenge God Who has been so merciful to him. It is a terrible thing to fall in the hand of the Lord for God is a consuming fire.

Anonymous Ordinarily, one would be tempted to admire Governor Rotimi Amaechi as a principled and performing governor. His problem lies in his lack of tact and diplomacy. However, he would overcome. From Barr. Moronkeji The elders have compromised. Jonathan should not criticise the coup in Egypt again, he is laying a solid foundation for another one in Nigeria. From Okunlola Kayode Ada, Osun State Keep your investigative journalism practice objective. Write-up very good. No negative comment from me than to praise your courage and patriotism. From E. O. Daramola Societies most certainly can only beget their kinds. A society full of rascals and thugs can only have elderly rascals and thugs. The situation in Rivers State is a typical example of a society in complete decay. From M. A. Tsuwa. No. 1 Club Road, Bauchi Where are the elders? Not once has Governor Amaechi listened to them. Not then; not now. Also, bear in mind that in Rivers State, the governor and the state’s ministerial nominees are never from the same ethnic group. A foolish way to strengthen his nemesis you will say. The man got to Abuja and grabbed extensive powers. Now, the fight to finish is on. Anonymous It is like you have stolen my thougts and feelings by what you wrote about Rivers “Where are the elders?” All you wrote is 100% true. Nigeria is in real trouble. An Igbo proverb states that a thief sent by his father, operates without fear. Nigeria is now a community where thieves are guarded by the head of the vigilante while operating. Where can we run to? Like Okonkwo, the father is killing the son instead of protecting him.

Things are fast falling apart. From Sunday Ossai, Ketu Lagos What is happening in Rivers State is nothing else than the dividend of a stolen mandate.

Until we stop one-party system, we would continue to reap this type of dividend. In other words, the Rivers people should note that if we do not stop people who steal our mandates and impose themselves on us, then we will see more doom from them which even the elders cannot stop. As for these acts and actions, only time will tell. From Sunny Igiri, Port Harcourt

For Tunji Adegboyega

On ‘Rivers lawless Five’ (your column of July 14) it seems things are getting out of hands in the state. Gov Amaechi should watch his back. Our elders, former presidents, religious leaders, etc. should please intervene to save our hard won democracy. Enough is enough. From Barrister Moronkeji.

I am a regular reader of The Nation Newspaper. I reside in Port Harcourt, the capital of Rivers State. I have just read your piece in the edition of July 14. I wish sincerely to appreciate, encourage and pray for you and others who are doing what you are doing.

The Presidency and its cohorts should know by now that they cannot push the Rivers State governor and Chairman of the Nigeria Governors Forum (NGF), out of office through any unconstitutional means. As for the 2015 election, President Jonathan should forget it. We will continue to pray fervently for you all for standing by the truth. Remain blessed. Anonymous.

•Jonathan Even if the Presidency is claiming ignorance of all that is happening in that state, isn’t it legally and duty bound to stop the madness? With the open activities of the minister of state for education who has abandoned his duty post at this critical period in the education sector, coupled with the public utterances of the First Lady, Nigeria we hail thee! From Agbaakin Akinwale, Ado-Ekiti.

You Yoruba and your brand of opposition politics! Apart from bad-mouthing the president, you will be deluding yourselves if you think your efforts on Amaechi can yield you any political space in Rivers State. Your fabrications and propaganda are nauseating to decent Rivers people who know Amaechi so well. All the political investments on Amaechi will come to naught, come 2015. From Amadi, Port Harcourt.

Oga, must all your (The Nation) staff be biased about the presidency and PDP for you to retain your jobs? All the ACN people are perfect in your views! From Ejike.

Why did Amaechi move to the assembly chambers with his thugs to partake in the fracas? Is he a member of the legislative arm of government? No writer in The Nation is denouncing this invasion? From Okey, Calabar.

The origin of the /Rivers crisis is threepronged: quarrel on oil boundary between Rivers and Bayelsa, sharp face between Patience Jonathan, Okrika and Amaechi and Amaechi’s failure or refusal to support Jonathan’s second term! The carrier is not the thief technically, the recipient is the thief!

Remove the blame from the President; lay it on Cry-helpers in Wike and the five lawmakers. As it is, in the interest of Nigeria’s survival, just as Nigerians massively attacked Boko Haramism, let good Nigerian elders from the six geo-political regions come together to settle the Rivers crisis. From Lanre Oseni.

Tunji, you and your ACN masters are also in the Solomon’s court. After luring the young and misguided Amaechi to overreach himself and he is about to get the reward of a very unwise political investment, you are now insinuating and wishing a forceful regime change, just as the UPN and the Western press did in 1983. God forbid; Nigeria is stable and President Jonathan is in charge. You people should stop misleading the people. Let the voters decide. Clearly, they can see through your mediocre write-ups. Anonymous.

How can five lawmakers claim that they had impeached the speaker who has 26 members behind him? It sounds funny. The crisis rocking Rivers State House of Assembly is an embarrassment and a slap in the face of the so-called honourable members. Those behind the crisis should sheathe their swords for peace to reign in the state because it is always difficult to build in times of crisis.

What happened in the assembly complex is not good for democracy. I believe the world is watching the characters in leadership positions. I am sad about the role of our security agencies in the crisis; rather than finding a solution, they were watching the show of shame. The IGP should redeploy the commissioner of police in the state and other principal officers for taking sides. Nigerians should rise up and say enough is enough. From Gordon Chika Nnorom, Umukabia, Abia State.

Your article published in The Nation on the lawless five legislators in Rivers State is very inspiring. Don’t be tired; keep on telling the powers-that-be the truth. Thanks. From Ismaila, Kano.

July

Life

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Text only: 08023058761

•Favour and Faithful

Nigeria’s Siamese twins turn 10 •Enjoy separate lives

– SEE STORY ON PAGE 26

A global garden for Mandela

A folk theologian

– Page 28

– Page 39

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Nigeria’s Siamese twins turn 10 Faithful and Favour SobowaleDavies, Nigeria’s celebrated Siamese twins who were surgically separated in the US, are10. FEMI MACAULAY captures their captivating story.

F

AITHFUL and Favour, remember them? They are the celebrated Siamese twins who were separated in the United States (US). They are now 10 and they are enjoying their separate lives. Today’s reality was rather dim at the time of their birth on July 16, 2003, having arrived conjoined. The Sobowale- Davies twins had been joined at the abdomen and sternum (chest), and their livers had been fused. However, that bodily fusion is now history. Lively and full of dreams, the girls are in the same class in school, Primary Five (Basic Six), and their favourite subject is Mathematics. Do they sit together? “No, we sit separately,” Favour answered, underlining the fact that they have become distinct individuals.

Interestingly, she also bears the Yoruba name, Kehinde, usually given to the latter of a pair of twins. Faithful is Taiwo, the twin that came before the other. But in their case, the names defy the logic of precedence because they were glued together and arrived at once.

Both love to sing and, they said, their individual voices find expression in church.

The girls’ entrance caused quite a stir not only in Lagos where they were born, but also across the country and well beyond it. Their journey to the world had elements of high suspense and the providential. Several scans by their mother, Mrs Kikelomo Sobowale – Davies, during pregnancy didn’t reveal that she was carrying Siamese twins. Speaking of her antenatal experience, she said, “It was like every other pregnancy. I didn’t know that they were twins. I just noticed that anytime I wanted to eat, I couldn’t really eat because my stomach would have been full. The doctor would say that I should just take fruits. Then in the process, he said we should do scan to see what the problem was. That was how and when we knew that they were twins. He then explained to me that was why I couldn’t eat.”

She said further, “My due date was supposed to be early August or about mid-July. All the same, I went to work in the accounting firm that I worked for then. I was on the computer when I found out that my laps were heavy. So, I informed my boss that I needed to go and see the doctor at the clinic because my laps were very heavy. He then offered to take me there. When I got to our family hospital, the doctor was not around. But he asked me on phone what the problem was. I told him. He then asked the nurses to check my blood pressure and they told him it was high. The doctor said that could be because I was carrying twins in my belly. So, he instructed them to put me on bed rest. Later when he came and tested me, he said the babies were okay, that he only had to put me on bed rest. So, I called my husband to come and meet me there. I was there, and they kept on monitoring me and the babies.”

Then there was an unexpected turn of events.

According to her, “The doctor observed that my blood pressure remained high. That was when he said I needed to do surgery, so he gave us referral letter to Lagos State University Teaching Hospital (LASUTH). When we got there, they said the place was filled up, they said they had a lot of surgery that they wanted to do. So they referred us to Lagos Island Maternity Hospital. We got there late in the night.” After several days at the hospital, it was time for a caesarean. “It was during the operation that they got to know the babies were joined,” said Mrs. Sobowale –Davies.

Her husband and father of the twins, 46year-old Pastor Sobowale-Davies of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), said he was shattered by the evening news. “I was shocked. Suddenly, my spirit went down.

But today, I give all glory to God,” he stated.

Indeed, divine intervention played a signifi-

•Favour and Faithful

•The twins at birth

cant role in the drama. In a thought-provoking narration, Sobowale-Davies who hails

from Abeokuta, in Ogun State, captured the inscrutable supernatural dimension, saying,

‘She would carry the two of them at the same time because they were joined at the stomach facing each other. And if one wanted to eat, the other one would want to eat exactly the same time too...I can never forget what God used him, I mean Asiwaju to do in our lives. I believe that without his intervention, our testimony would never have been complete’

“That particular night, as God would have it, Dr Leke Pitan, the then health commissioner had closed for the day. As he later told us, he was driving home when the Spirit of God told him that he should turn back and go to the Island Maternity Hospital to see how things were going on there, and that he had something to do. He even told us later in church that no one could have told him not to do anything to please himself that day because he had signed off at work and he needed the time for himself. But he obeyed the Spirit of God and turned back.”

He continued: “On getting to the gate of the Island Maternity Hospital, he was told what had just happened. And he saw that people were scampering to gain entrance into the hospital. The first thing he did was to order that people from outside should be prevented from gaining entrance into the hospital. He then asked for the father of the children. But I was not around as I had gone to do other things. He then told the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr Ajetunmobi that I should not be allowed to go anywhere the next day. The next morning, Dr. Pitan advised that I should hands off; that the Lagos State government would take over everything. I just prostrated and thanked him. And from that moment, they really took over everything.”

Within two days of the birth of the Siamese twins, according to his account, they were visited by the then first lady of the state, Mrs. Oluremi Tinubu, and some top government officials, including the then deputy governor.

Thus began arrangements to get the babies separated.

In the mean time, the conjoined girls posed an unusual challenge to their mother, particularly in the context of breastfeeding.

Sobowale-Davies painted a picture of the difficulty his wife faced, saying, “Initially for their breastfeeding, they had to extract breast milk from their mother. At that time, to breastfeed the two of them was very hard. Also, she was trying to do things herself, but it was very hard. She would carry the two of them at the same time because they were joined at the stomach facing each other. And if one wanted to eat, the other one would want to eat exactly the same time too. So to save the strength of the mother, the doctor said we had to extract breast milk from her so that they would give them as they were joined. That was what she did for the first few weeks before we travelled and they were separated.”

One individual played a key role at this stage, the then governor of Lagos State, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. “I can never forget what God used him, I mean Asiwaju to do in our lives. I believe that without his intervention, our testimony would never have been complete,” Sobowale-Davies said. According to him, “Also, God used his nephew, Dr Adeyemi Tinubu, a surgeon based in Maryland, USA. Luckily, about that time, he was on a trip to Nigeria to see his mother. And after Asiwaju had seen our situation, he called him, that is, Dr Tinubu, to visit us at the hospital, see the children and then, come tell him what could be done about them. Dr Tinubu came to me one day and we discussed. He had visited the John Hopkins University Teaching Hospital in the US, and they had offered to operate on the babies for free if the governor could sponsor our trip to the US.” Two months later, surgeons at the John Hopkins Children’s Center, Maryland, USA, performed a life-changing operation on the conjoined twins, and successfully separated them. What happened? In an hour-long surgery, paediatric surgeons Paul Colombani, M.D., then director of paediatric surgery at the Children’s Center, and Henry Lau, M.D., led a 17-member medical team in the separation, which took place on September 11, 2003.

The team separated the twins’ chest bone and abdominal wall; and divided the fused liver into two separate organs, one for each twin.

Surgeons closed each girl’s abdominal cavity using her own abdominal muscles and skin flaps, rather than skin grafts or prostheses, because the abdominal wall in babies is stretchy.

At the time, Colombani attributed the success of the surgery partly to the fact that the girls did not share any major organs, such as the heart, which can happen in cases of twins connected at the chest and abdomen, known in medical parlance as thoraco-omphalopagus twins. He said, “I consider this surgery to have been one of the most simple of all conjoined twin separations because the liver can be divided easily and it regenerates itself. The surgery went very smoothly, with no problems at all, and the twins are doing very well.

The next step for the twins is normal life. They •Continued on page 27

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The Midweek Magazine

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‘I am not here to compete’

‘I had always wanted to take the festival to outside Lagos the same way most famous book festivals in the world are located. Again, Abeokuta as a town fascinates me a lot for its serenity, simplicity, history and art. And for the choice of the name of the festival, Ake is Prof Wole Soyinka’s book. But for its popularity I decided to adopt the name Ake’

The maiden edition of Ake Arts and Book Festival will attract no fewer than 103 local and foreign guest artists.They will gather in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, in November, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME.

E

XECUTIVE Director of Ake Arts and Book Festival, Lola Shoneyin has said she is not into art and book festival to compete with others.

Rathere she says she is complementing the ac-

tivities of the established festivals in the sector. Her foundation, Book Buzz Foundation initiated the Ake Art and Book Festival, shse saud to improve on how it is being done by other festivals to promote literacy and a sustainable reading culture. The foundation is also set to support schools in developing reading spaces as well as organise the book festival.

“I am not here to compete with any festival organiser but to improve on what have been done. I am here to complement the existing festivals’ activities. In fact, organisers of these festivals are doing fantastic work,” she said. Shoneyin spoke in Lagos last week while briefing art writers on the forth-coming Ake Art and Book Festival holding between November 19 and 24 at Abeokuta, Ogun State capital. The six-day festival will feature cultural, artistic and literary events such as readings, master classes, workshops, performances and talks that will be delivered by Nigerian and foreign authors, poets, filmmakers, artists and academics.

The events will also include school visits, stage play, film showings, a musical concert, library openings and a book fair.

Theme of the festival is The shadow of memory and will explore the impact of Africa’s rich but chequered past on the present, and the extent to which this has been captured in African literature and the arts. Discussions will focus on important issues such as the public and individual perception of nationhood, and how truly free free-

•Shoneyin

FESTIVAL dom of expression is in Africa. Issues on women rights and child literacy will be examined at the sessions.

The author of The Secret Lives of Baba Segi’s Wives said the book festival is not being actualized in isolation of the dynamics within the larger literary world, noting that issues of vision and mission of each festival play key role in considering collaboration and partnership.

She recalled that the idea of the festival started two years ago and had to give up her job in order to have good time for the project as she undertook lots of travels to book festivals across the globe learning the tricks of how to put the festival together. She assured that the Ake Arts and Book festival would be a world class in terms of standard as she is working hard to make it the best possible book festival in the country.

“I had always wanted to take the festival to outside Lagos the same way most famous book festivals in the world are located. Again, Abeokuta as a town fascinates me a lot for its serenity, simplicity, history and art. And for the choice of the name of the festival, Ake is Prof Wole Soyinka’s book. But for its popularity I decided to adopt the name Ake,” she said.

Shoneyin disclosed that some leading publishers are being approached to sell books at discounted prices as well as offer N20,000 worth of books to undergraduates as token. She added that in future the festival might be moved round to other willing host states across the federation. On security, she assured that all relevant security agencies in Ogun State are collaborating with the organisers to make festival hi tch-free.

The maiden festival is funded and supported by the World Bank, Shell Nigeria Plc, Chevron, the British Council, Goethe Institut, British Airways, Channels TV and Ekiti State government.

Nigeria’s Siamese twins turn 10

POEM

Poli_ tricks in Africa

•Continued from page 26

will grow and develop into healthy little girls.”

Back home, the magic continued for the Sobowale-Davies family. According to the ma’am of the house, “Mrs Remi Tinubu and some other people came to the airport to receive us. They took us to Island Maternity; we were there for some time. People were just coming to see them.” Then followed what perhaps was the icing on the cake. Rather than return to their old home “inside Akowonjo”, they got a new place from the state government in an estate at Oko-Oba. “We were brought here; we were not allowed to go back to our old house,” said Mrs. Sobowale-Davies.

There was another important change; she could now feed the girls differently. “It was easy. I had to breastfeed them at the same time because they cried at the same time,” she explained.

The story of Faithful and Favour has the quality of a miracle. Conjoined twins, defined as identical twins joined in the womb, are a rare phenomenon, and the occurrence is estimated to range from 1 to 50,000 births to 1 to 200,000 births, with a pronounced incidence in Southwest Asia and Africa. About half are stillborn, while a smaller fraction of pairs born alive have abnormalities unsuitable for life.

The overall survival rate for conjoined twins is approximately 25 percent, and the condition is more common among females.

It is not clear how twins become conjoined, but two conflicting theories exist to explain the phenomenon. One is “fission”, in which the fertilized egg splits partially. The second and more popular is “fusion”, in which a fertilized egg completely separates, but stem cells (which search for similar cells) find like-stem

By Habib Akewusola

I will strangulate malaria Within four weeks Every corrupt king must Become a convict, The general hospitals would Be equipped with club kits, Education will automatically Become free.

•Mr Sobowale-Davies

•Mrs. Sobowale-Davies

cells on the other twin and fuse the twins together. The most common type of conjoining is thoracopagus, or twins conjoined at the chest, which happens in approximately 34 percent of all cases.

The term “Siamese Twins” which has come to be synonymous with conjoined twins has its origins in the history of Chang and Eng Bunker (1811-1874), regarded as the most famous pair of conjoined twins. They were Thai brothers born in Siam, now Thailand, travelled with P.T. Barnum’s circus for many years, and were billed as the “Siamese Twins” on account of their provenance and the rarity of the condition. Chang and Eng were joined by a band of flesh, cartilage, and their fused livers at the torso; and it is believed that they could have been easily separated in modern times.

Faithful said she got to know about the surgical separation on account of “the marks on my stomach.” What if Faithful and Favour were not separated? Imagine this scenario, for in-

stance: they would have had to walk together sideways, or one of them backwards, so the other could follow frontally. Also, how would they have managed feeding? The likely complications are seemingly endless.

However, Faithful and Favour won’t need to follow that problematic path. With their older sisters, Precious, 16, and Victoria, 13, they enjoy the thrills of individuality. Their parents who married in 1996 are also pleased that they are living separate lives. But there is a slight issue which has to do with identification. According to Favour, teachers in their school “say they cannot differentiate one from the other.” When asked how she could make a distinction, Victoria replied, “Their faces; to me their faces don’t look alike; maybe because I know them. To me, they don’t really look identical.”On this question, Mrs. SobowaleDavies had the last word. She said: “I just knew the difference. Nobody else has really known the difference.”

Rhythm of the motionless Spiting impossible deeds With a mind set of ‘No regrets’ Africa, My destiny has become artificial The pretty once are sick The ugly took over as famous Officials.

Convoy of infinity wagon Exaggerated gown crowned with A diamond bangle, Hair coiled with shampoo Leather shoes, of the best cattle Scent transported from the Arabian Temples.

You preach of a sparking afternoon Brighter than this candle, Steady carbohydrate recently Restructured my statue, How do I believe you?

Consistent lies has destroyed Your truth.

Fellow masses am speaking to you With my vote let all critically Choose.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

28

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

• The garden’s frontage

A global garden for Mandela

T

HE whole wide world is stark awake, day and night, waiting for the Mandela hour. But there’s no escaping the fact that even in life or death Mandela trumps all. It is indeed with bated breath that the global village looks ahead to the great one’s 95th birthday on July 18. Of course that date has been universally fixed as Nelson Mandela International Day, or Mandela Day for short. The epochal day was officially declared by the United Nations in November 2009, and the first UN Mandela Day held on July 18, 2010. The Mandela Day celebrating the icon’s 95th birthday on July 18 will be marked specially in Asaba, Delta State with the World Press Conference proclaiming the establishment of a garden of 95 trees to be known as “The Mandela Garden of 95 Trees.” The celebrated environmentalist and conqueror of the Sahara Desert, Dr. Newton Jibunoh, as the Chief Executive of Fight Against Desert Encroachment (FADE) will partner with Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan and the Delta State Government to make broadcast the well over 134,000 square metres of prime land within the Asaba International Airport complex, designed to build “The Nelson Mandela Garden of 95 Trees.”

The conceptual design of the Mandela Garden is in the shape of the map of Africa, featuring a life-sized bronze statue of Nelson Mandela, 95 trees symbolically planted as the Robben memorial, freedom mini-gardens, well-landscaped terraced fences made of hedge plants, concrete walkways, state-ofthe-art restrooms, adequate parking, Nelson Mandela playground and park for children. The Mandela Garden is due for commissioning in August with members of the Nelson Mandela family, led by Ndaba Mandela, flagging-off the planting of the 95 trees.

Dr. Jibunoh in his drive toward greening the environment through FADE always had the abiding dream of planting the trees. It has been a life-long passion, culminating in the FADE Wall of Trees planted in Makoda Kano in the spirited bid to arrest desert encroachment. He then followed up on January 1, this year when he was accompanied by Governor Fashola of Lagos and other dignitaries to plant 75 trees in Lagos to celebrate his own 75th birthday. The 95 trees Jibunoh is partnering with the Delta State Government to plant in Asaba to mark Nelson Mandela’s 95th birthday is the climax of his lifework. He plans to retire to the Mandela Gardens to manage it by himself.

“I will run the park for the rest of my life as the keeper,” Jibunoh says in his Lagos Island Didi Museum office, adding, “My family will have to come and visit me there. They know my passion. It helps that the project is situated at the airport.

•Jibunoh

TOURISM From Uzor Maxim Uzoatu

They can always fly in and fly out. I believe Asaba provides a conducive atmosphere batter than Lagos, London or New York!” He then adds this info: “I’ll build myself a small hut where I will live to keep it.”

Governor Uduaghan will lay the foundation stone of the keeper’s lodge while the enquiry office will also be in the initial works.

The lack of maintenance that almost always bedevils most

‘We have to use Mandela to inspire people...My family will have to come and visit me there.

They know my passion. It helps that the project is situated at the airport. They can always fly in and fly out. I believe Asaba provides a conducive atmosphere batter than Lagos, London or New York’

Nigerian projects would not be the lot of the Mandela Gardens, Jibunoh avers, stressing, “Not only will I manage it fulltime, I will put a succession plan in place devoid of governmental bureaucracy. They will run the place better after my time.

Governor Uduaghan gave me 100 percent control over the place.”

Jibunoh revels in the drive of Ndaba Mandela “to mobilize over a billion people all over the world to key in to the Nelson Mandela inspiration.” The Nelson Mandela mystique is seen as an eternal legacy that is forever compelling even if Madiba dies.

“We have to use Mandela to inspire people,” Jibunoh says, pointing at the legend’s picture on the wall of his office. “We used to have Kwame Nkrumah. There is no other Mandela anywhere. He gave the world all he had. He went to prison for 27 years and came out with nothing. He ruled South Africa for only one term of presidency and came out with nothing.

That’s the legacy!”

It is therefore incumbent on Dr Jibunoh to mobilize people of the world to think like Mandela. “What did this man not go through in the fight for freedom?” Jibunoh rhetorically asks, shifting on his chair.

Jibunoh feels quite fulfilled that he has a green-loving governor in Dr Uduaghan who supports wholeheartedly the placing of the Mandela Gardens in Asaba. “We are looking for a global institution, and the site of the gardens at the international airport in Asaba gives it the strategic global appeal,” Dr Jibunoh informs.

For Jibunoh, the term “Charity begins at home” was done in reverse order. He was heavily involved in improving other places, notably the Sahara Desert and places like Kano and Lagos before returning to his home locale of Delta State. He mentions the Igbo term and name “Nkeiruka”, stating that what is ahead is greater than the things done earlier. An irrepressible optimist, Jibunoh believes that security challenges such as kidnapping can be solved to make Nigeria a tourist haven, starting with the Mandela Gardens in Asaba.

“There are so many things to challenge the world in Nigeria,” he affirms, nodding. He argues that he had seen it all, from the days of colonialism through the Apartheid years and the Nigerina Civil War. He believes that Nigeria deserves celebration for leading the charge for the freedom of Nelson Mandela and South Africa.

“We lost Barclays Bank and British Petroleum in the Mandela fight,” he says. “Nigeria was a Frontline State. We cannot now be a minor player. This project will re-establish Nigeria as a Frontline State. Our fight was not in vain. Through the Mandela Gardens Mandela will live forever! It will put Nigeria in a different platform.”

Jibunoh points at the irony that people thought that Mandela was only fighting for black Africans, only for it to be discovered at the end that the whites benefited more!

According to Jibunoh, “The whites who saw him as a terrorist are now the ones benefitting from Mandela the most!”

To mark the first global celebration of Mandela Day on July 18, 2009, to wit, Mandela’s 91st birthday, a series of educational, art exhibits, fund-raising and volunteer events leading up to a concert at Radio City Music Hall on July 18, were organized by the 46664 Concerts and the Nelson Mandela •Continued on page 37

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

Forecasts Niger Insurance Gross Premium - N2.73b Profit after tax - N212.95m Mutual Benefits Gross Premium - N2b Profit - N885.633m Regency Alliance Gross Premium – N812.596m Profit after tax – N256.437m Learn Africa Turnover - N1.06b Profit after tax - N58.336m Total Nigeria Turnover - N46.676 b Profit after tax - N942.1m MRS Oil Nigeria Turnover - N51.20b Profit after tax - N712 m Eterna Turnover - N27.64b Profit after tax - N563.834m Okomu Oil Palm Turnover - N2.667b Profit after tax - N1.044b Stanbic/IBTC Bank Net operating income N16.805b Profit after tax - N2.737b ASL Turnover - N1.084b Profit after tax - N101.355m GT Assurance Gross Premium - N3.892b Profit after tax - N710.62m Cornerstone Insurance Gross Premium - N1.223b Profit after tax - N80.01m Oasis Insurance Gross Premium N562.500m Profit after tax - N79.868m African Alliance INS Gross Premium - N1.215b Profit after tax - N107.213m Berger Paints Turnover - N976.303m Profit after tax - N88.258m SCOA Nigeria Turnover - N835.0m Profit after tax - N18.200m Dangote Sugar Refinery Turnover - N38.251b Profit after tax - N3.49b Studio Press Nig. Turnover - N3.375b Profit after tax - N20.422m Julius Berger Nig. Turnover - N80.125b Profit after tax - N2.55b Intercontinental Wapic Ins Gross Premium - N1.41b Profit after tax - N250.450m Equity Assurance Gross Premium - N2.45b Profit after tax - N287.283m Standard Alliance Insurance Gross Premium - N2.142b Profit after tax - N475.964m Continental Reinsurance Gross Premium - N6.917b Profit after tax - N805m PRESCO Turnover - N2.60b Profit after tax - N800.9m RT Briscoe Turnover - N4.553b

29 NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

NAICOM receives KPMG’s forensic report on Goldlink

T

HE National Insurance C o m m i s s i o n (NAICOM)has received the forensic report on Goldlink Insurance Plc conducted by KPMG on the alleged anomalies and misstatements discovered in the audited financial statements of the company for the year ended December 31, 2011, The Nation has learnt.

The regulator has also extended the tenure of the insurance firm’s interim management for three months, following the expiration of the six months announced when the regulator intervened.

Although the commission has been silent on the intervention, it was learnt that the tenure of the interim board

•Extends firm’s interim board’s tenure

By Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

expired last April and was extended by the three months

by NAICOM – meaning that it will end by the end of this month.

Responding to questions from the newspaper via an email, NAICOM’s Commissioner for Insurance, Mr Fola Daniel, confirmed that the report was forwarded to the Commission “but noted that it was just by way of information only.”

He affirmed the tenure of the interim board was extended for three months.

He explained that the exten-

sion was to allow for the conclusion of the forensic audit, which was still in process then.

Daniel said: “Yes, a copy of the report was forwarded to the Commission just by way of information only. But it is the responsibility of the interim management of the company to submit the report to NAICOM, stating its observations, comments and advice.

“The Commission awaits the report of the interim management, which is being expected soon and wouldn’t want to inadvertently preempt or influence their report.”

The intrusion by the regulator was sequel to its directive asking all members of the board of directors of the company to resign following alleged anomalies and misstatements discovered in the audited financial statements of the company for the year ended December 31, 2011.

This had culminated into the constitution of a seven-man interim Board of Directors with effect from November 1, last year.

The Interim Board was among others, charged with carrying out full investigation of the financial reports and corporate governance

failures observed in the course of reviewing the company’s financial statement.

The former board had Mr Gbenga Afolayan as Chairman and Mr Femi Okunniyi as Managing Director.

The Interim Board has Mr James Ayo as Chairman; Mr Gbolahan Olutayo, Managing Director and Mr Adeyinka Olutungase, the Chief Finance Officer.

Other members of the interim board include Ambassador Umar Damagun, Alhaji Sashe Dabana, Prof. Chioma Kanu Agomo and Mallam Abubakar Sadiq Mijinyawa, who is an independent director.

Terminal operator to invest N1.6b on cargo clearance

By Oluwakemi dauda

T

•From left: MD, Nigeria Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), Nnamdi Udoh; Senior Special Assistant to the President on Aviation Reforms, Anne Ita; MD, Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN), George Uriesi and Aviation lawyer, Tunde Irukera, at the recently concluded Nigeria-China Business Investment Forum in Beijing, China. PHOTO: AYODELE AMINU

Fed Govt, Chinese banks to partner on SME funding

T

HE Federal Government has begun discussions with the China Development Bank and the China Africa Development Fund for a mutually beneficial partnership that will see Nigeria getting funding from the two leading Chinese Development Finance institutions to finance the development of Small and Medium Scale Enterprises and Industrial zones across the country.

This was the highlight of the separate meetings between the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga, and the management of CBD and CAD Fund in Beijing last week.

Speaking with select journalists shortly after meetings, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said they explored the opportunities

FAAC Q2 vote hits N3.3tr - P 31

and potentials for economic cooperation between Nigeria and China in the areas of SME and Free Trade Zones’ funding and development.

He said: “When we met over a year ago, we discussed about areas of economic cooperation with the Chinese Government is about attracting investment into Nigeria. A lot of Chinese companies that have invested in Nigeria are being funded by the China Development Bank. During our meeting today, we discussed about the possibility of organsing an investment forum with their clients that are based here so that we can share with the investment opportunities in the country, and that makes it easier for them to fund some of the investment projects in Nigeria.

Because there is no better time than now to do that

given the growing level of interest by investors in Nigeria.

“The second area of potential cooperation we discussed was in the area of investing in Nigeria .We did talk about setting up a technical team comprising the bank and the ministry to explore possible areas and vehicles for investment. The third area was in SME development. We have opened up the channel of potential cooperation between the CDB and the Bank of Industry so that BOI can leverage on the Africa SME Fund from the CDB to increase what they doing in terms of providing easy and affordable credit for SMEs in Nigeria.

“Fourth and final area we talked about was about the development of industrial zones across Nigeria. We are at a point where industrialisation

Mutual funds assets now N116.6b - P32

and value addition is the major focus of our Industrial Revolution Plan which my ministry has embarked upon.

We want liaise the CDB and CAD Fund to fully develop our Free Trade and Industrial zones.”

In his remarks, the Executive Vice Presidents of CBD and CAD Fund MrYuan Li, and Mr Yong Wang, said they were ready to work with Nigeria as part of ongoing efforts of the Chinese government to deepen its investment ties with Nigeria.

Also present at the meeting with the CDB, were the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; Managing Director, Bank and Industry, Ms. Evelyn Oputu and her Nigerian Export Processing Zones Authority counterpart, Mr. Olugbemiga Kuye.

HE Managing Director, APM Terminals Apapa Limited, Mr Dallas Hampton, has said his company has concluded plan to invest $10 million (about N1.6 billion) on multi-level racking system for physical inspection of containers.

This is to facilitate quick cargo clearance from port He said the project was part of the Phase Three of the modernisation and upgrading of the terminal, which includes terminal yard redevelopment and expansion, new staff amenities and customer service building, acquisition of additional container handling equipment, and implementation of new terminal operating systems.

The terminal operator also denied the allegation that terminal imposes arbitrary charges on importers and their clearing agents.

He said the allegation was frivolous and “a myth”.

He said his company was not responsible for the high cost of doing business at the port, stressing that the charges collected by them constitute only two per cent of the cost associated with cargo clearance.

The terminal boss advised importers and agents to embrace genuine declaration of their imports and support the Nigeria Customs Service in its drive to reduce the importation of fake and sub-standard goods.

He said the rate of physical examination at the port will reduce if importers improve on their compliance level with government import policy.

Hampton urged the Federal Government to impose stiff penalties on importers who flout provisions of the import regime in order to discourage fraudulent practices by importers and their agents.

He said the container terminal concessioned to his company seven years ago had been upgraded.

‘N9.7b rice smuggled into Nigeria monthly’

- P33

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

30

MONEY

Banks’ workers lack skills, says CBN •Competency audit begins T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has spoken on its ongoing audit of bank workers.

The exercise, it said, was embarked upon because of the lack of skills and executive capacity among the workers.

CBN Acting Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, I. T. Nwaoha, said the audit, which started in November, last year, would be completed in November next year.

He spoke at the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN) Graduates Induction Day in Lagos.

The CBN and the Bankers’ Committee, he said, had appointed the CIBN to serve as the accreditation agency under the competency framework for the banking industry.

He said banks should start assessing their staff in key roles especially risk managers, auditors, compliance officers, treasurers, chief finance officers and other staff in controlled functions in line with competency framework.

Stories by Collins Nweze

Nwaoha regretted that the skill gap manifested in, among others, the lack of in-depth knowledge of core banking functions and poor understanding of basic banking operations; poor understanding of banking regulations; unethical conduct and unprofessional practices; and knowledge gaps in financial markets and treasury management.

He said reasons advanced for these inadequacies include the lack of a coordinated industryrecognised training accreditation and certification system as well as competency standards for practitioners in the industry.

“The development of staff competencies became imperative in addressing the inadequacies, thus, underscoring the need to re-

view the training of new generation of banking professionals to develop and deliver satisfactory banking products and services to the consumers,” he said.

The framework, he explained, sought to ensure that workers possessed the qualifications, skills and experience relevant to the jobs they are engaged to perform. It prescribes minimum requirements officers engaged in control function should possess.

The primary goal of the framework is to provide reasonable assurance that a job holder is fit, and carries on satisfactorily the responsibilities of the office he occupies.

The CBN director explained that in drawing the framework, considerations were given to the various kinds of jobs performed in the industry as well as the bod-

ies of knowledge, skills, and experience needed to perform the jobs.

“The identification of gaps (where they exist) and how they may be closed - possibly through education, training or acquisition of experience, were also covered” “Based on the multiplicity of sources from which education and training may be acquired with the attendant quality differentials, there was need for accreditation of all the service providers to ensure that they meet minimum requirements and standards on a continuing basis,” he said.

However, the success of the framework implementation, he said, depends on the effectiveness of the accreditation function, prompting the appointment of CIBN to perform the role. “ T he f r a m ew or k i d ent i f i es some roles that are of operational and/or regulatory significance and designates such roles as control functions. The control functions are broadly group into two – significant influence functions and customer functions. There are 35 control functions in the framework. It is hoped that as implementation continues, more roles may be captured,” he said.

He further explained that a cen-

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido

tral database for approved persons is being created at the CBN. All banks, as reporting institutions, are to update the database with details of approved persons and access it ‘on need bases’ as part of their due diligence prior to engagement and appointment of persons who will perform control functions in the industry.

It also includes a “Code of Practice for Approved Persons”. He said it is expected that individuals who perform control functions are to abide by the requirements of the code, against which their conducts would be gauged.

Govt unveils cooperatives policy

T

• From left: Deputy Managing Director Guaranty Trust Bank, Cathy Echeozo; Managing Director, Mr Segun Agbaje; Deputy Controller, Nigerian Customs Service, Abber Benjaman and Director-General, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), John Isemede, during the bank’s Settlement Forum in Lagos.

Forex forms, others for automation

T

HE process of getting foreign exchange Forex Forms ‘A’ for invisible trade transactions, form ‘NXP’ for export and form ‘NCX’ for non-commercial exports fully automated has begun, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said.

Speaking at the GTBank Settlement Customer Forum in Lagos, CBN Director, Trade and Exchange, Musa Batari, said with globalisation and development in information, communication technology, trade settlements have been enhanced and documentation partially made electronic.

He said to address the challenges of documentation, the CBN started automation of some of the Forex Forms. The form ‘M’, which indicates the intention to carry out import transaction, was automated last December.

This, he said, was achieved with combined efforts of the CBN, banks, Messrs Webb Fontaine, Nigeria Customs Service and Federal Inland Revenue Service.

Already, the CBN has announced the commencement of self-submission of the e-Form ‘M’ on the Nigerian Single Window for Trade Portal by importers and traders using foreign ex-

change.

It said the self-submission was necessary after the banking watchdog successfully deployed trade portal.

The e-Form ‘M’ is web-based and allows importers, traders to initiate the Form from their offices/ homes and submit same to the authorised dealer.

The CBN advised importers and traders to begin self-submission of the e-Form ‘M’ on the Trade portal in line with design and objective of the scheme.

The e-Form ‘M’ is completed by importers while bidding for foreign exchange for importation of goods. Before now, Form ‘M’ was manual, making it difficult for banks to process forex transactions for their customers.

He said the full automation gives banks the opportunity to adapt fully to the process and master the challenges that come with the e- version of the process.

Despite the achievement of full e-version of the process, Batari said banks still face challenges bothering on Tax Identification Number (TIN), discrepancies in email address, network instability, high down time frequency among

other factors.

“The automation of the e-forms will enhance transparency; reduces cost transaction; eliminate delays; provide reliable data for monitoring and planning purpose; and achievement of overall efficiencies of trade processes,” he said.

Batari advised importers to ensure that they have valid TIN, email address provided at the point of registration, which should be maintained to avoid problems in completing the form. Besides, he said the vendor and other stakeholders should ensure the stability of the system to avoid disrupting the processing of trade transactions.

He explained that the process allows the importer to complete and submit the form ‘M’ online.

It also allows for the attachment of supporting and regulatory documents. For Initiation and Submission of the e-Form M on the system, TIN is required to access and register the e-Form M on the system.

He said importers with valid TIN can access the Single Window Trade Portal and register as importer under the Federal Inland Revenue Services window.

HE Federal Government has prepared a policy implementation strategy for the cooperative sector, according to the Managing Director, Enhancing Financial Institutions and Access (EFInA), Ms. Modupe Ladipo.

She said the sector was critical to achieving the financial inclusion plan of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN).

Ms Ladipo said at the launch of GIS results on financial inclusion, that the Cooperative Baseline Study has been designed to include input from all stakeholders.

“Each department of a cooperative in Nigeria had been invited by the Federal Department of Cooperatives to draw up a plan on how verification in the state will be carried out. The study also looked at cooperative leadership and management, financial management, deposit mobilisation, audits, membership and outreach to cooperatives,” she said.

She said findings from the study indicate that cooperatives can be beneficial to improving and expanding access to financial services for the unbanked and underserved in the country.

She said that cooperative mem-

bers generally tend to be satisfied with the services received from cooperatives - some of which include the provision of access to flexible loans and the ability to build up their savings.

“Co-operatives could develop stronger links with other organisations, particularly formal financial service providers as they are able to mobilise a significant amount of savings, which will be mutually beneficial to both parties. To the banks, by increasing their deposit base, and to the cooperatives by establishing a track record that could help them operate as recognised organisations with access to credit for onlending to their members,” she said.

The expert explained that traditional co-operatives are common throughout Nigeria, but these groups tend to be small, with a common bond based on membership of a kinship, societal and/or professional group. According to the Federal Department of Cooperatives, as at 2010, there were over 80,000 co-operative groups with over 1.4 million members in 605 local government areas in Nigeria.

Diamond Bank conducts annual performance review

D

IAMOND Bank has concluded its Annual Per formance Review. It said is in line with global best practices where institutions periodically review their human resource to drive their corporate growth agenda.

In a statement, the bank’s Head, Corporate Communication, Mrs. Ayona Trimnell, said the review is a yearly exercise for the bank as it seeks to recognise and reward members of staff who have excelled.

She also said the review was hinged on the bank’s Enterprise Assessment Framework called the Balanced Score Card. The framework spells out parameters with which members of staff are

measured and these are communicated to staff at the beginning of each financial year.

“With well over 1,600 new recruits in the last financial year, of which 1,352 are fresh graduates from reputable universities around the country, Diamond Bank is the largest employer of talent in the industry. The bank boasts of a robust personnel engagement strategy that helps it to continually attract and retain the best talent in the industry.

“This is in fulfillment of its corporate vision of becoming a leading financial institution, with the best people, providing unequalled customer experience and delivering superior shareholder value,” the bank added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

31

MONEY

FAAC Q2 vote hits N3.3tr T

• GDP rebasing expected next year

HE Federation Account Allocation Committee (FAAC) vote between January and last month was N3.3 trillion, analysts at Standard Chartered Bank (SCB) have said.

The figure represented an increase of 13.74 per cent against that of the same period in 2011.

Regional Head of Research, Africa at SCB, Razia Khan said in an emailed report titled: ‘Nigeria – The political cycle and policy’ that the FAAC hike may be seen as further evidence that Nigeria’s political cycle is starting to have more of an influence. She also ruled out possibilities of carrying out Gross Domestic Product (GDP) rebasing before 2014, a process that will enhance the economy.

She said despite the success of Nigeria’s recent Eurobond issuance and a reduced domestic issuance calendar for third quarter, concerns persist over the broader fiscal backdrop.

“Even improved budget implementation is a source of concern.

Commentators are unsure if this reflects more efficient spending, or pressure to spend more. In first quarter of 2013, government revenue was reportedly 12.6 per cent lower, while spending rose 15 per cent,” she said.

Khan explained that increased military spending following the state of emergency in the Northeast should be met by a contingency reserve adding that further escalation may put pressure on spending plans.

She said Nigeria’s $284 billion

Stories by Collins Nweze

GDP is expected to be rebased by early 2014, a process that will lead to about 40 per cent upward revision in the country’s national income.

The GDP is the market value of all final goods and services produced within a country, calculated using product, income and expenditure approaches. The real GDP is one that is adjusted for inflation while nominal GDP is the value of goods and services based on current market prices.

Khan said in the near-term, Nigeria economy faces some risk which may lead to growth slipping to six per cent. She said although rebasing of the GDP will support the much needed growth and provide analysts with more accurate sectoral shares, it will not happen until 2014.

Khan also expressed concerns about Nigeria’s political cycle and spending pressures. “There is a risk that elections, due in 2015, are brought forward, allowing for any legal disputes to election results to be settled ahead of a May 2015 transition. If this is the case, spending may rise meaningfully ahead of party primaries which would be held in early half year 2014,” she said.

She said weaker oil output relative to ambitious budget targets risks fiscal deterioration, with Nigeria dipping into its oil savings.

With only modest spending increases envisaged in 2013, a budget deficit of 2.17 per cent was initially

forecast.

However, oil production, reportedly averaging 2.1 to 2.2 million barrels per day (mbpd), has fallen short of the 2.53 mbpd assumed in the 2013 budget. In June, output may have hit a low of 1.9mbpd.

This, she insisted, has necessitated more frequent augmentation of revenue from Excess Crude Account (ECA).

“Dipping into oil savings to finance spending may result in a narrower budget deficit for 2013.

Despite the success of Nigeria’s recent Eurobond and a reduced domestic issuance calendar for third quarter 2013, concerns persist over the broader fiscal backdrop,” she said.

Khan explained that given anticipated pressure on future inflation, forecast of a 100 basis points (bps) rate hike in first quarter of 2014, followed by hikes of 50bps each in third quarter and fourth quarter 2014, with the interest rate raised to 14 per cent by end of 2014 is a possibility.

Nigerias plans to change its GDP base year to 2008 from 1990, thereby boosting its nominal GDP. By carrying out the exercise, Nigeria will be emulating Malaysia and South Africa which rebased their GDPs from 2000 to 2005 each and Ghana from 1993 to 2006.

The Gross National Product (GNP) measures the value of goods and services produced by a country’s citizens regardless of their location while Gross National Income (GNI) is GDP plus income receipts minus income payments from the rest of the world.

FirstRand’s expansion plans fail FIRSTRAND said talks to buy Merchant Bank Ghana failed, setting back the efforts of South Africa’s second-largest financial services company to build a presence in West Africa.

“Despite reasonable endeavours, the parties were unable to reach agreement on the commercial principles underlying the transaction,” Sam Moss, investor relations director of Johannesburg-based FirstRand, said in an e-mailed statement to Bloomberg adding: “The transaction cannot be completed and has lapsed.”

The failure of the negotiations with the Ghanaian bank come after FirstRand ended talks to buy Nigeria’s Sterling Bank Plc in 2011 as the parties were unable to agree on terms.

FirstRand offered to buy 75 per cent of Merchant Bank Ghana for about 750 million rand ($74.7 million) last year after Chief Executive Officer Sizwe Nxasana said in 2010 that the South African lender intended to enter Nigeria and Ghana.

“Ghana remains a priority country for expansion and the group would continue to engage with SSNIT on its new process,” she said.

Customs appoints bank revenue collector THE Nigerian Customs Service (NCS) has appointed Heritage Bank as a designated Customs duty collecting bank.

In a statement, the bank said the move was designed to further strengthen the services’ renewed drive for improved revenue generation.

It explained that the decision followed an agreement between the NCS and the bank’s management on the issue.

“With its recent successful deployment of the world acclaimed Finnacle 10 banking software, Heritage Bank announced a strong intention to crystallise a robust branchless banking platform that is highly technology-driven while promoting business efficiency across many frontiers,” it said.

Heritage Bank’s Executive Director, Niyi Adeseun, promised a revolution in duty collection administration in the country. He noted: “Heritage Bank is established on the premise of innovation, partnership and sustainability and this is a cardinal idea we bring to bear on all our engagements.”

Stanbic IBTC introduces non-interest product STANBIC IBTC Bank has introduced a non-interest banking product called the Imaan Current Account into the market.

Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs Sola DavidBorha, said non-interest banking, for which the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) granted Stanbic IBTC Bank a licence in 2011, represents a new window through which a significant proportion of the unbanked population, as well as people seeking products and services that meet their specific needs, can be brought into the financial services system.

“We are always delighted to bring best-in-class banking and financial products and services to suit the specific needs of different segments of society. Stanbic IBTC Bank has consistently emphasised its commitment to furthering financial inclusion in Nigeria.

The launch of Imaan Current Account is another demonstration of this commitment,” Mrs David-Borha said.

She said in the past three years, the bank has broadened its presence in Nigeria through a rapid branch expansion project designed making its products and services accessible to most Nigerians, wherever they are located in the country.

MfB launches salary advance scheme

From left: Dr. Gabriel Okenwa, Deputy General Manager, Zenith Bank Plc; Mr Segun Aina, President, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria; Senate President, Senator David Mark; Second Vice President, CIBN, Segun Ajibola and Group Head, CIBN National Secretariat Annex, Abuja, Mrs. Rukayat Yusuf, during the Stakeholders’ meeting with the Senate President at the National Assembly, in Abuja.

Foreign exchange inflows drop to $3.2b

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said foreign exchange (forex) inflow and outflow in month of April was $3.24 billion and $3.32 billion, respectively.

This, it said in a statement, resulted in a net outflow of $0.08 billion, in contrast to a net inflow of $0.63 billion and $1.49 billion recorded in the preceding month and the corresponding period of last year.

However, relative to the levels in the preceding month and the corresponding period of 2012, inflow fell by 1.9 and 0.1 per cent, respectively. The decrease in inflow during the review period, it

said, was attributed largely to the 70.0 per cent fall in the other official receipts. Foreign exchange outflow rose by 24.2 and 89.2 per cent above the levels in the preceding month and the corresponding period of last year.

The development relative to the preceding month was attributed, largely to the increase in National Priority Project, other official payment and Wholesale Dutch Auction System (WDAS) utilisation. Other official payments, at $0.42 billion, rose by 30.7 per cent above the level in the preceding month, driven largely by the increase in Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) cash calls and Interna-

tional Organisations and Embassies payments.

Aggregate Standing Lending Facility (SLF) granted in the review period was N845.31 billion with a daily average of N40.25 billion, compared with N993.43 billion with daily average of N49.67 billion in the preceding month, showing a decline of 14.9 per cent.

The aggregate Standing Deposit Facility (SDF) stood at N2.7 trillion, with daily average of N130.97 billion, reflecting a decrease of 54.9 per cent below the level in the preceding month. The development reflected the liquidity condition in the market during the review period.

LOVONUS Microfinance Bank Limited has launched salary advance scheme for employees of small to medium size companies to ease financial difficulties often faced before the monthly remuneration is due for payment by the employer.

The scheme provides salary advance or instant loan to the employee, with a flexible repayment plan of one to three months, Usman Onoja, its Chief Executive said.

He said to ensure the convenience of the employee, the salary advance is processed within 48 hours from the application or documentation, with delivery almost immediately, stressing that interest rate on the product is negotiable.

To further deepen its customer service, the microfinance bank launched three new products recently, branded lovflex, lovflexplus and lovflexpremium. According to Onoja, lovflex is targeted at micro traders in need of N5,000 to N30,000, stressing that interest rate on the facility was cut to seven per cent per month for a maximum four months tenure while the repayment plan could be by daily or weekly contributions.

“Lovflexplus is for traders in need of N40,000 to N70,000 credit, for a four month tenoure with interest rate of seven percent, while Lovflexpremium is for 80,000 to 100,000 loan, on four months maximum tenure, with interest rate of seven per cent monthly and repayment scheduled daily or weekly,” Onoja added.

Visa advocates financial inclusion THE Visa Incorporated has reiterated the need to focus more on getting people in remote parts of the country involved in banking services. The Country Director, Sub-Saharan Africa, Visa Incorporated, Mr. Ade Ashaye said a lot of money in circulation is outside the banking system and the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) cash-less policy is simply targeted at encouraging people to make payments electronically rather than cash.

He said financial inclusion is being widely pursued because there has always been a problem on how to reach people that is far away from banks. This, he said will involve banks opening more branches and getting their customers into embracing e-payment services.

He said by encouraging electronic payments, banks will have more money to lend to industries. “A lot of cash is outside the banking system, a practice which will be reversed when more transactions are done electronically using cards,” he said.

He said VISA is also advising the CBN and banks on how to ensure that the global best practices are achieved in course of implementing the cash-less policy of the apex bank.

He said there is need to create awareness on how to make people understand how to use the electronic banking products adding that achieving financial inclusion will require the banks expanding their networks to remote areas to reach more people.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

THE NATION INVESTORS

Mutual funds’ net assets hit N116.6b

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HE net value of registered mutual funds in Nigeria now stands at N116.56 billion with mutual funds’ investments and participation still largely concentrated in equities.

Latest statistical report on net asset values (NAV) of mutual funds by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) obtained by The Nation showed that mutual funds added some N3.36 billion in the last week to close the first half at N116.56 billion, the latest available figure.

Total net asset value of all mutual funds had opened the last trading week of first half at N113.20 billion.

The latest report underlined the remarkable improvement in the values of mutual funds. Net assets value of mutual funds had stood at N87.27 billion by July 27, 2012.

Mutual funds, otherwise known as collective investment schemes, are joint investment vehicles through which investors can pool funds and invest in chosen basket of securities with a view to optimise returns and reduce risks.

Net asset value is determined by subtracting total liabilities of a fund from its total assets. The net asset value can further be divided by the total number of units of the fund to determine the unit price.

Stories by Taofeek Salako

A mutual fund is usually categorised by the class of assets that forms the primary focus of its investments. Thus, there are equity funds, money market funds, bond funds, real estate funds, ethical funds and balanced funds among others.

According to the report, equitybased funds remain the largest and most populous investment schemes with 18 funds that accounted for N45.34 billion, about 39 per cent of the total net asset value of mutual funds.

Money market funds, which invest mainly in money market instruments, such as treasury bills, have the second largest segmental net value at N18.68 billion.

Bonds funds placed third with net value of N16.54 billion while real estate funds, with two funds, accounted for N15.97 billion.

Further breakdown showed that investors’ values in balanced funds- mutual funds that seek to invest in a balanced mixture of equity and debt instruments, totaled N10.31 billion while ethical funds accounted for N6.83 billion. Umbrella funds pooled N2.59 billion while the only Exchange Traded Fund (ETC) accounted for N283 million.

The report indicated that Stanbic IBTC Nigerian Equity Fund was both the largest equitybased fund and largest mutual

fund with net asset value of N14.53 billion. Two other funds under management of Stabic IBTC- Stanbic Money Market Fund and Stanbic Ethical Fund, were the leaders in the money market and ethical segments with N15.65 billion and N3.61 billion.

Kakawa Guaranteed Income Fund (KGIF), a mutual fund under Kakawa Asset Management Limited, which was acquired by Investment One Financial Services Limited, was the leader in the bond segment with net assets of N4.46 billion.

Union Homes’Real Estate Investment Trust (Reit) was the leader in the real estate market with N13.68 billion while FBN Heritage Fund, being managed by FBN Capital Markets, was the largest balanced fund with N5.12 billion.

About five per cent of investors in the capital market engage in mutual funds, a paltry fraction that underlines the tendency of most retail investors to invest in the market directly.

However, SEC is leading a campaign to increase participation of investors in mutual funds. The apex capital market regulator has indicated it would implement policies to drive participation in mutual funds.

The Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, had

lamented the low domestic participation in the Nigerian capital in spite of its large base of potential investors and assured that the commission would focus on driving domestic participation in the capital market.

According to her, the commission would find more innovative ways of building a culture of savings and investment to boost the number of retail investors.

She said SEC would encourage institutional vehicles, such as mutual funds and collective investment schemes.

SEC has also said it would introduce stricter regulatory regime for mutual funds to optimise the potential of the sector as a veritable diversification mechanism for investors.

According to the Commission, there will be new rules and regulations and stricter enforcement to ensure that operators in the collective investment scheme sector such as fund managers, custodians and trustees submit timely and adequate report as well as benchmark the performance of the various funds.A mutual fund is a type of collective investment scheme that pools funds from many investors and invests such pool in previously agreed investments.

Each investor thus becomes a coowner, otherwise known as unit holder, of the fund.

Mutual fund usually has a professional fund manager that oversees the value creation functions of the fund and a trustee that ensures that the underlining agreements setting up the mutual fund are adhered to. Other professional parties include the registrar that keeps custody of the register of members of the funds.

With several retail investors at the receiving end of the stock market recession, mutual funds appear to be increasingly attractive investment vehicles for retail investors’ participation in the stock market.

There are several competitive advantages that drive investors’ desires for mutual funds. These include the availability of the service of a professional investment manager, which provides full-time, expert investment management that several retail investors might not be able to provide.

Mutual funds allow for diversification into a broad range of securities thus protecting the fund from sectoral or stock-by-stock or sometimes economic shocks.

Given the economy of scale, mutual fund tends to incur lower cost, which also reflects on the cost per head on each investor. Several mutual funds also provide additional services to investors, including continuous investment plan, investment information service, estate planning, crossselling products and personalised financial assistance and supports.

GSK’s shareholders to vote on shares buy back

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• Chairman, NAHCO, Mallam Suleiman Yahya; Managing Director, Kayode Oluwasegun-Ojo and Vice Chairman, Denis Hasdenteufel, during the Nigerian Aviation Handling Company PLC 32nd Annual General Meeting (AGM) at Shehu Musa Yar’Adua Centre in Abuja.

Champion Breweries eyes new capital

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HE management of Cham pion Breweries Plc has as sured that the company would soon overcome its challenge of capital inadequacies with the planned recapitalisation exercise as it assures the investing public that the recent fire incident at its factory in Uyo, Akwa Ibom State will not affect normal operations of the company.

In a statement by the Acting Managing Director, Champion Breweries, Chandhari Milind,

the company noted that the fire on Saturday affected the warehouse section, but it was quickly brought under control with the quick response of the Akwa Ibom State Fire Service, Julius Berger Plc and some private water distribution companies operating in the state.

The firm stated that though the extent of damage is yet to be quantified, investigation has begun to unravel the cause of the incident which fortunately recorded no casualty.

“Management regrets the fire incident but assures the public that normal operation is not affected while leaving no stone unturned to unravel the cause and prevent a recurrence,”Milind said.

He restated the company’s commitment to maintain and sustain the production of premium quality beer and non-alcoholic beverages that meet international brewing standards through the deployment of cutting-edge technology and application of human capital.

HAREHOLDERS of Glaxo SmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK Nigeria) Plc are scheduled to vote on a major amendment to the Articles of Association of the company, which will allow the company to purchase its own shares.

The amendment of the Articles of Association, if approved at the meeting slated for next week, will enable the company to purchase all classes of its shares, including redeemable shares.

The provision on purchase of own shares, otherwise known as shares buy back, will immediately enable GSK to buy fractional shares that may arise from the scheme of arrangement for the 75 per cent acquisition bid of GlaxoSmithKline, United Kingdom, (GSK UK) Plc, if the scheme sails through.

GSK UK, which holds majority equity stake of 46.4 per cent GSK Nigeria, is pushing to acquire 273.46 million ordinary shares out of the Nigerian shareholders’ holdings to add 28.58 per cent to push its post-acquisition holding to 75 per cent. GSK UK has offered N48 per share as consideration for the transaction. The transaction is also scheduled for voting next week.

GSK has proposed that it will buy fractional shares that may arise from the transaction at the bid price of N48.

The amendment of the Articles of Association in favour of shares buy back will allow GSK in future to buy back up to 15 per cent of its issued shares.

According to the rules on shares buy back at the Nigerian capital market, where a company buys back its shares, it shall cancel the repurchased shares within 10 working days of the last date of completion of buyback and shall notify the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) on completion of the buyback.

The company hat undertook a buyback is also expected to maintain a register of the securities which have

been cancelled.

Besides, the board of the company intending a share buyback is expected to provide information on the proposed source of funds for making the proposed purchase and the funds shall be out of the profits of the company which would otherwise be available for dividend or the proceeds of a fresh issue made for the purpose of the purchase.

The Board of Directors shall take a decision at a board meeting for the purchase of a range of shares over a period of not exceeding two years and shall fix a date for the company’s meeting for seeking the approval of shareholders.

However, the rules forbid any company from purchasing its own shares within 15 days prior to the publication of its annual or interim results and any company which has bought back securities cannot make any issue of the same kind of securities in any manner whether by way of public issue, rights issue or bonus issue within one year from the date of completion of buyback.

While the directors of the company would decide on the propriety or otherwise of share buyback, shareholders at a general meeting hold the overriding votes to approve or reject such decision in line with the extant laws that require approval of majority of shareholders on any issue that will lead to changes in share capital.

The company must also send detailed information to all its shareholders which would enable them to make an informed decision on whether to vote for or against the ordinary resolution to approve the share buyback or not.

Reduction of outstanding shares could lead to significant revaluation of a company as it tends to increase fundamental earnings and secondary market variables, especially when such shares were purchased at lower-than-fundamental values.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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THE NATION INVESTORS NASD OTC lists conditions for companies’admission

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HE NASD- the over-thecounter (OTC) trading plat form for unquoted securities will only trade on fullydematerialised and freely transferable securities that must have been registered by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), according to admission requirements of the newly inaugurated market.

The NASD OTC was launched on July 1 and opened for trading on July 2. Formerly known as the National Association of Securities Dealers, NASD OTC is registered with Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) as an over-thecounter (OTC) trading platform for unquoted securities; including equities and bonds.

A 19-point admission requirement, equivalent to the listing requirements of the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), obtained by The Nation showed that securities will be categorised broadly into two categories or tiers-pink and blue, based on their financial reporting and corporate governance standards.

Companies under the pink tier are companies with appreciable growth potential but either with little and insufficient information or are too young. These are somewhat high-risk, high-potential securities. NASD will tag these companies with caveat explaining the conditions of the companies. The blue tier consists of companies with track record of high corporate governance and financial reporting standards.

However, 13 admission requirements will apply to all securities for trading on the OTC market while six requirements differ, according to the level and categorisation of the securities.

According to the document, all companies for admission on the OTC market must be public limited liability (Plc), registered or exempted from registration by SEC, fully dematerialised and freely transferable and must come onboard through a NASD sponsor or agent.

Other preconditions for admission include acceptance that the securities must be traded through NASD registered brokers and dealers, opening of an account with the Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS) and having international securities identification number (ISIN), provision of company ’s business profile and trading history as well as provision of information on profitability and growth prospect.

Also, the companies must sign on to continuous disclosure of new and any change in their business and corporate information, hold

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Stories by Taofeek Salako

annual general meetings and other meetings and they should hold annual general meeting within nine months of year-end.

Besides, all companies are expected to have minimum annual revenue equivalent to at least 20 per cent of their shareholders’ funds. The two tiers are also similar in terms of minimum public float, stipulated at 10 per cent of the issued and paid up shares.

Meanwhile, companies under the pink tier must have been in operations for between one and three years as against minimum of five years required for blue-tier companies. Pink-tier companies are only required to provide audited report while blue-tier companies are required to provide quarterly reports in addition to audited reports.

Also, companies under pink tier can have minimum of 50 million issued shares and seven shareholders while blue-tier companies are required to have 250 million shares and 150 shareholders.

While pink-tier companies are not required to have any daily trade and minimum proportion of equity funds to total paid up capital, bluetier companies are required to have average daily trade of 25,000 and their minimum shareholders’ funds must be equivalent to 50 per cent of their paid up capital.

Speaking on the immense potential of the OTC market, Managing Director, NASD Plc, Mr Bola Ajomale, has said the emergence of NASD would give investors the opportunity to buy and sell unquoted securities in an organised and transparent market, which will enhance the liquidity of shares not listed on the NSE. According to him, all investment instruments approved by SEC could be traded on its platform including shares of unlisted multinational companies.

“We will open up with equities and bonds many of which are currently being traded on the black or grey market in the first phase,” Ajomale said.

He added after the initial formative period, the NASD will move to trading on commercial papers and then other complex instruments like derivatives and options.

“Our vision is to create a market that is accessible throughout West Africa.

We intend to become the hub of first call for capital formation in West Africa and we are guided by the principles of Integrity, Performance and transparency in all our dealings with every point of contact- be they investors, issuers, regulators business partners and especially your good selves,” Ajomale added.

•Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Chief Executive Officer, Blue Diamond Logistic, China, during President Goodluck Jonathan’s Economic visit to China.

Five firms under restructuring, says NSE F

IVE quoted companies are undergoing restructuring of their operations and corporate governance and compliance standards to enhance investors’ values and relations, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has indicated.

The latest status report on quoted companies obtained by The Nation showed five firms, including Union Dicon Salt Plc, Jos International Breweries, Stokvis Nigeria, Nigerian Sewing Machine and Aluminium Manufacturing Company of Nigeria have sought the concessions of the NSE to be lenient with post-listing requirements while undertaking restructuring of their operations.

The report indicated that the restructurings were aimed at ensuring that the ailing companies are able to sustain their listing requirements, which include timely periodic rendition of earnings reports to investors.

Most of the companies have not submitted any operational report

in recent periods and were already on red alert list of the NSE. According to the procedures at the NSE, restructuring is the last stage before delisting. Ailing companies that fail to provide convincing restructuring plans would be tagged for compulsory delisting by the NSE. Already, the status report dated July 12, this year indicated that the NSE has started the process of delisting Afrik Pharmaceutical Plc for failure to meet minimum corporate governance requirements stipulated in the post-listing requirements for the secondary market.

Compulsory delisting is a weeding out process usually initiated and undertaken by management of a stock exchange to remove companies adjudged to be irredeemably deficient in corporate governance from its trading platform.

A source in the know of

compulsory delisting had said that the company was being delisted due to inability to present periodic operational reports that could justify its continuous listing.

The source noted that compulsory delisting is the final step in a long process of engagement including demand for compliance reports, issuance of warnings, imposition of fines and sanctions and issuance of notice of delisting. Where a company fails to restructure and adjust its operations to enable it meet post-listing requirements, then the Exchange may indicate delisting process.

Afrik was incorporated on November 30, 1972 as Afrik Enterprise Nigeria Limited. It changed its name to Afrik Pharmaceuticals Limited on August, 1990 and became a public limited company in December, 1990. It was subsequently listed on the emerging market segment of the NSE.

Foreign investors earn 1% on Chinese stocks

OREIGNERS earned less than one per cent a year investing in Chinese stocks, a sixth of what they would have made owning US Treasury bills.

The MSCI China Index (M8CN) has gained about 14 per cent, including dividends, since Tsingtao Brewery Company became the first mainland company to sell H shares to international investors in Hong Kong in July 1993. That compares with a 452 per cent return in the Standard & Poor’s 500 Index (SPXT), 322 percent in the MSCI Emerging Markets Index and 86 percent from Treasuries.

Only the MSCI Japan Index had a weaker performance among the 10 largest markets, losing about one per cent, Bloomberg has reported.

While China’s shift toward a market economy has lifted per-capita incomes by 1,074 per cent and helped its companies raise at least $195 bil-

lion through stock sales in Hong Kong, investors with $695 billion say that corporate governance concerns, competition and state intervention have eroded returns for minority shareholders.

Now, as China allows unprecedented access to its local capital markets amid the weakest projected gross domestic product growth since 1990, Aberdeen Asset Management Plc says valuations must fall further before it buys.

“China is a case in point that great GDP doesn’t mean a great stock market,” Nicholas Yeo, a money manager at Aberdeen Asset, which oversees about $322 billion worldwide, said by phone from Hong Kong.

“The lack of quality in terms of corporate governance is one of the main reasons we find why companies don’t perform well over the long term.”

The MSCI China index closed 0.4

per cent higher in Hong Kong, paring this year’s drop to 9.3 per cent, after government data showed the economy expanded at a 7.5 per cent pace in the second quarter, matching the median estimate in a Bloomberg News survey of economists.

The gauge of companies from Industrial & Commercial Bank of China Ltd, the world’s second-largest lender by market value, to PetroChina Co, the third-biggest energy producer, entered a bear market last month after falling as much as 22 per cent from this year’s high in January.

The Hang Seng China Enterprises Index (HSCEI), a gauge of 40 H shares, has declined 18 per cent this year. It’s up 138 per cent, excluding dividends, since Tsingtao Brewery began trading on July 15, 1993. The Shanghai Composite Index (SHCOMP) of mainland-listed companies has

dropped 10 per cent this year and is up 143 per cent during the past two decades.

The nation’s stocks have retreated amid a surge in money market rates last month that spurred economists at Goldman Sachs Group Inc and China International Capital Corp to predict GDP will expand 7.4 per cent this year, which would be the weakest annual rate since 1990.

China will increase a program for foreign funds to invest in its local financial markets to $150 billion from a previous limit of $80 billion, according to a statement posted on the China Securities Regulatory Commission’s website on July 12.

The government restricts access to mainland markets through its Qualified Foreign Institutional Investor program, which has granted firms a combined quota of $43.5 billion as of June 26. That compares with the $3

trillion market value of locally-listed companies.

MSCI’s China measure trades for 9.3 times reported earnings, versus 16 times for the S&P 500 index, the biggest discount since September 2003, weekly data compiled by Bloomberg show. The MSCI Emerging Markets index has a multiple of 11.

“Sentiment is quite fragile” on China, Marco Li, a Hong Kong-based money manager at Manulife Asset Management, which oversees about $238 billion, said.

In 1992, China’s Vice Premier Zhu Rongji had approved the first batch of nine state-owned companies to sell shares in Hong Kong, then under British control. Tsingtao Brewery, founded by German settlers more than a century ago in the coastal city of Qingdao, was first among the companies, known as the China Nine, to meet international accounting standards.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

INSURANCE

AIICO repackages policy to enhance savings culture A IICO Insurance PLC has repackaged its Corporate Savings Plan to ensure holders of the policy enjoy more benefits.

The initiative is also to ensure that majority of Nigerians embrace the savings culture to guarantee their financial future.

Managing Director, AIICO Insurance, David Sobanjo, disclosed this to reporters in Lagos.

According to him, policy holders will also enjoy the benefits of the policy as it provides a return on the holders’ investment while additional life assurance benefit is payable to the dependents of the policyholder in the unfortunate event of death within the policy term.

He further said AIICO Corporate Savings Plan is an investment policy that offers protection as well.

He added that the savings plan is suitable for individuals, members of social clubs, cooperatives societies and employees of organisations that

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

are eager to save through payroll deduction.

He said rural population and others with seasonal incomes are also eligible to subscribe to the plan as long as they are determined to invest part of their earnings to yield good returns and secure their financial future.

The AIICO boss explained that the minimum policy term is one year, adding that to make the product affordable to majority of the populace in the country, people can contribute as low as N5000 per month to

participate in the plan.

He said: “Should the policyholder die while the policy is in force, his dependents will be entitled to a life assurance benefit of three times the annual contribution subject to a maximum of N2 million.

“The plan has been so designed to cater for exigencies as the policyholder has the option of partial withdrawal for emergency cases. Holders of AIICO Corporate Savings Plan can equally pledge the policy as collateral security for loan.”

He said while the policyholder are assured of guaranteed returns on their in-

‘Should the policyholder die while the policy is in force, his dependents will be entitled to a life assurance benefit of three times the annual contribution subject to a maximum of N2 million’

‘Royal Exchange to boost performance’

Problems with insurance?

Send text: 07080735854 e-mail: omobola_m@yahoo.com

Small business property insurance

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•Sobanjo

vestment, they are also free to use maturity proceeds to purchase annuity.

He also said the underwriting firm has a reputation for prompt claims payment.

“The insurance firm paid claims totaling N6.3 billion in 2012 in keeping faith with its promise to pay all genuine claims promptly and the firm will continue to discharge its responsibility in the area of claims payment whenever the need arises,” he added.

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OYAL Exchange Prudential Life is focusing on the deployment of a robust retail marketing strategy to take insurance to the grassroots and improve on financial performance, its Managing Director, Mr Wale Banmore, has said.

Speaking at a retreat for the company’s management staff, he said the company also identified improved service delivery to boost its premium income in the financial year.

He said the company has begun the training and upgrade of its marketing personnel, in line with realities, who are expected to impact positively on the fortunes of the company.

He noted that the management believes in the Royal Exchange’s brand and its people, adding that it’s most important resource, are more than capable of delivering outstanding service to existing and potential clients, nationwide.

Speaking on efforts of the staff, which has resulted in winning ways for the company, he challenged them to work harder in the years ahead, in order to achieve objective of becoming a world class company by 2015.

Also, the Group Managing Di-

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• GMD, Royal Exchange Plc, Mr. Chike Mokwunye, flanked by others during the retreat.

rector of Royal Exchange Plc, Mr Chike Mokwunye, urged staff of REPLA to focus on customer service excellence, among other major initiatives, to drive its quest for market leadership and enhance

the company’s status as a dominant player in the life insurance industry in the next three years.

He said: “The customer is at the heart and soul of every organisation’s growth and success and it

‘The future of insurance in Nigeria is the life business, which has not been fully tapped into, and for Royal Exchange Prudential to seek market leadership, an effective and efficient policy of customer service, loyalty and retention must be in place in the organisation’

is very important to keep them satisfied if one wants to remain in operation. If the customer is treated well, he or she stays with you, but if they receive shabby and unsatisfactory treatment, the customers will take their business elsewhere.

“The future of insurance in Nigeria is the life business, which has not been fully tapped into, and for Royal Exchange Prudential to seek market leadership, an effective and efficient policy of customer service, loyalty and retention must be in place in the organisation.”

Custodian partners Sickle Cell Foundation

USTODIAN and Allied Insurance Plc is partnering with the Sickle Cell Foundation Nigeria to sponsor this year’s Sickle Cell Anaemia Walkathon to preserve lives.

Head of Directorate, Administration & Corporate Affairs of Custodian and Allied Insurance Plc, Mrs. Olubunmi Aderemi, said a seven-kilometre walk for the anemia, observed in Lagos Island recently, was organised by The International Finance Corpo-

ration (IFC) Nigeria.

She said the initiative was aimed at raising awareness and increasing public knowledge about the anemia; both in terms of alertness and recent advancements in management of the ailment. It was also aimed at raising funds to support increased research and provide some support to institutions caring for people affected by sickle cell anemia.

“At Custodian, we like to associate with worthy courses affect-

ing our environment and people around us. We identify this fight against sickle cell anemia as necessary to preserve human lives and are glad we are able to support a worthy course,” she said.

“I know of a few people with sickle cell anaemia. Victims and their relatives go through a lot of pain, emotional trauma and such at times of crisis. It is costly to manage and requires patience and understanding by employers and lots of care by family and

loved ones.

“We hope to support the creation of necessary awareness of the condition and help educate the citizenry about its management.”

Aderemi added that the company believes in partnering with initiatives with groups to impact positively on lives in their environment, notinh that with the awareness and fundraiser, research on sickle cell anemia would make progress in Nigeria.

ROPERTY insurance can be purchased based on the property’s actual cash value (the replacement cost minus depreciation), its replacement value (the cost of replacing an item without deducting for depreciation) or an agreed-upon amount (commonly used for art objects and other unique items).

Basic property insurance will cover your losses in the event of a problem such as a fire or a lightning strike, and will pay the cost of removing property to protect it from further loss. Additionally, a standard small business policy will usually cover losses from windstorm, hail, explosion, theft, and damage caused by aircraft, automobiles or vandalism. Optional coverage can insure against earthquakes, floods, building collapse and glass breakage. Property insurance can be categorised by what is insured and by the events leading to a loss.

Taking stock of your business property You should take a complete inventory of all your business property, determine its value and decide what’s worth insuring. Make sure the items you want to cover are provided for in the basic policy; if not, buy more coverage.

If your business rents space, your lease might require you to carry certain types of insurance coverage.

However, just because the building owner carries all the necessary insurance on the building doesn’t mean it will cover any of your equipment, furniture or other business property.

“Named-peril policies” will cover certain losses resulting only from the perils that the policy names; “all-risk policies” offer coverage for all perils except those specifically named in the policy. A business owner may choose a named-peril policy if his business is located in an area that is frequently hit by natural disasters such as flood, hurricanes. Insurance experts recommend that the average small business purchase an all-risk policy.

Find an insurer specialising in small-business insurance Some insurance companies specialise in small-business insurance coverage. Their policy offers additional optional coverage’s for small business owners who also own their own buildings.

It pays out if your building is destroyed and it costs more to demolish and rebuild it to code than its previous value; it provides full glass coverage and full sign coverage; it provides additional coverage for damaged landscaping; and it extends coverage limits for newly acquired buildings. So, when you shop around, keep in mind that this coverage’s are not standard.

If your company has a variable growth pattern, you may want to adjust your coverage annually.

Other coverage that you can buy through riders include: accounts receivable coverage from $25,000 up to $250,000; coverage for loss of stock; protection against counterfeit money orders or currency; employee-dishonesty protection; sewer and drain back-up coverage; and valuable papers coverage.

Deductibles for property insurance can be calculated on a per-claim or on an aggregate basis. The outof-pocket cost for per-claim deductibles is often lower, so if you’re in a business that has a relatively low chance of filing a claim, you might consider this. Companies with a lot of claims would do well to consider calculations on an aggregate basis.

•Culled from insure.com.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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MARITIME

‘Explore opportunities in free trade zones’

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• From left: Managing Director APM Terminals Apapa, Mr Dallas Hampton; former Head of Interim National Government (ING) Chief Ernest Shonekan and Chief Executive Officer APMT, Mr Kim Fejfer at Lagos port.

Customs, operator bicker over facility

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HE Customs may have abandoned a N640 million facility for the examination of goods at the Apapa Ports.

The facility was built three years ago by the APM Terminal (APMT), Apapa Limited and handed over to the Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA).

The Nation found last Friday that the facility not being used.

The Customs, it was learnt, is using an open space, thereby subjecting importers and their agents to the vagaries of the weather.

Sources said the facility provides an office for Customs officers and spaces for physical inspection of containers and other goods at the port.

It has 14 container examination bays and electronic gadgets.

APMT Managing Director Mr Dal-

las Hampton wondered why the Customs abandoned the facility, urging the service to start using it.

He said he was not happy that, despite the huge amount of money invested in the facility, the Customs has refused to use it.

He urged the new Customs Area Controller to use the facility to reduce the unnecessary exposure of his men and port users to unfriendly weather conditions.

Hampton said because the high level of physical examination of containers by Customs, his firm was ready to invest additional $10 million (about N1.6 billion) on a new physical inspection facility, if the

Customs would use it.

He said if installed, it can use a multi-level racking system operated, adding that APMT was willing to procure the inspection equipment from China, which could be delivered before the end of the third quarter of the year.But Customs Public Relations Officer of the command, Mr Ekpa Emmanuel denied the allegation.

He said the facility was handed over to Customs only to inspect suspected containers on truck, adding that the facility was not meant for physical examination.

The Customs’ image maker said the facility was far below the N640 million the terminal operator claimed to have invested on it as it cannot be used to examine up to 20 containers per day.

Scan, and this is taking quite a very serious toll on businesses. People are complaining about demurrage which they have to pay and this has implications for cost.

"They are complaining about speed of delivery to factories - raw materials and things that have been stuck in the port. They are complaining also about the cost of fund because most of these cargos are brought in through borrowed funds and the longer they stay at the port the more interest you have to pay to the bank. So, from all angles it is really a very unfortunate situation," Yusuf said.

Yusuf expressed disappointment in the Minister of Finance for favoring the move for Global Scan to take over from Cotecna Destination Inspection Limited despite the resulting odds against port reforms.

"It came to us as a surprise that Finance Minister who we see as a champion of the reform of the port has issued the directive that Global Scan should take over from Cotecna.

"We don't have anything against any organization but for a strategic port such as the Apapa Port what should be paramount is the capacity to deliver in the choice of any agent that take the role of inspection agents or even any role for that matter in that port.

The port is too strategic for any government or any person to be using as a platform for patronage because the implication for the economy is quite enormous," he said.

But speaking with The Nation, the image maker of ClobalScansystems, Mr Adile Iroajugh said the company is doing its best to facilitate trade at the port.

He said the scanner they are working with was handed over to them

by Cotecna and that they have scanned over 2,200 containers since the site was handed over to them few weeks ago.

He said, his company is also working on the scanner to make it more effective and boost cargo clearance at the port.

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda, Maritime Correspondent

Industrialists condemn port delays

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HE delays at the Apapa Lagos port in Lagos since the takeover of scanning by Global Scan Systems Limited (GSSL) are affecting members of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), the group has said.

LCCI said its members now pay huge amounts as demurrage with the attendant implications on the cost of borrowed funds, production schedules and inability to meet contractual timelimes, among others.

Its Director-General, Mr Muda Yusuf, told reporters in Lagos that the chamber was worried over the complaints of its members about the challenges the destination inspectors at the port pose to their businesses.

"Our members are complaining of the very serious congestion that has resulted from the change in the inspection agents at the port. Clearly, the new company that has taken over does not have the capacity that the previous company has, that is now comparing Cotecna with Global

‘N9.7b rice smuggled into Nigeria monthly’

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BOUT 1.6 million bags of rice worth N9.7 bil-lion are smuggled into the country monthly from Benin Republic, a group, TransBorder Traders Association of Nigeria (TBTA), has said.

It appealed to the Federal Government to lift the ban on the importation of the commodity through land borders.

The National Co-ordinator of the association, Alhaji Mikky Okunola, said the ban has impacted negatively on investors and the government’s initiatives to encourage local rice production.

In 2011, the Federal Government, in its determination to block revenue loopholes, banned the importation of rice through land borders.

Okunola said if rice was allowed through the seaports only, it would be available at reasonable prices. And no one would evade duties and levies.

He said genuine importers were required to pay duties and levies, which those engaged in smuggling evade. According to him, this makes smugglers to sell at market price and make excessive profit, or slightly below the market price to undercut

honest importers.

He said the policy was aiding rice smuggling, urging the Federal Government to reverse it.

Okunola, however, praised the Seme Border Command of the Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) on its efforts to curtail smuggling. He urged President Goodluck Jonathan to lift the ban on rice importation through land borders to reduce smuggling.

He said the raids carried out by Customs at Seme were in order, stating that it was the duty of the Customs to sanitise operations within its legitimate environment.

HE President, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA) Prince Olayiwola Shittu has called on stakeholders in the maritime sector to utilise investment opportunities at the Free Trade Zones (FTZs) across the country.

The ANLCA chief made the call while speaking with The Nation, last week.

Shittu stressed that the free trade zones are suitable for port developmship building and repairs, as well as offshore logistcs and support activities.

Speaking on the opportunities of the zone, Shittu said that the population of Nigeria is about 150 million and that of the surrounding West African economic community is about 500 million.

But the local industry, he said, is fragile and more than 90 per cent of the products rely on import, so the market potential is considerable; the second, he said, is the favourable export advantages.

According to him, Nigeria is a signatory state of the Lome Convention. So, the products made in Nigeria are entitled to exporting to Europe and the United States, enjoying no quota restrictions and low tariff.

He also urged the Federal Government to institute policies such as tax holidays and duty exemptions for materials used in the ship making/repair industry.

Shittu said Nigeria would benefit immensely from such policies due to the large number of ships that berth at its seaports yearly.

He said the nation’s maritime sector provides enormous wealth and employment opportunities.

“Nigeria is a coastal state. The advantages of her coastline and integrated road network from the southern belt connecting the seaports and oil terminals of Lagos, Port Harcourt, Calabar, Bonny and Brass to the northern frontiers of the country presents a solution to the demands of cargo traffic and logistics needs of inland countries which share land mass with Nigeria and her coastal neighbouring states,” he said.

According to him, Nigeria’s 900 nautical miles coastline provides enormous opportunities for its citizens.

• Shittu

Terminal extends date for e-gate pass THE Port and Terminal Multiservice Limited (PTML) has extended the implementation date for its electronic port pass being issued to stakeholders for access into the terminal, especially the examination bay.

The use of the e-identification card started on July 1, but it has been extended by three months for full implementation.

Investigation revealed that peo-

ple are still allowed into the terminal without the card, but those that do not have their Bill of Lading and company identity card, are denied reflective jacket to enter the examination bay.

Sources said not only clearing agents and their importers are denied access to the examination bay but also Customs officers who don’t have the card cannot go into the bay.

NIMASA: Cabotage’ll create jobs THE Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Patrick Akpobolokemi, has said the agency was committed to providing employment for Nigerians through the Cabotage Law. Speaking with The Nation, the NIMASA boss said the agency’s investment in seafarers’training and facilitation of the establishment of institutes of maritime studies in four universities were indications of its commitment to building capacity for the industry.

Akpobolokemi appealed to stakeholders to encourage youths to seek careers at sea.

He said: “The overwhelming in-

terest showed by youths in seafaring calls for support from stakeholders in the maritime sector to assist in capacity development, especially in onboard training.

“We, at NIMASA, have been placing cadets’ onboard Cabotage vessels as part of mandatory requirements for obtaining their Competency Certificates.”

He described the submission of Nigeria’s instrument of ratification of the Maritime Labour Convention 2006 to the International Labour Organisation (ILO) as an indication to his agency’s commitment to the welfare of seafarers.

Dangote urges govt to build more ports THE President, Dangote Group, Mr Aliko Dangote, has urged the Federal Government to improve the manufacturing sector and build more seaports.

Dangote gave the advice in Lagos, at the New Partnership for Africa’s Development (NEPAD) Business Group Lunch.

Dangote, represented by group’s Managing Director, Mr Joseph Makoju, decried the overdependence on crude oil.

He said the manufacturing sector needed to be lifted to a level where there would be competition in the production of basic

needs.

“We will only be able to enjoy the dividends of Foreign Direct Investment if Africans and Nigerians are taking the lead in the sector.

“There is a need for the establishment of durable industrial clusters, long-term development funds, rehabilitation of major roads, rail and alternative seaports.

“Import tariff should also be increased in the areas where we have comparative advantage, and the menace of smuggling needs to be urgently tackled,’’ he added.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENUERSHIP

Tackling the Chinese challenge For many small business operators in the country, the fear of the Chinese is the beginning of how to succeed in their ventures. To these entrepreneurs, products from China have become a threat, but they are doing their best to cope. DANIEL ESSIET reports

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MALL businesses in the country are facing a stiff challenge from China’s rising small manufacturing sector.

Many young entrepreneurs have resorted to raising prices to cope with costs of cheap Chinese products.

There is a real war going on, says Ikenna Jude Michael,the Chief Executive, Charms Overseas Limited, a Lagos-based micro enterprise. He feels it is high time Chinese firms offering products in the market,which Nigerians have capabilities for were confronted.

He said Chinese firms have

established themselves as main ‘homes’ for buyers, adding that local entrepreneurs are at the risk of losing their valuable position.

All firms in the game are aware of that. To some operators, Chinese firms taking over promising markets,threatens their existence.

This has sparked a flurry of trade missions and a growing focus on finding new ways to do business in Nigeria. Chinese manufacturers are producing boots, shoes and other products.

Michael said microentrepreneurs are paying attention to the dynamics of the growing role

of Chinese businesses before they cripple their local industries.

Michael,who was into merchanising, before veering into soap making, said there prospects in the latter.

He sems to be enjoying because the Chinese are not many in this area. His business is coming up. He has positioned Africa as a key part of the growth plan for his firm.

Consumers have embraced the brand. He buys foreign soaps and tries to produce them locally. The whole idea, he explained, is to help customers and people in general get more of what they need.

As a small firm, he doesn’t have a deep pocket. He wants to deepen his relationship with customers so that they can patronise his products.

Today, the business is worth more than N2 million. He said the Chinese entrepreneurs are progressing because their home government supports them with information, ideas, and capital to create an export-oriented industry.

On the other hand, many small businesses are reaching out to Taiwanese and other overseas companies for technical advisers to establish factories and train local people. Some companies, such as producers of moulded plastic components, sent workers on training in factories. Others used their contacts with trading fims to identify manufacturers who were ready to sell used equipment.

He said the demand for Chinese products is strong, but local entrepreneurs are working to produce goods that will challenge the dominant of Chinese products.

Michael said Nigerian micro entrepreneurs are making standard products a priority because staying ahead of the competition was more important.

He said the regulatory environ-

• Michael

ment remains daunting,stressing that infrastructure inadequacies can make it expensive for micro entrepreneurs to do business.

He said micro enterprises play key roles in fighting poverty, such as employment, training, research, investment.

He said the micro credit finance has to be revolutionised to support increasing economic activity among entrepreneurs.

President, Association of Micro Enterpreneurs of Nigeria (AMEN) Prince Saviour Iche said there are some business challenges, including an evolving regulatory environment and corruption.

He advocates encouragement and support of micro enterprise, through improvement of access to credit financing facilities.

MfB adopts promo to boost business

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•From left: ThistlePraxis Consulting, Lead Consultant/CEO, Ini Onuk and Partner, The CSR Company International, Karin Huber, at a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) signing ceremony to promote responsible business practices in Lagos.

Expert advises SMEs on business growth

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HE Chief Executive Officer of Quest Advisory services Ltd., Mr Bayo Rotimi, has advised Small and Medium Scale Enterprises’(SMEs) operators to partner with professionals to guide them in the management of their businesses.

Speaking in Lagos,he said the SMEs could still flourish, despite the difficulties in the business environment.

“The business climate is harsh, but we can overcome, if we develop the right kind of strategies and partners who can guide us on ways

to run our businesses,” he said.

Rotimi said the tough business climate was not peculiar to Nigeria, adding that SMEs needed to develop the right strategy for effective business growth.

He said there were a lot of business opportunities in the country, despite the huge decay in infrastructure.

He also said Nigeria has one of the largest markets in world, pointing out that any product of good value in the country would find a market. ‘’The business environment is

challenging, but it is not peculiar to Nigeria. ‘’Even in Europe and North America, the economies are struggling; in China, the economic growth is slowing down. ‘’Of course, we have challenges in term of infrastructure among other things, but there are significant opportunities because Nigeria has one of the largest markets in the world. ‘’It, therefore, means if we are able to offer something that is of value, it will find a market that will buy,’’ Rotimi added.

Chamber urges Delta to grant loans to SMEs

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HE Delta State Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA), has appealed to the government to give loans to Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs).

It also appealed to the government to take urgent steps to improve power supply and other basic infrastructure in the state.

The President of DACCIMA, Chief Uju Udeme, who made the

appeal in Asaba, said lack of access to loans and poor state of infrastructure are hampering the growth of SMEs in the state.

He said it was difficult for most “struggling” entrepreneurs in the state to obtain loans from banks to develop their businesses.

He said many of the entrepreneurs were forced out of business because of the inability to access loans.

The DACCIMA chief also said

electricity was crucial in the development of any state, noting that if nothing was done to improve power supply, the economy of the state would be adversely affected.

According to Udeme, the poor power situation poses great challenge on the survival of SMEs in the state.

He assured that the association would continue to partner with the state government to develop its economy.

ORTIS Micro Finance Bank (MFB) is empowering small and medium entrepreneurs through a ‘Save and Win’ promo to boost its business.

Chief Operating Officer of the bank, Mr Jero Omare-Ogah, said in Abuja that the programme was designed to encourage customers and businesses to imbibe the culture of saving for the rainy day.

He said more than 50,000 small and medium entrepreneurs had been empowered under its micro-credit scheme in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).

“The bedrock of every economy is the small and middle enterprises. But you find out that they have difficulty growing their businesses because they don’t know how to save the extra money they make.

“So, we introduced a strategy where customers are rewarded

with gifts and cash on the 10th of every month.

“This way, we can assist these customers grow apart from giving credit facilities because when the customers grow, the bank grows and when the bank grows, the economy grows,’’ he said.

Omare-Ogah said the programme would last for nine months and that a star prize of N100, 000 and other consolation prizes would be won monthly.

He said the grand draw prize of N1 million and brand new saloon car would be won at the end of the promo.

Earlier in the year, the bank announced that it met the prescribed minimum capital requirement of N100 million to operate as a state MFB under the CBN revised guidelines for MFBs.

‘How to curb youth unemployment’

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HE Chairman of Industrial Training Fund (ITF), Ambassador Musiliu Obanikoro, has identified technical and vocational training as means of reducing unemployment among youths.

Obanikoro, a former High Commissioner to Ghana, spoke when he led members of the council on facility tour of the Federal Science and Technical College, Orozo in Abuja.

He expressed concern at the level of unemployment among Nigerian graduates and called for collaborative efforts among stakeholders to revamp technical education.

He said investment in technical education would give the graduates different options to broaden their horizon and make them independent.

“No better way to engage our children other than this collaboration between ITF and the National Employers Consultative Association (NECA) and the Federal Science and Technical College, Orozo.

“The investment made in terms

of technical training is an investment in our children because they are the future of this country,” Obanikoro said.

The chairman said the ITF governing council had mapped out strategies for realising its objectives in line with the administration’s transformation agenda.

Obanikoro expressed dissatisfaction with the standard of the college, hoping that some positive steps being taken by the school’s management would take it to a new height.

The Principal of the college, Mrs Rebecca Gumkat, called for more support from relevant stakeholders to improve academic activities at the college.

The Director-General of ITF, Prof.

Longmas Wapmuck, represented by a Director, Mr Ayo Alabi, reiterated the fund’s commitment to youth empowerment and employment through technical and vocational training.

The Training Manager of ITF’s Model Skills Centre, Mr Danjuma Abeku, said additional training centres would be established.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

37

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Fashola @ 50: Truly golden

Night of poetry at Freedom Park

Lagos State Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN) was 50 on June 28. In this piece, his Personal Assistant (Print media), MAC DURUGBO pays tribute to him

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T age 50, nothing could be more indicative of the personality and popularity of Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola (SAN), both within Lagos, Nigeria and globally than his recent Golden Jubilee celebration. First, in spite of his clear instructions to and pleading with the general public to allow him celebrate quietly with his family and friends, Lagos House, Marina, the official residence of the Governor, was a beehive of activities on Friday, June 28, 2013, invaded, as it were, by well-wishers from far and wide who trooped in to pay homage and celebrate the man who, in the last six years, has dazzled the world with exceptional leadership uncommon in this part of the globe.

Secondly, also despite his express instructions that those intending to place congratulatory advertorials on the occasion should instead channel such resources to charity, the national daily newspapers of Friday, June 28, 2013, were bursting with such adverts and tributes celebrating the man and what he has come to mean to people from all shades of the society. Just like his campaigns for re-election, the outpouring of goodwill was simply overwhelming. And from the wordings of the various adverts and tributes, there is no doubt that they come from hearts that have been touched, hearts that are yearning to show gratitude, hearts that will forever cherish the memory of this great epitome of true leadership.

It is not the intention of this writer to dwell on those touching and heart-rending words since they are already in the public domain.

However, permit me to comment briefly on the tribute to the Governor by his immediate predecessor, mentor and National Leader of his party, the Action Congress of Nigeria, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu. I choose to comment on this tribute because, coming from a man of the stature and status of the former Governor, who against all odds and opposition, insisted and practically foisted the hitherto little known personality on Lagosians at the risk, as it were, of his own integrity, it sums up the scorecard of the Governor and puts a stamp of authority on all that have been and are still being said of His Excellency Mr. Babatunde Raji Fashola (SAN).

It is titled “Gold Medal for the Actualizer

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TRIBUTE At 50”. Gold, as we all know, is a very valuable, highly sought after precious metal which has been used for various things long before the beginning of recorded history.

Today, the metal itself and anything associated with it remains highly prized. By awarding the Governor a Gold Medal, therefore, Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu at once indicates his rating of his successor. But that is not all. In the body of the tribute itself, the former Governor opened his heart to the world concerning what he really thinks of his successor. I will crave your indulgence to comment briefly on that tribute. In doing that, I beg to quote two paragraphs from it.

In paragraph 3, the Great Asiwaju says, “With keen intelligence, straightforwardness and more than a touch of class, you have made governance even more responsive to the people and their needs. You have a commitment as strong as steel and that commitment has kept you on the path of excellence that has served Lagos and Nigeria in profound and great ways. You are the true son of Nigeria and a hero of the entire nation. Not just in physique but also in the richness and soundness of ideas, you stand tall above some of your peers; and lead the way. Lagos has been made the better for what you have done and by the kind of leadership you have provided”. Loaded and explicit, isn’t it? But listen to the clincher in Paragraph 6. He says, “Tunde, I feel a special pride regarding you. People say there is no success without a successor. You have proved that in spectacular style! You have earned your place in history and in doing so have helped secure mine. I thank you. It is true our government, in which you were a dutiful Chief of Staff, laid the foundation. But some people, seized by vanity and ambition, would have jeopardized the hard work and the foundation laid”.

Though I am not out to review that tribute, a few points need to be made here. The first is the fact that in the history of democratic governance in Nigeria, the Lagos case is, perhaps, the only case where a former governor and his successor finished well on a happy note. In spite of the deliberate and desperate attempts since 2007, but especially in the periods leading to the primaries for

• Fashola

the second term of the Governor, to put a wedge between these two friends, they have remained the shining example of what friendship should be. Not few Lagosians will recall the controversies leading to the primaries over whether or not the Governor would be endorsed or dumped by the Action Congress of Nigeria. When the rumors refused to go away, The Great Asiwaju rose to the occasion and told Lagosians at the headquarters of the Party, “If you have a child whom you put through school and among 36 students he scored between first and third positions, you must celebrate”. That served as his endorsement of the Governor.

Secondly, Asiwaju’s tribute, taken as a whole, encapsulates the essence and spirit of Governor Fashola’s leadership. When he said, “With keen intelligence, straightforwardness and more than a touch of class, you have made governance even more responsive to the people and their needs”, the Great Asiwaju must have been thinking aloud about the open door policy of this administration and the participatory democracy that is the hallmark of its leadership style. Getting people to pay taxes willingly and serve even without being urged or assigned (or what the Governor would call “serving without an office”) is, indeed, giving governance “more than a touch of class”. An example will suffice here.

The establishment of the Lagos State Security Trust Fund was more than a touch of class which can only be possible with keen intelligence and straightforwardness without which there would have been no donors and no funds.

A global garden for Mandela •Continued from page 28 Foundation. Then in November 2009, the United Nations General Assembly formally declared July 18 to be “Nelson Mandela International Day”.

Born Nelson Rolihlahla Dalibunga Mandela in Mvezo, a village near Mthatha in the Transkei, on July 18, 1918, to Nonqaphi Nosekeni and Henry Mgadla Mandela, the man popularly celebrated all over the world as Madiba spent all of 27 years in jail for fighting Apartheid South Africa to a standstill.

His head was never unbowed until he was released from prison and won election as the first President of a free South Africa. On the historic day of May 10, 1994 that Mandela was inaugurated as the democratic President of South Africa, the great man said, “We dedicate this day to all the heroes and heroines in this country and the rest of the world who sacrificed in many ways and surrendered their lives so that we could be free. Their dreams have become reality. Freedom is their reward. We are both humbled and elevated by the honour and privilege that you, the people of South Africa, have bestowed on us, as the first President of a united, democratic, non-racial and non-sexist government. We understand it still that there is no easy road to freedom. We know it well that none of us acting alone can achieve success. We must therefore act together as a united people, for national reconciliation, for nation building, for the birth of a new world. Let there be justice for all. Let there be peace for all. Let there be work, bread, water and salt for all.

Let each know that for each the body, the mind and the soul have been freed to fulfil

themselves. Never, never and never again shall it be that this beautiful land will again experience the oppression of one by another and suffer the indignity of being the skunk of the world. Let freedom reign.”

He gave the perfect example to sit-tight leaders in Africa and other parts of the world by serving only as a one-tenure President when he had enough goodwill to rule South Africa for life. He handed over voluntarily to his vice-president Thabo Mbeki in 1999, thus laying a solid succession plan for building the South African project. Mandela gave solid support to another stalwart of his party, the African National Congress (ANC), Mr. Jacob Zuma who succeeded Mbeki after winning the South African presidential election.

Mandela lost his father early in life, in 1927, and this made him to take stand to fight like his forebears for the liberation of his homeland. Mandela wrote in his acclaimed autobiography, Long Walk to Freedom, that his teacher gave him the name Nelson in his first day in school.

Mandela was sentenced to life imprisonment on June 12, 1964. He would spend some 27 years in prison. In March 1982, after 18 years, he was without any explanation whatsoever transferred to Pollsmoor Prison in Cape Town. In December 1988 he was moved to the Victor Verster Prison near Paarl.

It was from this prison that he was eventually released on February 11, 1990.

Mandela refused to compromise with the offers of the apartheid regime while in prison, believing that only free men can enter into contracts. After his historic release, in 1991, the first national conference of the ANC

held inside South Africa. Mandela was elected its President while his lifelong friend and comrade, Oliver Tambo, became the ANC’s National Chairperson.

Mandela was awarded the 1993 Nobel Peace Prize together with FW de Klerk. The end of apartheid happened on April 27, 1994, when Mandela “voted for the first time in his life – along with my people.”

Of course Mandela was inaugurated as the first President of a free South Africa on May 10, 1994. He set an example for other leaders by stepping down after one term in 1999. In retirement, he is still the toast of all across the globe. He has set up three foundations: The Nelson Mandela Foundation, The Nelson Mandela Children’s Fund and The MandelaRhodes Foundation. Until very recently his schedule has been relentless.

Mandela married Graça Machel, the widow of ex-Mozambican President Samora Machel, on his 80th birthday in 1998. Mandela can hold his head high for turning South Africa from an erstwhile pariah state to a destination of choice for all humankind. During his tenure the unheralded South African football team, just emerging from a worldwide ban, won the esteemed Africa Cup of Nations on home soil in 1996. The country also won the World Rugby Cup. It is a testament to Mandela’s reach that South Africa successfully staged the 2010 FIFA World Cup. The legend of Mandela can hardly ever be exhausted.

The global icon Nelson Mandela richly deserves the “Mandela Garden of Trees in Asaba” initiated by Dr Newton Jibunoh and supported by the Governor Uduaghan-led Delta State Government.

• Uzoatu writes in from Lagos

By Seun Adeyemo

T was a night to remember as lovers of poetry gathered to celebrate poetry at Freedom Park, Lagos. They were drawn from the 36 states by Iquo Eke. It was an evening of poetry as the poet unveiled her new collection titled Symphony of Becoming. For the poet there cannot be poetry without the beauty of words and imagery. Penultimate Sunday, poetry came alive before as Crown Troupe and the poet performed several poems from the collection. The 73page collection features poems written from her experience and interaction with society and contains themes raging from reflections to nationhood, heart beats and praise songs.

“It’s good to be here, it’s been a long way and it feels so good to be finally here. Many of my poems are based on the perception of things going on around me and within my immediate vicinity” she said.

In a review of the book, Toni Kan he described the poet as a hopeful writer as there is always a tone of hope whenever she writes noting that that the poem addresses so many issues.

“Every young writer, except for a very exceptional few, labours under a cloud as he sets out on a literary career. This cloud is one of anxiety and influence. Respected academic and critic, Harold Bloom, wrote a whole book on this. His 1973 publication, The Anxiety of Influence: A theory of Poetry written seven years before Iquo Eke was born, rings true today as it did then,” he said.

According to Eke, “the perception remained in my head and I had to converse with paper. I’ve been writing poems for a long time but because of the experiences of life, I wasn’t able to get the collections together at certain times and by the time I decided to get it together, I selected the ones that most represented who I am as a writer.”

The mother of two said it was not easy combining the role of mother with that of a writer but that now that the children are older, she has more time to herself and poetry. “Different challenges came but I just saw all of it as something that needed to be overcome. Many publishers do not like to invest in poetry. It is difficult finding people who are passionate about poetry and about my work and are ready to stick out their necks for me. So, I took my time,” she added.

OYASAF/UNILAG holds workshop

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HE Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos, in collaboration with the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF) will hold this year’s Unilag/OYASAF Art Entrepreneurship workshop from September 23 till 27, at the Department of Creative Arts, University of Lagos. The workshop which is in its third year, is geared towards harnessing the gains derivable from the collaboration between the town and the gown. It provides younger artists the opportunity of sharing with one another and learning from professional artists, art teachers and art lovers. The collaboration harmonizes both formal and informal training methods and offers a more practical approach to learning. Participation is free. All art supplies, tools, equipment and work spaces will be provided as the workshop is generously supported by the Omooba Yemisi Adedoyin Shyllon Art Foundation (OYASAF).

Areas to be covered by the workshop include ceramics, experimental art forms ( performance art and waste recycling), bead and wire works and photography. These will be handled by eminent artists such as Ayodeji Adewunmi, Boye Ola, Jelili Atiku, Temilola Marindotin, Ariyo Oguntimehin and Adedamola Runsewe.

The organisers are therefore inviting applications from interested participants. One hundred participants are expected to attend; with more than half the number comprising students of tertiary institutions within and outside Nigeria. Other interested artists in Lagos and environs may also apply. Certificates of participation will be given to all participants and prizes will be awarded for the best work in each category.

An application letter indicating only one area of interest, e-mail address, telephone number and a recent one page resume should be sent by e-mail to: unilagoyasaf2013@gmail.com

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

38

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E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘Only cultural rebirth can fix Nigeria’ The country is troubled, no doubt. But is there no way out? The National Coordinator of the frontline Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams, proffers solutions to the nation’s ills in an encounter with Assistant Editor DADA ALADELOKUN.

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OR over two hours, he seethed with rage. Literally, he was an active volcano on the loose. “Which way Nigeria …?” This question, which was once asked by the late Ozzidi King, Sunny Okosuns, in one of his evergreen songs, seemed the ruler of his troubled mind at the moment.

It was a thought-provoking encounter between this reporter and the activist National Coordinator of the frontline Yoruba socio-cultural organisation, Oodua People’s Congress (OPC), Otunba Gani Adams. He dilated on the “worrisome multifaceted pollution” plaguing the country. His submission: “We are facing the grim consequences of people’s neglect of their sacred cultural values.”

The various problems besetting the country and its people, he emphasised, are the fallouts of the divorce between most Nigerians and God, in preference for morbid materialism, rooted in lost conscience.

“The Nigerian system needs an overhaul. Look at the spate of corruption by the nation’s leadership; look at the magnitude of brazen looting in the land, while most Nigerians wallow in dangerously deepening poverty and want. This attitude arose from the loss of our cherished value of honesty and fear for God’s inviolate Commandments,” he said.

His concern over the upsurge in crimes and general insecurity in the country came to the fore when his feeling was sought on the security problems rattling the polity. He minced no word as he restated the call for state police, saying: “State police has become a desideratum now. Only Lagos Island-born people, for instance, would secure the environment better, unlike the present central system of policing that is ineffectual. You can’t bring a policeman from Taraba to police Arigidi, my town in Ondo State; it won’t bear fruits.

“Look at the Boko Haram onslaught in some northern parts of the country – the soldiers deployed there could not do much until recently, when the vigilance men who are indigenes of the communities got involved. The trouble makers are now being identified because the people know themselves and are now able to fish out the criminals. This is a proof that localised policing cannot be wished away.”

He was effusive in condemnation of the attitude of the black eggs among policemen, which he said, had fanned the ember of criminality in the country. “Our policemen want quick money and because of that, they now compromise in line of their duties. If someone writes a petition against you and even if you are found innocent, you won’t leave their stations without dropping something. People have therefore lost confidence in them,” he said.

The nation’s prison system, Adams also lamented, “is not reformatory,” explaining: “A person jailed for a light offence often comes out more hardened. Something needs be done.”

The worsening unemployment, especially among the youth, appeared another pain in the heart of the OPC leader. Hear him: “The crux of all the indices of pollution in our body politic is youth unemployment, which is being fueled by the callousness of our leaders. Tuition fees are now beyond the reach of poor parents. Hunger is on the rampage; 70 percent of our graduates have nothing doing – social security as it is in the European countries is not there. Abroad, once you turn 18, you have a home to yourself and a monthly stipend, pending when you

will get engaged.

“Here, our youths are left in the lurch. Many are now motorbike riders. Some are yahoo boys and area boys. And sadly, no community, however small, is spared today. Our youths are now being recruited to fight on lands; many are now touts and tools in the hands of the unscrupulous among our politicians.

Many are beggars around the palaces of some well-to-do monarchs – a thing that was alien to our culture and our government is not doing enough to encourage them to embrace vocations for self-reliance.”

“Food is cheap abroad because their leaders know that once you are well-fed, the tendency to commit crime won’t be there.

Here, the recreational facilities to engage youths here are no longer there. Our National Stadium in Surulere is now a centre for religious crusades; nobody is thinking of how to revitalise it to keep our youths off crimes.

“In those good old days, one needed no curriculum vitae to get jobs; all one needed to walk to any company like the textile industries and get engaged, anyhow. Today, most of those companies in Sango Ota and Ikeja for instance, including the warehouses, are now worship centres. Why? Poor power supply worsened by our ruined economy,” Adams added, as he shook his head in pity.

However, much as he believes in total rebirth of the nation’s leadership, he said it is fundamental that the populace is culturally re-awakened to re-embrace the basic etiquette of healthy lifestyle.

“The late Chief Obafemi Awolowo once said it that any system that has no regard for cultural relevance risks retardation. If

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15-year-old presents two books

LTHOUGH Nigeria may have lost a prominent novelist, Prof. Chinua Achebe, his writing spirit lives on. This same spirit is shared by 15-year-old student, Oluwaseun Edema, who recently launched her two novels in Akure, the Ondo State capital.

The novels entitled The Letter and Pentaroyale: The death of four kings, are works of fiction. These novels will be available at the Federal University of Technology, Akure (FUTA) Secondary School library.

The youngt novelist who also celebrated her 15th birthday on the launching day, said poor reading culture in our society, particularly among students inspired her.

“What inspired me in writing novels is to promote reading culture among students. We do not read again, I don’t know why, may be because of the social medias currently in the world. And I believe that is why it is now difficult for students to pass English language in their WAEC exams” she said. Oluwaseun, a Senior Secondary School (SSS2) student urged students to be more focus on their studies.

Her words, “May be after launching these novels, my colleagues may be interested in reading novels written by their classmate or age group and by doing this, they may be inspired to love reading books in order for them to get acquaint with reading and writing books. I believe some of them may be targeting to do better than me because when you read, you gain more” Apart from writing novels, Oluwaseun said she loves chatting, singing, dancing, swimming and traveling. She is also a taekwondoist. The book presenter, Mrs. Aboluwa Famakinwa said the stories’ characters, incidents and dialogues are products of the author’s imagination and are not real.

Famakinwa, a civil servant in Ondo State, eulogised the writer, saying despite the author uses some high sounding words, she had been able to use them perfectly in the two stories. She noted that the two books are all detective stories

•Adams

CULTURE

all the tribes in this country take their cultures seriously, we will relive the crime-free system of the olden days,” he said.

He spoke further: “The Yoruba we speak with edifying proverbs in this part of the world is rich in moral values that helped to ensure sanity in the system in those days. Today, in how many homes in Yoruba land do parents speak the language to their wards? In Yoruba, it is said that if you despise your parents, you won’t prosper. If that belief is reinforced, who is the child that will commit heinous crimes? I sincerely believe that Yoruba must be part of our school curricula from primary to tertiary levels.

“If a child is taught the moral ingredients of his language, he would internalise them and bring it to bear in his dealings with his fellowmen. The absence of this is now our collective tragedy. Our Yoruba traditional religion teaches us that you will reap whatever you sow; so do other religions; but our so-called leaders don’t appreciate this sacrosanct truism, which is why they seem to have gone haywire with immoralities.

“In those days, no one would dare touch any other person’s property; besides the fact that the economy was fair, it was entrenched in our belief that some gods would be angry. Unfortunately, the orthodox religions that many, including traditional rulers have embraced do not help the society. Why? People no longer serve God faithfully. Most of our festivals are now extinct and the health of the society suffers.”

Adams is uncomfortable with people’s erroneous perception about traditional religion. Hear him: “Before both Islam and Christianity got here, traditional religion had been holding our system intact. I dare say that there is nothing wrong in practising any of the religions; what matters is how honest you are with God. This is why our system is sick. Our leaders must be strong spiritually to administer people’s affairs because every human activity is spiritually directed.”

He explained further: “Everything that God created – land air, rain, ocean, farming and trading et cetera – is being administered by some administrators sent by God. Deities like Sango, Yemoja, Ogun, Obatala, Orisa Oko and Osun among many others, are God’s administrators on earth. They work for peace and prosperity if their followers follow them in unalloyed faith.

When you follow them, you must not forget God, the Omnipotent, to reap the abundant gains of your belief in Him. “There is a deity called Alale in each settlement. In those days, once it was worshipped, it would bless everything that happened in the town. Look at Lagos; it is peaceful and prosperous because the traditional rulers often make sacrifices to the gods.

In Ekiti and Ondo, where cocoa used to be sourced, things have changed. Why? It is because the Orisa Oko (the god of productivity) is left uncared-for. Even at the national level, we have to return to the basics to revamp the country. It is inescapable. We must worship God in truth; otherwise, we would be chasing shadows in our quest for socio-economic rebirth.”

Disclosing that the OPC was working on how to ensure the rebuilding of Nigeria, Adams said: “We are not happy with what is happening. This is part of why in September, we are launching the Oodua Progressive Union (OPU), another organisation, in London, Holland and the United States,” adding: “Already, we have branches in 53 countries. We are out to ensure cultural re-awakening in our land for people’s deserved prosperity and peaceful coexistence.”

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

LAUNCH and also related to what is happening nowadays in our society. Famakinwa observed that the writer had been able to utilise her familarity with social media in her books, stressing that Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI), hacking of bank accounts were all mentioned in the novels.

She said The Letter was all about mysterious killing of people by a letter and how a character saved herself from the deadly letter, while Pentaroyale: The Death of Four Kings was about a female killer who murdered four kings. Her father, Hon. Gbenga Edema said he was surprised at her daughter’s achievement, adding that he was among those individuals seeking ways to improve reading culture among youths. Edema, a member of Ondo State House of Assembly, representing Ilaje Constituency I, said his daugther loved to write.

“What I noticed is that when she is backs from school, she would prefered to lock herself in her room and most of the times, I always asked her to come out from the room and join her siblings at the sitting room. Though, I am very proud, this is the result of her locking herself in her room” the lawmaker said. The mother, Dr. Mojisola Edema, said she is very excited to be a mother to a young novelist. Mrs. Edama, who is an associate Professor at FUTA said she discovered that her daughter has been writing short stories for so long, but after reading these novels, she was amazed she had developed to this standard.

However, the Chairman of the occasion, Hon. Olatunji

•Oluwaseun

Dairo, represented by Mr. E.B Oluwadahun who commended the writer noted that writing is not an easy task. Dairo described her as a great representative of her family and urged other students to emulate her.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

39

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

From Lagos to Abeokuta and Osogbo, the celebration train of Nobel laureate Prof Wole Soyinka will on Saturday berth in London. A compilation of selected essays as well as the winning essays from WS76 to WS78 essay competitions, entitled That The Future May Live will be presented in London as part of the Prof Wole Soyinka’s 79th birthday celebration. The Nobel laureate will also flag off the WS80 essay competition to students in Diaspora, reports Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME.

Honour for Kongi at 79

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ANNIVERSARY

OVERNOR Ibikunle Amosun of Ogun State has described Nobel Laureate Prof Wole Soyinka as a man of great intellectual prowess. The literary giant, Amosun said, has consistently provided literary ingenuity through his works which are devoted to developing the society. In a tribute to Prof Soyinka, Governor Amosun said: “On this 79th year of his birth, we have noted an undiminished fervor in him as he continues to pressure our leaders to strive for the best for our nation particularly and humanity in general. His ultimate goal being the restoration of man’s dignity.”

He said the revolutionary investment in quality education, which is the core reason why Ogun State is first among equals in the country and which has helped to produce the likes of Soyinka is one of the areas his administration has excelled.

“It is our hope to produce new generation of Soyinkas from our public schools in Ogun State. As this exchange programme also focuses on education and mentoring of youths, we cannot but applaud it because our state is dedicated to providing qualitative education that will in future produce more Nobel Laureates in all fields of endeavours.

Last Saturday in Lagos, no fewer than 79 students drawn from schools in 25 states of the federation took part in the essay competition at the Freedom Park, Broad Street, Lagos.

The topic of the essay was Memoirs for our future followed by Do your thing, featuring debate, reading, spelling bee and drama performances. Later in the night, two plays, Children international and The Trial of Brother Jero were presented at the Terra Kulture, Victoria Island, Lagos. The essay competition adjudicators included Ropo Ewenla, Marcel Mbamalu and Razinatu Mohammed.

At the Ogun State Cultural Centre, Abeokuta, the 79 students were held to a reception by Prof Soyinka led by her Excellency, wife of Governor Amosun, while at Osogbbo, the students undertook a mentoring tour and reception led by deputy governor of Osun State, Otunba Laoye Tomori.

‘It is our hope to produce new generation of Soyinkas from our public schools in Ogun State. As this exchange programme also focuses on education and mentoring of youths, we cannot but applaud it because our state is dedicated to providing qualitative education that will in future produce more Nobel Laureates in all fields of endeavours’

• Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr Olaokun Soyinka and Governor Amosun’s wife, Funso with some of the 79 pupils at Abeokuta.

‘Why Wole Soyinka’s project focuses on children’ Producer of the WS 79 Project, Mrs Lillian Amah-Aluko in this chat explains the choice of children as primary focus of the annual international cultural exchange programme.

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S the producer of WS79 and the previous editions before it, what has been your greatest challenge so far and how have you addressed it?

Our greatest challenge has been funding. Because of the international nature of the project, which sees participants coming from all over Nigeria and the Diaspora, a lot of funding is required. Zmirage multimedia has been funding this project since inception in addition to very generous support from The Government of Ondo state in 2010, 2011 and 2012 and the Government of Ogun State in 2011 and 2012.

We have addressed the challenge of funding by widening our net and sending out even more proposals to corporate bodies and public institutions. We hope and pray to get some responses.

How do you see Prof. Soyinka as the symbol of the project?

Prof Wole Soyinka is a very appropriate symbol for the project because the WS brand was inspired by the essence and ideals of the nobel laureate. These ideals summed up in the artiste’s humanism as reflected in his globally acclaimed various roles as a cultural, civil rights and political activist, are the pedestal on which we have built the open door series program.

Why are children the carriers of message for the entire project?

Children are the focus of project WS because we believe they

A folk theologian

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HE word ‘folk’ here is a reference to a common prophet with a common message for the common people. Prophet (Dr) Timothy Oluwole Obadare of the World Soul Winning Evangelical Ministries (WOSEM) who slept in the Lord on Thursday, March 21, 2013 is best described as a common theologian for the common people in comparison to those who provides a ‘systematic ordering of Christian teaching.’

His discerning gifting, exposition, and prophetic preaching as a common, ordinary person (non-specialists) to common people beginning with the emergence of Oke-Agbara Revival, known as the ‘Koseunti’ in Ilesa, in the then western part of Nigeria (now Osun State) in 1973 remain a reference point of revival.

The ‘Koseunti’ is a common theology, which is best understand by common people on the street through Prophet Obadare’s prophetic open air crusades, radio and television stations, and bible schools. When you ask common people in Nigeria ‘What makes them believe in Koseunti, the expected answer, is the beliefs and expectations that nothing is impossible with God rather than the current celebrity-monetised preaching and hype-teaching.

Prophet Obadare was the second recognised Apostle after Apostle Joseph Ayodele Babalola of the famous 1930 Oke Oye Ilesa Revival and the founder of Christ Apostolic Church. As a folk theologian he was prescient and

•Obadare

By Dr Deji Okegbile

TRIBUTE accurate about God even in the face of his physical blindness, loss of his first wife and first child, and other trials.

The ‘O o yes - koseunti’ theologian was able to challenge and correct systematic theologians, interpreters, and bi-

can still be moulded and influenced positively unlike adults who are set in their ways.

Why Memoirs for our future as this year’s theme?

‘Memoirs for our future’ is our attempt to prompt the youthful mind to begin to think of what he/she wants from the Nigeria of tomorrow.

Who are the major sponsors this year?

As has been the case in the last two years, Zmirage Multimedia in conjunction with The Ogun State Government and the Ondo State Government are the main sponsors. We have reached out to others and we look forward to welcoming other sponsors onboard before the project kicks off on the 13th of july.

What has been the greatest benefit of the project to Nigerian youths in general?

There have been several benefits top of which are: The opportunity to interact with students from other states and the Diaspora, an all expenses paid trip to at least 3 States of the Federation, an opportunity to win fantastic prizes including scholarships worth N250, 000, N150, 000 and N100, 000 respectively for the 1st, 2nd and 3rd place winners as well as laptop computers for themselves and desktop computers for their schools, an opportunity to meet the Nobel Laureate Prof. Wole Soyinka.

ble readers when they interpret or read bible passage without even carrying one.

Prophet Obadare, heavily influenced by Apostle Ayodele Babalola led WOSEM, a renewal movement founded in 1974 within CAC with commitment, diligence and spiritual discipline as a missionary evangelist and a prophet obsessed perhaps, ‘on a quest for real Christianity’ in Nigeria.

Obadare’s strengths and insights were in his disciplined and low profile approach to God’s mission. He was committed to the ancient doctrines shaped by holiness and righteousness. He challenged the nominalism and complacency that are always the sins of all establishments through radical retrieval of lost ideas, spiritualities, and apostolic practices. Prophet Obadare is relevant to the present because he combined ancient commitment, passion for the present and heavenly vision. Prophet Obadare was opposed to preaching, miracles, and prosperity that open doors to the denial or neglect of the moral and spiritual laws. His preaching and teaching on grace is not a license to give up on the quest for virtue and integrity in the public and private life. The quest for holiness was at the heart of Obadare’s ‘Koseunti’ theology. Prophet Obadare strikethrough and cherished the old rugged cross till his trophies he laid down. During his 59 years in the ministry, he did not exchange the old rugged cross for the passing glory of this temporal world nor associate with the corrupt elites.

I am grateful to God for the opportunities and mentoring l received from him at Akure when l was a student at Adeyemi College of Education, Ondo. Ogo ni fun Olorun ni Oke Orun, Mo tun wi leekan si wipe, Ogo ni fun Olodumare (Glory be to God in the heavens, and I say it once again, Glory be to God Almighty). Adieu Baba, a former General Evangelist of the Christ Apostolic Church Worldwide.

•Very Rev Dr Deji Okegbile, a chaplain, Nigerian Methodist Chaplaincy, UK/Ireland

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Logs of danger!

A scrappy lorry, (Agbegilodo Maberu Epe) carrying timber from the forest in Ondo State.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH

53-year-old woman gets twin babies

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OR 53 year-old Mrs Omobola Bello, a joyous mother of a set of twins, it is better late than never.

Mrs Bello, who had been married for 21 years, is now blessed with twins. She said she has been trying to have a child without success but God answered her prayer last week.

She said her joy knows no bound because “I was expecting one child but God in His mercies gave me two baby boys. It was God alone that should be praised.”

Mrs Bello, who had an in-Vitro Fertilisation (IVF) at St Ives Clinic, Ikeja, Lagos, was full of thanks to the staff and management of the hospital.

She said the joy of every woman was to be fruitful. “But in my own case, there was pressure from within and without. But I am a strong believer. And I believe everything has worked to God’s glory,” she said.

She recalled that at first, she pondered about having IVF many years ago, but couldn’t go through the process because of one reason or the other.

“I came about St Ives by chance. I was having my Masters Degree programme at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife, and our administrative block was just behind the hospital in Opebi. But all through my studies, I never

•After 20-year wait

By Wale Adepoju

TESTIMONY knew such hospital existed. So, you can see that it was an act of God,” she recalled.

She said her advice to women waiting to have babies of their own is “never to lose hope”.

She added: “I waited for 20 years and there is nothing impossible for God to do. If God can do mine at 53, no case is concluded. In my own case, for the shame of my life, God has given me double glory,” she noted.

The hospital, she said was not after money, hence it would not have been possible for me to have my IVF. This is because I couldn’t get the money required to start it. I wouldn’t have registered for it if it were for money, she said.

Recounting how their journey of life began, her husband, Tunde Bello said they met first time when they were in secondary school. “Then we got to know each other more when she was about 13. I was a few months older than her,” he added.

He said she was a very special woman as “the condition never really reflected on her nor in her countenance until some years ago. This is because we are all human. It has been a trying period for every-

body,” he said.

On the procedure, she said: “At the beginning, we were not sure it’s 100 per cent. I am now Mama Twins not mama everybody.”

Mr Bello, a Lagosian said he has other children but it was not due to pressure. Her marriage to me is not her first. “In a way, we were like Siamese twins even as we grow older and everybody went his separate way but we always have something bringing us together. Her first marriage produced no children,” he said.

Thankfully, he said: “I don’t believe she has reached menopause at her age.

I know women who have reached menopause at 40 years. She’s just like a teenager.”

He said they were encouraged to take the bold step of having IVF because of the encouraging testimonies they heard. “We have read about a 59 yearold woman who gave birth. The woman said she reduced her church activities when she delivered her first child and stopped completely after the second because of the way religion affects peoples’ reasoning. IVF is good.”

Medical Director, St Ives, Dr Tunde Okewale said IVF is expensive, adding that it costs between N650,000 and N1million.

According to him, it is difficult for any woman above 40 years to get pregnant because of increase in infertility.

From left: AASU president Mr Mayaki Abel Mensah presenting the award to Oba Adeyemi.

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Africa no longer ‘dark continent’, by Alaafin

HE Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III has said that as Africa continues to re-write its history and strive into the Millennium, there is urgent need for leaders in the continent to begin a systematic documentation of what they have in the name of cultural property.

Oba Adeyemi spoke while receiving Icon Of The African Royalty award conferred on him by the All- African Students’ Union [AASU] in his palace. This, he said, should include objects made by our forefathers, the monuments and works created that would become of historic importance tomorrow.

From Bode Durojaiye, Oyo

According to him, ‘Africa is opening up herself to the world in a way that she had never done in the past.

We are no longer ‘the Dark Continent’ and Africans are no longer ‘the primitives’ the civilizations that ounce flourished in Africa have become the issue in the Art world today. The head-count of our cultural property should be properly and fully documented in this regard, our museums have the primary responsibility to ensure that such National Registers are created. These great cultural materials across Africa put together today belong to Africa and to humanity collectively.’

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

POLITICS

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WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Anambra State Governor Peter Obi has hinted that he would quit politics when his tenure expires next year. Correspondent NWANOSIKE ONU chronicles the ups and downs of his political career.

2014: Will Obi quit politics?

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NAMBRA State Governor Peter Obi chose an auspicious venue and event to announce his plan to quit politics when his tenure ends next year. It was, at the St. Bartholomew’s Church, Asata, Enugu State during the second session of the 15th Synod of the Anglican Diocese of Enugu.

“A very prominent person called me today and asked me of my plan concerning politics after my current tenure. This is what I told him.

“For me, I have come to the end of it. I want to quit and rest. However, I have been praying to God that, for the sake of the good people of Anambra State, please give them somebody like Peter Obi”, he declared.

He has been piloting the affairs of the Southeast state for eight years.

He contested for the number seat in the state in 2003. But for the next 33 months, he slugged it out in the law court in a bid to reclaim his mandate, which was handed to Dr Chris Ngige, now Senator representing Anambra Central Senatorial District. He eventually took office on March 17, 2006, following the Court of Appeal judgment of March 15, that he was the validly elected governor.

When the military left the political arena in 1999, the mantle of leadership fell on Dr. Chinwoke Mbadinuju, who emerged governor on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). But his four years, as governor were marred with controversies and endless conflicts between him and his political “god fathers.”

When he was to seek a re-election in 2003, his party, the PDP, gave the ticket to Ngige.

Senator Ngige ruled the state for only 33 months. But those months were eventful as he used them to

• Governor Peter Obi being sworn in for second term in March 2010 at Awka, the state capital.

liberated the state from the clutches of the political “godfathers” and opened the eyes of the people that something good could come out of the state before he was shown the way out by the Court of Appeal. But before his exit, he opened the flood gate of infrastructural development that had eluded Anambra for many years. This is the bedrock his popularity till today and the bench mark for the Obi Administration.

Before the 2003 election, Obi had traversed virtually all the political parties looking for where to realise his ambition. He struck a deal with the late Biafran warlord and the lkemba of Nnewi, the late Dim Chukwuemeka Odumegwu Ojukwu, the leader of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA). Obi pitched his tent with the party.

His entry into the party allegedly stopped the ambition of Chief Okey Nwosu from Awka, who had positioned himself to contest the governorship election on the platform

of the APGA. Obi allegedly used his financial muscle to dislodge Nwosu and took the ticket of the party. The rest, as they say, is now history.

The once tottering state gradually became stable and started making progress, building on the foundation laid by Ngige. When Obi started his campaign in 2002, his question to the people of the state was: “Is Anambra State cursed or are we the cause of its underdevelopment”?

Almost eight years after, Obi has shown that, indeed, whatever trauma the state was going through was not as a result of any curse, but was caused by the political leaders and elite in the state.

When in 2006, he survived an impeachment, those troubles the late Prof Chinua Achebe talked about in his The trouble with Nigeria, began to emerge again in the state.

His deputy, Dame Virgy Etiaba, took over the reigns for three months and acquitted herself well

with the infrastructural development. Obi came back and unveiled his development programme, the Anambra Integrated Development Strategy (ANIDS), a programme for simultaneous development.

When the programme was about taking roots the 2007 election came up and everything was at a standstill with roads impassable, except for the ones did by Ngige; schools were in comatose state, and the hospitals were in sorry situations.

After the election, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), declared Andy Uba of the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) winner. Obi went to the Supreme Court to seek an interpretation of his tenure. After 17 days in office, Uba was shoved aside by the apex court and Obi was restored.

Opposition parties started bombarding him with the allegations of non performance, insensitivity to the plight of the youth, workers and lack of empowerment to his party members. Already, as he was mar-

shalling his ANIDS programme with his executive, insecurity became the order of the day as armed robbery and kidnappings held sway in the state.

With time, Obi weathered the storm. He proved himself as a leader that Obi restored peace in the once volatile state.

The bar of governance raised by Ngige has been sustained by Obi in his close to eight years rule, though, if Ngige had been allowed to stay, the story would have been different also.

Furthermore, the governor, has brought prudence into governance.

The provision of infrastructure, as being witnessed now in the state, has never been so.

In fact, the major legacies of Obi will will be most noticeable in the health sector, where he built a Specialist Hospital in Amaku, a General Hospital in Awka and the turn-around of the school system.

Not only has the youth empowerment by Obi earned him respect, his simultaneous handling of all the sectors will remain indelible in their mind. Obi has turned out to be an enigma in the state where he was criticised for being slow, tight fisted and being vindictive. However, Obi has come short in the aspect of conducting a local government election in the state. In fact, the question is whether he will ever conduct a local government election in the eight years that he would be in office. If he does, he would write his name in gold. This has eluded the state for the past 15 years, with politicians groaning that democracy dividends are lacking at the grassroots, while the governor had continued to install transition chairmen in the council areas.

For now, the only sin of Obi is his magnanimity to federal establishments with the state funds.

He is being criticised for doing out millions to the military, making donations to the rich people to take care of their roads leading to their firms, and donation of computers to secondary schools that have no electricity and good buildings.

Apart from these dark sides, which are always played up by his critics, especially opposition parties and perhaps, the alleged buying of every available property in Onitsha and its environs, Governor Obi has done more good than bad for the people of Anambra State.

Correspondent UJA EMMANUEL reports that the contest for the Benue Northeast senatorial ticket would be a big battle in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) between Governor Gabriel Suswam and Chief Barnabas Gemade.

Suswam, Gemade fight for Northeast senatorial ticket

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HE Benue Northeast senatorial contest in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be a battle royale in 2015. Benue State Governor Gabriel Suswam is set to join the growing league of governors aspiring to go to the Senate. He would thus be toeing the footsteps of Senator George Akume, his predecessor in office.

When he joins the race, he would slug it out with the former National Chairman of the PDP, Chief Barnabas Gemade, who is presently occupying the seat. Less than two years into the tenure of Senator Gemade, a group of politicians under the umbrella of “Zone A PDP Elders,” has endorsed Suswam for the seat. The group is led by old politicians believed to be playing bread and butter politics. The group has even inaugurated a committee to work for the success of Suswam in the battle to clinch the ticket.

But Gemade has fired back, describing the leader of the group, Hon. Atoza Ihidan, a Second Republic lawmaker, as mischievous. He said Ihidan and his co-travelers are distracting Suswam and himself from their busy schedules because they both have jobs at hand and it was too early for the campaign.

But, if recent events in Benue politics, and in the PDP are anything to go by, then, Governor Suswam’s chance against Senator Gemade in the quest to go into the National Assembly like his predecessor, Senator George Akume, is slim.

Apart from the fact that he has allegedly made more enemies for himself with his style of administration, criticisms are mounting against the governor on alleged corruption, capital flight from the state and general impoverishment of the indigenes. Besides, with the recent proposal by

• Suswam

Chief Tony Anenih that all the PDP candidates be given automatic tickets, if the plan sails through, then, he may

face a uphill task in his ambition to go to the Senate.

Another hurdle for Suswam is the claim by the Kwande/Ushongo people in the Benue Northeast that the seat belongs to them. They argued that since, Sankera, where Suswam hails from, and Jechira, Gemade’ birthplace, has had their turns, Kwande should produce the next senator. Suswam’s ambition is further threatened by his Special Adviser on Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Prince Solomom Wombo, who is eyeing the Ukum, Logo and Kastsina -Ala Federal Constituency seat, presently occupied by Emmanuel Udende.

Wombo, like Suswam, hails from the Sankera political bloc, which has three local governments. The seat has rotated from Katsina-Ala to Ukum local government, where the tenure of the present occupant , Udende, will

terminated in 2015. The fear is that since Suswam’s Special Adviser is interested in the seat, the present occupant, who has also indicated his interest to seek re-election, may be forced into the opposition. This would be the beginning of opposition for Suswam, in his own enclave, with three local governments, a development the governor would want to avoid.

Gemade, on his part, presents a formidable force to stop Suswam’s ambition. The former national chairman of the PDP has recently embarked on massive constituency projects in his senatorial zone. The projects ranging from hospitals, roads, water provision, to the renovation and construction of school blocks spread across the seven local government areas which make up the Zone A. This gesture has endeared him to the electorate.

Also, Gemade is believed to have •Continued on page 40

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

POLITICS

‘No division in Ondo ACN’

Ondo State Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN) Chieftain Comrade Bola Ajimuda spoke with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE on the efforts to reposition the party for future challenges.

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FTER the last governorship election in your state, it was said that the Action Congress of Nigeria was divided. Can you tell us the true position?

Essentially, I think the party has assumed stronger stability, in terms of membership, in terms of strength and in terms of unity. There is cohesion in the party and I think that, contrary to the perception, there is division in the party, it is not correct.

ACN is united and indivisible; whereas there may be groups within the party, it is to engender a healthy rivalry and competition. Internally, this is meant at further strengthening the party as a body. I will like to put it on record that the leadership from the state is a collective responsibility, as it is today between Rotimi Akeredolu (SAN) who is the flag bearer of the party in the last election in the state and Senator Ajayi Boroffice. There is what I call mutual respect; mutual trust and very strong understanding between these leaders who are working together. Of course, the leadership of the party also transcends them. The party remains united and there is no division within the party.

But it was said that the division in the party became visible when a meeting summoned by Senator Boroffice was boycotted by Akeredolu’s loyalists…

There is no division and there is no disagreement between Senator Boroffice and Barrister Akeredolu (SAN). There is that understanding between the two of them. And they are working together. In politics what could be seen particularly among conventional politicians as busy bodies, they are there to say what they like and peddle falsehood. Immediately after the election, the party faced two challenges: one was the fallout of the results of that election which was widely held that the last governorship election in Ondo State was a charade. This was an election that was brazenly rigged. So, the leadership of the party across the state called on Rotimi and said that we must go to court to challenge the validity of the election. We have overwhelming evidence to prove that the election was criminally and brazenly rigged.

Again, sequel to the result of that election, a large proportion of our followership felt very discouraged and there was that urgent need for us to step forward. There was a need for somebody to provide leadership in radiating hope that is capable of sustaining followership. Of course, these two responsibilities, that of the party and that of leadership must run concurrently. If you look at both Boroffice and Akeredolu, I will take the economic model of division of labour and based on core competency, admit that Rotimi Akeredolu, a lawyer, Senator Ajayi Boroffice, a sitting Sena-

• Ajimuda

tor and, if we are to allocate these two responsibilities, it is in the interest of the party that Chief Rotimi deploys every resources at his disposal to prosecute the court case. While Ajayi Boroffice being a sitting senator, occupant of the highest elective office in the state should provide leadership in terms of mobilization, in terms of re organisation, in terms of rebuilding and ensuring that the party is allowed to penetrate the length and breadth of the state. This was precisely what was carried out, it was done concurrently, it was done by both of them in the interest of the party but the lowest stakeholders of the party could not comprehend what is going on. And they begin to suspect that Rotimi is alone in the court, the other man is facing the party leadership challenges. There is no division in the party, what has been done is just a strategic move that will eventually lead to a synergy. We are in court to see that the charade called governorship election held in the state is nullified. Thereafter, we can have a rerun. We will not wait until there is a rerun before we begin to reorganise and rebuild our party. So, both of them honestly they are working together. If eventually the court and we pray by the grace of God that the court declares a rerun, we want to ensure there is a strong and vibrant party to re contest the election.

How are you reaching out to those who have the misconception that the party is divided?

People are being educated and they are getting to understand that contrary to their perception, the leaders are working together. And like I said, what is going on in the state is a collective decision. In terms of leader-

ship, I will say Ondo State enjoys much of this, almost about six people are providing leadership and they are capable of sustaining leadership for the party in Ondo State. We have Mr. Sola Edu, who was the chairman of the party, Mrs. Jumoke Anifowose, Rotimi Akeredolu, Senator Ajaiyi Boroffice, Tunji Abayomi, Jamiu Ekungba all these people are working together. So, the division they are talking about in the party is at the pedestrian level.

How will you score the present administration in Ondo State?

Look at the economy of the state, I must say that today there is nothing to write home about it. Today, Ondo State remains in the whole of Southwest, at the bottom in terms of the capacity and functionality of the local economy. Move from the north or south there is no single economy in the state. Ondo State parades the highest number of army of unemployed youth particularly graduates.

There are no systems to absorb them, no industry and agriculture is dead. There is no commerce even when we have a robust potential for commerce in the state. We have the longest coastline in the state, there is no single evidence of maritime economy, there is no evidence anywhere that production process is going on. Look at the state of infrastructure; look at the feeder roads they are not there. Today, salaries are not paid; the low level workers in the state are being sacked systematically. They say these workers were not recruited in due process and they begin to sack them. They have not considered the fact that these are citizens of the state, who have that inalienable right to be engaged by the state. And they are being purged because they say they did not follow due process. It is not sufficient to sack them. If due process was not followed then you correct that process, they have right to be employed. You are also on the payroll of government, so, why are you denying these young ones across the state these same opportunities.

What is the way forward now and how prepared are you for leadership role?

I must tell you that ACN is the party to beat because of its capacity for effective leadership. You can look at the eminent people we have in the party. The commitment to move the state forward has not been compromised. This we hope to actualize for the people and hopefully when the court nullify that charade called governorship election and order a rerun. I can assure you ACN will be the party to beat. We are full of sophistication, we are determined and I pray that the judiciary will not dash the hope of the common man in the state.

Suswam, Gemade fight for Northeast senatorial ticket

• Gemade •Continued from page 40

more connection in the Presidency than Suswam. A PDP chieftain who spoke to The Nation on condition of anonymity, said his connection ac-

counted for the re-appointment of his brother, Terver Gemade, who was suspended as the Managing Director of the Federal Housing Authority (FHA).

Gemade, a founding member of the PDP , member of the Board of Trustees (BoT) and a former national chairman of the party, enjoys massive support of top PDP members.

Governor Suswam’s greatest undoing as the governor of Benue State, according to sources, was the way and manner he abandoned his friends after he assumed power. He allegedly shunned those who would have added value to his administration and embrace those who have nothing to offer in the running of the government.

In the build up to the 2011 elections his closest aides lost their polling stations and wards to the opposition, yet he still retained most of them in the cabinet. Even in the constitution of his cabinet, apart from the Finance Commissioner, Oklobia Omadachi, a Harvard Business School graduate, Lands and Survey John Tondo, Works and Transport John Ngbede, analysts believe that most of them have nothing meaningful to offer. Political observers say for Suswam to defeat Gemade and clinch the ticket would be like the proverbial camel passing through the eye of a needle.

But politics, they say, is no mathematics. Anything can happen, especially, in the PDP.

PERSPECTIVE In this piece, Lagos lawyer Akintola Benson reflects on the controversial Nigerian Governors Forum (NGF) election and the abortive attempt by the five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly to unconstitutionally remove the Speaker and contends that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is sending a wrong signal about the 2015 elections.

2015: PDP is sending wrong signal

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ANY well-meaning Nigerians rightly watched the show ofshame at the Rivers State House of Assembly on July 9, 2013 with heads bowed in shame at the curse of leadership ravaging our otherwise rich, vibrant and potentially great country. Many more carried heaviness in their hearts, regretting the failure, refusal and inability of a section of the political class to learn, or to exhibit signs of having learnt, the elementary lessons of democracy and the failure of that classto show readiness to lead Nigeria to the next phase of consolidating our democratic gains.

However, it appears that not many Nigerians watched the sorry events of July 9, 2013 with trepidation and alarm at the possibility that the events of that day and those preceding them are signs that the ruling People’s Democratic Party (PDP) and the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan will not accept any democratic outcome of the 2015 general elections that does not return them and their cohorts as winners. I am one of those Nigerians who watched the events of July 9, 2013 with shame, regret and a sense of alarm.

We are all living witnesses to the events preceding the shameful acts at the Rivers State House of Assembly on July 9, 2013. We are witnesses to the power struggle between the Governor of Rivers State and the Minister of State for Education and the tacit support enjoyed by the Minister of State for Education from the PDP and the administration of the President Goodluck Jonathan who loathe the Governor of Rivers State for his independence, principled posture and outspokenness, characteristics regarded as stumbling blocks to the blind ambition to win another term of office in 2015 for a federal administration generally regarded as incompetent and irredeemably corrupt.

We are all living witnesses to the futile efforts of the PDP and the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan to remove the Governor of Rivers State from his position as the Chairman of the Nigerian Governors’ Forum, the subsequent triumph of the Governor in getting re-elected as Chairman of the forum with the support of 19 Governors and the telling undemocratic and shameless decision of the administration of President Goodluck Jonathan and the PDP to recognize Mr. Jonah Jang as the Chairman of the forum in the face of incontrovertible evidence that the said Mr. Jang did not obtain the support of the majority of Governors. Subsequently, the Governor of Rivers State was suspended from the PDP without affording him the opportunity to hear and defend the case against him.

Again, we are all living witnesses to the brazen grab for power by five members of the Rivers State House of Assembly who, emboldened by the overt and covert support of the leadership of the PDP and the of the police controlled by President Jonathan, unleashed violence on the law abiding majority members of the Rivers State House of Assembly and claimed to have removed the legitimate speaker of that legislative house. We all witnessed how, in spite of the illogicality of five lawmakers claiming to have removed a speaker enjoying the support of not less than 22 lawmakers, the PDP rushed to recognize the election of that impostor and-there’s more-the Federal Government-controlled TV station, NTA, is reported to have referred to that impostor as the Speaker of the Rivers State House of Assembly when other independent and discerning news organization and citizens disregarded the obvious unlawful and unconstitutional actions of those five renegade lawmakers.

Without doubt, only the most gullible citizen believes the statement from the President’s advisers that the administration is not giving support and/or encouragement to those fanning the embers of violence and lawlessness in Rivers State.

The whole situation would have been laughable and dismissed as the antics of unenlightened and primitive politicians if there were no ominous implications for the entire country in the sad and alarming events that the PDP and the administration of President Jonathan are creating and permitting to fester in Rivers State.

In the first place, the PDP and the administration of President Jonathan acted irresponsibly and put the lives of innocent citizens at risk in allowing the unleashing of violence, mayhem and a state of insecurity in Rivers State by the tacit support and unmistakable encouragement given to the renegade lawmakers in Rivers State. In the second place, the PDP and the administration of President Jonathan are making mockery of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria to which they owe allegiance. This is indeed a sad co0mmnetary on the present leadership of our country as the guardian of the law is now its chiefabuser!

But, more importantly, the implication of the desperate and lawless actions of the PDP and the administration of President Jonathan recounted above and the many others that are well-documented in the media is that progressives must guard their loins and prepare for epic struggle as the actions and inactions of the PDP in this matter serve to give clear notice that it will not accept the will of the people or the principles of democracy to prevail in 2015.

Clearly, the PDP is now desperate since it has clearly read the mood of the nation for change. Nigerians are yearning for change. Nigerians want to do away with incompetence. Nigerians want to do away with a culture of political violence represented by the PDP. Nigerians want to do away with primitive politics where unsophisticated means are used to gain power. Nigerians want to do away with corruption. Nigerians want to do away with clueless leadership.

Nigerians want to do away with an administration that is unable to protect the lives and properties of citizens and has failed to provide or sustain the basic amenities that citizens of other countries take for granted. Nigerians want to do away with the PDP! Without doubt, and as has been noted elsewhere, “the storm of change is brewing in Nigeria” and, while this storm has kindled hope in the hearts of many Nigerians, it is bringing out the beasts in the enemies of democracy. It is clear that the change eagerly awaited and anticipated will not come on a platter of gold. Recent events have shown that.

Therefore, Progressives in Nigeria must prepare for the challenging but honourable struggle ahead.

As noted elsewhere, “History is upon us: the coming of great political change. A storm is brewing.

Don’t be frightened. It is a positive storm with a positive wind.”

Dr. Akintola Bensonis a seasoned political scientist and • Amaechi lawyer based in Lagos.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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•Kaduna State Deputy Governor, Nuhu Bajoga (in babariga) leading the search for missing children for polio immunisation •Continued from Page 17 tine immunisation exercise for posterity. His charge was not unconnected with the fact that the Fulani are always on the move in search of pasture for their cattle. As they move their cattle, they also move with their entire families. That is how some children miss out on the polio immunisation exercise.

Bajoga walked the distance between the two villages to ensure that the right thing was done and the children found and immunised. He said that the idea behind his visit was to determine whether the two children in the communities who ‘missed out’

Deputy governor searches for un-immunised kids during the earlier immunisation exercise had been recovered and rightly immunized to forestall any emergence of the dreaded polio virus in not only the local government but the entire state. So, he walked through the farm and on the muddy road to the villages and was told that the children had been found and immunised.

He later told the paramount ruler of the Bajju people, Mallam Nuhu Bature: “We are here today because there was a case of two missing chil-

dren during the last routine polio vaccination exercise. As the committee saddled with the responsibility of ensuring total eradication of polio in the state, we have decided to come back to ensure these two children are located and properly vaccinated alongside others” he told the Agwam Bajju”. He lamented that “it was only Nigeria, Pakistan and Afghanistan in the whole world that still parade the white-polio virus. Government has spent money on the issue of polio

eradication and so we must always go round to insist that the routine polio exercise is complete.”

The Agwam Bajju, Mallam Nuhu Bature told the Deputy Governor of his chiefdom’s readiness to partner with the state government to rid the state of polio. The paramount ruler was particularly happy that the deputy governor took it upon himself to personally do an on the spot assessment to determine the success of the programme. He said “I want to

sincerely thank the state government for engaging in this inspection exercise to free our community and the state of this polio virus. I want to assure the government of our chiefdom’s support to rid the state of polio”.

Chairman of Zangon Kataf local government Christopher Haruna however told News Extra that efforts to totally eradicate the dreaded polio disease in the local government and the state was yielding fruit.

trader in the state, Mrs. Irene Obasi, was full of praises for the governor’s wife on her efforts at supporting people of the state, irrespective of their political or ethnic backgrounds.

She noted: “I would have made my request last year but I was discouraged by people who said I was Igbo.

I was to discover late that the Igbo were among those who benefitted that same year. I thank the governor’s wife for not discriminating among the people of the state and

for offering good leadership to all communities in the state. May God continue to bless you, Ma.” The beneficiaries included widows, orphans, multiple birth mothers, students and those seeking assistance to offset medical bills or start businesses.

At the ceremony, the governor’s wife said she would continue to use her position and networks to empower the people and enhance their well-being.

She explained that the four-month accumulated disbursement was delayed due to the death of the former Deputy Governor, Mrs. Funmilayo Olayinka, an incident she said plunged the state into mourning.

The First Lady assured the people of the state of her avowed commitment to sustained financial assistance through her office and EDF, but admonished beneficiaries to make judicious use of the money, urging them to ensure they commit the

given sums on whatever they might have planned, with a special prayer for the sick among them to get well quick.

The governor’s wife used the opportunity to urge the beneficiaries and well-wishers of the Dr. Kayode Fayemi-led administration to continue to disseminate information about its unprecedented achievements, saying “we give assistance not on the basis of political r religious affiliation. Christians have access to my office as much as Muslims. Whoever genuinely approaches my office for succour would surely find one.”

She however added it would be improper and possibly look like being ungrateful for those benefitting from the different lifechanging programmes of the administration to keep silent while detractors run down and talk ill of the government.

Fayemi’s wife cares for the needy •Continued from Page 17 forts of the governor’s wife towards giving the people a new lease of life.

She appealed to the people of the state to continue to support the administration to enable it to deliver more dividends of democracy to them.

The founder of the CFRHI, Dr Richie-Adewusi thanked the state government for its giant strides aimed at ensuring that the people enjoyed the presence of government in their localities.

She urged the volunteers in charge of the soup kitchen not to divert the food, whether raw or cooked, and to treat the beneficiaries with love and care.

Two of the beneficiaries, Mrs. Margaret Abegunde in Ado-Ekiti and Mrs. Bosede Folorunso in Emure, lauded the initiative and prayed for the continued success of the administration.

Abegunde said: “I collect N5000 monthly from the government. I enjoy free health services and now free meal. Fayemi and his wife are taking care of the aged and my prayer is that they will age gracefully.

“I’m short of words because none of us enjoying these freebies have ever been asked to produce any political party card before we benefit.

I’m close to 90 years and I can say this is the first time I’m seeing this type of thing.”

The governor’s wife also recently supported nearly 200 individuals across families with various sums totalling N11 million direct financial empowerment and individuals in the state. However, what made the event tick was the flavour of the so-called minority groups including the Ibo, Hausa-Fulani, Urhobo and Ebira who took prominence among the list of beneficiaries.

All the beneficiaries of Erelu

•The beneficiaries Fayemi’s assistance however shared just one common attribute: they all needed material and financial assistance, reached out to her office and succour came their way.

Many among the 190 beneficiaries who spoke to the nation were lost in words when a total of their accumulated four-month largesse were handed over to them one after the other in sum which totaled N11 million.

One of the beneficiaries, an Igbo

I collect N5000 monthly from the government. I enjoy free health services and now free meal. Fayemi and his wife are taking care of the aged and my prayer is that they will age gracefully

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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He urged them to change their life styles when they are freed so as to make their work easy for the organisation

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HINGS are looking up for inmates of Oji River Medium Security Prisons.

There is a turnaround of fortunes for them.

The prison commissioned in 1992 was tucked away in rural Oji River with the aim of reforming convicts with ligh sentences.

But due to logistics and remoteness of the prison, the inmates were often deprived of some basic amenities and provisions.

The problems of drugs, foodstuff, clothings and sanitary wares have been hitting the inmates in addition to the fact that their number has since shot up from an initial 80 to 149.

Commissioned on December 7, 1992, the prison was fitted with every amenity required for living at least a tolerable life. The prison cells were provided with functional showers in their bathrooms.

There was also a functional borehole. There was a clinic and a well equipped workshop. But all these amenities are no longer functional. The inmates resigned to fate. They almost provide everything for themselves. Visits by charitable organisations were rare.

Things are changing. A charitable organisation, Carmelite Prisoners’ Interest Organisation (CAPIO) visited the prison and met with the inmates. The organisation, a Catholic Church organ, went with lots of items for the inmates. There were various foodstuff, drugs, clothings, provisions, slippers, towels and toiletries.

The items were so much that the Deputy Comptroller of the Prison, Sir Eric Okafor exclaimed: “This is first of its kind.

Additional goodness on top existing goodness.”

One of the leaders of the inmates added: “I have never seen such gift items since my stay in this prison.”

He thanked the CAPIO for their gesture which he said was “unprecedented in the history of this prison.”

He prayed that God will bless

•Fr. Ekereku presenting the items

A lift for people behind bars

From Chris Oji, Enugu

them and always replenish their sources.

CAPIO director, Rev. Fr. James Ekereku told the inmates that it has been one desire of the organisation to fight for those who have been imprisoned unjustly, adding, “we also have programmes to rehabilitate freed prisoners.”

Ekereku said he was impressed by the orderliness of the prison and the inmates. He ad-

vised the inmates not to waste their time in prison idling away but should try to learn a trade or at least keep busy with one trade or another.

He also implored them to give their lives to God. “These items you see here were donated by individuals. It was difficult for us convincing them to donate for prisoners because of their experiences in the hands of criminals.”

He urged them to change their lifestyle when they are freed so as to make their work easy for the

organisation.

“We discovered that many of you are not interested in changing after regaining your freedom and often go back to crime. You should know that God is there for you and if you repent, he will open the way for you to make positive achievements.”

Ekereku pleaded with them not to venture into anything that could bring them back to prison after being freed.

The comptroller of the prison, Sir Eric Okafor told the visiting Carmelites that he regarded their

visit as a “widow’s mite” not because it “is all you have but because you squeezed out time to come and give to those who could not reward you.”

“I say this because any good without a pinch on your skin may not be rewarded. You came for charity, charity without reward.”

He prayed that God will continue to bless the CAPIO members and the inmates will ever remember them for this unprecedented visit and gesture.

470 Ogun teachers trained in ICT

•Senator Amosun

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O fewer than 470 secondary school teachers in Ogun State have been trained in the CISCO academy organised information technology essentials for a train-thetrainer programme.

Another 55 instructors have also been trained by the academy and they are now teaching in the

various ICT polytechnics in the state.

Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun made this known at the Cisco African Academy Safari Conference 2013 held in Abeokuta, advising Nigerian youths and the participants to be more innovative in order to develop software needed to solve basic challenges hindering maximal use of Information, Communication and Technology (ICT) in the country.

He also enjoined stakeholders in the ICT sector to assist the youths to unlock their potentials.

Represented by the Secretary to the State Government, Mr Taiwo Adeoluwa, a lawyer, Governor Amosun underscored the need for Nigerian youths to be ICT compliant in order to be active members of the “global village which the whole world has become, pointing out that virtually all human activities are now driven by information technology. In the same vein, the Senior

Special Assistant (SSA), to the Governor on ICT, Mr. Bunmi Adebayo, pointed out that the world has turned out to be a “global village” whereby the people can unlock their potentials through the use of information technology and become relevant in the world at large.

According to him, the Senator Ibikunle Amosun believes that knowledge in information technology remained the only means

of making any individual an active member of the “global village,” assuring that government would continue to do the needful to enhance human capital development in the State through ICT knowledge.

Adebayo, in a statement signed by the Information Officer of the Gateway ICT, Mr. Ademola Orunbon, emphasised that educational development occupies a prominent position in the mission to rebuild, recalling that the

The world has turned out to be a global village whereby the people can unlock their potentials through the use of information technology and become relevant in the world at large

highest singular allocation of the state’s 2013 budget was devoted to the sector.

“This government will continue to lay emphasis on youth empowerment and development through the use of ICT. This explains why it devoted the largest single allocation of its 2013 budget to the education sector as it believes that investment in the youth today is a move to secure their tomorrow,” Adebayo noted.

In his remarks, CISCO’s Regional Manager corporate Affairs, Mr. Alifie Hamid disclosed that out of the five institutions that submitted proposals to be appointed as the academy support designated centre for English West and Central Africa, only two, one of which is the South West Resource Centre were given approval.

He advised the participants to make good use of the knowledge imparted to them, emphasising that anyone without requisite ICT knowledge would be an outcast in the global village.

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INTERVIEW

‘The civil war settled nothing’

General Alani Akinrinade (rtd), in this interview with Editorial Board Chairman SAM OMATSEYE, FEMI MACAULAY and OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA speaks on the Nigerian Civil War, Alabi Isama’s book and other issues.

A

RE you acquainted with the book by Alabi Isama?

Yes; when he first wrote a draft or what I call perhaps a draft. It was in three volumes, big volumes and then he gave them to me to read. His first idea was that I should get it into a printable form. But I looked at it and told him that it would be the work of professionals. They know how to put it together. As far as I was concerned, there was so much tautology in it. One issue was brought out three times. It looked like the book of an angry man.

The professionals would really sit down, look at it, get the facts out correctly and make it readable. But I had no problem with the facts, figures and things which he put in the book. It was just the presentation that I had reservations about. But that was many months, or maybe two years ago.

General Alabi Isama said in his book that Obasanjo, in his My Command, misread the 3rd Marine Commando battle tactics at Onne for the entrapment of your troops, when it was indeed a decoy. Would you like to corroborate Osama’s claim?

Yes, it was for me, in military terms, a tragedy - a tragedy in the sense that we lost more men and some equipment in the process which ought not to happen. But there were issues which led to that tragedy. I suspect that if anyone wants to be fair, he would now lay out all those issues and then weigh them against what the result was. But Obasanjo did not. Like I told Alabi, if you read Obasanjo’s book, you would be nauseated to the point of vomiting.

But when he insisted that he wanted to read it, I got him two copies, not just one, if he really wanted to make himself unhappy.

Obasanjo himself was not party to all those issues. He was in Ibadan at that time. It was (Benjamin) Adekunle who was in charge of 3 Marine Commando and the GOC. I was commanding Bonny, and we had an operational plan. I had been to see the divisional commander. I was not part of his division. The 15th division I commanded was an independent brigade; and we reported straight back to Lagos. But for the purpose of continuing operation in the riverine areas, the main objective was to capture Port Harcourt. We were very near, but we couldn’t get there by ourselves. So, if the Third Division was going into Port Harcourt, we had a very major role which we could play to secure Bonny channel, to make sure there was no interference; and also, if it was possible, stage enemy diversion from Third Division troops. That was the whole purpose. I had been to Calabar. We sat down in Adekunle’s headquarters. We all agreed to it. Then when the Third Division troops got to Opobo, I took a boat and found my way to Opobo to reconfirm that that operation was still on. Now when they left Opobo to cross the Imo river (the idea was if they were crossing the Imo river, a very substantial river because it went towards the Niger Delta estuary, and they were using pontoons to cross, since there was no bridge), it was necessary for us in Bonny to stage some operations to divert enemy attention from them, so that they could safely cross. That was what we didn’t do in Onitsha; and that was why we lost maybe up to 2000 to 3000 (soldiers). In Bonny we had what you call a brigade but I didn’t have more than 1,500 men, even though we called it a

•Gen. Akinrinade

brigade. It was out of that small group that I had to take out maybe about maybe 500 men to go and do the operation. It was strictly an assault landing, in which case we had nobody on the other side. All we needed to do was to take boats and get into Onne. The village was just a few kilometers to the main road that led to Port Harcourt. So if we succeeded in getting to Onne and move out of Onne, we would have cut off everybody by the river crossing.

That was the whole idea. We were supposed to be supported by artillery from those who are crossing; we were supposed to be supported by a little bit of air power. But what happened was that because they started crossing late, everything was concentrated on Bonny, so we didn’t get any support at all.

Then secondly Lagos, who promised to send me a few equipment before the date, failed to do so. Col. Femi Oluleye was rear commander in Lagos. We landed in Onne all right, but instead of being there for say 24 hours, and the Third Marine Commando troops joining us, they never did. Even though Adekunle assured me that they had started to cross, they never did. So by the time we got to Onne, there was no help coming from anywhere. So we had to move out of Onne and go to Bonny again. It was in that process that we must have lost, maybe about 200 men. That was what happened. So when Obasanjo put what he didn’t understand in his book, I was just laughing because he didn’t know what happened there; and I think you don’t go around making comedy out of a very terrible tragedy. For me, 10 soldiers lost in an operation was a tragedy: what are you doing as an officer? What is your plan? What are you thinking about? So… (Cut in) That means without your operation there, Third Marine would not have been able to enter Port Harcourt?

That’s right. But what Obasanjo didn’t say was that when the crossing now started, we repeated the operation and this time, we succeeded. But that first one was premature, absolutely premature and I take responsibility because it was stupid. I was their commander.

Whether the GOC did or didn’t do his part, for me, was immaterial. Men are put under your charge as commander and I was responsible for them. We lost about 200.

There was this guy Azuatalam, a Biafran officer - what was the story? It was said the guy was very brave and that and you fought

him for five hours before finally capturing him?

Yes it was Makanjola’s front, God bless his soul. It was my brigade but Makanjuola was the battalion commander in the area. When that skirmish was over, what really interested me about Azuatalam was that he wasn’t the commander there, he was one of the officers we captured when the operation was over.

When finally he got to my headquarters and I looked at him, he was such a nice little boy and he was not really a soldier at such - I mean, not a trained soldier but he had secondary school certificate. He was a smart boy: he worked with me for about two or three weeks.

So, I persuaded Adekunle: why don’t we send him to cadet school so he could really become a proper officer? Adekunle agreed and we talked to Gen. Gowon and we sent him to Lagos, and they sent him to Sandhurst and he became an officer. He’s in Port Harcourt now.

He is still a soldier?

I was a bit disappointed on that score. By the time he made captain, I think I was a general then, the next thing I knew was that he had left the army. He left as captain. So, I looked for him in Port Harcourt, I got him, he told me he wasn’t getting real satisfaction out of the job.

He thereafter became a marine fellow, repairing boats and things like that.

But it looks like you don’t want to talk about your own exploits in the place; the five hours that Alabi Isama talked about when you chased after him, he said he ran out of bullet, nd you ran out of bullets but you had to go get him?

Yes, but you know when you have a unit you give them work to do. Unfortunately, the civil war was not the conventional war taught in school, where the commander sits at the back and he gives order; and expects his lieutenants to carry out the operations. Unfortunately you had to wake up at five o clock in the morning to make sure, even though your officers were there at the frontline, to get them to start the operation. You had to hang around in the evening to make sure that the operation was carried out. That was how 3rd marine commando worked throughout the operation and that’s why Alabi, even though he was chief of staff, for a long time was always at the front. You would do most of your writing works at night and this same night you travel round to join your troops at the front to

All they do now is to want to hold the presidency, which the Yoruba held for eight years and were worse off for it. When they hold it for eight years, they would also be worse off for it. So really it is either we sit down and really resolve this problem in the interest of everybody, not just in their own interest but in the interest of everybody. Let’s recognize the problems that we have in the country’

make sure that the operation went well, otherwise nothing might happen. So I was there.

It was normal. It happened every day. You got out there, you got surprises, you had to adjust yourself and get on with it.

Yes, another fault: there again, we made another big blunder because we wanted to get to Uli Ihiala at all cost, so we thought if we got to Owerri, we could follow the Orashi river right up to Owerri lake, land on the other side - that is Oguta; and then come out. I think less than five kilometers from Oguta was the main road that links Owerri, Ihiala, Nnewi. So, if you came out of that road, the war was as good as over.

That was Pincer 2 strategy?

Yes, that was short cut. But then we sent Makanjuola there and he landed. He spent about two/three days there but unfortunately all the reinforcement that was supposed to come to Owerri, to now push a little bit to divide the front properly, never happened. So, the rebels concentrated on Makanjuola and they pushed him back to Oguta Lake. There were quite a number of small tragedies that happened during the war. But in this case we didn’t lose too many troops because we were smart enough to get out in time.

You must have been very trusting sir, the Azuatalam guy was a Biafran officer. He could have been a traitor. To have converted him from Biafra to Nigerian army, was that not a big risk?

Maybe. But I think at that stage of the war, we had come to the point where a lot of the socalled rebel officers-Biafran officers, even their men, seemed to think that whenever they were captured, that the war was over for them. That the loyalty they were talking about and the fervent Biafran thing about everybody singing the anthem and this and that didn’t go beyond when things are comfortable…..That’s my impression right from when I was in Second Division, to the operations in the Midwest. That was my impression. Each time you captured anyone and you treated him well, he forgot about the Biafran thing.

Isama himself talked about Third Marine Commando; that Boro was the one training them; that when they got there, he trained them and at first he was sleeping with one eye open.

But he discovered that the people were not a threat, after which he relaxed.

My first encounter with riverine area was when I was abruptly posted to Bonny to go and take over the place but I did. I had three officers who I can never really forget. The first one was called Amangala George. He was a school principal, he had a master’s degree, he was my adjutant, I inherited him there. He was not a soldier but he was very intelligent He was Biafran?

No! I think he is from Yenogoa. I am talking about the people who came from the riverine areas and then we had not captured Port Harcourt but we had Bonny so it was Bonny now that I met this George, he was my adjutant. Not a soldier but a make-shift soldier, he would just put on uniform and we started teaching him the regimen of how to fight. But he was a good administrator. He administered my headquarters. The other one was Yanayo , he was also a school teacher and the third one was Nottingham Dick. If you remember, Nottingham Dick was one of the persons sentenced with Boro. So, you can see these were people who had been involved, in one way or the other, in the liberation of the riverine areas. It was not really as articulated as it is today, as the area has now been carved into Rivers, Bayelsa, Delta, Cross River and Akwa Ibom states. Back then, it was Kalabari, Ndoni, Andoni, Ijaw, the pure riverine areas. That’s what Boro stood for but Port Harcourt, of course, used to be their headquarters. So, I met these three people there and I learnt a lot from them. First I had never done any canoeing or boating but in Bonny, there was no way of surviving for an officer. There was no way you could go looking at your troops without you really being able to use a canoe or to use a pontoon; and there was nothing worse than asking people to do things which you could not do yourself. So, I had to learn how to use a canoe, how to use a speed boat, things like that. So those were the things we learnt from people like Boro. Unfortunately, he went to Okrika and he got killed there. Many people got killed but that of Boro was significant because of what he stood for. But what Boro stood for we have refused to address till tomorrow.

But if we don’t address these issues, Nigeria is not going to go very far.

Could you substantiate a bit on that sir?

Well, Boro formed what he called Niger Delta Volunteer Force and he was saying they didn’t want anybody to come and mine their oil and all that. Later on they gave it a name. They called it resource control. Some people later still called it restructuring of the system. That’s what Boro stood for. He decided that the only • Continued on page 51

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

INTERVIEW

‘The civil war settled nothing’ • Continued from page 50

way to get attention was to go around molesting the oil companies and the rest of these insiders, he didn’t make it habitable for foreigners who were digging oil in the place.

Well, he died during the war. The whole thing died down after the war because you had to do reconstruction, things like that. But there was a resurgence of it, championed by SaroWiwa (Kenule). Again, he approached it from a very sophisticated intellectual angle. But Instead of listening to him, they hanged him.

They organized some people to lie and do whatever was needed to get rid of him. Now the third phase of it is the militant agitation involving Asari-Dokubo and co. What did we do? We gave them amnesty, we make them into tin gods and empower them. They are all billionaires now. But we haven’t solved the problem because tomorrow it is going to come back to us again. A new generation of them will come up, rebels with a cause. You cannot get rid of such a rebel unless you remove his cause. You are always going to get supporters for it until we go to the riverine areas and really set the place right.

When I was in Bonny around 1967-68, if you could paddle a canoe and you got a basket and you went on the Bonny River, you could catch Cray fish, if they taught you a little bit about this thing. You could go to Okrika, at low water, and catch periwinkle –a basketful of it.

All those things have disappeared and we are saying that the people don’t have a reason?

Well I’m sorry for them. All they do now is to want to hold the presidency, which the Yoruba held for eight years and were worse off for it.

When they hold it for eight years, they would also be worse off for it. So really it is either we sit down and really resolve this problem in the interest of everybody, not just in their own interest but in the interest of everybody. Let’s recognize the problems that we have in the country.

That was one lesson I learnt during the war - Lesson because I could see in practical terms how they live in the riverine areas. Those of us who say they are very lazy people don’t even know that sometimes they go out for a whole week in the water catching fish, going from fishing pond to fishing pond and now when they come back to the village and they are sitting down in the morning to drink kaikai and all that, then you’ll say these people are just drunkards. But look, that is their lives.

That is the dictation of living inside the creeks and bog where they live. Unless you sit and study, understand these issues, you won’t understand the problems; and you would understand even less the people.

The question of people threatening us that they have kept their arms in the creeks and whenever we don’t do their bidding they are going to go back into the creeks, I take seriously. You know Boko Haram, and all that.

So, let’s go to the root of these issues. I thought it was a privilege for me to have served in Bonny and in that riverine area, to go round meeting the people, seeing the villages and the way people lived, the conditions in which the people lived and what is their livelihood.

I know we took 90 percent of their livelihood out of them. So if we get the oil, give them the money and let them go and organize themselves.

•Gen. Akinrinade

I want to ask a question that may seem philosophical. I can take the difference in perspectives in civil war literature. What I can’t understand is the difference in facts in the narratives. Who is to be believed and why, in view of the distortions here and there?

But you also know that even in the Acts of the Apostles, the disciples went with Jesus, all of them were supposed to be present but when they wrote, their versions were different, here and there: language, expressions, perceptions and interpretations. That’s why we have so many; Mark, Luke; and everybody wrote his own. I think that is one. But you will find that the facts are very close. In the case of the war, I expected that would happen. However, if you can’t correctly interpret whatever happened, you could at least narrate things as they happened. In that wise, those who were physically present there would have a much better account of what really happened.

Isama was present there, Obasanjo was present there. Yet you find Isama coming out with counter points to Obasanjo’s own version?

Yes, I think if Obasanjo had concerned himself strictly with the short time that he was in 3rd Marine Command and told factually what he saw, maybe his book would not have been so nauseating. But he didn’t. He embellished it. If you were not party to things, you don’t talk about them. If you are told about these things, you can verify them before putting them down in a book. I don’t think Obasanjo took enough pains to really find out about things, all in the process of trying to justify his stand or position. Why was Obasanjo the only general officer commanding present there at the formal signing of documents ending the war? How can he justify that? Was he the only person that fought the war? I don’t know why Nigerians didn’t ask questions: are you the only one who fought the war? He couldn’t get the other GOCs to be part of the formal surrender: of the First Division, Second Division, those who did it before and those who succeeded them and even Adekunle that Obasanjo succeeded. Why wasn’t Adekunle present there? These are issues which Nigerians ought to have asked; are you the only one that fought the war?

You were not even there when the war ended, you were sitting in Port Harcourt. The matter had been settled in Owerri ever before you showed up. Achuza is still alive today and people can ask him. That made people like Alabi angry about Obasanjo’s claims.

That’s why I said when I saw the draft, I told him it is a book by an angry man. Don’t destroy a very good book because you are also angry that somebody had done it in a very derogatory and incorrect way. So, that was why I thought somebody should edit the book. I only got a final copy of the book yesterday (July 7) when I visited him; and even then I have not been able to read him to see exactly how much the original copy has been altered. But I suspect he got some very good people to tinker with it.

He suggested in the book that actually you were the person instrumental to the final surrender push. You were the one they really surrendered to. Would you want to tell us the last seconds of the war?

Yes, I was the chief operation officer for

PHOTOS: OLAKUNLE ABIMBOLA

•Gen. Akinrinade

Obasanjo and then like I said, at least in the Third Marine, when you order an operation, it is better for at least the chief operations officer, from headquarters, to be there when the execution takes place. So, in the last two days of the war, I had to move myself to Owerri. As soon as we got back to Owerri, I decided to stay there so that we could continue the operation. In the night, one of the officers came and woke me up and said that some rebels were looking for the GOC. They brought them to me. Their leader introduced himself and said that ...

Do you remember his name sir?

Achuzia. We call him Air Raid. He wasn’t my friend anyway because he killed my friend in Port Harcourt. So, we talked…

What friend did he kill in Port Harcourt?

Halliday, the owner of Silver Valley.

He wasn’t a soldier?

No he was just a business man. He shot him in the front of his children and his wife. Till today one of his daughters never recovered from that trauma. She’s in America today. So Achuzia said he needed to get a message to the GOC. I explained to him that I wasn’t the GOC, I was only the operation officer for the division. However, my GOC was in Port Harcourt; and that I was prepared to do anything to minimize the carnage going on, if the talk was surrender. I said okay. It was 5 o’ clock that morning and we were supposed to start the final push; but that I had enough authority to stop it. But how was I sure his side would keep to the arrangement such that after we lost the momentum, we would not go back to fighting again? So I said, let’s go and see Effiong. Where is Effiong? I asked. He said he was in Amichi. How far away was Amichi?

He said about a few minutes drive. So about 5: 30 in the morning, we left our own headquarters, I followed him. My brigade commander, Ola Oni, said he was going with me but I said no way! I told him, if in two hours you don’t see me or you don’t hear from me just start the operation, don’t worry about where I am, it doesn’t matter. So I took another young officer to follow me so we got to the vehicle and I noticed that as morning was coming, people were not interested in the war anymore. The Biafran soldiers sat down beside the road like refugees. Nobody had guns. Even for those that still had uniforms, you could see that for them, the war was over. Then, Achuzia made a request: just in case anything happened to us, he wanted us to visit his wife - can I call on my wife just to tell her that I’m okay because when I was coming here she said they were going to kill me? I said okay , why not? So we went to his house, in a small village. He had a very nice place and I said you people said you were fighting a war; and yet you can keep a bungalow like this in this place! So, we joked about it so he brought a brandy bottle and we poured libation and we drank and I assured the wife, a European, white lady, that the war was over.

So we now drove to Amichi. Getting there, the time was now like 6: 45-7 in the morning and people were already anxious to find out what had happened to Achuzia. As we came out of the vehicle, among those who trooped out were three of my classmates: Ben Gbulie, Iheadigbo, Nwakwe! Then, some of my juniors were there too. So, I forgot what we came to do there, and were laughing and busy backslapping, saying we were all so stupid to have allowed this thing to go on for this long,

So where is Effiong, I asked. They said he was upstairs. We went upstairs and I met General Effiong. We were very close at the Army Headquarters before. Then he said something of an honourable surrender and all that. But I told him I didn’t care whatever he called it.

All I knew was that the war was over; and they didn’t have one chance in hell of negotiating anything. If I were you, I told him, I would just give up and let everybody go home.

So, we just argued about that a little bit and that was that. I told him I would have to take proper instruction from my GOC, since I had sent him a signal that I was leaving Owerri, to check some stories about rebel surrender. So, Obasanjo left Port Harcourt for Owerri. I came back around 11: 30 am, since we had spent so much time drinking and pouring libation.

Shortly after, Obasanjo arrived and I briefed him and he said he wanted to see Effiong. So, he did. We then drafted a speech and agreed that Effiong should go to the radio station nearby to read the speech, saying the war was over; and that everybody should stop shooting. That was it.

Thereafter, we agreed everybody should come to Port Harcourt, en route to Lagos. But as Obasanjo and the former rebel officers were leaving Port Harcourt for Lagos, I called our rear commander, then Lt. Col then, Emmanuel Abisoye. I told Emmanuel that these people were coming to Lagos; and that he should get accommodation for the visiting party and also get all the other divisional commanders. The idea was that the former rebels, the Nigerian divisional commanders and Obasanjo would go to Dodan Barracks for the formal surrender ceremonies. But it never happened that way. Abisoye arranged the accommodation.

But the rebel officers never showed up.

Obasanjo had lodged them in another place.

When Abisoye eventually met Obasanjo, he told him he should alert and bring the other divisional officers to the surrender ceremony.

But I blamed Abisoye, telling him he should have told Gen. Gowon. Anyway, Obasanjo didn’t call anyone and Abisoye was the only one who followed him.

I think Obasanjo has a very acute sense of history and I think he was dying to be something someone had never been before and do something nobody had done before, not just in the military but also during his presidency.

So, I think that was what motivated him and that is the reason people like Mohammed Shuwa, people like Murtala Muhammad, people like Ibrahim Haruna and Benjamin Adekunle never showed up at that armistice.

So, he took all those photographs and then put them in his book. I thought that was very uncharitable.

Was there any reaction by these excluded commanders?

Nobody bothered. They were not like Obasanjo, all those people. These were just soldiers. I don’t think they were thinking of history or whatever. Their attitude was: let’s just get this job done and get on with it.

We also learnt that from Isama’s book; he said that there was this long trip that George Innih took to Arochukwu, while you were getting the surrender?

Yes, George was supposed to join us a day before because we had finished all the operations in the sector. He was supposed to bring most of his brigade to come and join us in Owerri, so together we could do the final push to Uli Ihiala …

• To be continued

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NEWS

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

TREE PLANTING IN LAGOS

•Nasarawa State Governor Tanko Umaru al-Makura (right) handing over the Key to 32-seater coaster bus he donated To Nasarawa United Football Club to his Special Adviser on Sports Development, Mr Silas Agara, In Lafia... at the weekend.

L-R: Chairperson, Ekiti State Technical Consultative Committee on Arts, Culture and Tourism, Erelu Bisi Fayemi; a member of the State House of Assembly, Mrs. Abeni Olayinka; Commissioner for Women Affairs, Social Development and Gender Empowerment, Mrs. Fola Richie-Adewusi; Deputy Governor, Prof. Modupe Adelabu; and Commissioner for Arts, Culture and Tourism, Chief Ronke Okusanya, during the inauguration of state-of-the-art equipment and costumes for the state’s standing cultural troupe, in Ado-Ekiti... on Friday

•Minister of Finance Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala and Chief Executive Officer, Blue Diamond Logistic, China, Festus Mbisiogu during President Goodluck Jonathan’s Economic visit to China.

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle) with Executive Director, (Lagos and Southwest), First City Monument Bank (FCMB), Mr. Femi Bakre (left); Divisional Head of Human Resources and Change Management, Felicia Obozuwa; FCMB’s Deputy Managing Director Mr. Segun Odunsanya (second right) actress Lanre Hassan at this year’s Tree Planting Day... at the weekend.

•Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Lateef Ibirogba (middle) assisted

by Mrs. Morenike Adesina-Williams to plan a tree

•Chairman, Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Bolaji Muse-Ariyoh taking his turn.

•Wife of the Governor of Ogun State, Mrs. Olufunso Amosun, son of Prof. Wole Soyinka/Ogun State Commissioner for Health, Dr. Olaokun Soyinka in a group photograph with 79 winners of the Memoirs of Our Future Essay Competition in commemoration of Prof.

Soyinka’s 79th birthday anniversary in Abeokuta

•Chairman, Iru-Victoria Island Local Council Development Area Prince Abayomi Daramola

From right: Chairman, Coker-Aguda Local Council Development Area Mrs. Omobolanle Akinyemi-Obe assisted by Mr Tijani Folorunso and Alhaji M.O Dosunmu.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

54

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 16-07-13

Equities will remain bullish, says Cowry Asset T HE Nigerian equity market would remain largely bullish in the second half of the year as investors adjust their portfolios in expectations of early interim dividends and fullyear returns, analysts at Cowry Asset Management Limited have said.

The optimism on market outlook came as equities sustained their consecutive bullish rallies at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), adding N52 billion to push aggregate market value of all quoted equities to N11.998 trillion.

In its half year review and outlook made available yesterday, Cowry Asset Management Limited, a leading investment and financial services firm, outlined that the market was in good stead for continuing upswing in spite of the substantial return of 28.8 per cent in the first half.

According to analysts, the overall outlook for the market would remain largely bullish although some extraneous global influences such as the United States of America (USA)’s quantitative easing could moderate the market performance.

“We retain our bullish outlook for the equities market in the second half of 2013 as the bourse present attractive opportunities for both foreign and local participants,” Cowry Asset stated.

Analysts noted that expectations from interim dividend declarations by bluechip companies such as Nestle Nigeria and Guaranty Trust Bank would sustain bullish tempo just as investors who will be taking posi-

•Market cap rises by N52b

By Taofik Salako

tions ahead of the full-year results will add momentum to market upswing.

They however, noted the possible negative impact of the removal of the quantitative easing programme of the USA on the market, pointing out that such withdrawal might reduce the foreign portfolio investment inflows into the Nigerian capital market. Foreign investors accounted for nearly half of market participation.

On the debt market, analysts projected that primary market bonds might be auctioned at higher discounts given higher expectations of both interest rates and decline in foreign portfolio inflows.

Analysts stated that the establishment of the self regulating FMDQ OTC Plc for the hitherto unregulated OTC bonds market should foster improvement in the OTC bond market and boost confidence in the entire bond market, which will ultimately lead to higher volumes of transactions in the bond segment. FMDQ is expected to take off in August.

“Inflation still remains a threat to the economy ahead of clandestine campaign activities towards to 2015 general elections and as the foreign sector economy eases.

Furthermore, we anticipate increase in imported inflation as pressure on external reserves mounts,” Cowry

Asset pointed out.

Meanwhile, the main index at the NSE, the All Share Index (ASI), recorded a modest increase of 0.44 per cent to nudge average year-to-date return at the stock market to 34.93 per cent. The ASI inched up from 37,720.32 points to close at 37,885.66 points. Aggregate market value of all equities increased from N11.946 trillion to N11.998 trillion.

Advancers remained ahead of decliners just as gainers added more substantial points than losers. Seven-Up Bottling Company led the advancers with a gain of N4.91 to close at N64.90. Julius Berger Nigeria trailed with a gain of N4.89 to close at N79.78. Flour Mills of Nigeria added N2.97 to close at N88. Nigerian Breweries chalked up N2.05 to close at N170.05. Forte Oil added N2.03 to close at N22.37 while MRS Oil and Gas rose by N1.90 to close at N20.90 per share.

On the downside, Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria topped the losers’ list with a drop of N2.48 to close at N97.50.

CAP followed with a loss of 95 kobo to close at N45.05. Okomu Oil Palm trailed with a loss of 85 kobo to close at N45. Guaranty Trust Bank declined by 62 kobo to N25.90. Cadbury Nigeria dropped by 55 kobo to close at N52.05 while Cement Company of Northern Nigeria lost 30 kobo to close at N10.30 per share.

Turnover, which was above average at 856.58 million shares worth N4.51 billion in 6,391 deals, was primarily driven by transactions in Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp), which recorded a turnover of 617.98 million shares valued at N865.1 million in 158 deals.

NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 16-07-13

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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MONEY LINK

NDIC seeks prompt amendment of enabling Act T HE Nigeria Deposit Insurance Corporation (NDIC) has said that the proposed amendment of its enabling Act would provide legal framework that would make it take prompt actions in protecting depositors’ interest, its Managing Director/Chief Executive, Umaru Ibrahim has said.

In a statement, the corporation’s boss, who spoke in Lagos at a retreat organised for the Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions on the proposed amendments to the NDIC Act 2006.

Some of the proposed amendments to the NDIC Act included the declaration of the public policy objectives of deposit insurance scheme, provisions to guarantee prompt payment of depositors’ funds in spite of pending legal/ court actions, enhancing debt recovery capability of the Corporation

By Collins Nweze

and dealing with directors, officers and other parties at fault in bank failure.

Ibrahim’s assertion came on the heels of the pledge by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Insurance and Other Financial Institutions, Senator Bassey Edet Otu, that the Committee would work towards ensuring the passage of the proposed amendments to the NDIC Act. This follows the importance the legislators, said they attached to the soundness and stability of the nation’s banking system.

Senator Otu further said the Committee would make wide consultations with relevant stakeholders in the financial sector and members of the public toward securing well-

as liquidator of failed banks, lack of proper understanding of the distinction in the legal status of the NDIC as a corporate entity and its role as liquidator.

There are also challenges relating to execution of court judgments against the assets of the Corporation for the liabilities of failed banks and difficulties associated with the recovery of judgment debts owed to failed banks.

informed position in carrying out the amendments.

He explained that other policymaking organisations and individuals would in due course, be consulted in processing the amendment bill.

The NDIC Chief Executive said although the National Assembly had earlier repealed the NDIC Decree No. 22 of 1988 and enacted the NDIC Act 2006 to address some of the identified weaknesses in the Corporation’s law, a lot of inadequacies had since come to the fore in the implementation of the 2006 Act, which now underscored the need for the proposed amendments.

He listed some of the legal challenges confronting the Corporation in discharging its mandate, including excessive litigations on its role

J

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is collaborating with ministers on how to use post offices as agents of financial inclusion.

Speaking at the inauguration of the steering committee on financial inclusion in Abuja yesterday, the CBN Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi said that the apex bank was working with the ministers on the need to use post offices as agents for financial inclusion.

He said: “When we deal with telecoms companies, we relate with NCC as their regulator and facilitator, so we have been working with NCC in terms of telecoms infrastructure especially as regards financial inclusion on what we need for our PoS

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

terminals and ATMs. “But with the right use of technology, with the right information, with the protection of consumers, with working with other arms of government on the right economic development, we should reduce this inclusion and make a lot of progress”.

He said the key CBN staff will visit primary and secondary schools to talk to the children about financial inclusion. He said, they will “use very simple terms, ones they can under-

stand and also make them aware of the various products that are available.”

Already, the CBN governor said he has started by visiting a primary school where he gave a class a financial literacy lecture. “We are planning to set aside some days as financial literacy days where senior officials of the bank would visit schools and speak on financial literacy to the children. We will use very simple terms so that they can understand the need for savings, the need to protect their identity and other kinds of products that are available to them.”

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

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

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

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 16-07-13

SYMBOL IPWA WAPIC MRS IHS FO CHAMPION 7UP PRESTIGE JBERGER OANDO

O/PRICE 0.90 0.90 19.00 2.60 20.34 7.77 59.99 0.53 74.89 12.43

C/PRICE 0.99 0.99 20.90 2.86 22.37 8.54 64.90 0.57 79.78 13.00

CHANGE 0.09 0.09 1.90 0.26 2.03 0.77 4.91 0.04 4.89 0.57

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) 149.7450 (S/N) Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N) Parallel Market 153.0000

JOSBREW IKEJAHOTEL CUTIX CUSTODYINS CORNERST WEMABANK REDSTAREX CCNN NEM WAPCO

O/PRICE 1.10 0.95 1.98 1.72 0.62 1.19 4.95 10.60 0.72 99.98

C/PRICE 0.99 0.86 1.80 1.58 0.57 1.12 4.75 10.30 0.70 97.50

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

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%

CHANGE 0.11 0.09 0.18 0.14 0.05 0.07 0.20 0.30 0.02 2.48

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

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

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

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

Movement

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 16-07-13

SYMBOL

Ibrahim Shehu Shema on Monday.

Jaiz Bank has now increased its branch network to 10, with the Katsina branch. The bank commenced operations with three branches in Abuja, Kaduna and Kano states on the 6th January, 2012, after it received license from the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) on the 11th of November 2011 to operate as a non-interest bank.

The bank now has branches in Gombe, Maiduguri, Katsina, with additional branches in Kano, making two branches in the state, with two additional branches in Abuja, located at the National Assembly and Wuse District.

Commissioning the Katsina branch on Monday, the governor promised to identify and support the operations of the bank.

He said: “Katsina State Government is ready to partner with and support Jaiz bank and other Financial Institutions that are ready to invest in the real sector of the economy, to enable the state attain greater economic prosperity.”

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM

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

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

‘Jaiz Bank capital hits N13b’

JAIZ Bank now has an authorised share capital of N13 billion, Chairman, board of directors of the bank, Umaru Mutallab has said.

He spoke on Monday while thanking the government and people of Katsina State for welcoming the bank to the state.

The vision of the bank he said “is to be the dominant non-interest financial service provider in sub Saharan Africa. We intend to achieve this by providing innovative, valueadded, non-interest financial services to our clientele by employing the best people, supported by technology.”

Mutallab said there are plans by the bank to open additional branches in Bauchi, Zamfara, Sokoto, Kebbi and Jigawa States. Besides, he said additional branches would be opened at Bayero University Kano, Federal Secretariat Abuja and Zaria, before end of this year.

The overall objective of Jaiz bank he said “is to be at every state capital of Nigeria before the fifth year of our operation In shaa Allah.”

Mutallab made these disclosures at the commissioning of its Katsina branch by the state governor Alhaji

CBN to enhance financial inclusion via post offices T

•Ibrahim

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE INVE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND LOTUS CAPITAL HALAL BGL SAPPHIRE FUND BGL NUBIAN FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEB. PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CENTRE-POINT UNIT TRUST STANBIC IBTC NIG EQUITY • ARM AGGRESSIVE

Offer Price

Bid Price

9.17 1.00 140.00 160.28 0.80 1.17 1.12 100.00 1,000.00 1,826.97 13.66 1.39 1.87 11.299.87

9.08 1.00 139.52 160.19 0.78 1.17 1.11 100.00 1,000.00 1,826.26 12.99 1.33 1.80 10,963.71

• 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

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

56

THE NATION WEDNESDAY JULY 17, 2013

NEWS

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Stop fighting, Tukur tells Rivers lawmakers

HE National Chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Bamanga Tukur, has urged warring parties in Rivers State to sheathe their swords.

Making the call in a statement by his media aide, Oliver Okpala, the chairman dismissed widespread reports that the party leadership fanned the crisis.

Calling for sanity in the state Assembly, Tukur said it is the desire of the PDP that peace and sanity return to the state, adding that democracy cannot thrive in an atmosphere of violence and anarchy.

He urged the lawmakers to avoid overheating the polity, saying the PDP remained a united political family and that no true member would like to pull down the family’s political structure and existence.

The chairman further warned that a threat to peace in any part of the country is a threat to the peace and stability of the country.

He appealed to Nigerians to join hands in ensuring that peace returns to the state.

Tukur assured party members of openness and transparency in both the coming national convention

A

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Marshall Harry’s son condemns violence

HE first son of the late politician, Marshall Harry, Sonny, has described the political crisis in Rivers State as a sign of distraction, which will disrupt development.

He admonished politicians to sheathe their swords and allow peace to reign in the state.

Sonny spoke yesterday at a briefing in Port Harcourt, the state capital.

He said: “Evans Bipi and his group (five anti-Amaechi lawmakers) are all from the Rivers East Senatorial District as Governor Rotimi Amaechi and cannot produce the Speaker throughout this dispensation.

“Let us all abide by the working principle of zoning and not to create more confusion and bad blood, by craving for positions/offices zoned to other ethnic groups or senatorial districts.

“I am worried about the ugly incident in the House of Assembly. I condemn it in its entirety the use of thugs to From Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

and Southwest congress, the dates for which have become a subject of controversy.

“The leadership of the party will take practical steps to ensure that the forthcoming convention and congresses of the party will be an epitome of transparent and credible elections, in line with the par-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

attack members of the Assembly and the attempt to remove the Speaker, Otelemaba Dan Amachree.

“A fake mace was criminally imported into the House. The unsuccessful attempt to remove the speaker speaks volumes of the deadly design of a few to cause mayhem and disrupt the peace in our dear state.

“I must warn that the Kalabari people will not be happy that a position zoned to them and which their son (Amachree) is presently occupying, is scuttled and removed from them illegally.

“Rivers people want peace and development. The ongoing crisis is aimed at removing the House leadership unconstitutionally and eventually impeaching Governor Amaechi. The crisis can be resolved amicably and any misunderstanding among members settled peacefully.”

•Blame Mbu, says NBA ty’s avowed creed for internal democracy.

“The leadership of the party will not have any hand in deciding who wins at the congresses or the special national convention, since it is going to be transparent, free, credible and fair.

“Any candidate who wins must have done so on his or her own merit, performance and service to the party.

“Those to be members of the new National Working Committee will emerge from due process and will be those the delegates will choose at the congresses and the

special convention.

“The national chairman or the leadership have no special or anointed candidate for any position,” the statement added.

The Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Port Harcourt Branch, has stated that the Commissioner of Police, Mbu Joseph Mbu, should be blamed for the deepening crisis in the state.

NBA, through the branch Chairman, Lawrence Oko-Jaja, yesterday urged the people to embrace peace, rather than allowing Rivers to gradually slide towards anarchy and lawlessness.

A non-partisan pressure group, Ekere Ikwerre, also admonished politicians to shun violence and resolve their differences amicably, in the interest of the state.

The lawyers said: “The force, brigandage and thuggery in an attempt by five lawmakers to dislodge the leadership of the House, which turned to a macabre theatre of war, will continue to jolt the psyche of the people for a long time.

“The disgraceful and regrettable incident would not have occurred, if the police were alive to their responsibilities of protecting life and property.”

Warri crisis condemned

GROUP, the Warri Peoples Democratic Movement (WPDM), has condemned the recent attack by suspected Ijaw youths on some Itsekiri communities in Warri North Local Government Area of Delta State, which left four persons dead.

A statement by the group’s Publicity Secretary, Greg Numa, said the Itsekiri are suffering.

“We want to advise government at all levels to stop appointment and imposition of candidates for elective positions. The people should be allowed to do their rotation, zoning and choosing,” the statement said.

A community leader, Andrew Aganbi, also condemned the attack. He said: “There are better and peaceful ways through which issues can be resolved without loss of life and destruction of property.

“The issue at stake couldn’t have led to a crisis; we can resolve this matter without bloodshed. I strongly condemn the act.”

He called on Ijaw and Itsekiri leaders to resolve the crisis amicably.

A

Nollywood producer dies

NOLLYWOOD producer and former Chairman of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) in Bayelsa State, Favour Ogosi, is dead. He was 45.

His wife, Lizzy, said he died yesterday after a brief illness.

She said: “He complained of severe stomach pains at midnight and he woke me

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

up to take him to the hospital. While we were there, he was crying, the doctors tried their best but he died just before 6am.”

Governor Seriake Dickson condoled with the family, describing the late Ogosi as the god of Bayelsa’s movie industry.

Delta to get law on climate change

D

ELTA State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan has said proper legal structures were being drafted to sustain the drive towards reducing the effects of climate change.

Uduaghan spoke yesterday in Asaba at a stakeholders’ forum on the Territorial Approach to Climate Change (TACC) with the theme: “Delta Beyond Oil-Opportunities in Climate Change”.

He said the legal structure was necessary for the state and its people to key into the Green Economy Initiatives of international agencies.

The governor said putting up proper legal structures would ensure that the government would be guided to continue with efforts to make the environment friendly and enable it access funds from international agencies.

Uduaghan also opined that individual attitudes contribute adversely to the degradation of the environment.

Third Anyaoku lecture holds today

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From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

HE third Emeka Anyaoku Lecture series on good governance holds tomorrow in Asaba, the Delta State capital.

According to Youths Affairs International Foundation, Prof Bart Nnaji would be the Chairman; Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio will be the Special Guest of Honour and Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan the Chief Host.

The theme of the Lecture is “The Role of Youths in Nation Building” and would be delivered by Prof Anya O. Anya, Prof Dora Akunyili and Prof Pat Utomi.

•Delta State Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan (middle); Director-General of the National Environmental Standards and Regulations Enforcement Agency Dr Ngeri Benedo (second left); renowned environmentalist Newton Jibunor (second right) ; R20 Executive Director Dr Christopher Nuttal (left) and Mrs Denise Welch at the forum…yesterday

Wood sellers protest multiple taxation

W

OOD sellers, under the auspices of Edo State Plank Buyers and Sellers Association, yesterday marched on the streets of Benin to protest what they described as “multiple taxation”.

They alleged that they were made to pay N33,500 to take a lorry of sawn wood outside the state while they paid N12,500 for taking the sawn wood within the state.

Inscriptions on the placards read: “Different revenue should be abolished”; “Tell

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From Osagie Otabor, Benin

us the right tax to pay”; “Fish out illegal ticketing”; “We detest the use of force”.

Chairman of the association Osahon Edohen, who led the protest, said they signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with the government in May 2009 where they agreed to a fixed charge of N1,000 per lorry for intra-city fare and N6,000 per lorry for inter-city fare.

Edohen said the taxes were collected from them at several road blocks by persons,

‘We have been trying to calm our members and we do not want a situation whereby they will clash with the tax collectors’ who used both harassment and violence without receipt.

He said: “We have been trying to calm our members and we do not want a situation whereby they will clash with the tax collectors.

“We are convinced that your government does not intend to suffocate us out of business with the new tax regime. Adequate steps should be taken to stop these hoodlums from enriching themselves.”

Secretary to the State Government Prof.

Julius Ihonvbere assured the protesters that their petition would be given attention

Red Cross holds 5000-man walk in Lagos

HE Nigerian Red Cross Society, Lagos State branch, as part of activities marking the 150 years anniversary celebrations, is organising a 5000man walk titled: “*Walk for Life*”.

The essence of the walk, according to a statement by Simeon Ojeme, is to reach out to members of the society, create awareness on other activities marking the anniversary and also enlighten the populace on the

activities of the society.

The walk, which will come up on July 20, will begin from the National Stadium at Surulere, through Costain, Apapa Road, will terminate at the Red Cross secretariat on 2, Makoko Street, Adekunle Yaba.

The statement said the anniversary which was kick started with the unveiling of the anniversary logocum endorsement of celebrity volunteers which held on the May 16 at the Na-

tional Secretariat (annex) of the Nigerian Red Cross Society.

The logo unveiling, it said was followed by a youth empowerment seminar/lecture delivered by Prof. Pat Utomi and Mr. Fela Durotoye at the University of Lagos.

Other activities lined up for the anniversary celebrations include; blood donation exercise which is being done in conjuction with the Lagos state government ti-

88-jobs-Lagos-Abuja ok

tled “give the gift of life, donate blood save a life,” musical concert, project feed which is a reach out event to distribute food items and materials to indigent members of the public.

Also to hold is a novelty football match between Governor Fashola and Friends and versus other volunteers of the society, while the grand finale of all activities is the fund raising dinner which comes up in November.

57

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17 ,2013

NEWS

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Kidnappers’ den demolished in Ebonyi HE Ebonyi State Gov-

ernment, in conjunction with the police, has demolished a house in Emezabi Community, Ngbo in Ohaukwu Local Government Area, which reportedly served as kidnappers’ hideout.

The demolition followed the kidnap of the wife of the Deputy Leader of the House of Assembly, Mrs. Winifred Ogbu, last Friday by a sixman gang.

Mrs. Ogbu was held in the three-bedroom mud house in an isolated part of Emezabi community until she was rescued by policemen, following a tip-off. One of the suspected kidnappers was killed.

The Commissioner for Works and Transport, Chukwuma Nwandugo, said the demolition was a new

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

government policy to warn criminals in the area.

Police spokesman Sylvester Igbo said such policy would serve as a warning to others.

Some indigenes of the community told reporters shortly after the demolition that they were pleased with the government’s action.

Two of them, Uche Agbo and Chris Nweke, described the battle against crime as a collective effort.

“We promise to continue to volunteer information to security agencies to enhance security in the state,” they said.

The police have recovered Mrs. Ogbu’s Toyota Highlander in which she was taken away.

Anambra approves N5.5b for roads •The house being demolished...yesterday

Policemen, prison officials clash T in Owerri A LL hell broke loose yesterday in Owerri, the Imo

state capital, when armed policemen engaged prison officials in a shoot-out.

The incident, which resulted in a stampede on Okigwe Road and environs, caused panic in the state capital as motorists abandoned their vehicles and scampered to safety.

Although there was no casualty, a senior prison official, who pleaded for anonymity, told The Nation that

A

•Residents scamper for safety From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

over 10 policemen invaded the prisons to recover a tricycle, which was in the care of prison officials.

He said: “The rider of the tricycle was involved in an accident close to the prison gate and the rider and the occupants were rushed to

the hospital by our men but after some hours a group of policemen came to take away the tricycle without asking after the owner.

“Our men told them that they can’t release the tricycle without informing our boss and an argument ensued but when our senior officer came out the police-

men started to insult him and insisted on taking away the tricycle; this resulted in a shoot-out between the police and our men but no casualty was recorded.”

An eyewitness said the officers were engaged in a fight. Some uniforms were torn in the fracas.

But the Commissioner of Police, Muhammad Musa Katsina, said there was no shootout between the police and the prison officers, adding that it was only a brawl among the junior officers.

Court jails man 20 years for rape

24-YEAR-OLD man, Nnauka Okoro, has been sentenced to 20 years’ imprisonment for rape.

Okoro, an indigene of Abiriba, Bende Local Government Area of Abia State was found guilty of raping, stealing and assaulting his victim, a 27-year-old lady, who came to visit her brother, who was his neighbour.

The prosecutor, Inspector Sunday Asuquo, told the Aba North Chief Magistrate’s Court that the accused on July 4 at Royal Palm Area, Ogbor Hill, Aba, assaulted, stole and raped his victim; an offence he said was punishable under Sec-

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

tion 355, 390 and 358 of the Nigerian Criminal Code.

Asuquo urged the court to take appropriate legal action to ensure that the complainant was not denied justice.

Okoro pleaded guilty to the charges but begged the court for leniency.

The Magistrate, K. I Udo, gave the accused 10 years for rape, five years for stealing and five years for assault.

The Magistrate ordered that the stolen items be returned to the complainant.

A family source, who pleaded for anonymity,

‘The guy defiled her and she stabbed him in the lower part of his body with the same dagger.’ narrated how the incident happened.

He said: “The lady came from Lagos to visit her brother who lives at OgborHill.

“On that day, the accused disguised himself and attacked the victim when she came out to the corridor to do some chores.

“He pushed her into the room, threatening to shoot

her if she did not comply .

She initially refused, but the guy stabbed her on the cheek with a dagger.

“The guy defiled her and she stabbed him in the lower part of his body with the same dagger.

“He stole some valuables from the house before fleeing. The victim called her brother who alerted the police. They instituted a search operation and later saw the guy (Okoro) bleeding with all the things he had stolen from the house, including the materials he used to disguise himself.”

The source, who hailed the ruling, called for more stringent penalties for people found guilty of rape.

Lawmaker lays claim to Rivers Speaker’s seat

R

IVERS State lawmaker Evans Bipi on Monday night declared himself the speaker.

Bipi was reported to have led five members of the Assembly to orchestrate Peter Otelemaba Dan-Amachree’s purported impeachment.

Dan-Amachree, who resumed sitting with 23 lawmakers, maintained that his leadership of the Assembly remained intact. He presided over the deputy governor’s budget amendment presentation.

But speaking with State House correspondents at the end of the presidential dinner in honour of delegates

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

to the African Union (AU) Special Summit on HIV/ AIDS, Tuberculosis and Malaria in Abuja on Monday night, Bipi said he was duly

elected by 23 members.

Reacting to the allegation that only five members, against the rules, made him Speaker, Bipi said: “How would it be five? We formed a quorum. It was a full house and I was duly

elected. It was over 23 lawmakers.”

On a video clip showing him punching somebody on the floor of the chamber, Bipi said: “Myself punching?

That is a framed work of Governor Rotimi Amaechi.”

Senator hails Fed Govt on second Niger Bridge

T

HE Senator representing Anambra North, Mrs. Margery ChubaOkadigbo, has lauded the Federal Government for the commencement of work on the Second Niger Bridge.

Senator Okadigbo said she was elated and full of gratitude with the news that the Federal Government has given “Letter of Intent” to Julius Berger to begin initial work on the strategic bridge.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor

The lawmaker added that it was a thing of delight to her constituents that Julius Berger has mobilised to site to commence preliminary work on the bridge.

Senator Okadigbo who stated this in a letter of appreciation to President Goodluck Jonathan, said the bridge will catalyse greater socio-economic activities and commercial benefits to Nigerians when completed.

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

HE Anambra State Government yesterday approved road contracts worth N5.5 billion.

Briefing reporters yesterday in Awka, the Commissioner for Information, Joe Martins Uzodike, said the projects include the 6.3 kilometre Ekwulobia-Ezinifite Road in Aguata awarded at N765.5 million with a completion period of 30 weeks.

Others are the 5.2 kilometre Isuofia-Umuona-Nanka Road with a spur to Aguata awarded at N587.4 million with a completion period of 30 weeks.

Also, the 4.4 kilometre Nando- Afor Igbariam Road, to cost N636.5 million is to be completed in 28 weeks.

Other projects approved were the reconstruction of Bida road and Okwei Street in Onitsha at N1 billion.

The 4.82 kilometre Ndiowu Road with a spur to Orumba North Local Government Area was also awarded at N630 million with a completion period of 28 weeks.

Also awarded were three pedestrian bridges between the Niger Bridge Head and Zik’s roundabout in Onitsha at N435 million and the 2.4 kilometre Umudioka-Ogbunike Road with spur to Girls’ Secondary School, Umudioka, at a N337.5 million to be completed in 30 weeks.

Ex-Speaker appeals to Okorocha

F

ORMER Speaker of Imo State House of Assembly Goodluck Nana Opiah has appealed to Governor Rochas Okorocha to pay the terminal benefits and stipends of former lawmakers.

The former Speaker, who made the appeal yesterday at a briefing in Owerri, lamented that the former member, who represented Ideato North constituency, Louis Chukwu, died following his alleged inability to access proper health attention due to paucity of funds.

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

“It is most unfortunate that all political office holders and appointees of government, who served between 2007 and 2011, left without receiving their terminal benefits and stipends,” Opiah said.

He said efforts made to get the governor to pay these legitimate entitlements failed.

Opiah appealed to the state government to pay the late lawmaker’s entitlements to his family.

APC ready for Anambra polls

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From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has said it is ready for the October 5 local government election in Anambra State.

The state Chairman of the All Nigeria Peoples Party (ANPP), Pat Orjiakor, said: “Everybody is afraid of APC and that is why some of them have started singing discordant tones; we are prepared and ready for the election.

“The fusion of three major parties has sent jitters down the spines of some individuals and their parties; APC is not relenting, and we are working hard to make sure we take over Anambra.

“Let them continue killing themselves over the conduct of local government election that has not been conducted in this state for the past 15 years, all we are saying is that our party is ready to battle all-comers and take over Anambra.”

Two die in multiple accidents

T

WO persons died yesterday in an accident involving two heavyduty trucks and a car.

The accident occurred at Ovia River Bridge in Ovia Northeast Local Government Area of Edo State on the Benin-Lagos Road.

It was gathered that a driver of one of the trucks conveying cement and going towards Benin collided

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

with another truck heading to Lagos State.

The car was said to have ran into the two trucks killing its occupants.

A team of officers of the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and police officers were mobilised to the scene.

FRSC officials could not be reached for comments.

58

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

NEWS

Benue worker jailed three years for stealing N4.95m drugs From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

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Magistrate’s Court judge, Mrs. Cecilia Bakare, yesterday sentenced a worker in the Benue State Ministry of Health, Mr. Sesugh Manasseh, to three years’ imprisonment without an option of fine for the theft of drugs belonging to the ministry worth N4,959,000.

Besides, the trial magistrate ordered that the convict should pay a fine of N5,000, adding that if he failed to pay the fine, he would bag another jail term.

Mrs. Bakare held that Manasseh stole the drugs, which he was employed to protect, thereby frustrating the efforts of the government to provide drugs to patients in hospitals.

The prosecution told the court that a worker in the ministry, one Mr. Terna Abuku, had reported to the police that some drugs in the store of the Central Medical Store, near the School of Nursing worth over N4 million were missing.

The prosecutor explained that during police investigation, Manasseh and Dennis Obaji, who received the drugs, were arrested.

Obaji, a chemist, pleaded not guilty to the charges.

The accused said he did not know that the drugs were stolen.

The matter was adjourned till August 3 for further mention.

Yobe SURE-P empowers over 2,000 women From Duku Joel, Damaturu

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HE Yobe State Government, through its Subsidy Reinvestment Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), yesterday distributed materials and cash to support women and vulnerable groups in the state.

The beneficiaries included widows, the disabled and orphans.

Governor Ibrahim Gaidam said the gesture was a deliberate policy of his administration to teach his “people how to fish rather than depending on fish handout”.

The governor said N98.8 million was spent on the programme, adding that the beneficiaries would pay 50 per cent as the cost of items given to them.

But the windows and disable were given the items free.

Gaidam noted that empowering women in the family is more important because women quickly transform the economic status of the family.

The Commissioner for Women Affairs, Hajiya Asmau Kabir Kollo, explained that 2,710 women would get 500 sewing machines, 200 knitting machines, 500 local spaghetti making machines, 100 mini-grinding machines, 50 deep freezers, 50 sets of bead making materials under category.

She said N100,000 would be given as loan to some women for poultry farming and animal breeding.

Also, the government has lunched the sale of grains at a subsidised rate of N1,500 instead of the market price of N8,000.

Court to rule today on Leadership reporters’application

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USTICE Usman Musale of the Abuja High Court, Kubwa, will today rule on whether or not to hear a motion seeking a stay of proceedings in the trial of two journalists with the Abujabased Leadership newspapers.

The judge delayed ruling till today after hearing arguments from lawyers representing the parties in the case of forgery against the paper’s Group News Editor, Tony Amokeodo and Correspondent, Chibuzo Ukaibe.

The judge is expected to decide whether or not it was proper to hear the motion for a stay of proceedings because of a subpoena ad testificandum (summons to testify) issued on behalf of the defence on President Goodluck Jonathan.

Prosecution lawyer, Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN), yesterday told the court that he was ready to proceed with

•Director, Consumer Banking, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr. Ilesanmi Owoeye; Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties and Chairman, Lagos State National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) Governing Board, Dr. Wale Ahmed, representing Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), at the orientation course closing ceremony for the 2013 Batch ‘B’ Corps members at the NYSC Orientation Camp, Agege, Lagos….yesterday.

JTF kills four ‘terrorists’ in Jigawa

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HE Joint Task Force (JTF) during a raid in Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State has killed three suspected terrorists and recovered assorted arms and ammunition.

A statement yesterday in Kano by the spokesman of 3 Brigade, Nigerian Army, Capt Ikedichi Iweha, said items recovered during the operation from a house, which harboured the terrorists, included four AK 47 rifles, five magazines, 164 rounds of 7.62 milimetre spe-

•Recovers ammunition

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

cial ammunitions for AK 47 rifles.

The statement added: “The JTF, on July 16, following an extensive intelligence build-up with a combined team of the JTF and the Nigerian Army of the 3 Brigade in Kano and the Kano State Directorate of the State Service (DSS), conducted a pre-dawn raid at a house oc-

cupied by members of the terrorist group in Abunabu village of Guri Local Government Area of Jigawa State.

“You may recall that the JTF had warned, following the declaration of a state of emergency in parts of the Northeast, that some fleeing elements of the terrorist network in the region, following ongoing military action against them, would be seeking refuge in other parts of the country, especially in

areas with little security presence.

“Rest assured that the JTF will not rest on its oars at ensuring the safety of the good people of Jigawa State and the states within the area of operational responsibility of the Brigade. To forestall any attempt by terrorists to hibernate in local government areas, the JTF has increased the number of its personnel in towns, besides increasing the number of patrols, especially in identified flash points...”

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From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

new town) and E gbagbe ote; ilosiwaju la nfe (Forget hostilities; It’s development we want).

The National Coordinator of Offa Students’ Leaders’ Forum Lukman Salahudeen said the dethronement of Esuwoye portends a setback to Offa.

He explained that the monarch, during his reign, contributed immensely to the socio-economic development of the community.

The students’ leader called for the intervention of the state and Federal Governments to foster peace in Offa.

Also, the chairman of the local government, when Esuwoye was installed in 2010, Segun Olawoyin, has said the state government committed no wrong in installing Esuwoye.

Olawoyin said the state

Jonathan okays deployment RESIDENT Goodluck of perm secs

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Jonathan has approved the deployment of some Permanent Secretaries.

They are: Mr. Danladi Kifasi, from the Ministry of Finance to the Ministry of Petroleum Resources; Mrs. Fatima Bamidele, Ministry of Health to Ministry of Finance.

Others are: Ambassador Sani Bala, Civil Service Commission to the Ministry of Health; Ambassador Abdulkadir A. Musa, Office of the Civil

did not participate in choosing Esuwoye but only installed him following the recommendation of the kingmakers.

He said: “I think the state government has no problem.

It was not wrong at the time it picked Oba Esuwoye. Its decision was based on the recommendations of the kingmakers in Ojomu, Eesa, Sawo, Balogun. They are the kingmakers in the town.

“The government had no hand in picking anybody. It was the kingmakers themselves that nominated Oba Esuwoye and the Council of Chiefs from Ilorin deliberated on the issue and forwarded their recommendations to the government before the announcement was made.

“So, we don’t have a hand in whether somebody was picked rightly or unjustly picked. We specifically relied on the gazette which was available, and that was the instrument for picking whoever became the Olofa.”

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

Service of the Federation to the Police Service Commission; Dr. Folasade Yemi Esan, Service Policies and Strategies Office of the Civil Service of the Federation to the Ministry of Finance.

The Head of the Civil Service of the Federation (HOSF), Alhaji Bukar Goni Aji, announced the deployment.

•Dr. Jonathan

the trial.

But the lead defence lawyer, Femi Falana (SAN), informed the court that a subpoena personally signed by the trial judge was served on the Presidency via the Ministry of Justice.

The lawyer said he had filed a motion on notice seeking an order for an indefinite suspension of proceedings in the case, pending the end of Jonathan’s tenure to enable him obey the subpoena and testify as a defence witness.

He said the motion was informed by the fact that the accused persons’ fundamental right to fair hearing would not be observed by the court because their application for the issuance and service of subpoena on the President had not been granted by the court.

Falana said: “By virtue of Section 308 of the Constitution (as amended), this honourable court lacks the vires (powers) to issue and cause to be served a subpoena ad testificandum on the President ...to testify as a witness for the accused in this case.

“The accused persons are inhibited from obtaining the attendance of the President ...to testify as a witness for the accused persons in this case.”

The lawyer cited Section 36 (b) of the Constitution to show the need for the accused to have sufficient time and materials for their defence.

He said there should be a level-playing field before the court.

ASUU warns UNIJOS on post-UMTE test

Support rally for deposed Olofa

CORES of protesters, including students, yesterday staged a peaceful rally in Offa, Offa Local Government Area of Kwara State, in support of the deposed Olofa, Oba Mufutau Gbadamosi Esuwoye.

Last week, a Court of Appeal, sitting in Ilorin, the state capital, voided the installation of Oba Esuwoye as the Olofa.

The protesters besieged the palace of the monarch, expressing their solidarity with him.

They sang solidarity songs and made encouraging speeches to the monarch.

The protesters carried placards bearing various inscriptions, such as: Mufutau ni gbogbo Offa nfe l’Oba (Muftau is the unanimous royal choice of Offa people); Gbadamosi, ko se yo; e joko je (Gbadamosi is irremovable; stop your opposition); Esuwoye, Oba tuntun, Offa tuntun (Esuwoye, a new king; Offa, a

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

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From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

HE University of Jos (UNIJOS) chapter of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has warned authorities of the university not to conduct the post-Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) test as scheduled.

The university had planned to conduct the test from July 15 till July 20.

The striking lecturers said they have been on strike in the last three weeks and that their action was total and comprehensive.

ASUU is demanding a total withdrawal of academic services rendered by its members.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Jos, the UNIJOS Chairman of the union, Comrade David Jangkam, and its Secretary, Noel Wannang said: “The union members have resolved, after their meeting, to dissociate themselves from the ongoing post-UTME test at the University of Jos. “They pass a vote of no confidence on the examination and its outcome, condemn the exercise and demand its outright cancellation.

“The conduct of the post-UTME would undermine the strike

by ASUU and subsequently water down academic excellence and integrity, since the academic staff are not involved.

“It will amount to a breach of the National Univerisities Commission (NUC)/University of Jos’ Senate rules on examinations, which restrict the conduct and administration of examinations to academics only.”

48,000 youths empowered in Jigawa

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From Ahmed Rufa’i, Dutse

HE Jigawa State Government has created over 48,000 jobs through its youth empowerment programme in the last four years.

The Commissioner for Economic Empowerment, Alhaji Muhammed Abdu Mago, gave the figure when he addressed reporters in Dutse, the state capital.

The commissioner spoke after a familiarisation tour of the agencies and skill acquisition centres under his ministry.

He said the figure was obtained from the result of the impact assessment carried out by the ministry between 2008 and last year.

Abdu explained that the ministry, in the last four years, trained over 7,000 youths in various skills ranging from GSM repairs, Lleather works, mechanic, photography, chalk production, painting and paint production, satellite TV installation, e-transact pocket money training and advanced leather works training. He said these have a multiplier effect on those who became self-employed because they would train others.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

59

NEWS Senate kills six-year tenure for president, governors Continued from page 4

it so that we take another vote on it.

“But Yerima is a member of the Constitution Review Committee, he should have raised the issue at that level.”

Deputy Senate President, Ike Ekweremadu who chaired the review committee said that the clause has nothing to do with religion.

Ekweremadu added that the Constitution Review Committee felt that a woman should be old enough to renounce Nigerian citizenship.

He recalled that Yerima said the clause is unconstitutional at the review level but insisted that the clause has nothing to do with religion.

A total of 99 Senators registered to vote on the controversial clause.

The repeated vote showed that 60 Senators voted to retain the clause while 35 voted to delete it as recommended by the review committee.

After the vote Mark said: “Once you are married, you are deemed to be of age whether you are one or two years it doesn’t really matter.”

Immediately the clause was killed, there was outrage in the gallery as many spectators felt that the upper chamber had endorsed under age marriage.

Yerima was later shouted down when he attempted to thank Senators for voting to retain the clause.

On assent to a bill, the Senate passed alteration to Section 58 by inserting a new subsection “5A” which states: “Where the President neither signifies that he assents or that he withholds assent, the bill shall at the expiration of thirty days become law.”

A total of 100 Senators registered to vote, 89 voted ‘yes’ while 11 voted ‘no’.

The Senate also approved the alteration of the Section 100 by inserting a new subsection “5a” which reads: “Where the Governor neither signifies that he assents or that he withholds assent, the bill shall at the expiration of thirty days become law” On Section 81, financial autonomy to Attorney General of the Federation.

A total of 100 Senators registered to vote.

While 59 Senators voted that financial autonomy should be granted the Attorney General of the Federation, 41 voted ‘no’ The clause failed to pass.

A total of 83 Senators voted ‘yes’ to grant the Auditor-General of the Federation, 16 Senators voted ‘no’ while two abstained.

On Revenue Mobilisation, Allocation and Fiscal Committee, 99 Senators voted ‘yes’ to grant it autonomy while two voted ‘no’.

On National Human Rights Commission, the upper chamber voted 94 to six to grant the commission financial autonomy.

The senate also approved that all labour matters would henceforth be handled at the state levels.

Observers contended that this new development would weaken the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) and Trade Union Congress (TUC) at the national level.

The clause which states that “Any person who has held office as President or Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, shall be entitled to pension for life at a rate equivalent to the annual salary of the incumbent President or Deputy President of the Senate, Speaker or Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives was passed with a vote of 86 ‘yes’ and 13 ‘no’ with one abstention.

Mark jokingly said that the clause was endorsed ‘overwhelmingly.’

The Senate endorsed financial autonomy for State Independent Electoral Commission; State Houses of Assembly; AuditorGeneral of the State; and State Judiciary.

But the lawmaker opposed first line charge Attorney General of State.

The Senate voted 86 against,14 in favour and one abstention to nail the coffin of the clause on six year single tenure for President and Governors.

On separation of the office of the Attorney General of the Federation from the office of Minister of Justice, the Senate voted 62 in favour and 35 against.

The clause failed because at least 73 votes in favour were required.

On direct payment to local governments from the Federation Account, 59 Senators voted in favour while 38 voted against while two abstained.

The clause failed.

The clause which sought to confer the power on the Attorney General to direct investigation in certain cases was killed with 62 Senators against and 31 in favour.

The Senate killed the clause for Mayoral status for the FCT with 57 votes in favour, 39 against and two abstention.

The Senate failed to remove the National Youth Service Corps Decree 1993 from the Constitution.

It also failed to remove the Public Complaint Commission Act, National Security Agencies Act and the Land Use Act from the Constitution.

It endorsed the changed Afikpo North and South Local Government Areas to Afikpo and Edda Local Governments.

It also endorsed the change of Egbado North and Egbado South LGAs to Yewa North and Yewa South LGAs.

North’s elders: we’ll take back presidency in 2015

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spouse of the President in affairs of the state, are signs that Nigeria is descending into anarchy and lawlessness rarely seen in our history.

“The hands of the Presidency are clearly visible in all these events that appear to draw inspiration from the ambition of President Goodluck Jonathan to stay in power in 2015.The most recent developments in Rivers state represent a new low in the shameful conduct of political office holders at the highest levels and they should be condemned by all Nigerians.

“It is a great pity that those who swore to defend our Constitution and to uphold the rule of law are the same people who use violence as a political too, and serially abuse the power entrusted to them. They have

election was believed to have been won by Chief Moshood Abiola, who was detained and later died in controversial circumstances in detention while fighting for the revalidation of the poll.

“These are the cumulative things that we decided that the South should start. That was how eventually Obasanjo came to be our president under that arrangement and it was clearly for four years. And then when he asked or rather begged for the arrangement to be extended to match the constitutional provision that the president could go for two terms, it was extended in an expanded caucus that the initial four years be added another four years, making it eight years for Obasanjo.

“All of them were present. He

They are seeking a declaration that by the provisions of Section 215 (2) and (3) of the 1999 Constitution, the National Assembly cannot give directives to the IGP or the Commissioner of Police in Rivers State or any other police officer regarding maintenance of law and order.

The plaintiffs said the lawmakers also have no constitutional power to direct Abubakar to re-deploy controversial Rivers Commissioner of Police Mbu Joseph Mbu or any other officer for that matter.

They sought a declaration that the resolutions passed by the Senate and the House directing the police chief to re-deploy Mbu usurps and undermines the powers of President Goodluck Jonathan.

Therefore, they prayed that

the resolutions should be declared unconstitutional, and null and void.

The lawyers are also urging the court to hold that the resolutions passed by the Senate mandating its committee on States and Local Government Areas, chaired by Gaya, to investigate “the sticky situation” between Governor Rotimi Amaechi and Mbu and “the crisis rocking the Rivers State House of Assembly” is unconstitutional, null and void.

They sought a declaration that by the provisions of Section 11(4) and (5) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended), the National Assembly cannot assume the law-making functions of the Rivers State House of Assembly “when there are no facts that the said House is unable to carry out its functions.”

Continued from page 4

•Senator Mark

Labour was deleted from the Exclusive List to the Concurrent List with 77 votes in favour and 17 against.

Two Senators abstained.

The Senate also voted in favour of Railways being placed on the Concurrent List.

The votes tied at 72 Senators in favour and 23 against.

Mark broke the tie by voting in favour of Railways going to the Concurrent List.

The Lawmakers also removed pension matters from the Exclusive List but it failed to remove Prisons from the Exclusive List.

Despite explanation from Senate Leader, Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba and Senator Umaru Dahiru that the removal will solve the problem of prison congestion, the Senators voted against the removal.

The Senate also voted against removing the Chief Justice of Nigeria and other serving Judicial Officers as Chairman and members respectively of the Federal Judicial Service Commission.

Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary, Senator Umaru Dahiru said that the CJN, Justice Mariam Aloma Mukhtar, wrote to request the status quo be maintained.

Ekweremadu also informed the Senate that the CJN wrote to say that she was not comfortable with the clause.

He said that the clause is before the Senate to take a decision on the matter.

Mark also said that not withstanding the letter of the CJN, the Senate will vote on the clause.

The clause was defeated with a vote of 72 against and 26 in favour.

Mark voted against the removal of the CJN as Chairman of Federal Judicial Service Commission.

At the end of the voting, Mark thanked Senators and declared: “Today is a historic day in the history of Nigeria.”

“We voted for those issues that we think will make democracy to go on and make democracy to mature.”

He thanked the Senate Committee on Constitution Review saying: “What ever sentiments they expressed, we have put them to test today.”

Mark told the Senate that today would be devoted for valedictory session for the late Senator Pius Ewherido.

Rivers crisis shameful, say North’s elders

HE Northern Elders Forum (NEF) yesterday urged President Goodluck Jonathan to halt the crisis in Rivers Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

They also called for the removal of Rivers Police chief Mbu Joseph Mbu. The spokesman of the group, Prof Ango Abdulahi, expressed concern over what he described as “the alarming desperation of politicians to manoeuvre themselves in vantage positions for the electoral contests of 2015”, saying it is a major threat to the elections and, ultimately, the democratic process.

“The clumsy and embarrassing conduct and fallout of the election in the Governors’ Forum, the engineered crisis in the ruling party, the role of the

when this happened, of course, the argument was that it was supposed to be in the Constitution, but the government in power at that time said this ought not to be in the Constitution but should be something that parties can use to attract support and growth from all parts of the country.

“This is what the PDP, the ruling party now, accepted quickly and I was part of the constitution drafting for the party. We incorporated rotation between the North and the South.”

Abdullahi said the North allowed Obasanjo to become President in 1999 because the region had taken power for a long time and to pacify the Southwest over the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election. The

abandoned the responsibilities entrusted to them in pursuit of more power and the unending persecution of imaginary enemies. They endanger our democracy and national security.

They must be called to question and asked to stop now.”

Abdulahi called on the President to order an immediate cessation of hostilities in Rivers state and stop using the police to settle his political disputes.

The elders added: “the Nigeria police is not a political party and certainly not an arm of the Peoples Democratic Party.

The governor and people of Rivers State, as indeed all citizens of Nigeria deserve the full protection of the law and of their rights to live in peace under state guaranteed security.”

was the first to sign quickly. This particular president (Jonathan) was there as deputy governor representing the governor of Bayelsa state at the time. He signed as number 37. It was found in the document.

“So you see, we agreed that the south would have eight years and then, the north would have eight years but when eventually, Obasanjo having seen some lacuna, he even tried to abandon the zoning as well as the Constitution to seek for third term.

“And we are now saying that since there is no consideration on morality and so on, the north is going to insist that the presidency will come whether on the basis of rotation or on the basis of voting powers and we have the voting power to make sure that it comes here.”

Rivers crisis: Lawyers write National Assembly over lawsuit The lawyers sought an order of injunction restraining the national lawmakers “from unlawfully encroaching on the functions of the President” and those of the IGP with regard to the re-deployment or reposting of police officers.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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FOREIGN NEWS

Egypt’s interim president swears in new Cabinet

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GYPT’s interim president yesterday swore in the first Cabinet since the military ousted the Islamist president, giving members of the country’s liberal movements key positions. The Cabinet includes three women.

The new government is led

by Prime Minister Hazem elBeblawi, an economist. Army chief Gen. Abdel-Fattah elSissi, who ousted Mohammed Morsi on July 3, retains his post as defense minister and also

took the position of first deputy prime minister, an additional title given to defense ministers in the past.

The Morsi-appointed interior minister, Mohammed Ibrahim, remains in his post, in charge of the police. Nabil Fahmy, who was Egypt’s ambassador to the U.S. from 19992008, becomes foreign minister.

Underlining the relatively liberal outlook of the new government, President Adly

Mansour named three women in his Cabinet, taking the powerful ministries of information and health as well as the environment ministry. The Cabinet has 33 members, not including el-Beblawi.

Most past governments for decades have had at most two women in them.

The Cabinet does not include any figures from Islamist parties. The interim president’s spokesman had said posts would be offered to

Morsi’s Muslim Brotherhood.

The group refused, saying it would not participate in the military-backed political process and vowing to continue its protests demanding Morsi’s reinstatement. Morsi’s supporters accuse the military of carrying out a coup that has destroyed Egypt’s democracy.

In a first, Mansour also swore in an icon of Egyptian soccer as youth minister. Midfielder Taher Abu Zeid starred in Cairo’s el-Ahly club and the

Congo: Army helicopters pound M23 rebels

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ONGOLESE government forces supported by helicopters attacked M23 rebel positions near the eastern city of Goma yesterday in a third day of heavy fighting that has forced hundreds of villagers to flee their homes and raised tensions with Rwanda.

The clashes have also focused attention on the role of the United Nations, which is deploying a new force with a mandate to attack rebel groups in eastern Democratic

Republic of Congo.

The 3,000-strong Intervention Brigade, made up of South African, Tanzania and Malawian troops, has begun patrols but not yet engaged in combat.

The United Nations has warned it would block any attack on Goma, a city of one million people bordering Rwanda, which was briefly captured by rebels in November.

A Reuters reporter in Mutaho, some 7 km (4 miles)

northeast of Goma, saw three army attack helicopters bombard rebel positions in the town of Kibati, 4 km further north of Goma.

Rebels and government troops traded mortar fire on Monday close to the northern and western outskirts of Goma. The United Nations said that a shell fell on Tuesday 100 meters (yards) from Goma airport, with no victims reported.

Millions of people have died from violence, disease

and hunger since the 1990s as foreign-backed rebel groups have fought for control of eastern Congo’s rich deposits of gold, diamonds, copper, cobalt and uranium, destabilizing the Great Lakes region at the heart of Africa.

Kinshasa repeated claims on Monday that Rwanda was directly backing the Tutsi-led M23 rebels. A U.N. report said the group recruits in Rwanda with the aid of sympathetic military officers.

national side in the 1980s.

The swearing-in of the new government came only hours after clashes between police and Islamist supporters of Morsi left seven protesters dead in the worst outbreak of violence in a week.

The overnight riots broke also soon after the most senior U.S. official to visit Egypt since Morsi was toppled concluded a round of talks with the country’s interim leaders in which he called for the Brotherhood to be included in the political process.

•el-Beblawi

Panama finds suspected weapons on North Korean ship

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ANAMA’s president said the country has seized a North Korean-flagged ship carrying what appeared to be ballistic missiles and other arms that had set sail from Cuba on its way to the Pacific.

Panamanian President Ricardo Martinelli told RPC radio on Monday that the ship had been headed for North Korea.

There were no immediate details on the quantity of arms aboard.

Martinelli said the undeclared military cargo appeared to include missiles and non-conventional arms and the ship was violating United Nations resolutions against arms trafficking.

Earlier, the president said on his Twitter account that the arms were “hidden in containers underneath the cargo of sugar.”

Kerry in Jordan for new talks •Government troops in Mutaho, near Goma ... yesterday

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U

•May visit refugee camp

NITED STATES (U.S.) Secretary of State John Kerry launched a new round of Middle East diplomacy yesterday but crises in Egypt and Syria threatened to overshadow his bid to restart stalled Israeli-Palestinian peace talks.

On his sixth trip to the region in as many months as America’s top diplomat, Kerry traveled to Amman to see Arab for-

eign ministers and update them on his efforts to get the Israelis and Palestinians back to the negotiating table. However, unlike his previous visits, he had no plans to travel to Israel or the Palestinian Authority and U.S. officials dampened expectations that there would be any kind of breakthrough or announcement on resuming direct talks.

Zimbabwe election:West softens its condemnation

N the past few months, there have been increasing indications that the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union are flirting with reconciliation – or at least a less stridently antagonist relationship – with the once internationally reviled Zimbabwean President Robert Mugabe.

In March, for example, Western sanctions against some members of Mr. Mugabe’s inner circle were lifted after a constitutional referendum in Zimbabwe was deemed “peaceful, successful and credible” by the EU. Some of these aides were even invited by the British government to London for a re-engagement meeting. Then, last month when Mugabe announced – unilaterally and somewhat provocatively – that Zimbabwe’s general elections would be held on July31 , the EU and US were notably silent. A similarly muted response would have been hard to imagine just five years ago when Mugabe’s international standing was at rock bottom.

There are a number of possible reasons behind the apparent thawing of the West’s icy stance towards Mugabe.

The first is that the president and his ruling ZANU-PF party have genuinely managed to reassure the West of their democratic credentials and that elections this time round will be free and fair.

However, this seems to fly in the face of the fact that there have been virtually no political reforms since 2008 and that ZANU-PF has already made public its intentions to change the new constitution were it to regain power.

For the real reasons into the possible shift in the West’s position on Mugabe, we may have to look to other factors.

Over the past few years, the Zimbabwean government has made some attempts to reach out to the international community.

In these endeavours, there is no doubt that Prime Minister Morgan Tsvangirai and his party, the Movement for Democratic Change-Tsvangirai (MDC-T), have helped give Harare a friendly face. Mr. Tsvangirai’s international tours and other diplomatic efforts have helped sanitize the Zimbabwean government, and his role as prime minister has allowed foreign powers greater flexibility to deal with Zimbabwe without being seen to be dealing with Mugabe.

However, Zimbabwe’s improved relations have in turn reflected well on the government as a whole. For his part, Mugabe may have also been hoping for painful relations with the West to heal over. His rhetoric against the British government, for example, appears to become more subdued compared to in the runup to the 2008 elections.

The US and UK’s softened

ANALYSIS stance could be derived from an acceptance that ZANU–PF and Mugabe are here to stay.

As surveys undertaken by Afrobarometer and Freedom House suggest, ZANU–PF not only enjoys a great deal of popular support in country, but this support has been increasing while the MDC’s has been declining. Furthermore, as analyst Phillan Zamchiya has explained, even if the MDC were able to generate more willing voters than ZANU–PF in the next few weeks, it is likely that ZANU-PF would still be able to manipulate the result to ensure victory.

Given how deeply entrenched Mugabe and his party are in Zimbabwean politics, Washington and London may have calculated that unrelenting criticism would be futile and simply Zimbabwe into the arms of other interested parties such as China.

Following on from the last point, the West’s change of tactics could be seen as ademonstration of realpolitik entrepreneurship. Western sanctions and the increasing involvement of other economic actors in Zimbabwe such as China – in part thanks to Mugabe’s ‘Look East’ policy in the face of those sanctions – has also left many Western countries on the back foot when it comes to Zimbabwe’s considerable mineral wealth. Recogniz-

ing that their sanctions did not work as intended, Western nations may now be trying to ease the way for Western companies to regain a stronger foothold in Zimbabwean economic affairs.

Since the two MDC factions – the MDC-T led by Tsvangirai, and the MDC-M led initially by Deputy Prime Minister Arthur Mutambara and now by Welshman Ncube – joined the coalition government, Western support for them has faded. This is partly due to the corruption and undemocratic practices some MDC members have been accused of since taking office.

Western governments may have realized that criticizing Mugabe and ZANU-PF without extending similar disapproval to MDC members allegedly involved in similarly corrupt activities would be hypocritical. Unwilling to denounce the MDC, Western powers may be consciously holding their tongues more when it comes to Mugabe too.

UK Prime Minister Tony Blair and US President George W. Bush were the main architects of the policies which saw Mugabe’s government portrayed as a pariah state. Mr. Blair relentlessly lobbied the EU to impose sanctions against President Mugabe. And his successor, Gordon Brown, intensified the assault on Mugabe’s regime.

Under the Conservative-led coalition government which took over in 2010, Prime Min-

ister David Cameron has taken more of a back seat on Zimbabwe, possibly due to the UK’s numerous domestic problems and a shift in foreign policy focus towards Somalia.

Some senior Conservative officials have even used a conciliatory tone towards Zimbabwe. Without lobbying from London, the EU has also become more circumspect in its criticism of Mugabe.

During the political crisis that engulfed Zimbabwe between 2001 and 2008, Thabo Mbeki, the president of South Africa at the time, tried to resolve the situation through an approach which was dubbed ‘quiet diplomacy’. This soft approach was heavily criticized by the EU and the US, and Mr. Mbeki was seen as reluctant to put pressure on his fellow ‘revolutionary cadre’ to institute political reforms.

Unsure of Mbeki, the UK and US may have felt it necessary to engage more directly in Zimbabwean affairs.

Today’s South African president, Jacob Zuma, is seen as more assertive towards Zimbabwe. Indeed, on his recent trip to the South Africa, US President Barack Obama praised Mr. Zuma’s administration for reining in ZANU–PF and for confronting them on issues such as violence and intimidation as well as the lack of progress on electoral reform. It is possible that the UK and the US trust Zuma to take an effective lead role on Zimbabwe and so feel more

comfortable taking a hands-off approach themselves.

Another reason the West might have toned down its stance on Mugabe and avoided openly expressing support for opposition parties is the realization that such rhetoric could actually bolster ZANU-PF’s campaign and undermine the MDC’s. In the past, Mugabe has been able to generate much popular support by denouncing Western interference as imperialist and painting the MDC as puppets of the former colonial regime.

Throughout the last decade, EU and US officials have told Mugabe’s government that it must bring an end to human rights abuses, corruption, and political violence if it is to be rehabilitated internationally. Yet despite the lack of political reform, the West has recently lifted sanctions, toned down criticism, and engaged in some conciliatory language. The EU and US appear to be attempting to deal with Mugabe and ZANU-PF quite differently than they were five years ago.

How long this will last, however, remains to be seen. Zimbabwean politics are in a precarious poised position and it is highly uncertain how the election will unfold. Rather than marking a whole new era of Zimbabwean-Western relations, the West’s softened stance is probably more part of a wait-and-see approach.

•Culled from Christian Science Monitor

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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SPORT EXTRA

PREMIERSHIP...

Hazard urges Chelsea to make Rooney bid

W

AYNE Rooney's potential arrival at Chelsea would be "brilliant" for the club, according to attacker Eden Hazard.

Chelsea have been active in their pursuit of a striker during the close-season, with manager Jose Mourinho keen to bolster his attacking options.

A move for Colombian Radamel Falcao fell apart, as he signed for big-spending Ligue 1 outfit Monaco, while Mourinho's attempts at signing Napoli striker Edinson Cavani have reportedly lost momentum.

With Chelsea reportedly turning their attention to Manchester United's Rooney – who has handed in two transfer requests in three years at Old Trafford – Hazard has thrown his support behind the proposed move.

And the Belgian, who scored 13 goals and laid on 26 assists for Chelsea last term, would love to play alongside the striker.

"We've heard all the names – it's not up to us who comes in but it's exciting," Hazard said in Thailand on Monday.

"Rooney would be a brilliant signing. He's a really great player who has the experience, and he's still only young, at 27. He's got a few years left to play.

"It's always a pleasure to play with great players, and Chelsea sign great players."

Hazard's comments come less than a week after Mourinho expressed his public admiration for the want-away forward.

Rooney scored 16 goals in 37 appearances in all competitions last season.

•Rooney

Peter Crouch open-minded on his Stoke City future

P

ETER Crouch insists he is "happy" at Stoke City - but has accepted that the club could look to move him on this summer.

The former England striker is in pre-season training with the Potters under new manager Mark Hughes, who replaced Tony Pulis

•Crouch

following the end of last season.

Now aged 32, Crouch has been at the Britannia Stadium for two years but was linked with a move to QPR in this year's January transfer window.

"I am happy here," Crouch declared. "I have had a few

moves in my career and had lots of different clubs, so there's always been speculation pretty much every year.

"As long as I know the manager is happy and I am happy, I don't think there is anything to be done.

"But you never say never. I haven't been seeking a move or thought about one.

"But if the manager thought it best and something came up that's best for the club, that's up to them.

"I can only speak for myself and I am more than happy at the club and the family is settled here as well."

Ideas Crouch is knuckling down to the training regime laid down by Hughes, whose methods are already making their mark.

"He's certainly got some different ideas from the last manager, who did great at the club," said Crouch.

"Previously we have been running in the first week of pre-season without even seeing the ball, so it's nice to get straight into the football.

"But it hasn't been easy because the training is still geared to getting your fitness up."

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013

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SPORT EXTRA

•Bright Dike celebrates his goal against Catalona team

Bright Dike returns to training

S

UPER Eagles’ and Portland Timber of USA forward Bright Dike, has finally returned to training, months after sustaining an injury in a preseason game against Seattle Sounders on February 5.

Dike, who is a cousin of

By Akeem Lawal Eagles’ striker Emmanuel Emenike was subsequently left out of the Nigeria’s final squad to the 2013 Africa Nations Cup held in South Africa in February.

The 26-year old has now returned to action after a successful rehabilitation in the United States of America.

Dike, who played himself into the hearts of Nigerian football fans with a fantastic goal for the Super Eagles in an international friendly

match against Catalonia at the Estadi Cornellà El Prat on June 2nd, broke the news of his return on his twitter account on Tuesday.

“Back in Business. Back on the training pitch baby!!!!

God is good, man i'm Pumped!!!!!” he tweeted.

Fashola tasks NFF, Keshi reconcile, promise to lift Eagles President Aminu Maigari HE good days of the private sector From Segun Ogunjimi, was visibly happy because Super Eagles are back Abuja he knew that the success of as the leadership of the on sports the Eagles depends on the National Sports Federation were able to good relationship between (NSC) has open up on some contentious development Commission the coaches, players and brokered lasting peace issues that have been

T

T

HE enormous challenge faced by government to provide basic amenities for the citizenry may have prevented it from total funding of sports.

These were the views of Governor Babatunde Fashola of Lagos State at the maiden town hall meeting on sports development organised by the Lagos State Sports Endowment Fund (LSSEF) yesterday as part of its efforts to raise fund for sports development in the state.

The governor, who was represented by the Commissioner for Youths, Sports and Social Development, Wahid Oshodi, said “The state government cannot do all fund sports alone because our budget will not allow us to. That is why LSSEF is a public-private initiative. We are all stakeholders in this endeavour and I would like to use this forum to encourage every one of us to do more for sports in Lagos State.

The responsibility of developing sports infrastructure does not lie with government alone.”

Also, the occasion afforded the board of LSSEF to present its plans of building sports centres across all the local councils in the state.

Emphasising the importance of sports among youths, Fashola said: “When young people participate in sports, it impacts on their physical, mental and psychological well being. Greater participation equals healthier young people and it also equals psychologically balanced youths. Development of a healthy sense of self worth is very important. A young person who has a good sense of his or her abilities and has healthy self esteem will be less likely to succumb to peer pressure or act out negatively.”

between the Nigeria Football Federation and the Super Eagles’ team led by Coach Stephen Keshi.

NationSport exclusively learnt that the Director General of the National Sports Commission, Hon Gbenga Elegbeleye who represented the Sports Minister at the parley between the NFF and the Super Eagles’ team and John Obuh-led Flying Eagles technical crew on Monday was able to broker peace between Keshi and the NFF chieftains to the admiration of all that gathered at the crucial meeting.

The impeccable source revealed that everybody present at the meeting called to review the not too impressive outing of the Super Eagles in the FIFA Confederation Cup and the Flying Eagles ouster in the round of 16 of the just concluded FIFA U- 20 World Cup held in Turkey however ended on a happy note as coaches and top officials on the Nigeria Football

affecting moist especially the Super Eagles performances since Nigeria won the 2013 Africa Cup of Nations.

Hon Elegbeleye also used the medium to tell the feuding parties that they should start relationship on the same page in the interest on Nigerian football which everybody at the parley agreed with. The NFF

NFF confirms Japan friendly for Falcons

T

HE Nigeria Football Federation(NFF) has confirmed that the country's senior women's national team, Super Falcons will slug it out with current World Champions, Japan in a two legged encounter in September.

Dates for both ties are yet to be fixed and the Falcons are yet to raise a team or assemble another set of coaches to continue from where Kadiri Ikhana and his assistants left off.

Eneramo passes second Besiktas medical

N

IGERIA striker Michael Eneramo has passed a second round of medical tests at Besiktas and awaits the result of the third round of examinations.

Eneramo’s move to Besiktas is hanging by a thread after a first round of tests revealed he has a problem with his heart.

The striker exclusively told MTNFootball.com: "I passed the second medical test I did last week.

After that result on Monday,

officials of the team.

Keshi also used the medium to thank the NSC DG and vowed to do everything humanly possible to ensure Nigeria qualify for the 2014 World Cup holding in Brazil. He also assured on Eagles resolves to win a ticket to the Africa Nations Cup Championship (CHAN) in South Africa next year January.

another round of test was carried out on me and that result will be out Tuesday. I am sure I will be okay. God is in control."

The former Sivasspor top scorer failed the first medical test after he had agreed to join the Turkish giants as a free agent on a two-year deal.

The big striker is seen as a direct replacement of former Nigeria World Cup star Daniel ‘The Bull’ Amokachi, who featured for the Istanbul club in the late 90s.

From Tunde Liadi, Owerri But NFF's director of competitions, Dr. Mohammed Sanusi informed NationSport that both friendly matches have been sealed and that immediately the NFF's Technical Committee rules on the choice of coaches for the Falcons’ the preparation for the double header international friendlies would commence.

"Yes, the Falcons will be playing against Japan in September. It is a two legged encounter and the venue is Japan. The Technical Committee will give an answer to when we shall get new handlers for the Super Falcons. Ours is to put both games in order," Dr. Sanusi enthused.

Falcons last official game was the third place match of the African Women's Championship(AWC) hosted by Equatorial Guinea last year against Cameroun which they lost 0-1. It was Nigeria's poorest finish in the history of the AWC and it prompted the resignation of head coach, Kadiri Ikhana. The Super Falcons have won the AWC a record six times between 1998 and 2006. They also triumphed in 2010 after placing third in 2008.

WEDNESDAY, JULY 17, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

L

AST Friday, July 12, brought an end to one of the most celebrated and longest running murder cases in the country. On

that day, Justice Rita Pemu, reading the unanimous decision of the three-woman panel of the Appeal Court sitting in Lagos, discharged and acquitted Major Hamza al-Mustapha of the charge that he conspired to murder Alhaja Kudirat Abiola in Lagos on June 4, 1996. Kudirat was the wife of Chief M. K. O. Abiola, the putative winner of the annulled 1993 presidential election.

Predictably, the verdict has divided Nigerians right down the middle along regional, if not sectarian, lines; whereas most Northerners seemed to see the verdict as the vindication of a long persecuted hero, most South-Westerners seemed to see it as the untenable exoneration of a certified villain.

This division was clearly reflected, on the one hand, by the hero’s welcome the major received in Kano, his adopted state – he is originally from Yobe – and, on the other hand, by the rejection of the verdict by Afenifere, the Yoruba umbrella cultural organisation and by the Gani Adams faction of the Odua Peoples Congress, the leading Yoruba militia. (It must be noted here that Dr. Fredrick Fasehun who leads the other faction, and who indeed claims to be its original founder, has not only consistently said he believed in the innocence of alMustapha. He has vigorously campaigned for his release from prison.) al-Mustapha’s plight started on October 21, 1998, when he and several other officers were arrested on suspicion that they were in illegal possession of arms, among other allegations.

This was barely four months after the sudden and mysterious death in June of Head of State, General Sani Abacha, whose chief security officer he was. He was to remain in jail for nearly 15 years charged, along with others, with various crimes, including complicity in the murder of Kudirat and Chief Alfred Rewane, a chieftain of the anti-Abacha crusaders who was killed in October 1995, and of Major-General Shehu Musa Yar’Adua who died in prison in 1997, accused of attempting to overthrow Abacha.

The major was also charged, again along with others, with the attempted murder of Mr Alex Ibru, the late publisher of The Guardian and Abacha’s internal affairs minister, and the attempted murder of Senator Abraham Adesanya, the leader of Afenifere. In time he was also charged in 2004 with an attempt to overthrow the elected government of President Olusegun Obasanjo even while still in detention.

If all this looked like too much to charge one man with it was mainly because the man ingeniously painted himself in the image of an officer whose only crime was to have carried out his duties to his principal to the best of his ability and in the process to have secured the integrity and security of the country.

For one year after he was first picked up, alMustapha remained in detention without trial.

In October 1999, five months after Obasanjo was sworn in as civilian president, he sued the

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘So Al Mustapha is acquitted, free and riding high in Kano. Will Kudirat Abiola, Alfred Rewane and other Abacha-era victims also be freed and resurrect from their graves so their loved ones can also welcome them with parades, parties and prayers’’

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

al-Mustapha: Now that the ‘canary’ is free

•al-Mustapha government for the violation of his human rights. The courts agreed and said he should be released. The government ignored the order.

Instead al-Mustapha was charged with several murders and attempted murders including, ironically, that of Senator Adesanya who, along with several Afenifere chieftains, including Chiefs Ganiyu Dawodu and Ayo Adebanjo had been charged by the Abacha regime for the murder of Kudirat!

The clever intelligence officer that he was, al-Mustapha chose to blame his predicament not on the government that chose to prosecute him. Instead he chose to blame the government of General Abubakar Abdulsalami that first detained him. The former head of state, he said, wanted him out of circulation because the general knew he knew both Abacha and Abiola did not die naturally but were murdered and he also knew how allegedly complicit the general was in the deaths of the two, the first in June and the second the following month.

If his choice of who to blame for his predicament and of the platform to make the allegation – the Oputa panel set up by Obasanjo in 1999 but which began its hearing in 2000 on abuses of human rights in the country since 1979 – was to create a diversion from the charges he was facing, he succeeded beyond his wild-

est imagination. Suddenly public attention shifted from his many alleged abuses of power, as probably the most powerful chief security officer of a head of state Nigeria has ever seen, to the alleged crimes of General Abubakar.

One newspaper that seemed to have captured the shift in public mood was the defunct The Comet. In an editorial on December 4, 2000 aptly entitled “al-Mustapha: Let the ‘canary’ sing publicly,” following al-Mustapha testimony before Oputa, the newspaper said “Nigerians deserve to hear everything from al-Mustapha since he has himself, under oath promised to tell the truth and nothing but the truth. He should be allowed to tell his version of the events and if he incriminates anybody or groups of persons, they too should have their days at the Oputa Commission.”

It then concluded that al-Mustapha must be given maximum protection to tell his story in public. It took the major about 12 years to retell his story in public. This was in August 2011 when himself and his co-defendant, Lateef Sofolahan, said to be an aide to Kudirat, testified before a Lagos State High Court sitting in Igbosere to their innocence in her murder. On this occasion not only did he repeat his allegation of being persecuted for what he knew, he also added a new claim that the chieftains of Afenifere had been heavily bribed into silence by General Abubakar over the death of Abiola.

Predictably the same media that had hailed him over his accusation against General Abubakar turned completely round to condemn him as an inveterate liar.

In between Oputa in 2000 and the Igboshere High Court, himself and his co-defendants in other murder cases, namely General Ishaya Bamaiyi, a former army chief, James Danbaba, a former commissioner of police, Colonel Jibril Bala Yakubu, a former Zamfara State military administrator and Rabo Lawal, head of the Aso Rock Villa anti-riot squad, were cleared of all the other charges. He and Sofolahan were, however, left to face the charge of murdering Kudirat. Their case was re-opened in July 2011.

HARDBALL

T

HOUGH soccer may have its ancestry in England, Brazil seems to be the official residence of the god of the round leather game while Nigeria is likely may be able to lay claim to a respectable annex office. Two recent incidents will support these assertions.

No, it is not because a certain young Brazilian named Neymar has just moved all the way from a Brazilian club to Spanish giant Barcelona for a king’s fee of $57 million. Of this haul, Neymar’s father who is supposedly his manager of sort reportedly kept about $33 million.

It is not even because this lad led Brazil to lift the FIFA confederation trophy recently. No, our stories come with far more drama than the Neymar phenom.

Nigeria and Brazil are sharing big world headlines in a most peculiar manner: first, the Brazilian story. On June 30, 2013, somewhere in a rural Brazilian town called Centro do Meio, an amateur football match was being played.

The referee, 20-year-old Otavio Jordao da Silva had sent off a player 31-year-old Josemir Santo Abreu. Apparently angered by the marching

TONY MARINHO

VOL.8 NO.2,549

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•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Of barbarians and bumblers orders, Abreu hefted the referee and threw him to the ground, thereupon the referee on getting up pulled a knife and stabbed Abreu in the chest. He died before he could make it to the hospital.

The players and spectators at the stadium were reported to have mobbed young referee Silva; tying him up by his arms and legs, they had hit him on the head with a spike and broken bottle. They finally dismembered and decapitated him, the gory report went. The police have made some arrests while a manhunt is on for the other killers.

Nigeria’s own bizarre soccer story is more ribald than gruesome. It happened on Monday, July 8, 2013 in Plateau State, North Central Nigeria. As in the Brazilian case, four amateur clubs seeking promotion into the lowest rung of professional football (Nigeria Nationwide League) were involved in a scandalous and bumbling match-fixing affair quite rare in

Following their August testimonies, the trial judge, Justice Mojisola Dada, adjourned the case to November for counsels to both sides to submit their written addresses after she had rejected their position that they had no case to answer.

At the November hearing she fixed January 30 for judgment. On that day she found them both guilty and sentenced them to death by hanging. To rub it in even more she had very unkind words to say to each of them. al-Mustapha, she said in effect, was a ruthless enforcer for his principal who “felt obliged to silence any voice against the government of his boss” and felt he was “untouchable.” As for Sofolahan he was, she said, “a gold digger, a Judas Iscariot, who sold his master.”

Predictably there was much rejoicing in the Southwest and much gloom in the North.

Equally predictably al-Mustapha appealed.

Last Friday, the Appeal Court overturned Justice Dada’s verdict. “There is no evidence,” Justice Pemu reading the court’s judgement said, “that the appellants conspired to murder Kudirat...There is even nothing to show that the appellants had the intention to murder the deceased.”

The court’s grounds for overturning the Lagos State High Court’s verdicts seemed unassailable. First, the prosecution said it would bring a dozen witnesses against the accused. It brought only four. Second, the testimonies of the two key witnesses were not only contradictory, the two were to later recant their statements because they said they had been bribed and threatened at the same time to testify against the accused. Third, the bullet the prosecution claimed had been extracted from Kudirat’s head was never tendered as exhibit as the prosecution had promised.

Predictably last Friday’s judgement saw a reversal of roles between al-Mustapha’s sympathisers and those who disliked him. It also left many questions unanswered not least of which is, so who killed Kudirat?

We may never know the answer. However, what we do know for certain is that vindication or not, al-Mustapha will remain a hero for some and a villain for others. In between there are probably many more who don’t give a damn either way right now.

It is the opinion of these that al-Mustapha should worry about as he begins a new life after so many years in prison. If, as he said in a BBC Hausa interview last Saturday, he has truly learnt his lesson about “how some people use the judiciary and power against the poor” – a charge he knows all too well he cannot escape as the most powerful chief security officer of a head of state this country has seen – and if, as he also said, he had come to understand his religion well, he is likely to get the sympathy of such people.

One can only hope that he will not, like many a born-again Muslim or Christian, revert true to type as soon as he gets another opportunity to be in power- something which is not unlikely, especially in a country like ours where public memory is ever so short.

world football. The teams are Plateau United Feeders which beat Akurba FC 79 goals to zero and Police Machines FC which mauled Babayaro FC by 67 goals to zero. The results were so extraordinary that even the CNN found them newsworthy. The Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has instituted an investigation.

Though the Brazilian and Nigerian stories are of different hues, they are one in their spectacular nature. They signpost the growing importance of football in the world and the sign of things come in the decades ahead. With the world increasingly troubled and weary, football (and baseball, to a lesser extent) has continued to grow in importance as a means of therapy and escape. It has in recent years continued to enjoy exponential fan following which naturally translates to big business via mass markets, advertising and sponsorship revenues. Football has grown into such big business which has the capacity to translate to

instant wealth for talents even in remote parts of the world. A young lad in a local football league in Brazil, Nigeria or even Vanuatu could become a multi-millionaire the instant his talent is noticed by an European club. It is one of the biggest foreign direct investment earners for countries like Brazil, Argentina, Nigeria, Ghana, Cote D’Ivoire, etc. It is not by chance that US, Russian, Arab and Asian moguls are buying up the biggest clubs in Europe, especially England, which boasts of the most fascinating and lucrative league in the world today.

Hardball wagers that if football governing bodies do not get up to speed, referees will carry more dangerous objects than knives to the pitch, fans will steal the show more and more and club owners will get so desperate they will make keepers duck instead of catch a shot at goal. On a last note, even Hardball would have put in a couple of hat-tricks in that free-scoring 79-goal cracker. And how refreshing it would be to watch a real fixed match for a change!

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