July 20, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

•Bad diesel grounds LUTH’s cancer treatment machine P6 •U.S. offers to help Nigeria track stolen govt assets P4 •Security agents arrest 64 suspected hoodlums in Ilorin P54 •NNPC bans 113 tankers from lifting crude oil P6 •Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Buratai to troops: end insurgency NEWS now Page 57

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

VOL. 10, NO. 3281 MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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•INSIDE: OSUN NOT READY FOR RENEGADES’ SUMMIT, SAYS SPEAKER P58

SEC mulls new rules for market

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HE Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), in a major paradigm shift in its regulatory framework, is considering substitution of the class minimum capital requirment with riskbased capitalisation approach.

Business Page 25

Buhari writes Senate

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has written Senate President Bukola Saraki, seeking the screening and confirmation of the Service Chiefs – one week after they were appointed.

The development has laid to rest the ...

News Page 4

Dream Team in slim win

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•AN ANTI-GA Y MAR CH: Members of Project for Human Development (PHD) , a non-governmental organisation, marching against gay marriage in Lagos…yesterday.

ANTI-GAY MARCH: PHOTO: NAN

HE U-23 National Team, also known as Dream Team, worked hard but could not build a comfortable advantage against Congo in an African U23 Championship final round, first leg qualifying match played in Port Harcourt...

Dasuki’s aide’s driver W gone with $5m cash

Sport Page 16

Iran: Tough time for Nigeria

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WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS EVER RETURN?

HAT are the economic implications of the United States (U.S.)brokered Iranian nuclear arms deal for Nigeria?

This is the question being asked in business circles as Iran, a major oil exporter, is set to return to business after years of trade sanctions.

DSS probes ‘strange’ withdrawals

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Is Dasuki also claiming ignorance of investigation into the suspicious disappearance of a driver to his Personal Assistant with a vehicle loaded with $5m?

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HAT happened to the $5m withdrawn from the National Security Adviser’s account at the Central Bank of Nigeria

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News Page 4

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U.S., Cuba reboot ties

It is just a witch-hunt. If you want me to make clarifications on any issue, in the spirit of democracy and the rule of Law, have the courtesy to invite me

From Bello Imam, Abuja

(CBN)? The cash vanished under former NSA Col. Sambo Dasuki’s watch.

This question and more re-

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UBA’S blue, red and white-starred flag is flying outside the country’s diplomatic mission in the United States for the first time since the countries severed ties in 1961. While no formal ceremony is...

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lating to other “curious” withdrawals in the dying days of the former President Goodluck Jonathan adminisContinued on page 4

•Col. Dasuki

Foreign Page 53

•SPORTS P15 •ISSUES P27 •JOBS P35 •CEO P37 •POLITICS P44 •FOREIGN P51

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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NEWS

Aviation…

Grappling with low returns on investment •From left: Former Deputy Governor of Lagos State Mrs. Sarah Sosan, Senior Pastor, Trinity House, Ituah Ighodalo and his wife Ibidun, with Mr and Mrs Ron Kenoly cutting a cake to mark the 5th anniversary of Trinity House Church in Lagos...

PHOTO; SOLOMON ADEOLA yesterday

A legion of challenges ranging from weak policies, lack of protection of domestic carriers, poor regulatory framework to absence of a national carrier and other factors have combined to stunt the growth of aviation.

KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR writes that experts believe that if the government pays attention to suggestions of industry players, the sector may be on the path of recovery

B •Immediate past President, Rotary Club, Ikoyi District 911, Mr Charles Okonwo (right), Chairman of the occasion and frontline architect, Mr Oladipupo Ajayi (second left), President, Rotary Club, Ikoyi District 911, Mrs Oluremi Akinterinwa (second right), her husband Hon Wale Akinterinwa (third left) and District President, Bola Onabadejo at the inauguration of the 31st President and Board of Directors 2015/2016 in Lagos... on Saturday.

PHOTO NIYI ADENIRAN

•From left: Social Mission Manager, Hygiene & Nutrition Brands - Africa, Avinish Jain; Brand Building Director, Unilever Nigeria, David Okeme; Category Manager, Oral Care, Unilever Nigeria, Bunmi Adeniba; President, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr Bode Ijarogbe, Brand Manager, Pepsodent Toothpaste, Unilever Nigeria, George Umoh; Secretary General, Nigerian Dental Association, Dr Kolawole Obagbemiro during the launch of Pepsodent Oral Health Schools' Programme PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES in Lagos.

•From left: eNNovate Naija winner, Adeluwoye Adekunle; Country Manager, IBM Nigeria, Taiwo Otiti; another eNNovate Naija winner, Kelechi Mbah; Managing Director, Nigeria Inter-Bank Settlement System, Folashodun Shonubi; and member, Panel of Judges of the 2015 eNNovate Naija Challenge organised by NIBSS in partnership with Samsung and IBM, Lola Ogunbambi, during the presentation of the prizes in Lagos... on Friday

RITISH Airways, Virgin Atlantic, United Airlines and other foreign airlines call the shots in the Nigerian aviation sector. Airlines of Nigerian origin only play the runners-up-- no thanks to unfriendly government policies and lopsided bilateral air services agreements, which have created a leeway for foreign carriers to feed fat on the juicy routes.

Besides, domestic operators lament rising costs of running their airlines in an industry where multiple charges by agencies have remained a permanent feature. Domestic operators are crying over increasing costs of offshore maintenance of their aircraft; oscillating price of aviation fuel and other attendant factors that have made returns on investment in domestic aviation ridiculously low .

The Federal Government continues to open the gates wide to foreign carriers to ply international routes which indigenous operators do not have the capacity to fly.

Worried by the lopsided bilateral services agreements, industry experts have called on government to consider urgent review of the air pacts, which have further underdeveloped the domestic aviation market.

Many foreign carriers, including the British Airways , Virgin Atlantic Airways , Air France / KLM , Emirates Airlines, Turkish Airlines, Etihad Airways, South African Airways , Kenya Airways and Ethiopian Airlines, enjoy multiple entry points into Nigeria . But, Nigerian carriers do not enjoy this bilateral privilege in the countries where these foreign carriers are based.

Experts and players in the aviation sector have consistently called on the government to review the 73 bilateral air services agreements it has signed with many countries to protect her carriers, which are grappling to survive in a harsh economic environment.

The president of the Aviation Roundtable, Mr. Gbenga Olowo, Executive Chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison, the chairman of Air Peace, Mr. Allen Onyema and industry analyst Mr. Olumide Ohunayo believe that a review of air treaties is desirable to protect indigenous carriers .

Without this, they argue, many domestic carriers may be on the throes of extinction.

Olowo urged the government to put in place a policy that would encourage joint ownership of domestic airlines by Nigerians and foreigners alike. He said joint ownership of do-

mestic airlines would bring about constant flow of income for troubled carriers, which constantly seek intervention funds from the government through the Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON).

He added that this would discourage one-man ownership of airlines.

He also said another option could be the merger of existing domestic airlines into two or three capable of being designated as flag carriers to compete with foreign carriers.

Olowo said AMCON and the Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) could put in place a template for strong flag carriers which would have proper management structure and corporate governance processes, adding that such flag carriers to be mid-wifed by AMCON and SEC must advance a roadmap to develop air transport and set timelines for safety.

He urged the government to put in place a legislation to block all avenues for wastage.

Olowo said:” Joint ownership will act like a check and control and eventually lead to sustainability. Most of the private Airlines are at the whims and caprices of the owner’s who most time divest and divert profits made from the Airlines as an outfit to some other businesses or private uses.

“Government should encourage joint ownership of Airlines by Nigerians and foreigners alike. It is advised that private airline should be encouraged to be listed by the Nigerian Stock Exchange and on the basis of participatory ownership which should involve members of the public, by buying shares in such Airlines and by implication becoming shareholders and stakeholders in the Airline.

“However, government may invest in such airline purely on investment basis. Government should enact sound and good law for the aviation industry and should not interfere in the management of airline. Professionals and entrepreneurs should be encouraged on the basis of these ventures. This will bring about constant flow of funding for the airlines.

“An array of experts will be on board to constantly make sure that the Airline is afloat. It takes burden off government as against our present situation whereby Airlines go cap in hands to approach government through AMCON for intervention funds.

“The present ownership structure of Airlines, which presently is a one man business should be discouraged.

Airline as business outfit should be

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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NEWS

h •Ore

•British Airways

taken as such and all avenues for wastage should be blocked with sound legislations as enshrined in CAMA, Public Enterprises (Privatisation and Commercialisation) Act 1999 and Civil Aviation Act.” He took a swipe at the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) for its parlous economic regulation on domestic carriers.

Olowo said: “The civil aviation authority in Nigeria has no spine to do its job. The economic regulation responsibility of the authority is sleeping.”

He said the NCAA should be made sole regulatory body for all air transport matters in the country.

Olowo, who is also the President of Sabre Travel Nigeria and West Africa, noted that if at all “there is the need for Aviation to be in a Ministry, it should be a Directorate under the Ministry of Transport like the Railways, Land and Maritime”.

He said in countries, such as the United States of America and Great Britain, each state has its civil aviation authority and not an aviation ministry.

He added that in Asian countries, especially China, its civil aviation authority is the solely in charge of regulating civil aviation in line with the set standards and procedures of the International Civil Aviation Authority (ICAO).

NCAA as the regulator, according to him, must be given unfettered power to police the operations of service providers, such as the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria FAAN) and the Nigerian College of Aviation Technology (NCAT) while the Accident Investigation Bureau (AIB) should be made autonomous as an independent and unbiased aircraft accident investigator.

Airline indebtedness Another major challenge the sector is grappling with is huge debt owed to government agencies, such as NCAA, FAAN and so on.

That is why the Ahmed Joda committee has recommended merger of all debtor airlines into a national carrier capable of serving the West and Central African regions, with Nigeria as the regional aviation hub.

Six of Nigeria’s leading domestic airlines are bogged down by huge debts. Last year, the Ministry of Aviation gave the debt portfolio of five of the airlines with AMCON at over N190 billion. The amount excluded sundry debts to aviation agencies, such as FAAN, the Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA), suppliers and other institutions.

The ministry said it arrived at the huge figure after a comprehensive audit of the operations of all the domestic airlines.

Details of the audit findings , the ministry said, showed Aero Contractors’ debt stood at over $200 million (N308 billion ) with 60 per- cent of its equity already taken over by AMCON; IRS Airlines, $55 million

(N84 billion )’; Chanchangi Airlines, $55 million (N84 billion), and the now bankrupt Air Nigeria, about $225.8 million (N347.billion) In 2012, some airlines, including Aero, IRS, Bellview, Chanchangi, Afrijet, Albarka, Caverton Helicopters and Air Nigeria, were at the verge of going under when AMCON waded in with a N132 billion lifeline, saving in the process over 7,000 staff from being thrown into the labour market.

Agencies merger / restructuring.

An aviation security expert, Group Captain John Ojikutu (rtd), identified the Ministry of Aviation as one of the major challenges of the sector.

He said the ministry is manned by personnel who are not aviation professionals and at such cannot provide the needed leadership to drive the growth and development of the industry He said: “The Ministry of Aviation should be merged with the Ministry of Transportation. Merger of the two ministries will further give a clear focus and direction to the parastatals and departments and as against the present situation where the parastatals are seen as serving two masters. This will bring about uniformity of policies and directional implementation. It will reduce corruption and inefficiency as well as reduce waste in governance.

“If government does that it would have followed the global trend.

Parastatals and agencies within the Ministry of Aviation should be strengthened and empowered by the various existing legislations for optimal performance. These six agencies under the supervision of the Ministry of Aviation are independent in their functions. The outstanding six parastatals should be manned by professionals, a case of putting square peg in a square hole.”

He canvassed the privatisation of the FAAN, adding that only securityrelated areas of the authority’s functions, such as air field lighting, runway and aerodrome fire fighting and rescue unit, should be transferred to the NAMA. NAMA, he added, should be commercialised, while the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) should be transferred to the Ministry of Environment because its services extend beyond aviation to maritime and other environment related activities.

The AIB, he said, should be merged

with the Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), as it is the practice in the United States.

The head of strategy at Zenith Travels, Mr. Olumide Ohunayo, said government should go beyond scrapping the Ministry of Aviation to overhaul the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), which he said had failed to carry out economic audit of domestic airlines.

He said if the NCAA were alive to its responsibility, most domestic airlines would not be indebted to the extent of being unable to pay their workers salaries.

He faulted the current licensing structure in which new entrant into domestic scheduled operations were expected to have at least two aircraft.

He urged Nigeria to adopt the Indian model in which domestic carriers are only allowed to operate outside the country after five years of robust operations with at least twenty aircraft in its fleet.

Ohunayo said a fleet of not less seven or five aircraft should be considered as minimum for new entrants.

He said:” We do not need categorisation of airlines. That is not the problem of Nigerian carriers. The problems of the airlines are beyond the need to recapitalise. Cash is not the major problem airlines are grappling with.

There is urgent need for airlines to regularise their fleet. A minimum of seven or five aircraft should be ideal for new entrants not the current two aircraft regime.

“We could adopt the Indian model where there airlines are only allowed to huge operated with at least twenty aircraft for five years before they could be designated outside the country.”

Olowo described the categorisation of airlines as another diversionary method plot by some operators to mislead government.

He said:” All of these are diversionary. What we need are just two or three strong carriers that can partner with foreign carriers to rescue the market.”

Former Managing Director of the Nigeria Airways Limited Andrew Okunuga said there was need for route harmonisation and fleet commonality.

Airport security Ojikutu said the FAAN does not have the capacity to handle issues arising from threat to security around the airport.

He canvassed the model adopted by some countries, such as Rwanda where the police and Air Force are

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The operating costs are too high; we want lower taxes, charges and elimination of five per cent ticket sales charged by the NCAA. This is eating deep into our costs of operations

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ment has to put the aviation sector as one of the priority areas and must focus on how to development the industry. This is because aviation is critical to economic development. The government must think deeply in appointing a very serious person with a sound business background as minister in charge of aviation. This is unfortunate and highly disappointing for government to allow it to continue. It is very unfortunate for any government serious about development of local capacity to continue to allow this multiple entry point to thrive. If it continues it is going to kill the domestic sector of the aviation industry.

“We should do away with such an arrangement. This calls for total review. Even the bilateral air services agreement, it is lopsided against Nigeria. Apart from Nigeria which has thrown its borders open to other carriers, many African countries, including Egypt and Ethiopia, have evolved market protection policies for their airlines.

“Why is government allowing our air borders porous for these foreign carriers to come here and reap the bountiful benefits? This is unjust.

“Any government that is serious about creating of jobs for his people and preservation of its economy must address this policy of multiple entry point. The first thing the Buhari administration should do is to review this policy of multiple entry point granted foreign carriers.”

Multiple taxes and others •Allen Onyema

saddled with the task of controlling security at airports.

Ojikutu said frequent incidents of stowaway at Nigerian airports have remained a sore point because the relevant security agencies are not doing enough. He said closer collaboration among the agencies and clearly defined duties would improve security at the gateways.

He said: “Because the airport is a border post it should have a central security control. This has become very important because it is part of national security. There is need to set up an autonomous agency in charge of aviation security. Such an agency should be in charge of manning the screening point to the perimeter fence. Since 2006, ICAO has asked Nigeria to build security and perimeter fence, but we are yet to comply.

In Rwanda, the police had been mandated as the agency to carry out airport security.”

Multiple entry points / Open Skies Agreement On this vexed issue, the former president of Aviation Roundtable, Captain Dele Ore, described it as one of the sore points in aviation which should be immediately addressed by government.

He said government should immediately review all existing agreement and give foreign carriers the option of choosing a single entry point into the country, such that domestic carriers would distribute their passengers within the country.

Onyema agreed with Ore, saying government must protect domestic carriers by abolishing multiple entry points for foreign carriers.

The chairman of Airline Operators of Nigeria (AON), Captain Nogie Meggison, Managing Director of Medview Airlines, Alhaji Muneer Bankole and aviation economist, Mr Taiwo Adenekan, also described multiple entry points as the greatest disservice by government to domestic operators .

They said until government re-examine the lopsided air transport policies and agreements the predatory invasion of foreign carriers through multiple entry arrangement would continuously stunt the growth of indigenous carriers. 27 foreign carriers operating into Nigeria cart away over $ 5 billion annually. This accounts for 50 per cent of the over $ 10 billion taken way from Africa annually by foreign carriers.

Onyema said: “ The Buhari govern-

Over the years operators have consistently complained about multiple charges by aviation agencies, thereby increasing their costs of operations.

The charges, according to the operators, range from landing and parking fees for aircraft, ground rent, passenger service charge, ticket sales tax , fuel surcharge , value added tax ,service recovery charge , en route navigational charges and others .

Onyema said: “What government should do is to create an enabling environment for private sector airlines to thrive. Government must divest every interest it has in aviation.

The only thing government should do is to create an enabling environment for the private sector to drive.

“The way out is for government to design appropriate policies that would create a conducive operating environment. The operating environment for domestic carriers in Nigeria is too harsh. It is not about airlines merger.

But, the taxes are too many. With this kind of condition if sustained no airline will survive.

“If there were good policies in place, the type that brings about lowering of airport taxes, and other charges Nigerian airlines would do well. The cost of procuring land from the airport authority to build aircraft maintenance hangar is prohibitive.

“If government wants to support the growth of airlines, it must put in place policies that would enable domestic airlines lease land at lower rates. The wickedness of the government agencies in frustrating domestic carriers seeking to get land around the airport should be looked into. Why should FAAN ask any domestic airline to pay N160 million annually for land lease to build an aircraft maintenance hangar? It is too high. Where do they expect the airline to get such money from? Government should create a conducive atmosphere for domestic airlines to operate.

“It is not about proposal to merge airlines. The operating costs are too high; we want lower taxes, charges and elimination of five per cent ticket sales charged by the NCAA. This is eating deep into our costs of operations. It is beyond merger of airlines.

Airlines have capacity to operate. But they need conducive environment.

Government should put in place a policy that would enable airlines access single interest rate on banks loans.

Government should address the policies that affect aviation, the issue of taxation and the operating environment, government must appoint somebody who has business acumen to run the sector.”

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

NEWS Iran nuclear deal: Nigeria to prepare for stiffer market contest

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•An eroded portion of Sango-Ijokodo Road in Ibadan…yesterday.

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PHOTO: NAN

Buhari writes Senate to screen Service chiefs

RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari has written to Senate President Bukola Saraki, seeking the screening and confirmation of the Service Chiefs – one week after they were announced.

The development has laid to rest the controversy over whether or not it is necessary to screen the new team.

The Service chiefs are: the Chief of Defence Staff, MajGen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin; the Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf

From Yusuf Alli and Onyedi Ojiabor, Abuja

Buratai; the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Ekwe Ibas and the Chief of Air Staff, Air Vice Marshal Monday Riku Morgan.

According to a reliable source in the Presidency, Buhari’s letter was sent to the Senate last Thursday, in anticipation that the National Assembly will resume tomorrow.

The President said the new appointments were made in

line with the Armed Forces Act 2004.

In the letter, he specifically sought the “confirmation of the following nominees for appointment as the Chief of Defence Staff and Service Chiefs for the Armed Forces of the Federal Republic of Nigeria in accordance with Section 18(1) of the Armed Forces Act, Cap. A. 20 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria 2004”.

The section reads: “The President may, upon consultation with the Chief of Defence Staff

and subject to confirmation by the National Assembly, appoint such officers (in this Act referred to as ‘’Service Chiefs’’) as he thinks fit in whom the command of the Army, Navy and Air Force, as the case may be, and their Reserves shall be vested.”

The presidency source said Buhari was also exercising his power as enshrined in Section 218 (2) of the Constitution The section reads: “The powers conferred on the President Continued on page 57

What U.S. expects from Buhari, Obama talks

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NITED States (U.S.) Deputy Secretary of State Tony Blinken has given an insight into the likely outcome of today’s talk between President Muhammadu Buhari and his host President Barack Obama in Washington DC. Blinken said the meeting of the two leaders offered an opportunity for Nigerian and the U.S. not only to renew but to deepen their relationship.

The U.S. specifically said the removal of all Service chiefs and the National Security Adviser (NSA) appointed by former President Goodluck Jonathan on July 13 cleared the way for more military cooperation.

“The question is, would there be an opportunity to deepen our engagement and that opportunity is now,” Blinken told Reuters.

At today’s talk, the U.S. will offer to help President Buhari

Boko Haram tops agenda

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RESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari will today meet with President Barack Obama at the White House, Washington, United States (U.S.).

The parley has been described as the mending of relations battered by the failure immediate past administration to decisively tackle Boko Haram uprising and corruption.

Buhari’s victory in the March 28 presidential election drew pledges from the U.S. government to retrieve stolen funds and stamp out insurgency through increased military aids.

Suicide bombings and village attacks blamed on Boko Haram extremists have killed hundreds of people at home and in neighboring Chad, Ni-

in tracking the billions of dollars in stolen assets and in raising U.S. military assistance to fight Boko Haram militants, U.S. officials said.

President Buhari’s four-day visit has been viewed as an opportunity for Washington to “reset” its ties with Nigeria’s economy, arguably Africa’s

ger and Cameroon just in the past two weeks.

President Buhari’s May 29 inauguration was followed by a surge in attacks by the six-yearold uprising that has claimed more than 13,000 lives and driven some 1.5 million people from their homes.

The President also inherited a firestorm of other problems, including near-empty treasury, billions of arrears to workers on federal and state governments’ payroll and dwindling revenue following falling oil prices at the international market.

Today’s meeting with Obama is expected to focus on more military aid, recovering of stolen Continued on page 57

largest.

The visit is viewed by the U.S. administration as a chance to set the seal on improving ties since Buhari won the March 28 presidential election, Reuters said.

U.S. cooperation with Buhari’s predecessor, Dr. Jonathan, went sour over

among other issues, his refusal to investigate corruption and human rights abuses by the military.

“President (Barack Obama) has long seen Nigeria as arguably the most important strategic country in sub-Saharan Africa,” Blinken said.

Continued on page 57

HAT are the economic implications of the United States (U.S.) brokered Iranian nuclear arms deal for Nigeria?

This is the question being asked in business circles as Iran, a major oil exporter, is set to return to business after years of trade sanctions.

The sanctions may be lifted with the signing of the nuclear arms deal in Austria, Vienna.

It is likely to impact on the price of oil, which is ramping up from less than $50 per barrel.

Iran’s return to business will be a big challenge for Nigeria, which depends on revenue from oil for over 85 per cent of its foreign exchange, budget implementation and other economic activities.

The sanctions led to restrictions on trade and the freezing in foreign banks of $150 billion of Iranian oil revenue.

The country also suffered substantial drop in oil production and sales. Iran has about 158 billion barrels of crude oil, the fourth-largest reserves in the world, and was producing four million barrels of oil per day in 2008, making it world’s second largest exporter after Saudi Arabia.

But, due to the sanctions, Iran’s oil exports dropped from 2.6 million barrels per day in 2011 to 1.4 million barrels per day in 2014, with sales mainly to China, India, Japan, South Korea and Turkey. But the sanctions enable it to save the oil it could not export in massive floating tankers off its coast. It is estimated that Iran has 30 to 37 million barrels in storage.

Reports says the sanctions

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

may take six months or more to be lifted, but if Iran decides to quickly recover lost ground by pumping large quantity of oil into the market, the price of crude will fall to a new low. With the U.S. determined to be self-sufficient in oil production and consumption, the oil producers’ market will shift to Asia.

Nigeria depends on China, India, Japan for export of its oil and gas. If Iran pumps additional one million barrels per day into the same market, things may become difficult for Nigeria.

The International Energy Agency (IEA) believes that Iran may not unload its stored oil at once since that could cause prices to crash.

But IEA noted that Iran could sell some 180,000 barrels per day for six months.

The agency said Iran could get back to producing four million barrels of oil per day by the end of this decade.

Iran’s Oil Minister Bijan Namdar Zangeneh is pushing for his country to regain its spot as the world’s number two oil exporter behind Saudi Arabia.

IEA said Iran might try to bolster production in some of its existing fields, adding that it will be able to increase oil production from its current level of 2.8 million barrels per day to around 3.5 million within months of rejoining the market.

Consumption in China has dropped and India, another major buyer of Nigerian crude, said its output is increasing. Nigeria will walk a tight rope if Iran returns to business.

Buhari stays at U.S. President’s official guest house

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RESIDENT Buhari, who left for the US yesterday, will be staying at the Blair House in Washington D.C during his four-day visit, the presidency said last night. He will be the first Nigerian president ever to stay in an apartment which is the U.S. President’s Official Guest House.

An invitation by a sitting U.S. President to stay in this historic guest house is regarded in America as a honor of highest significance. When visiting leaders stay here, the flags of their nations fly proudly hoisted over Blair House, a courtesy that serves as both a gracious welcome and a

symbol of the home’s crucial role in diplomatic relations.

Senior Special Assistant (SSA) to the President on Media & Publicity, Shehu Garba shared the photo of him and another Nigerian standing in front of the historic building.

•President Buhari

DSS probes Dasuki’s aide’s driver’s disappearance with $5m cash DSS may arraign ex-NSA for trial this week

Continued from page 1

tration informed the invasion of Dasuki’s homes by Department of State Security (DSS) at the weekend.

Although Dasuki has not been linked with any cases of corruption, sources told The Nation yesterday in Abuja that his office was being investigated for alleged questionable withdrawals running into billions of naira.

It was gathered that Dasuki, the immediate past NSA to Jonathan, who President Muhammadu Buhari sacked last Monday alongside the Service chiefs, would be quizzed on how a driver to his personal assistant disap-

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HERE were strong indications yesterday that the Department of State Service (DSS) may put the immediate past National Security Adviser (NSA), Col. Sambo Dasuki, on trial this week for alleged treasonable felony.

But the ex-NSA and his father, deposed Sultan Ibrahim Dasuki, may also head for court tomorrow to challenge the invasion of their homes and seizure of Dasuki’s passport.

It was also learnt that Mr. Gordon Obuah, the erstwhile Chief Security Ofpeared with $5 million, which was withdrawn from the office’s account with the CBN. The DSS, in a statement issued at the weekend, justified

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

ficer (CSO) to former President Goodluck Jonathan, is under investigation for allegedly visiting the brother of the leader of the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta(MEND) in Kuje Prison.

Investigation by our correspondent revealed that the search warrant obtained from a Senior Magistrate’s Court in Abuja against Dasuki was issued in line with sections 74, 75 and 76 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

its raid on Dasuki’s home on the suspicion that he was plotting to disturb the peace with the quality and quantity of high caliber weaponry stocked in his Abuja home

It was learnt that the DSS withdrew its operatives from Dasuki’s residence at 13, John Kadiya Street in Asokoro District, Abuja, pending the resumption of the court from the Sallah break.

The DSS, in a statement on Saturday, accused the former NSA of alleged treasonable felony.

A highly-placed source said: “Barring last-minute change of mind, the ex-NSA is expected to be arraigned any time this week for alleged treasonable felony.

where bullet proof vehicles were recovered. His father’s house in Sokoto was also searched.

Although Dasuki said he was being victimised for dis-

Continued on page 57

charging his responsibilities, a Presidency source told The Nation that evidence abound that his office played a major role in some shady withdrawals.

Dasuki’s office, the source explained, was fingered in the case of a driver to his personal assistant who allegedly disappeared with a car containing $5million cash withdrawn from the NSA office’s account with the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Dasuki was placed under security surveillance immediately Buhari was sworn in due to the role he played in the plan to truncate the handover of governance to a new government on May 29, it was learnt.

Continued on page 57

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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NEWS ‘Discipline, diligence are keys to becoming champion’

Bad diesel knocks down LUTH’s cancer machine

By Wale Adepoju

•Patients’ treatment suffers

D

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HE only Linear Accelerator at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, has been down for three weeks now.

A linear accelerator (LINAC) is the device used for treating patients with cancer. It delivers high-energy xrays to the region of the patient’s tumor.

There are eight LINAC machines in the country. With the breakdown of LUTH’s machine, only two of such machines are functional in the country.

The Nation gathered that the machine broke down as a result of the use of adulterated diesel on it.

A source said: “When former President Olusegun Obasanjo government gave the hospital this machine in year 2007, the suppliers said power must not be cut off from it while in operation.

So, LUTH got two generators to power it. It was not connected to the central power.

So, when the adulterated

•The LINAC machine that packed up

By Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha

diesel was poured, the generators started tripping off, and then went off finally.

While the generators were tripping off, they were transferring incomplete energy to power the machine. Now we the patients can’t access

treatment. My pain is that my routine is being disrupted. It is on record that our treatment generates between N7 to N8million in a month.”

The cost of repairing the machine is about N18million, aside other logistics. Head of Department Prof. Remi

Ajekigbe said he could not comment on the matter because he was not authorised by the management to talk to the media.

“But you can ask the management by Tuesday when the hospital resumes from the holiday break,” he said on phone.

An SMS sent to the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof. Bode Chris, asking why the machine broke down and what his management was doing to repair it, was not replied to.

The machine treat about 70 to 80 patients a day.

Why Saraki must resign, by ex-Rep

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FORMER House of Representatives member Joseph Ajatta has asked Senate President Bukola Saraki to resign as his position has become untenable.

Ajatta, who represented Oshodi-Isolo II from 2003 to 2011, argued that Saraki’s alleged treachery against his party was inimical to the current dispensation.

To him, the Senate President’s action, which he said was borne from inordinate ambition, was capable of diminishing the pervading atmosphere of change and progress Nigerians voted for.

Ajatta said Saraki endorsed the National Assembly Clerk’s decision to disenfranchise over 50 All Progressives Congress (APC) members and traded away the position of Deputy Senate President to his party’s detriment.

On the way out, he said: “There is hardly any other way than either the resignation of the Senate president, which is not an easy decision,

Senate president should know that the burden ‘ofTheoccupying that exalted office in a dubious manner

is too heavy. He might have won the seat through the most crooked means I have ever seen in global politics, but he cannot succeed in it because he is leading the elite and most senior citizens of Nigeria.

By Joseph Jibueze

or the Senate taking steps to remove him.

“Saraki should do the honourable thing by resigning and allowing a proper election to take place. If he wins, then the nation will accept and respect him.

“As a two-time governor, and now a two-time senator, he deserves respect. But when one’s antecedent continues to put a large question mark on his head, he should take steps to show himself above board.”

Ajatta said although Saraki’s supporters are pointing to the legality and constitutionality of his election, it

remains morally illegitimate and a flagrant violation of the letter and spirit of transparency being championed by the new administration.

“The Senate president should know that the burden of occupying that exalted office in a dubious manner is too heavy. He might have won the seat through the most crooked means I have ever seen in global politics, but he cannot succeed in it because he is leading the elite and most senior citizens of Nigeria.

“He cannot compel anyone to respect him and to successfully navigate through the stormy waters of the Senate; you must earn the respect of

’

the senators,” he added.

According to him, President Muhammadu Buhari cannot successfully tackle the country’s problems with Saraki as Senate president, as he needs the support of the other arms of government to succeed.

Ajatta also urged the lawmakers to emulate the President and Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo (SAN), who showed exemplary leadership by reducing their salaries by 50 per cent.

The APC chief condemned the attempt by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to politicise the bailout of some states by the Federal Government.

•Dr. Saraki

“While the PDP was trying to deceive Nigerians that the intervention fund came from the looted Excess Crude Account (ECA), the fund was indeed sourced entirely from dividends and taxes paid to the Federation Account by the Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas Company (NLNG) in June this year after the exit of the Jonathan’s administration, otherwise it would equally have disappeared,” he said.

Accountant-General to colleagues: be prudent

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HE Accountant-General of the Federation (AGF), Alhaji Ahmed Idris, has advised accountants in the public sector to ensure that government funds are judiciously managed.

A statement from his office said Idris spoke when he addressed executive members of the Association of the National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) FCT branch, at the Treasury House in Abuja.

Ahmed noted that the decline in Federal revenue following the fall in oil price was affecting governance.

He, therefore, called for a

From Nduka Chiejina, Assistant Editor

more innovative, efficient and prudent management of resources, saying ANAN, whose members control of funds in the civil service, must see themselves as stakeholders in this administration.

Idris pledged his commitment to upholding the professional ethics of the body.

He said he would, in line with President Muhammadu Buhari’s directive, ensure that leakages are plugged.

The leader of the delegation and Chairman ANAN FCT chapter, Mr. Benjamin

Ogbeide, congratulated Idris on his appointment, saying it was a glorious moment for the body.

He pledged the commitment and support of ANAN ensuring the AGF discharges his duty excellently.

At another forum, Idris urged civil societies to partner the Buhari administration in fighting corruption by reporting any corrupt individual or organisation.

Idris was receiving members of the Civil Society of Nigeria, an umbrella body representing over 25 civil societies, who were at the Treasury House to congratulate him.

He noted that as civil societies and not security agencies, they should act as whistle blowers, by reporting corruption, adding that they should do this without fear or favour.

Idris said: “No society will develop if it indulges in any form of corruption and as a nation, if we do not imbibe the culture of good governance, transparency, accountability and strict compliance to rules and regulation stipulated in the relevant documents guiding the nation, we cannot reach our destination as a nation.”

Nigerians, he said, elected Buhari based on his track

record of zero tolerance for corruption and his unquestionable passion to make Nigeria better. But, he added, Buhari require the support of all.

The accountant-general assured that the nation’s treasury under his watch would be prudently and transparently managed to ensure that the change promised by Buhari was positively reflected in the lives of Nigerians.

The President of the Civil Society of Nigeria, Comrade Femi Osabinu, congratulated Idris on his appointment, saying it was well-deserved.

ISCIPLINE, diligence and sacrifices, among others, have been identified as essential virtues people must have to become a champion.

Everybody, according to the Chief Executive Officer (CEO), Sokoa Chair Centre, Mrs Ibukun Awosika, was created a winner but it takes time, dedication and perseverance to become a champion.

She spoke at the third annual Solid Life Seminar (SLS) organised by the Solid Growth Foundation (SGF) – a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) – in Lagos.

The theme was “Cultivating the attitude of a champion.”

She urged the people to take necessary steps, such as planning, a good work ethics, dedication and focus, among others, to become champions in their fields of endeavours.

She said: “People have to work hard. Although people cheat to become champions but they cannot have the real joy that true champions’ experience.”

She said there were always opportunity costs, and as such people need to make some sacrifice to achieve their goal.

“Good education and value system and self confidence are also prerequisite to be a champion,” she said.

She spoke of re-investment as an essential key of business success, adding that every investment put back into a business makes it grow.

People, Mrs Awosika said, should be disciplined and focused as well as flexible, which is the right responsiveness along the path to achieve a set goal.

She said people should continue to learn as the knowledge of today is only sufficient for today, adding: “People need a new learning for tomorrow.”

She said an intended champion must value people, adding that it is always easy for people to think they are the best.

“This, however, is untrue because people make things move,” she said.

Besides, every human being is valuable.

“You are the asset plus liabilities but for you to succeed, you need asset plus asset. The other asset are the other people,” she said.

Mrs Awosika advised people to be men and women of their words as their past can affect their future.

SGF Chairman Dr Olumide Ajayi said the solid life seminar was inaugurated as a response to strategy designed to eliminate mediocrity in people’s attitude.

“It is also designed to challenge the inner being; give space for the expression of the inner potentials, imbibe new life development skills, understand and effectively utilised the opportunities in the environment,” he said.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

NEWS

Obasanjo: ethnic politics stalls Nigeria’s progress

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ORMER President Olusegun Obasanjo yesterday urged politicians to shun sectional and tribal politics, saying the country would achieve the desired growth and development if citizen see themselves first as Nigerians.

Obasanjo said Nigeria remained stymied in its march to true nationhood and progress by ethnic and sectional politics.

The ex-chairman, Board of Trustees(BoT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) spoke in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, when the family of one of Nigeria’s foremost politicians, the late Adegoke Adelabu of the famed “Pekelemesi”, visited him at his residence.

The family was in Abeokuta to solicit the former President’s support towards the post-humorous

•Extols Adelabu’s virtues From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

centenary birthday anniversary of their departed father, who was a member of the National Council of Nigeria and the Cameroons (NCNC), led by the late Dr. Nnamdi Azikwe.

The delegation was led by an Ibadan High Chief and a former broadcaster, Aare Tunde Alabi.

The late Adelabu, who was the first minister of Social Services and National Resources, was born September 3,1915 and died in a car crash in 1958. He was 43 years.

Obasanjo described the late Adegoke as a “ phenomenon” and a detribalised politician.

Obasanjo said: “He (Adelabu) was a reality, he

course, uplifting his own people.

“On behalf of the family who asked me to accept this and having accepted this, I will do my utmost best to contribute in making that day you have chosen to celebrate the birthday a success and to use it to remind those who may like to forget that there was, even before independent, men and Nigerians like Adelabu, who believed in the unity of this country, who lived for it and indeed died for it.

“What you are proposing to do, I believe Adelabu deserved it in every facet. Today, we are still struggling to reach the pinnacle or the pedestal Adelabu reached in politics, of not being swayed by linguistic, ethnic, tribal, regional, sectional consideration but by what is best for Nigeria.”

Ekwueme to Nigerians: give Buhari more time

NNPC bans 113 tankers from lifting oil

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HE Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has banned 113 oil tankers from lifting crude oil due to sharp practices.

The tankers, according to a document signed by Gbenga Komolafe, group general manager, Crude Oil Marketing Division, NNPC, were banned from entering oil facilities and territorial waters.

The document obtained from Platts, a global energy trading information source, said: “The NNPC has prohibited 113 tankers from engaging in crude oil/gas loading activities in any of the terminals within the Nigerian territorial waters until further notice.”

The letter, Platts report showed, was dated July 15, and addressed to terminal operators in Nigeria, while the tankers were listed in an attached spreadsheet.

NNPC said: “The affected vessels have also been barred from movements within the Nigerian territorial waters forthwith.

“Finally, enforcement of the above directives takes immediate effect pending a notice to the contrary by Government, please.”

was a phenomenon, he was uniquely Yoruba, uniquely Nigerian, uniquely African and uniquely a member of the human race.

“Today, we are still struggling to reach the pinnacle or what you may call pedestal of Adelabu in politics of not being swayed by linguistic, ethnic, tribal, regional or sectional politics. He was years ahead of his contemporary politicians.

“In his life time, he was talking about a United States of West Africa, ECOWAS came many years after his demise, in his life time; he belonged to a political party that had its base outside the Western region where he came from.

“He was not a tribal baron, he was a national

politician and so when you asked me to be a patron of Adelabu post-humorous centenary birthday celebration and foundation, I have no reason to say no; I have no reason to say no because I share what Adelabu stood for.

“I have no reasons to say ‘no’ because, I share what Adelabu stood for. I share Adelabu’s philosophy of a united Nigeria and belief. I share Adelabu’s view of politics beyond ethnicity, beyond tribe, beyond region and I believe that in our national life, we should extol the virtues like those ones we saw in Adelabu.

“A man of the people, down to earth, absolutely down to earth and yet, a man who believed that his politics must be above ethnicity, must be above tribe, must be to unite the country while, of

•Ekwueme

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ORMER Vice President Alex Ekwueme yesterday urged Nigerians against rushing President Muhammadu Buhari into taking hasty decisions on issues of national importance.

Dr. Ekwueme spoke at St Patrick’s Catholic Church, Aguluzuigbo, Anaocha Local Government Area of Anambra State. It was at the thanksgiving mass of former National Chairman of the All Progressive Grand Alliance (APGA), Chief Victor Umeh.

Ekwueme, who was deputy to former President Shehu Shagari, said: “Every leader has his own style. The most important thing is to get the right results, ensure peace, stability and unity of the country.”

He, however, noted that the appointments so far made by the President did not quite meet the federal

character requirement as envisaged by the Constitution.

According to him, the constitution “requires that the president to observe federal character in appointments, considering the six geopolitical zones.”

On Umeh, Ekwueme described the former APGA chair as an achiever, who attained greatness for Ndigbo at a tender. He urged him to keep the flag flying.

Anambra State Governor Willie Obiano relived the roles played by Umeh and his predecessor Mr. Peter Obi in his emergence as governor.

He described as regrettable

that Obi had to leave the struggle in APGA midstream, saying he would intensify efforts to ensure that those who left APGA, including the former governor, returned.

Umeh, who dug into APGA’s history from its registration in 2002, described his tenure as the party’s national chair as turbulent.

According to him, he fought many battles to sustain the party in the last 10 years, saying that such battles included 43 law suits.

He urged the new national chairman of the party, Victor Oye keep up the tempo.

Major road closed over Boko Haram attacks reopens

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HE military yesterday reopened a major road in Yobe State closed more than a year ago for demining after Boko Haram insurgents launched deadly attacks on motorists.

Army spokesman Colonel Sani Usman said the road between Damaturu, capital of Yobe state and Biu, a major commercial centre in Borno State, had been cleared off mines by special forces, backed by police and vigilan-

tes engaged in the fight against Boko Haram.

During the demining operation, four improvised explosives devices “planted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists were discovered and successfully detonated,” Usman said.

The reopening came in a week in which three girls staged suicide bombings in Damaturu, killing at least 13 people on Friday as residents prepared for the Eid festival

at the end of Ramadan, police said.

Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states in the Northeast have been the chief victims of Boko Haram’s bloody campaign for a hardline Islamic caliphate, which has left 15,000 people dead and 1.5 million homeless since 2009.

The Borno State government yesterday relaxed a curfew it imposed two days ago in the state capital, Maiduguri and lifted a ban

on the movement of vehicles.

The ban, imposed on Friday as Muslims observed the Eid al-Fitr holiday marking the end of the Ramadan fasting period, aimed to forestall attacks by Boko Haram, the secretary to the state government, Judea Abba Shuwa, said in a statement.

“From 6am today (Sunday), the curfew has been reverted to what it used to be”, that is from 9:30 pm to 6:00 am, he said

•Some children of Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), at a sallah party in Malkohi IDPs camp, in Yola ... at the weekend.

PHOTO: NAN

We won’t abandon projects in Bayelsa, says Dickson From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

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AYELSA State Governor Seriake Dickson has said his administration will complete its projects, despite the dwindling revenue allocation from the Federal Government.

In a live broadcast at the weekend in Yenagoa, the state capital, the governor said his administration was reworking its financial management strategies to cushion the adverse effects of the shortfalls in revenue because of dwindling oil prices in international market.

He said more prudent measures would be taken to enable the government fulfil its salary and contractual obligations to workers and contractors.

Dickson said he would remain focused on the agenda of his government, adding that the government was poised to complete most of the ongoing infrastructural projects, including the cargo airport, before next year.

According to him, there is need for accountability in governance without which his administration would not be able to pay salaries.

The governor said his administration was meeting up with its pension obligations, although gratuities were difficult to pay because they were neglected for a long time by previous administrations.

The governor, who expressed concern over unpaid salaries of local government workers, described the situation as unacceptable.

He stressed the need for government at all levels to prioritise the payment of salaries, despite the current harsh economic realities.

Dickson said the government was awaiting the recommendations from the House of Assembly’s investigation into the development to enable it address the issue.

He said: “It is well within the powers of the House of Assembly to examine the reasons that caused that undesirable situation. But I don’t want to prejudge the ongoing investigation by the Assembly. I’m also aware that the revenue that accrues to councils have drastically reduced because of the shortfall.

“But all the same, our expectation is that priority attention should be given to the payment of salaries of council workers, especially in the new Bayelsa, where we have not deducted and will not deduct any money from local governments’ coffers.

“I await the recommendations the Assembly may make at the end of its enquiries and findings on the issue. But from the preliminary reports I have received so far, there is the possibility of our resorting to one measure or the other to support local government areas, specifically in the area of clearing their backlog of salaries.”

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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NEWS

Search on Dasuki’s house legal, says Falana

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HE search on the residence of former National Security Adviser Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd) by officials of the Department of State Services (DSS) last Thursday was legal and authorised by law, Lagos lawyer Femi Falana (SAN) said yesterday.

Falana, who spoke in a statement in Lagos, said Col. Dasuki breached the law when he refused the DSS officials “free and unhindered access” to his residence for several hours.

He noted that contrary to the misleading information circulated in the media by the former NSA, his house was not illegally raided, but lawfully searched pursuant to a warrant issued by a magistrate.

“The fundamental rights to personal liberty and privacy of the home of every Nigerian citizen are constitutionally guaranteed. As fundamental rights are not absolute, they may be breached in accordance with a procedure permitted by law.

•Lawyer urges DSS to return ex-NSA’s passport

By Adebisi Onanuga

“Hence, by virtue of Section 146 of the Administration of Criminal Justice Act, 2015, the residence of any citizen can be searched with a warrant duly signed by a judge, magistrate or Justice of the Peace. Section 149 thereof imposes a duty on any person residing in any building, which is liable to be searched to allow ‘free and unhindered access to it and afford all reasonable facilities for its search’,” he said.

The erudite lawyer recalled that a team of DSS officials, who were armed with a search warrant, had attempted to execute the warrant on the private home of Col. Dasuki in Abuja.

Falana noted that the former NSA, who was convinced that he did not deserve to have his house searched, refused to allow the security operatives ac-

cess to his house for several hours.

He added that the search could not be conducted until the armed troops guarding the house were withdrawn by the Army authorities.

Falana noted that in a sharp reaction to Col. Dasuki’s narration of what transpired at his home, the DSS confirmed that the search was conducted in strict compliance with a search warrant duly endorsed by a magistrate.

“To prove that the search was not a witch-hunt, the DSS listed the items recovered from the premises as including seven high-calibre rifles, (high assault weapons), several magazines and military related gears, 12 new vehicles, of which five were bullet-proofs. Since Col. Dasuki is presumed innocent until the contrary is proved, it

is not fair to comment on the ‘incriminating items’ found and recovered from his house,” the lawyer said.

Falana maintained that the law required the owner or occupier of any house or apartment to allow a search once a search warrant signed by the appropriate authority was produced by law enforcement personnel.

He added that since the country operates a neo-colonial legal system, which confers special privileges on people of influence, Col. Dasuki was treated with dignity in the circumstance.

“In other words, the DSS personnel would have executed the warrant, rather forcefully, if the search involves the home of an ‘ordinary’ citizen.

“Indeed, the special status extended to members of the

ruling class has also been demonstrated in the decision of the DSS to place the retired colonel under ‘house arrest’ in a country where the flotsam and the jetsam are regularly railroaded to jail even when they are not associated with any incriminating evidence,” he noted.

Falana, however, advised the DSS to return the passport of Col. Dasuki to him since it was not authorised by a court of law.

“The DSS ought to be reminded of the case of the Director-General, State Security Service v Olisa Agbakoba (1995) 3 N.W.L.R. (Pt 595) 314, wherein the Supreme Court held that the passport of a Nigerian citizen could not be seized without due process,” he said.

He noted the seizure of the passport of Mallam Sanusi

•Dasuki

Lamido Sanusi, now the Emir of Kano, by the DSS under the Goodluck Jonathan Administration, which was declared illegal and unconstitutional by a Federal High Court.

The lawyer added that in addition to the order for the release of the passport, the court awarded N50 million reparation to the then embattled governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria.

Aremu hails Buhari for rejecting new official cars From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

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From left: Wife of Secretary to Oyo State Government (SSG) Mrs. Bola Ali; the celebrator and former Oyo State Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Tunde Laniyan; his wife Christy and the SSG, Dr. Lekan Ali, at Laniyan’s 60th Birthday Lecture in Ibadan...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

50m youths jobless in Nigeria, says Oyedepo

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RESIDING Bishop of Living Faith Church Worldwide (Winners’ Chapel) David Oyedepo said yesterday that about 50 million Nigerian youths were jobless.

He added that poverty level in the country was soaring with an estimated 70 per cent of the population, mostly rural dwellers, living on less than $1.25 per day.

Quoting from the Global Hunger Index report of 2014, Bishop Oyedepo said: “Nigeria is among the countries in the world faced with a high level of hunger threat despite its efforts at reducing hunger in the last 25 years.”

The cleric, who is the chancellor of Landmark University, Omu-Aran, Irepodun Local Government Area, Kwara

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

State, spoke at the institution’s second convocation ceremony.

“Nigeria is blessed with abundant natural resources that it has not been able to successfully harness to the benefit of its teeming population.

“Agriculture is the mainstay of Nigeria’s economy, employing approximately two-thirds of the country’s total labour force and contributing 40 per cent to gross domestic product (GDP). Nigeria was ranked 40th out of 79 on the GHI and 156 out of 187 on the United Nations Development Programme (UNDP) 2011 human index development.

“According to the data from the International Fund for Agricultural Development (IFAD),

2012, poverty is widespread in the rural areas, where 80 per cent of the population live below poverty line,” Bishop Oyedepo said.

He said Nigeria’s poverty level could lead to micronutrient deficiency, erosion of citizens’ well-being and development, reduce productivity and immunity level as well as increase sickness and disease.

He urged Nigerians to “wake up to the reality of charting a path for strengthening the reins of our economy via productive and creative engagements in entrenching agro-enterprise”.

“Governments over the years had proffered policy solutions to agricultural development challenges and indeed implemented a number of them. Our dilemma is that the policies

have not seemed to have addressed the food security challenge.

“A number of efforts of government or statutory responsibilities considered effective for attaining agricultural development have not really been effective.

“For example, the Nigerian Agriculture Development Bank is today moribund despite several years of operation and several billions of Naira of invested fund. The Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) agricultural credit scheme with such lofty objective in which the nation had invested billions of its resources ended up as a way of getting fund to agriculture projects without significant contribution to its development,” the cleric said.

ACTIONAL Deputy President of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) Mr. Isa Aremu has hailed President Muhammadu Buhari for rejecting N400 million new official cars.

The unionist said the nation needed comprehensive systemic waste reduction programme beyond the exemplary gestures of the President.

Aremu, who doubles as the secretary, National Union of Textile Garment & Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), spoke with reporters yesterday in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital.

He hailed the Nigerian workers for their sacrifices during the Ramadan, adding that “Ramadan is about sacrifice”.

“However, for many workers, it was sacrifice before Ramadan and continuation of deprivations after Ramadan. This is unacceptable. Debtor-governor-employers should pay up or face the wrath of workers everywhere. President Buhari should ensure bailedout state governors sign performance/service delivery bonds with firm commitment to use the money for what it is: pay workers’ salaries.

“Incessant delay and non-payment of salaries have deepened the worsening poverty in Nigeria. The working poor have been turned to working beggars. Nigeria cannot guarantee productivity and prosperity with this level of deprivation and poverty of workers.

“Nigeria government at all levels should immediately initiate emergency and sustainable policies to reduce the current worsening poverty, failing which mass poverty can lead to mass uprising capable of undermining Nigeria’s nascent democracy. Unpaid workers are hungry workers.

“Hungry workers are angry workers. With already frustrated millions of the unemployed, and insurgency fuelled by suicidal desperately poor, Nigeria risks mass national revolt of the poor, if nothing is done to urgently alleviate the worsening misery of the majority in the face of the opulence of the ruling class.”

He also hailed Buhari for timely working its plans to revive textile and garment industry by immediately directing the inauguration of a special committee to look into the revival of cotton and textile industry.

Fayemi to deliver Atta Mills’ lecture

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ORMER Ekiti State Governor Dr. Kayode Fayemi is expected to be the Speaker at this year’s President John Evans Atta Mills’ Memorial Lecture in Accra, Ghana tomorrow.

Dr. Fayemi will be speaking on the topic: “Intellectuals in Politics and Governance

NLC to leaders: unite in condemning Boko Haram

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FACTION of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has urged political, traditional and religious leaders to unite in condemning Boko Haram.

In a message titled: “Imbibing the spirit of Eid-el-Fitri and living together in peace,” the congress called for the militants’ defeat, saying they did not fit into anywhere in a modern society.

Its President, Ayuba Wabba, who issued the message, said: “As we mark this year’s Eid-elFitri, we call on our leaders religious, traditional, political

and community - to unite in denouncing the evil that these extreme fanatics represent.

They have no place in modern society like ours, and we must work together to defeat them and bring them on their knees.”

The congress greeted the Muslim faithful on the occasion of the celebration of this year’s Eid-el-Fitri.

It urged Nigerians to imbibe the spiritual values and virtues of the Eid-el-Fitri, which include self-denial, chastity, sacrifice, forgiveness, sharing and giving.

The end of the month-long

Ramadan fasting and purification period, according to the NLC’s faction, “offers us a unique opportunity to reflect not only on our personal lives, but also on the teachings of the Holy Book and our obligations to it”.

“Against the background of the challenging times we are facing as a nation occasioned by the mindless acts of terror that the Boko Haram insurgence has over the last few years inflicted on us as a nation, I urge all Nigerians to rejoice with our Muslim brothers and sisters and be part of the process of national

renewal and rebirth, which the fasting and supplication to the almighty Allah seeks to enthrone,” it said.

The message noted that the insurgents continued to pose enormous challenges by destroying the existing harmony among Muslims, Christians and adherents of other religions.

It added that Boko Haram’s tactics of committing mass carnage in churches, mosques, markets and other such soft targets were desperate and despicable ways intended to turn citizens against each other, and cre-

ate religious hatred.

It added: “We commend the gallantry demonstrated by our armed forces in their recent victories against the insurgents, and urge them not to relent until ultimate victory is achieved.

“We call on our political leaders on the occasion of this celebration to rededicate themselves to the service of our people and provide selfless service to our nation. The wanton cases of corruption, greed and indulgence of public officeholders make the citizens to lose confidence in our public servants.”

in Africa: The Legacies of John Atta Mills”, at the yearly national event dedicated to the memory of the late President of the Republic of Ghana, who died in July 24, 2012.

A letter from the office of the president notifying Fayemi of the lecture reads: “Your impressive credentials as an academic, journalist and researcher on peace and security in Africa makes you a worthy choice for the occasion. Your presence and participation in this national event will further enhance the historical bonds of friendship and solidarity between Ghana and Nigeria”.

The letter was signed by Julius Debrah, Chief of Staff to President John Dramani Mahama on behalf of the planning committee.

This is the first lecture, in the series, to be delivered by a non-Ghanaian.

This year’s lecture coincides with the 71st post-humous birthday of late Atta Mills, who was born on July 21, 1944.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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NEWS Ogun hails monarch GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has assured residents that all on-going projects would soon be completed.

The governor, represented

by Deputy Governor Mrs. Yetunde Onanuga, said this in his message at the 25th coronation anniversary thanksgiving of the Akarigbo of Remoland, Oba Michael Adeniyi Sonariwo.

He congratulated the monarch, saying that his reign has been marked by peace not only in Remoland but throughout the state.

The governor re-affirmed that the administration does not owe workers.

He pledged that his administration would continueto reposition the state’s economy.

The ceremony started with an inter-denominational thanksgiving service conducted by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) at the Remo Traditional council Hall Palace ground.

In his sermon, the Bishop of Methodist Diocese of Remo Central; Rt. Rev. Gboyega Ohu, described the event as a celebration of divine favour upon Oba Sonariwo and the people, urging the monarch to prioritise God in all his dealings.

O

•From left: Mrs. Ononuga; Oba Sonariwo, and his wives Olori Abosede, Olori Omowunmi and Olori Yetunde at the thanksgiving

Too early to criticise Buhari, says Ladoja From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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ORMER Oyo State Governor and National Leader of Accord Party Senator Rashidi Ladoja has said it is too early to criticise President Muhammadu Buhari on his style of governance.

Ladoja, who spoke at the weekend, said to criticise somebody who has spent less than 100 days in office is totally unfair.

He added that the President needs to take stock of existing structures before he can fully kickstart his government.

The former governor asked Nigerians to give the President the benefit of the doubt and wait for six months before “probing” his government.

Ladoja, who is challenging the victory of Governor Abiola Ajimobi at the election petition tribunal, said Buhari, as a soldier, is different from Buhari as a civilian as he must now consult before taking decisions.

On the National Assembly crisis, the former governor appealed to the leadership of the ruling party to allow those at the helm of affairs function without interference.

He said: “The problem is the problem of I put you there.

Lawmakers have been voted for and we should allow them to do their work. There is so much work to do and no need for distractions.”

Police arrest eight suspected robbers, cultists

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IGHT suspected robbers and cultists have been arrested by the police in Ondo State.

The suspects include three National Diploma (ND) students of the Rufus Giwa Polytechnic, Owo (RUGIPO) Police sources said they were arrested in separate operations in Owo Local Government Area.

The students are Blessing Akinboun (ND II Public Administration), Tolutope Fasanu (ND II Business Administration) and Oluwaseun Alabi (ND III Business Admin-

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

istration).

It was gathered that the suspects raped most of their female victims.

They were caught with guns, knives and axes, among others.

Fasanu confessed that he was initiated into cultism by Temitope Adeyeye in 2013.

One short locally made gun, one dagger and one cutlass were recovered from him.

Police sources said Alabi confessed that he was initi-

ated in 2013. Items recovered from him include a dagger, one bag, one locally made cut-to-size single barrel gun, one cutlass and two cartridges.

Akinboun said he was initiated last year by a colleague, identified as Lampard and four others.

He said he robbed students, who live off campus and rape students.

Police spokesman Wole Ogodo gave the names of the other suspects as Wale Ilori (29), Oluwafemi Abayomi (16), Eze Ogokwe, Taiwo Se-

Ikere monarch calls for cooperation

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HE Ogoga of IkereEkiti, Oba Samuel Adejimi Adu, has assumed the throne with a call to indigenes to join hands with him to develop the town.

Oba Adu, at the weekend, concluded all traditional rites after which he was ushered into the palace amidst pomp and pageantry.

He succeeds Oba Samuel Adegoke Adegboye of the Akayejo ruling house, who died on August 22, last year after reigning for 43 years.

A crowd thronged the Iwoye Compound in Uro Quarters where the new monarch had been since he was installed by Governor

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

Ayo Fayose.

He was thereafter taken to some shrines and junctions to observe the last round of rites before heading to the palace.

Oba Adu, who is from the Agirilala Ruling House, received homage from traditional chiefs, quarter chiefs, age-grade groups, women groups, youths, interest groups and ethnic nationalities.

According to him, he felt fulfilled and humbled becoming the 27th Ogoga of Ikere, promising to justify the confidence reposed in

him by the kingmakers and other stakeholders.

He plans to pursue peace for the rapid socio-economic development.

Oba Adu extended a hand of fellowship to other princes who contested the throne with him, promising his readiness to always carry them and other indigenes along in the daily running of the community.

While emphasising that development could only take place in an atmosphere of peace, Oba Adu said he had started reaching out to his co-contestants and others aggrieved parties.

His words: “The kingmakers have resolved to work

Osun APC to security agencies: investigate Omisore’s summit HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has called on security agents to keep an eye on the “Summit on Education and Finance” organised by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Senator Iyiola Omisore and the Osun Stakeholders.

The APC referred to a briefing of the Osun Stakeholders which the former Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Niyi Owolade, the National Publicity Secretary of Afenifere, Yinka Odumakin, and former Board Chairman, Ladoke Akintola University Teaching Hospital, Osogbo, Dr. Muy-

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gun (16) and Ifeanyi Obi. Ogodo said Ilori was initiated in 2010. The police recovered from Abayomi one UTC knife, one axe and one jack knife, amongst others.

Eze was arrested for alleged conspiracy and stealing. He was said to have conspired with others to steal some aluminum steel.

Ogodo said Obi was arrested for alleged stealing; Segun was arrested for unlawful possession of weapons.

The police spokesman said all the suspects would be charged to court after investigation.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

iwa Oladimeji, had coordinated.

It said the summit is a ploy to create an atmosphere for mayhem and chaos in the state.

In a statement by its Director of Publicity, Kunle Oyatomi, the party said: "We have been left with no doubt that the summit is another phase of the grand plot of the opposition to sustain their campaigns of calumny against the government.

"It is germane to inform all well-meaning, decent individuals who may have been invited to this ill-motivated summit but are un-

aware of the real intention to see through the selfish political aggrandisement that lurks behind it.

“Since when has the PDP become concerned about education? It had all the opportunity in seven years to prioritise education in the state, but left the sector to rot, until Governor Rauf Aregbesola came in.

“Yinka Odumakin and the rest of the conveners participating in the so-called summit do not have any superior contribution to make that could replace what Prof. Wole Soyinka, erudite professors and other stakeholders had given to the Aregbeosola-led government.

“The Wole Soyinka-led summits’ advice and recommendation on how to reposition education in Osun are beyond what Omisore, PDP and the so-called stakeholders can ever produce.”

On finance, which the summit purports to discuss, the APC said the conveners lack any moral, political, professional or ethical basis to venture into that area.

“In the 90 months of its rule, the PDP administration generated N300 million Internally Generated Revenue, whereas in 40 months of the Aregbesola administration, the IGR was raised five times over without imposing additional tax.”

with me and they are actively involved in the task of reconciling fellow royals on the other side of the divide.

“My dream is to work towards the industrialisation of the community to boost its economy.

“I will enlist the support of my wide network of friends within and outside the country to set up investment in the town by tapping its abundant agricultural, forestry, mineral and tourism resources.

“I am deeply concerned about the high rate of unemployment among the youth. This will occupy a front burner in my development agenda.

“I am deeply concerned about unemployment. My desire is to reach out to industrialists to set up industries and small-scale businesses to provide jobs for our teeming youths.

“Ikere has huge potentials as investors’ destination and I will work with my people to ensure overall development of our town.

“I feel elated, humbled and proud to be chosen as the Ogoga and this will give me an opportunity to work for the peace, progress and development of Ikere because Ikere is a proud city, a city that has never been conquered in history.

“This is a thing of joy, this is a thing of great fulfillment and I am looking forward to a peaceful, fruitful and prosperous reign.”

12 arrested for alleged oil theft From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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WELVE suspects have been arrested by the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) in Ondo State for alleged illegal bunkering.

The suspects were apprehended at Ode-Ugbo in Ilaje Local Government Area during an operation by a combined team of NSCDC’s antivandals and armed units.

They include Salami Kehinde, Monehin Ilesanmi, Jamiu Salami, Iwalokun Tokunbo, Kareem Wasiu, Ayugbo Sunday and Agbede Joguntan.

Others are Omojorukonu Monday, John Collins, Adesioye Oluwaseunfunmi, Balogun Damilare and Ayetan Omojule.

The state Commandant, Claudius Danladi Yakubu, who paraded the suspects at the weekend, said they would remain in the command’s custody, until investigations are concluded.

Yakubu said more than 1,600 litres of diesel stored in 40 25 litres jerry cans, eight 50-litre jerry cans and one 200 litres drum were seized.

Also seized are six pumping machines, one motorcycle, two generators and three big hoses.

The commandant added that the command had destroyed more than 40,000 litres of diesel stored in surface tanks and drums in the town.

He promised that the NSCDC would do everything possible to stop pipeline vandalism, oil bunkering and other criminal activities in the state.

Yakubu urged residents to always provide information so that criminals could be arrested.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Youths seek sanity on Lagos Island

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GROUP, Concerned Youths of Lagos, has urged Governor Akinwumi Ambode to check the excesses of traders and commercial drivers on the Island.

It urged the governor to restore sanity to the metropolis.

Its leader, Mr. Kehinde Aderoju, in a statement enjoined the governor to emulate his predecessor, ex-Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola, by ridding the roads of traders and commercial drivers.

Aderoju said: “It is a Herculean task driving from Oyingbo right into Idumota to access Balogun market.

Danfo drivers have taken over the bridge. The road that’s supposed to take three vehicles has been converted to a lane, causing gridlock.

“Traders are not left out in this menace. A few months ago when we noticed gridlock on roads, such as Martins, Balogun, Ita Akanni, Nnamdi Azikiwe and Idumagbo Avenue, even on the Carter Bridge, we

By Tokunbo Ogunsami

thought their excesses were allowed because of the coming elections. Now the elections are over. We need sanity in Lagos. Governor Ambode should rescue us.

He should restore the accessible roads we enjoyed during the tenure of his predecessor. What we crave is a better Lagos, a mega city that will be home for all and a society that will match other mega cities.”

The group, however, solicited support for the Ambode administration.

•Ambode

Dinner for couples August 1 OUPLES with matrimonial challenges will on August 1share their problems with a large house.

They will be treated to a dinner organised by Diaries Couples’ Banquet at the African Church Hall, 5, Gbadamosi Street, Oremeji B/Stop Agbole Akute in Ogun State.

The event, according to its convener, Mrs Temitope Adeniba, will begin at 3pm.

Speaking on the programme, Mrs Adeniba said: “I am worried to the marrow by the rate at which marriages collapse these days. Even those that still manage to exist stand on shaky legs. Day and night, many couples these days live like sworn enemies with little or no care for their children.

Most of them seldom smile, let alone sit down to rub minds on their future and those of their innocent children.

“Today, we bemoan the worrisome social breakdown in the country, which is easily traceable to our unhealthy family system. These are among the reasons we decided to interact with our various parents on their experiences with a view to helping them mitigating the troubles in their interests, their children’s and that of the society.”

She said couples could reach her on topemag@yahoo.com or couplesundergod@yahoo.com or by phone call through 08022678587, 08034879101.

“It is going to be a memorable experience as experts will be on hand to share thoughts with the couples. Apart from having a comfortable outing on that day, participants will leave the venue fundamentally refreshed for improved family life,” Mrs Adeniba said.

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•The building

31-year-old man dies in Lagos fire

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A 31-YEAR-OLD man reportedly died on Friday night in a fire that razed a three-storey building on 19, Olusi Street, Lagos Island.

The deceased simply identified as Aare, it was gathered, had visited his mother earlier to celebrate Eid-ELFitr with her.

It is believed that he choked to death when he returned to his mothr’s place to retrieve his documents from the fire.

The cause of the inferno could not be ascertained, but some residents said it might have been caused by gas; others fingered petrol.

A resident, who gave his name as Jamiu, said the fire started around 10pm.

•Two other buildings razed

By Basirat Braimah

Occupants, he said, fled the burning building.

He said: “Gas? Petrol? No one really knows the cause of the fire. The third floor had a penthouse, so we really don’t know where the fire started from.”

Another resident, who gave her name as Alhaja, said he rented the apartment for his aged mother who occupies the third floor, adding that his mother was still thankful no life was lost when they vacated the building.

“She didn’t know her son was dead. Nobody said anything.

He left his mother’s place that evening but when he got a phone call that the building was on fire, he returned, thinking that his mother was in danger.

Immediately he got to the scene, he rushed upstairs to save his documents. That was the last we saw of him. His body was found at the entrance in standing position.”

“It is a big tragedy. Just last month, he bought a plasma television for his mother and he had also planned to move into his own house this December. He was a determined man.

I really wish he had a child before his death,” she said.

Another resident, who did

not give his name, said some residents stored petrol, which could be the cause of the inferno, explaining: “They sold it at cheaper rate because it was not from a clean source. That could be the cause.”

The deceased was buried at Ikoyi Cemetery in Lagos on saturday.

Also yesterday, fire gutted a storey building and a twin duplex in Ikotun and Festac Town, Lagos.

Director, Lagos State Fire Service Rasak Fadipe said the quick response of the Festac, Ojo and Isolo Fire stations prevented the spread of the Festac fire.

•From left: Mrs. Omini; wife of the Executive Secretary, Mrs. Funmi Ojora; her husband; and a neighbour, at the event.

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HE Executive Secretary of AjeromiIfelodun Local Government Area of Lagos State, Mr. Tajudeen Ojora, has donated N250,000 to Mrs. Charity Omini, who gave birth to a set of triplets.

He said the donation was a little way the council could

Succour for triplets’ mother assist the babies’ parents to meet their needs.

Describing the triplets as a ‘divine blessing’, Ojora congratulated the mother and restated his administration’s resolve to make life meaningful and

comfortable for residents.

Mrs. Omini of 66, Orodu Street, Ajegunle, Lagos thanked the executive secretary and the local government workers for their assistance.

•From right: Official of Ministry of Environment, Mrs Olatokunbo Lawal, the Council Manager of Coker/Aguda LCDA, Mr Ige Onala; the AG Executive Secretary of the LCDA, Princess Olatokunbo Ajala-Ekundayo; Head Mistress of Canal Primary School, Mrs Ogene and HOD ofEnvironment, Alhaji Oluwakemi Rahman at the tree planting exercise

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Raise your children well, says Ambode’s wife IFE of Lagos State governor Mrs. Bolanle Ambode yesterday urged mothers to raise their children with the fear of God, irrespective of gender.

She spoke when she visited two nursing mothers Mrs Abbey Augustine and Mrs Nosiru Onibon, who delivered a set of triplets and a set of twins, at the Epe General Hospital.

Mrs Ambode, accompanied by wife of Lagos House of Assembly Speaker Mrs Fausat Obasa, said a child’s upbringing would go a long way to determine his future.

She reminded mothers of their role in shaping their children’s future.

Mrs Ambode said: “Children are wonderful gifts from God; therefore, mothers must cherish, nurture and raise their children with the fear of God so that they will grow to become good role models and be useful not just to themselves but their parents and society at large”.

She presented gift items to the women.

Medical Director, Dr. Mustapha Bamidele, who received Mrs.

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By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

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•Mrs Ambode (second left) Mrs Augustine (left); Mrs Onibon (right) and others...yesterday

Ambode and her entourage, described the visit as unusual.

“It shows kindness and meek-

ness on the part of her Excellency”, Bamidele said.

The elated women thanked Mrs Ambode and prayed for her fam-

ily and the state.

Governor Akinwunmi Ambode and his wife it was learnt, were born at the hospital.

Controversy over ban of Okada in Magodo Estate ESIDENTS of Magodo in Lagos have said there is no going back on the ban of commercial motorcyclists in the estate.

The Magodo Residents Association (MRA) said the Okada Riders Association Magodo Unit (ORAMU) have been quarrelling over the issue.

ORAMU is insisting that its members have spent about 25 years co-existing with Magodo residents, and aiding the transportation challenges in the estate. It added that its members have also contributed financially and otherwise to the development of the estate, including providing security. This, it said, has made the riders more significant to the residents.

It was gathered that there have been talks of a transition from the okada mode of transportation to bus shuttle services.

Trouble started after MRA set up a committee comprising residents from the 21 zones to deliberate on what mode of transportation to adopt.

The committee, according to Mr Kunle Fashogbon, MRA

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‘Lagos deserves special status’

By Opeyemi Samuel

Chairman, came out with a report that over 80 percent of residents preferred shuttle buses to okada .

In February, Fashogbon issued an ultimatum to ORAMU, that the okada uniform given to its members would be withdrawn by the end of March 2015.

But ORAMU chairman, Mr Abiodun Seyingbo, who met with Fashogbon towards the end of March, denied being aware of the ultimatum. He said he thought it was a rumour and pleaded on behalf of the okada riders for an extension. Fashogbon extended it till June 30, when ORAMU was banned from the estate. Okada transportation was then replaced with shuttle buses.

Seyingbo told our reporter: ‘’Rumours of transition from the okada mode of transportation to bus shuttle services had been on debate. After it came to our notice, we pleaded with MRA to give us six months but they said the deadline of our operation on the estate was 30th June, 2015.

ORAMU has about 1000 mem-

bers and these members have wives and children in schools.

“Although some residents might be complaining about okada, we can’t deny the fact that Okada is essential in this estate because not everyone owns a car. Even the residents patronise us when their cars become faulty.”

However, Fashogbon said the ORAMU chairman was economical with the truth.

He said: “The decision of the house is that okada must be banned. We told them we would withdraw their uniform

by March ending but the chairman pleaded for an extension and I voluntarily extended it.

Okada riders want to take over the estate, gradually converting it into a haven for motorcyclists from the north. The worry of some residents is the risk the cyclists pose to the residents.

“Yesterday, I was telling one of the MRA executives that I’ve been praying that nothing happens to me because the okada riders have been mentioning my name all over Magodo that it was Fashogbon that banned

them, not knowing that it was the decision of the residents.’’

He continued: “The okada has been replaced with shuttle buses and we have over 15 shuttle buses now and more are coming and people are very happy about it.”

Comrade Obinna Worgu, a Magodo resident and human rights activist, said: “The okada ban in Magodo GRA phase 2 can only be described as a show of power and overzealousness as everyone can see. I want to remind the MRA executives that we did not elect them into office to become lords over us, rather to serve us with respect and dignity.’’

An okada rider, Habeeb Musa, said: “We are not happy riding okada. It is because of the harsh economic condition. We are just doing it to survive so that we can meet our needs.’’

Another rider, who did not want his name mentioned, said: “The rich men in Magodo don’t want to see us; where do they want us to go? Don’t they know that we have wives and children like they do?”

OUNDER of O’odua People’s Congress (OPC) Dr Frederick Fasehun has canvassed a special status for Lagos State to enable it attract more largesse from the Federation Account.

In an interview with aviation reporters in Lagos, he said the special status has become imperative because of its cosmopolitan attributes as the home of all ethic nationalities in the country.

He said unless such special status is granted the state, it would be incapable of utilising solo-financing to fix its special development programmes in education, health, roads and other projects .

He said: “Over the past ten years, I have canvassed that Lagos State be given special treatment in allocation of federal largesse to address issues of development.

“This cuts across education, health, security and roads. Lagos is bearing more burden of governance because there is no federal presence in the state.

“Government must ensure that there is fairness and justice in the distribution of revenues from the central purse to ensure Lagos State is able to address the huge burden of governance.

This is important because Lagos State is incapable of solo- finance of special programmes.”

He called on Governor Akinwunmi Ambode to consolidate on the structures laid by his predecessors.

‘How First Ladies can tackle poverty’ GROUP, Uplifting Women Though Farming (UWTF), has urged wives of political office holders to set up pet projects that will encourage more female active participation in agriculture.

Its founder, Afoma Adigwe made the call while speaking with reporters in Lagos on the need to provide an enabling environment for female farmers to thrive.

“Our first ladies must see participation of women and children in agriculture as a big deal. If we can invest in agriculture, many youths will embrace it. I don’t know why we are treating this issue with levity. International communities don’t joke with their farmers; so, it will be unheard of if we joke with them here. If our First Ladies can do this, it will help in no small way to alleviate poverty in our land,” she said.

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Protect your environment, says council chief KORODU Local Government Area Executive Secretary Wasiu Adesina has urged residents to protect their environment.

He spoke during the yearly Lagos State Tree Planting campaign at Ijomu Primary School in Anibaba, Ikorodu.

Adesina observed plants role in the composite ecosystem, saying they provide food for most mammals and also keep them from the sun and rains.

He noted the symbiotic relationship between man and plants, explaining that man takes in oxygen released by plants in order to give back carbon-dioxide used by plants to process their own food.

The council chief enjoined stakeholders to cultivate the habit of planting trees and shun indiscriminate felling of trees.

Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Agriculture and Cooperatives Dr. Y. O. Bashorun, who represented Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode, emphasised the impor-

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•Mr. Otubu; Bashorun and Adesina during the ceremony.

By Durojaiye Babayemi

tance of afforestation to ensure balance in the ecosystem.

Earlier, the Director of Forestry, Mr. Kunle Otubu, demonstrated the planting and nurturing methods for seedlings of trees, stating that when men make trees their friends, trees will make men their friends.

In attendance were All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftains, executives of Community Development Associations (CDA) market men and women, National Council of Women Societies of Nigeria, Girls’ Guides, Youth and Transport Associations and the Global Services Overseas, an international voluntary youth group, among other stakeholders present.

•Inspector-General of Police Solomon Arase and Editor, Crimewatch Newspaper Ohi Akpengbe when Carto Security Services Limited presented Arase with an award on crime fighting.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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NEWS Bamidele: Buhari needs prayers From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

PRESIDENT Muhammadu Buhari needs prayers to conquer insurgency, a former House of Representatives member, Opeyemi Bamidele, has said.

In his Eid-el-Fitr message, the ex-Chairman, House Committee on Legislative Budget and Research, praised the Muslims for their condemnation of the insurgents and their sacrifices during the 30 days of fasting and prayers.

Bamidele praised the resolve of all sections of the country to work with Buhari’s government.

He said Muslims had made sacrifices for sustained unity and peaceful co-existence of the nation, saying it was wrong and callous for some faceless groups to be hiding under Islam to wreak havoc on the nation and its innocent citizens.

“Islamic clerics and members in some of their sermons have shown their disdain and resentments for Boko Haram. They have shown that insurgents are mere vampires fighting for selfish interests and not the interest of Islam.

“With their sacrifices and prayers during Ramadan, I share the belief that Boko Haram’s days are numbered in Nigeria.

“I plead with Muslims to continue to sustain their prayers as they did during Ramadan for President Buhari. Nigeria needs prayers at the moment to be able to check this group.”

Agbaje greets Muslims THE governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Lagos State, Mr. Jimi Agbaje, has congratulated Muslims on the successful conclusion of the Ramadan fast.

He urged them to continue to work and pray for peace in Nigeria.

Commending Muslims for trooping out to celebrate the Eid-il-Fitr, the PDP governorship candidate said the nationwide celebration underscored the fact that Nigerians cherished and guarded jealously their fundamental freedoms, including freedom of worship.

According to him, it was significant that the security challenges bedevilling the country failed to douse the zeal to celebrate Ramadan.

Agbaje noted that worshippers willingly subjected themselves to bodily searches before being admitted into prayer grounds, and prayed that insurgency and terrorism would soon end.

“Nigerians of whatever faith are no terrorists, and terrorism is not in our character. We must collectively banish this evil from our land through all spiritual and physical means necessary.

“The traditional nomenclature of Islam is peace, and we pray that soon and very soon, Muslims and all Nigerians will be able to worship in peace,” Agbaje said.

•Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola (arrowed) and members of Nasrul-Lahi-L-Fatih Society (NASFAT) during the post-2015 Ramadan prayers/lecture organised by the Osogbo Branch..yesterday

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Osun: no plan to sack workers

HE Osun State government has said it has no plan of sacking 10,000 workers.

It said the “so-called plan to sack workers” was in the imagination of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

The governor’s media aide, Semiu Okanlawon, in a statement, advised the people to dismiss the allegation.

The statement reads: “Discerning and decent people have come to the conclusion that when the PDP makes any allegation it must be quickly dismissed because it is in its character to fabricate falsehood to confuse the public.

“But the relevant question that must be asked is has PDP’s notoriety in lying helped it achieve anything in Osun?

•PDP: govt set to sack 10,000 workers From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

“The answer is no. And that is because the people who understand the positive impacts of the Aregbesola administration have left the PDP behind in its lying act.”

The PDP raised the alarm that the All Progressives Congress (APC)- led government has concluded plans to retrench 10,000 workers.

A statement by its spokesperson, Diran Odeyemi, said: “The modalities to be adopted to downsize is being handled by an APC stalwart, who allegedly did a similar “job” during the tenure of Chief Bisi

Akande, when workers were unceremoniously eased out of service.”

Describing the allegation as false, Okanlawon said: “This latest falsehood is part of its calculated move to misinform workers, confuse them and demoralise them. Nowhere has the Aregbesola administration signified any intention to sack workers.

“The party failed woefully in its plot to capitalise on workers’ delayed salaries to instigate them against the government by sponsoring protests.

“We are aware it is plotting another crisis just to advance the dubious plan to cause

mayhem.

“As for its other allegations, such as the issue of 50 per cent of salaries paid to workers on Grade Level 8 and above, the PDP dubiously remained silent on the fact that other categories of workers got their full salaries.

“On the allegation that Aregbesola refused to sell the helicopter being used for Surveillance, it is important to note that the PDP and its leaders have run out of fresh ideas with which to blackmail this government.

“Aregbesola’s family does not use the helicopter. The helicopter procured on lease agreement in 2012 as part of

NDDC Board: Ondo monarchs to meet Buhari

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RADITIONAL rulers of oil producing communities in Ondo State have urged President Muhammadu Buhari to appoint an indigene as the next managing director of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC).

The monarchs spoke at an emergency meeting in Igbokoda, Ilaje Local Government Area at the weekend.

The National Deputy Chairman of Traditional Rulers of Oil Producing Communities in Nigeria (TROPCON) and the Alagho of Odonla, Oba Elias Ikuomola, said it

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

was time for the state to produce the next MD. The monarchs lamented that the Sunshine State had not produced a candidate for any of the principal positions in NDDC since its inception 15 years ago.

They explained that Bayelsa, Akwa Ibom, Delta and Rivers States, otherwise known as the “big four states”, had repeatedly produced the MD, Executive Director Projects (EDP), Executive Director Finance and Administration(EDFA)and

Chairmen.

However, the state, number five on the list of member-states has not got any of the key positions.

Speaking to reporters after the meeting, Oba Ikuomola, who decried the “domineering tendencies” of Akwa Ibom, Delta, Rivers and Bayelsa states, made reference to the Act establishing the commission.

The Act stipulates that the appointment of the MD, EDP and EDFA shall be rotated among member-states based on their oil quantum.

According to the monarch,

the meeting became imperative to draw the President’s attention to the injustice done to Ondo State by previous administrations.

He said they would soon send their position paper to the Presidency.

Oba Ikuomola said they had delegated some monarchs to meet with the authorities on the need to zone the MD position to the state.

He therefore appealed to President Buhari to strictly apply the principle of equity and rule of law while constituting the new NDDC board.

OPC may sue NNPC over N1.9b debt

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HE O’odua Peoples Congress (OPC) has said it may sue the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for its failure to pay it N1.9 billion, being the debt accrued for the pipeline protection contract terminated over a month ago.

OPC founder Frederick Fasehun, who spoke yesterday to aviation correspondents in Lagos, said the contract was awarded to the

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

OPC to protect NNPC’s pipeline from Mosimi in Ogun to Oyo State.

He debunked the claim that the contract was awarded for political reasons by the Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Fasehun said:”The contract was drafted by the NNPC and both parties signed it. We began on March 16 and the contract was for three months.

“I put 4,020 youths on the job. We did the job with utmost integrity and commitment. There was no complaint of pipeline vandalism.

“We were not mobilised but we went ahead to do the job because we felt concerned that the nation’s lifeline was being threatened.

“While the contract was on, there was a change in government but I believe government is continuum

•Fasehun

and any contract signed on behalf of one government should be honoured by its successor.”

the Osun Swift Action Squad cannot be the reason for the delay in salaries.

“In its warped understanding, its governorship candidate, Iyiola Omisore, accused this government of buying a helicopter at N8 billion.

“We are sure it has been embarrassed when it found out what a helicopter costs.”

Hospital debunks doctors’ allegation From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

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HE management of the Federal Teaching Hospital, Ido Ekiti (FETHI) in Ekiti State has dismissed the allegations against the Chief Medical Director, Dr. Majekodunmi Ayodele, by the striking members of the Association of Resident Doctors (ARD).

The ARD members, in a statement last week, accused the CMD of illegally holding on to their entitlements, engaging in activities contrary to civil service rules, nonchalant attitude to workers’ welfare, among others.

But the management in a statement by its Public Relations Officer, Kunle Adeboyejo, described the doctors’ allegations as “spurious and an attempt to ruin the CMD’s reputation”.

The statement advised the striking doctors to resume work in the interest of the nation and patients who are bearing the brunt of their fiveweek industrial action.

The hospital management maintained that “the CMD has been managing the financial resources of the hospital prudently”, adding that he had no access to staff salaries and contract funds.

It denied the allegation that the CMD had been using money earmarked for staff salaries and emolument to implement capital projects, saying “staff salaries are paid directly from Abuja to individual accounts.

Also payment for contract is done directly from Abuja for specified projects yearly”.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

DISCOURSE

Aregbesola: moving Osun from mediaeval dependency to modernity Managing Nigeria’s dependent states: Aregbesola and the case of Osun •Continued from last Thursday.

Osun revenue: Facts and fiction Between November 2010 and December 2014, Osun received a total statutory allocation of N108.3billion, and if we add Osun’s receipts from January to April 2015 of N7.04billion, this makes a total of N115.34billion.

Osun expenditure on salaries alone from November 2010 to December 2014 was N120.4billion.

This left the state with a deficit of N12billion. If we add other emoluments, Osun’s total recurrent expenditure comes to N206billion, compared to its statutory allocation of N108.3billion. If we add other accruals from Abuja, the grand total of all receipts from Abuja is N204billion. Yet a newspaper published the unverified claim made by the politically interested former Head of Service of Osun and candidate of SDP at the last governorship election that Osun received “over N350billion” in federal allocation since Aregbesola’s inception as governor! He also made other unverified allegations to the effect that N436billion in statutory allocation was made to Osun’s thirty Local Governments in the same period.

To put things into perspective, in 2011, allocation from Federation Account to Osun was an average of N4billion per month, this level held steady until it fell to N2.6billion in July 2013, from when it began a downward slide to N466million in April 2015! At first the downward slide was thought to be temporary, but alas, it became a collapse! Osun’s internal revenue grew remarkably from N600million in 2011 to a peak of N1.6billion in 2013 as a result of Government’s revenue drive but it is not sufficient to meet its obligations to the citizens. When Aregbesola mounted the saddle on November 26th, 2010, the total monthly salaries and emoluments bill was N1.4billion, (including N200million for pensions).

In 2015 Osun workers’ emolument was N3.6billion, and Pensions: N530million, and since workers’ salaries are adjusted every six months these will jump up to N4billion in December! In January 2015, net statutory allocation to Osun was N1.25billion; February N1.12b; March N624m; April N466m. If we add to these other accruals, such as VAT, SURE-P, Excess Crude, Exchange Rate differential, total allocation for January is N1.99billion; February: N2.05b; March: N1.61b; April: N1.39b. About N700million is deducted for repayment of Osun’s loan liability every month.

However, from July 2013, just as the IGR milestone achievement was being commended, there was a sharp drop in federally allocated funds to Osun; this drop became very pronounced from January 2014.

With the knowledge that the longer one delays, inflation escalates project cost and renders a project less effective and less attractive, contracts for various major projects had been awarded in earnest in 2011 by the government based on its long-term finance plan and scenarios.

There is also the matter of mass exit of older experienced staff at the end of 2012 in order to beat the deadline for the introduction of the mandatory contributory pension scheme (PENCOM) that was to take effect from January 2013, to replace the traditional government pension payment system. This mass exit has also led to a big rise in the State’s commitment to payment of gratuities and pensions to historically high levels and added to the financial shocks the state is contending with. New workers recruited to fill the vacancies created by the retiring staff lack the experience to deal with issues that call for systemic knowledge and this has also created some challenges.

Labour and Aregbesola’s economic development strategy Nigeria is a country at the ‘food stage’ of development and badly in need of industries that produce what people need and want to pay for: food, clothing, consumer goods needs, including shelter and household needs, that’s where surplus labour should be shifted to as rapidly as we can. These cannot be provided by the multiplication of layers of government bureaucratic jobs as we have been doing until now. It will take rare courage on the part of the governors to make the initially disruptive shift of labour to productive economic activities where many hands are needed to wean Nigeria from the consumption of imported goods. With the understanding that people always move where the money is, it should be possible with some competitive inducement to persuade the state’s labour force to make the transition to productive areaswhere more hands are needed to help turn around the state’s fortune.I believe that this step will prove to be a blessing in a couple of years to many.

Agricultural production and processing, and production of goods currently being imported will absorb hundreds of thousands of workers (more than the State government’s current labour force), relieving the State of its debt burden of salaries for sinecure jobs. Labour, Capital and Technology must move to the markets where the needs and opportunities are, or atrophy.The 2015 salary crisis, a repeat of the 1982/83 experience is an object lesson by firsthand experience that the neocolonial state was not designed to bring about sustainable development and cannot always pay its workers.

Only a productive and vibrant economy has such a chance in today’s world of free enterprise mixed economy and competition, we owe it to ourselves to

create one; and the earlier, the better. This means that the State and Federal governments must make major macro-economic policy changes: ban or place prohibitive tariff and administrative, regulatory restrictions or huddles on imported items that can be produced in Nigeria from the land and natural resources.

Federal and State governments should enable ventures processing into finished goods and enforce standards for local consumption and support demand and market supply chain. This will grow the States’ IGR through a wider and more realistic tax net.

Aregbesola’s vision, economic development strategy and projects Anyone who came to Osun before the advent of Aregbesolain 2010 will have taken it for granted that it is a prototype rural state where everythingshould look like it wasin mediaeval times. It was, and still is a place where opinions are strong and tend to be fixed and the people are very politically astute. Aregbesola inherited a State of sprawling rust, dust, decay and chaos, where there were no social services or institutions worth its name to talk about, and to cap it all, with an empty treasury and a mountain of debts for projects with little economic foundation or possibility of positive returns. This is the tradition of Nigerian governance for which our misbegotten elites are to blame. The people copy whatever the elites do.

From the beginning, Governor Aregbesola demonstrated an uncommon and penetrating insight into the condition of Osun, the economy, the land and the people as shown by his in-depth and engaging discourses and legendary consultations with people. On the bases of these, he came up with an intuitive strategy and intelligent and inclusive solutions to issues, always taking the long view of the development of Osun, never held down by the pedestrian limitations. Aregbesola is audacious and not a novice when it comes to state governance and administration, he has been deliberately cautious in the handling of issues affecting various political interests and constituencies in the state whilst keeping his gaze fixed on the long-term objective: making Osun the number one State in Nigeria in all important indices of development, human, social and economic.

While acknowledging his predecessors in office, especially the highly disciplined and irrepressible Chief AdebisiAkande, he has been careful and strategic in his selection of projects, the likes of which had never been attempted in the state

‘To put things into perspective, in 2011, allocation from Federation Account to Osun was an average of N4billion per month, this level held steady until it fell to N2.6billion in July 2013, from when it began a downward slide to N466million in April 2015!’

while implementing his vision for a great State. His first project was to work to change the mindset of the people and how the state was perceived.He did this by creating a new brand identity-IpinleOmoluabi, the State of Osun, Nigeria.

He next faced the thorny issue of youth unemployment and disorienatation by setting up the OYES (Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme), a scheme that has drawn many curious delegations to visit the state. OYES engaged 40,000 youths in the first four –year term of Aregbesola.

OYES was recommended for adoption/adapataion as a model job creation and youth enegagement scheme by the World Bank who styled theirs YESO.Ogbeni as he is fondly called came up with his wellpublicised Five –Point Integral Action Plan for the total transformation from mediaeval city to a modern society, a hub of Commerce, Industry, Culture and Tourism.

He pioneered several unique and far-reaching programmes and projects, like the super highways from Gbogan junction to Osogbo, Osogbo-Ila-Odo, the East Bypass (Oni Aderemi Road), and the MoshoodAbiola Airport, besides over 600kilometres of asphaltic roads Roads (within townships, intercity and inter-state), (fifteen kilometers in every town and Local Government), besides the special attention to Osogbo. The remodeling of the Osogbo Railway Station and the rail corridor into a beautiful avenue is now noticeable and it triggered a directive by President Jonathan’s government to the Nigerian Railway Corporation to beautify the Rail terminuses across the country.

Osun has embarked on a number of far-reaching economic and social infrastructure projects and programmes, some of which have received international and local acclaim and have been adopted as national programmes by the APC Federal government of President Buhari because of their high impact multiplier effects and potentials.

For example the O’Meals Elementary School free lunch programme has raised primary school enrolment in Osun to the highest level in Nigeria, developed commercial scale food vendors and created a vibrant agriculture and agro-processing sector in the state.

These social change programmes include: Osun Youth Empowerment Scheme (OYES), the community service volunteer scheme that has trained 40,000 youths in various skills and re-oriented them toward rendering selfless service. Others are Schools infrastructure reconstruction and upgrade, O’Meals Elementary Schools’ Lunch and Health programme, Opon Imo (Computer Tablet), Omoluabi Scholar buses, the schools’ uniform project that has now attracted industrial tailoring a major growth industry to the state, schools calisthenics programme (teaching pupils orderly behaviour, organization, situation awareness, team work and coordination). He invested

•Aregbesola

the state’s resources in rural economic infrastructures: extension of electricity and roads to many rural farming communities, to make the industrialization of the rural economy possible in a few years through the commercialization of Agriculture.

He created countless innovative and far-reachingprogrammes in Agriculture for farmers for livestock breeding and multiplication: O, Bops (broiler), O’Fops (Fish), O’Beef, O’Honey, and for arable farmers, all targeting the Schools feeding programme. Not to be ignored are the new security infrastructure, and social services introduced in the state: network of Police Patrol, armoured protective vehicles located near Banks and strategic spots, emergency ambulance service, township door-to-door garbage collection service, channelization and de-silting of streams and rivers that has put an end to perennial flood disasters, and environmental beautification projects visible in Osogbo and the Ibadan-Ilesa Expressway.

The leveraging of state funds for financing major capital projects has enabled some States to raise long-term funds, in particular, bonds from the capital market for major infrastructure, such as Dual Carriage ways, flyover bridges, etc. These projects are expected to stimulate economic activities and trigger businesses to invest in the states, and increase State revenue from taxes and levies paid by businesses from which the state will pay back the long-term funds (bonds) in reasonable time. One impact of Aregbesola’s developmental efforts is the jump in the population of Osun 3.2m in 2010 to 3.6m in 2014.

Osun now needs a deluge of direct investments in key commercial, industrial, agro-processing, mining and tourism in order to begin to reap the benefits of Aregbe’s first term investments as they get completed one after the other over in the months ahead.Osun has a great potential in Tourism because of its history, culture, abundance of vibrant community festivals and nature sites that draw hundreds of thousands of people even with little or no publicity and certainly few facilities, if any.

Before the immediate past Federal government wrecked the security of the country and its economy to boot, Osun had been a major internal educational tourist state attracting pupils from as far away as the Niger Delta and the Eastern part of Nigeria; the fair number of highly reputed private Secondary schools in the state attests to this fact. Today, Osun has been restored to one of Nigeria’s most peaceful and most secure states

by Aregbesola’s regime.

•Continued on page 47

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

NATION SPORT

Lacazette to remain at Lyon

Marquez: Ronaldo set to leave Real Madrid I

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LEXANDRE Lacazette has calmed the fears of Lyon fans, revealing he will not be leaving the Stade de Gerland as he hopes for another productive campaign.

The striker was in superb form in 2014-15, netting 27 goals to finish as the top scorer in Ligue 1, six clear of his nearest challenger, Andre-Pierre Gignac of Marseille.

Those performances led to widespread speculation that the 24-year-old could be set for a move either to Paris SaintGermain or the Premier League.

But, after scoring the winner in a 2-1 friendly win over

Milan on Saturday, Lacazette confirmed he is staying put.

"What people say doesn't mean much," he said. "I can still work well.

"I can show everyone that my mind is not in another place. I have already told the head coach and the president that I want to stay in Lyon.

"I am fully committed to our project for this season. Whatever happens outside stays outside. Personally, I know what I want for this season.

"I was happy with the way our fans reacted during the game. I received a lot of messages that were, you could say, 'mean' on Twitter.

KER Casillas ' agent, Santos Marquez, believes that Cristiano Ronaldo 's decision to sell his image rights to a company owned by Valencia president Peter Lim suggests that the forward is set to leave Real Madrid .

Ronaldo is under contract until 2018 but raised eyebrows on June 29 when he announced that he had signed a deal with Mint Media.

Marquez believes that the agreement is bad news for Los Blancos, as he is viewing it as a sign that the Portugal international is dissatisfied with club president Florentino Perez and is now preparing his Madrid exit.

"One day [Perez] will need to explain why Cristiano works for another company outside of Real Madrid," the agent told AS. "Imagine Cristiano generating •40 million elsewhere and giving it to Peter Lim, Valencia’s owner. It ends up in Valencia’s coffers and that’s deplorable...

"Will anyone speak out and ask Florentino why Cristiano has sold his image rights to Peter Lim? "That’s not normal; it suggests that Cristiano is planning to leave."

Marquez then launched a savage attack on Perez's handling

FTER departing Manchester United to join Fenerbahce, Robin van Persie feels he was not given a fair opportunity to stay at Old Trafford by Louis van Gaal.

Van Persie and Van Gaal worked together for the Dutch national team, but it appears their relationship became somewhat strained towards the end of 2014-15.

The striker made 27 Premier League appearances for Van Gaal, scoring 10 goals.

The 31-year-old completed his move to Turkey this week and has revealed he could tell that Van Gaal no longer saw

A

in his Villa career, having scored 49 goals in 101 appearances for the Villans since his arrival from Genk in 2012.

Benteke will be the second star player to leave Villa in a week after midfielder and captain Fabian Delph joined Manchester City in an £8million move, following a strange change of heart after initially rejecting the move.

With Benteke on the verge of leaving the club the Villans are being linked with a number of replacements this summer. A number of names have been linked with a move to the Midlands, with two names in particular being heavily linked with Villa.

Blancos by announcing his decision to join Porto.

After being heavily criticised for his absence, Perez organised a hastily arranged send-off ceremony the following day and stated during the proceedings

that it had been Casillas' desire to depart.

However, Marquez has accused the Blancos supremo of spinning a web of lies in relation to the manner of his client's exit.

‘Van Persie not given ´honest´ chance’

Aston Villa eyeing A replacement for Benteke

CCORDING to various reports Aston Villa are targeting Emmanuel Adebayor as a replacement for Christian Benteke Aston Villa are looking for a replacement for Belgium striker Christian Benteke, after Liverpool agreed to meet the strikers £32.5million release clause.

The 24-year-old is expected on Merseyside on Tuesday to have a medical ahead of completing the move.

The move will not come as a surprise to many, as Benteke has been consistently linked with a move away from the Midlands club for a good while.

The striker has been prolific

of Casillas' Madrid departure.

Academy product Casillas was left sitting all alone at a press conference at the Santiago Bernabeu last Sunday as he brought the curtain down on a 25-year association with Los

him as a first-choice selection.

"I know Louis as a national team coach and now I get to know him as a club coach," he told The Sunday Times.

"I was still thinking we could come back from holiday and start from scratch.

"He had changed his mind about me before. When he took over Holland he said to me 'You're the number three striker.' I was 'O...K...' but I fought and became the number one and his captain.

"But when I came back, it wasn't an honest battle anymore. Fighting to get back in the team wasn't given me as an

option.

"He was sending me to Pitch Two. And I'm a mature player.

I'm not stupid. I didn't get angry or emotional.

"These things are part of football, part of life. You have to make the best out of any situation so I'm doing this by moving on."

Van Persie says being left on the bench for United's 1-0 defeat at Chelsea in April proved a turning point.

"That was one of the first signals things weren't going in the right direction," he said. "I asked to play in the reserves, to get my minutes, but after was on the bench again.

"The atmosphere changed between me and Louis and people at the club saw it, but I was always professional.

"At that point I didn't think to leave. [Wife] Bouchra was happy. The kids were happy. I was happy in Manchester."

Bacca: Ibra would help Milan out

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ARLOS Bacca says that he can fire AC Milan back into the Champions League but added that he would welcome the return of Zlatan Ibrahimovic to San Siro.

The Colombia international's arrival from Sevilla was confirmed on July 2, with the Rossoneri reportedly having agreed to meet the striker's •30 million buy-out clause.

The 28-year-old touched down in Milan on Sunday, after an extended break following his involvement in the Copa America, and says that he intends to reinvigorate a side that could only finish 10th in Serie A last season.

"I'm very happy and proud to be here," he told reporters at Malpensa Airport. "I'm excited to play with players of the highest level.

"I promise to give my best in every match and in every training session in order to reach our objectives.

"I chose Milan because it's a great club. It's a very ambitious club and one of the best in Italy.

"My objective is to give my best, score many goals and bring Milan back to the top and also get them back into the Champions League."

Despite strengthening their

attack with not only the acquisition of Bacca but also Luiz Adriano from Shakhtar Donetsk, Milan are still considering a move for former forward Ibrahimovic.

While that would mean even greater competition for a starting berth up front, Bacca says that he would welcome the Paris Saint-Germain striker at the Giuseppe Meazza.

"Ibra is a player that has scored many goals," the exClub Brugge man added.

"I don't know if he will return to Milan but he would definitely help us out."

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

NATION SPORT INTERVIEW... INTERVIEW... INTERVIEW... INTERVIEW...

Forlan: I wanted to go out on a high In interview with FIFA.com, Diego Forlan spoke on the high and low side of his carrier and more about what fans really don’t know about is passion for the round leather game.

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IFA.com: Diego, how much did you miss seeing your name in the squad for the upcoming Copa America and having the chance to meet up again with your Uruguay team-mates?

Diego Forlan: Whenever a phase in my life comes to an end I make a conscious effort to move on, and I try not to think about moments like that. It’s better to try and put it out of your mind because obviously you do miss it. It helps that you’ve got your own things to think about, like playing matches, as does living far away. It makes you read the news in a different way. Then there’s also the fact that I really enjoyed my time in the national team, because it makes it easier to bear.

The last few years, from 2010 to now, were superb.

I wanted to go out on a high.

In reflecting on the highs of the last few years, did you not feel like carrying on?

The enthusiasm and desire is still there, which makes it difficult to stop.

You always want more, especially if you still feel in good shape. The problem is, that can lead you to make the decision at the wrong time, and you end up playing on for too long.

That’s why I thought it was a good idea to do it

before the Copa America and the World Cup qualifiers, which are important competitions. There are new players coming through, the generational handover is underway, and they need to be tested in competitive matches.

Did the fact that you weren’t such a central figure in Oscar Tabarez’s starting line-up influence your decision at all?

No, absolutely not. You can spend more or less time on the pitch, but there are young players coming through the whole time and they have to play. That changeover is happening now. And it wasn’t as if I didn’t feel so important any more. It was mostly a personal process. I spoke to my father and brothers a lot and decided to make the call.

When you’re far away, you can think things through more calmly.

How much did the mental side of things influence your decision to retire from the na-

tional team?

As a footballing superstar, it can’t be the same to play in Europe’s major leagues as it is Brazil or Japan.

(Pause) When you play in different places, you realise that there’s no such thing as easy football. You might be playing in a lesser league, but as a striker you still have to go out and score goals.

Just because you get goals in Italy doesn’t mean you’re going to go and score lots in Spain or England. The same goes for any place you play.

It also depends on how you adapt as a player. I came to Japan because it’s a competitive league. It’s not Europe, but they’ve got a good national side and players who are doing well in European football. If that hadn’t been the case, I wouldn’t have come.

Talking of footballers who are doing well in Europe, are you surprised by how quickly Luis Suarez has adapted to life at Barcelona, where he’s scoring goals and laying

them on?

Not at all. When you’re as good as Luis it’s easy to adapt to teams like that. He’s always laid goals on in the national team, but now it’s easier to see that side of his game because he’s playing alongside the best player in the world. You got the feeling that he was always going to have more chances to score and create goals at Barcelona, and that he’d have more chance to show off his full range of attacking skills. When you’ve got [Lionel] Messi and Neymar with you, you’re going to have more space and better finishers around you. The three of them raise each others’ games.

You finished top scorer in the Spanish league on two occasions, which is no mean achievement. How do you feel when you see Messi and Cristiano Ronaldo make it look so easy?

(Laughs) It’s amazing. I think I was the last one to win the Pichichi (La Liga’s leading goalscorer accolade) before they started to share it between themselves. It’s the same with the European Golden Shoe, except the year in which Luis shared it with Cristiano. You just can’t compete with them. I can’t see anyone else taking over their mantle just yet, not with the competition between them and their desire to outdo each other. They’ve still got a few years ahead of them too.

Back to Uruguay now.

How do you rate their chances at the Copa America?

Pretty good. There’s new blood in the team now, with very promising players like Diego Rolan, to give just one example. Uruguay are going to miss Luis, but they’ve played some great games without him and have been just as effective, which says a lot about the team. The important thing is to get out of the group. After that it’s knockout football, where the better team wins. That’s a different type of competition, as Uruguay showed in Argentina four years ago.

One last question. Of all the records you’ve set with La Celeste, which one are you most proud of?

(Pause) A big one for me is belonging to a family with three generations of players who’ve won the Copa America, a unique achievement in the history of world football. My grandfather won it twice, my father once and me once. I’m also amazed by the number of games I played.

When I was a kid, my dad used to take me to the stadium for free. That was because the Uruguayan FA gave him a free ticket for having played over 45 matches with the national team. I feel so proud to have played more than 100 times for my country, especially when I think of all the great players the country has produced over the years.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

19

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Beyond mushy religion

Funding the police • More money has to be provided for the force to enhance internal security

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HE report that the Nigeria Police has not been recruiting since 2011, for lack of funds, is worrisome. Currently, Nigeria has about 400,000 police personnel, while our population is reputed to be more than 160 million. The grim statistics means that one police personnel caters for more than 400 persons.

That perhaps partly explains the gross insecurity in the country. To make matters worse, a sizeable portion of the police are engaged in unlawful police duties.

Among this group are those converted to private bodyguards, those on illegal sentry duties, and those perpetually at road corners, collecting illegal tolls from hapless citizens.

Despite the low number, the last attempt to recruit in 2014, ended in a fiasco. According to a report, while the police had sought approval to recruit 30,000 personnel, only 10,000 was approved.

Even then, this meagre number approved was never recruited. The reason was that the police management team had to convert the approved fund, towards the payment of salaries and other overheads.

Even with such recourse, the police force was reported to have taken a bank loan to pay salaries in 2015, to avoid the threat of strike, before the general elections.

Also, there are arrears of salaries owed personnel promoted since 2013.

As the funding challenges of the police continue to aggravate, it is important that the federal and state governments agree on a model to solve the problem. Part of the solution should be the amendment of the constitution to allow for state police; after all, it is the states that now pro-

vide most of the logistics for the police commands within their territory. Even while recognising the current financial challenges facing the states, the constitutional amendment that would allow for state police should also reorder the sharing of national resources, and the ownership and exploitation of natural resources, to gift states more funding capacity.

Interestingly, President Muhammadu Buhari has expressed his intention to return the internal security control of the country to the police. That explained his instruction that the army should be replaced by the police at the check-points, save in very volatile states. To realise this objective, the federal executive must in the interim, devise ways of appropriately taking care of the funding gap. Also, it is important that the abuse of turning our national police to private bodyguards and putting them to other illegal uses be stopped. Furthermore, the Federal Government should enforce accountability and discipline, and compel the police management to maximise available resources.

There is also the need for the rank and file of the police to be reoriented. For many Nigerians, and this is based on their experiences, the police are the architect of many of their own challenges.

It is a common belief that police leadership is complicit in the underfunding of the police; as funds for uniforms, barrack maintenance, personnel on transfers, and other sundry expenditure are regularly misappropriated. Also, the low-rank personnel are believed to have little respect for the uniform they wear, except

for the authority it imbues in them, to intimidate and exploit the ordinary people.

While awaiting improvement in budgetary allocation, it is important that the police management make adequate use of the available resources. For instance, the recent improvement made at the Police College in Ikeja, is already being undermined. It is also strange that detectives usually ask for bribes to conduct investigations. Again, many police barracks and offices are decrepit and smelly, obviously because of lack of common cleanliness. In the common interest, we urge the Federal Government to urgently seek ways to meet the budgetary requirements of the police. And where it suspects the money is being misappropriated, it should identify those involved and punish them accordingly.

‘As the funding challenges of the police continue to aggravate, it is important that the federal and state governments agree on a model to solve the problem. Part of the solution should be the amendment of the constitution to allow for state police; after all, it is the states that now provide most of the logistics for the police commands within their territory’

Great breakthrough

•Iran nuclear deal could spell new trend in international relations

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AST week’s successful conclusion to long-running negotiations between Iran and the United States, Russia, China, the United Kingdom, France and Germany, the so-called P5+1, should be cautiously celebrated as heralding a possible movement away from quick resort to force in resolving international disputes.

Like all truly important agreements, it was a long and tortuous journey, taking the better part of 12 years. What was in contention was the question of whether Iran’s nuclear development programme was peaceful, as Iran insisted it was, or geared towards the creation of nuclear weapons, as many of Iran’s adversaries contended. The issue was further complicated by Shi’ite Iran’s historical rivalry with Sunni Saudi Arabia, its active intervention in the Middle East, its status as the most uncompromising opponent of Israel, and its human rights record.

The agreement involves the recognition

‘Even though it is not directly affected by the outcome, Nigeria should be alert to the wider implications of the nuclear deal ... At the very least, the prospect of a sanctions-free Iran could further weaken already-low oil prices, thereby compounding the woes of a nation already struggling with sharply reduced revenues’

of Iran’s right to engage in the peaceful development of nuclear energy, the institution of wide-ranging safeguards restricting its capacity to make nuclear weapons, a comprehensive regimen of inspections, and the re-imposition of sanctions if the country reneges on the treaty.

In return, the crippling economic sanctions imposed on it by the US and the EU will be lifted, thereby enabling it to access the technology and services that would enhance its economic growth.

The positive implications of this agreement cannot be over-emphasised. It demonstrates the capacity for bitter adversaries to overcome decades of hostility and suspicion, ignore temptations to abandon negotiations, and hammer out an agreement which substantially addresses the major issues. Given the volatility of the region, which has been made even worse by the Syrian conflict and the rise of Islamic State, the reduction of simmering tensions is only too welcome.

If all the terms of the agreement are kept, it could head off the terrifying prospect of a nuclear arms race in the Middle East. By curbing Iranian capacity to enrich uranium, reducing its stockpile of the material, and suspending the construction of heavy-water reactors for the next 15 years, all parties hope to reassure other nations, especially Israel and Saudi Arabia, that their fears of a nuclear-capable Iran are less justifiable.

Iran’s resilience in the face of wide-ranging economic sanctions is commendable.

By demonstrating that it cannot be cowed into submission, it has made a case for the superiority of negotiation over con-

frontation. However, it must now move away from the pattern of lying, deception and subterfuge which alarmed the world and entrenched the distrust of its enemies. As it enters into a post-sanctions era, it must seek to engage with the rest of the world on terms that do not include the sponsorship of militant and terrorist groups.

For their part, the P5+1 must work to convince countries like Israel and Saudi Arabia to give the agreement time to work, regardless of their suspicions of Iranian intentions. The inclusion of socalled “snap back” provisions, which provide for the immediate restoration of sanctions in case of default, should be sufficiently reassuring.

Even though it is not directly affected by the outcome, Nigeria should be alert to the wider implications of the nuclear deal. Iran is a major oil exporter; the removal of sanctions is very likely to enable it to increase its oil-production and export capacity. At the very least, the prospect of a sanctions-free Iran could further weaken already-low oil prices, thereby compounding the woes of a nation already struggling with sharply reduced revenues.

Given the likelihood of this scenario, the Federal Government would do well to establish measures that would reduce any adverse effects to the barest minimum. It is essential that the current steps being taken to enhance local refining capacity are redoubled, as well as policies aimed at diversifying the economy and making it less dependent on oil.

S

IR: The most corrupt administration in Nigeria’s democratic dispensation coincidentally happens to be the most religious.

They preached prosperity theology. Unfortunately, the burden of sustaining their ideology fell on the back of suffering masses. The poor seems to be gullible. Uplifting words that raise hope of escaping the mud of wretchedness win their conscience. However religion in Nigeria has leapt beyond the bound of ignorance and stupor to bounce at the pedestal of social mainstream.

A stranger visiting various markets, especially those in Onitsha, Anambra State, stands a chance of being unduly delayed.

Shops are not opened on time on certain days of the week because members of the line observe prayer service. This could take up to two hours in the morning. Imagine that you are driving for an emergency and your tyre ruptures and you want to run into the market to buy another one. Upon arrival, you find the shops are cordoned off for prayers during business hours.

One could find patience in watching a group of energetic men shouting praises in worship of their God. The ambience subdues the instinct to be irrational. Till business opens, the same prayer warriors will turn into the most shrewd and crooked traders. Not truly all of them but when you have been cheated and sold bad products twice too many, you tend to paint these businessmen with a broad stroke. You come to realize that there are different forces at work among these people.

The desperation to make money is distinctly separated from the desire to gain salvation.

Or the prayer is solely a part of the quest to get rich. And they comfortably inhabit these two spirits without seeing any form of conflict.

Religion is nothing new. As such, it must have a strong hold that binds people to it.

There is no culture that existed that did not have a semblance of religion. The ritual of conducting oneself in a disciplined order loosely constitutes a form of worship. The zealousness to confuse decent order of living in the name of religion becomes problematic.

We are all wired differently by our Maker.

Left only to our animal nature, we will destroy ourselves. Attributes of goodness exist in all human beings. These virtues have been strengthened through enlightenment.

Different strokes for different folks.

Whatever belief system that appeals to one’s sentiments is understandable to rule one’s life.

It is not civilized to impose an alien doctrine over one’s spirit. The consequences of such brainwash could lead to behaviours that are inimical to a grounded existence. Thus you hear stories of pastors who impregnate young girls during private religious studies. They convinced themselves that their belief system overpowers the erotic force.

Let us worship the God of our understanding in separation from the discipline that allows society to function in a uniform manner. One should show decency before religion.

• Pius Okaneme, Umuoji, Anambra State.

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20

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The recent report with the caption – “Beggars threaten to sue el-Rufai over ban of street begging,” captured my attention. It came as a surprise, especially coming from a class seeking charity from people and government. Isn’t it government’s responsibility to set the direction for empowerment of citizens anymore?

How then - therefore, does street begging empower people?* I admire idealism and statesmen who are willing to take on social issues.

Though, I am not a fan of Nasir ElRufai, Governor of Kaduna State, but Nigeria needs passionate people with the will to change the country and Nigeria doesn’t need people on the streets begging as a matter of course.

EDITOR’S MAIL BAG SEND TYPEWRITTEN, DOUBLE SPACED AND SIGNED CONTRIBUTIONS, LETTERS AND REJOINDERS OF NOT MORE THAN 800 WORDS TO THE EDITOR, THE NATION, 27B, FATAI ATERE ROAD, MATORI, LAGOS. E-mail: views@thenationonlineng.net

El-Rufai and burden of beggars

* It was Richard Nixon who said and I believe it to be so that, “let us begin by committing ourselves to the truth, to see it like it is and to tell it like it is, to find the truth, to speak the truth and live with the truth. That is what we will do.”

I asked my friends in the Gulf States if Arabs beg. They told me that this happens only in poor countries (present day Iraq but not un-

Sack of Service Chiefs, only a first step

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IR: The sacking of the service chiefs inherited from the Jonathan administration about two months after President Mohammadu Buhari was sworn in is a step in the right direction. It would have been wrong for the President to sack the inherited service chiefs without receiving proper briefs in view of the enormity of the security challenges he inherited from the Jonathan administration. The near two months period of grace after he became president was enough to observe their suitability to continue in such sensitive positions or otherwise.

For obvious reasons, the new service chiefs are men with a new zeal. Entrusting the command structure in their hands, coupled with the supervision of an experienced Commander-in-Chief who himself was once a soldier would certainly yield the desired results.

One therefore would charge the new service chiefs to settle down quickly to attend to the exigencies of their new assignments to justify the confidence reposed on them by the President. They are expected and urged to take seriously the act of information networking and sharing with all the security arms and avoid the unnecessary supremacy battle between them. It is a call to service not for rivalry contest. The proper spread of the appointments of the Service Chiefs gives credence to the

postulations of the President that he is for everybody not for any particular person. As one congratulates the President’s determination to guarantee the safety of lives and property through the new service chiefs, one is minded to use this opportunity to request the President not to turn a blind eye to the urgent need for a complete surgical operation by reorganizing the EFCC and ICPC. The president is urged not to mind the current and apparent activism by the EFCC arresting, detaining and charging to court corruption suspected suspects.

Nigerians are done with the EFCC style of working to charge suspects to court with over exaggerated and weak counts only to end up creating leverage for suspects to be set free. The President should note that the Jonathan EFCC is still with us and it should be done away with soonest to give way for a new and improved anticorruption agency. Eradication of corruption and restoration of security in the country are the major factors that influenced Nigerians to give President Buhari the popular mandate on February 28. As a people, we on our part have a duty to share information with the new command structure if we desire them to serve us well and to succeed in their new assignments.

• Chief (Barr) Utum Eteng, Calabar.

der Saddam, Afghanistan etc.), and they do so (beg) - only because they are very poor.

But why is our, ‘Almajiri’ model different in Nigeria, and how come begging is rapidly becoming a culture?

In the GCC (Gulf Cooperation Countries), Oman, Saudi, Qatar, Bahrain, Jordan, UAE, there are no beggars. The states keep this class in special homes and little ones amongst them are given up for adoption but in Nigeria, our elites in the north are only interested in giving children nickels and dimes with no plans for adoption or grants for education. * In spite of democratic rule of

many years, inequalities in the polity remain unresolved. The economy of the north is in shambles, and its educational facilities are comatose; the delivery of instructions in the classroom is poor, how then - is it possible to liberate people from a restricted vision of the mind?

What kind of philosophy does Nigeria democracy work with and with what guiding principles should this democracy be practiced for the benefit of all?

These beggarly antics are snatching social media headlines for the wrong reasons. It is time very wealthy northerners (and they abound, especially the political

elites, serving and retired) began to launch Charity Foundations, to rally support for homeless and extremely poor people in the north., It is a crying-shame that these wealthy northerners, do not bother to synchronize efforts with government and rid society of these menace. * These individuals need to put their self-interest on the sidelines and focus on helping the needy., After all, leadership does not stop on the table of those in elected offices only. The goal is to empower youngsters to take action and free themselves from poverty and, like children, elsewhere tackle local and global issues.

According to Professor Dele Owolawi, “While over civilization could be detrimental,under-civilization is a curse.”

State of Kaduna and Nigeria must do well to get out of the curse of begging.

• Simon Abah, Port Harcourt.

Radio Biafra: The urgency of now IR: Not too long ago, the public was awash with the news of a terrestrial radio station with an FM bandwidth airing in most parts of the South-south and South-east states. Popularly called Radio Biafra, it is allegedly run by a foreign-based Nnamdi Kanu who goes by the nom de plume, Director.

This station began as an internet radio station and had few followers until it somehow found its way on terrestrial radio with a tune-in frequency. Since the last general election, the station has been known to spew inciting statements, calling for violence against certain ethnic groups in the country and canvassing for secession from the Nigerian state. One would have thought that with the monster the Boko Haram sect has become today and the headache militant agitations in the delta region gave us few years back, some useful lessons would have been learnt by the Nigerians state on this particular issue by abruptly putting an end to the brains behind Radio Biafra.

The question on the minds of

S

many is why now? There is no answer to this other than the fact that some elements feel or believe the last election was a gang up by some regions against the other and as such must openly express their grievances even if it meant inciting others to violence. When Kanu portrays the Nigerian state as a “Zoo” and the people living in it as “animals” or gives a sense of belonging to a people he calls “Biafrans”, charging them to unequivocally reject the 2015 election, we surely need not take such diatribe with kid gloves. At a time when we are still battling the monster called Boko Haram and having just in the last four years put an end to militant agitations in the delta region, all we need now is the peace rather than another monster rearing its ugly head in the East.

We must not take it lightly that a radio station operating illegally in Nigeria has first broken the rules of engagement. Knowing full well that quite a number of the radio’s growing followers which include

traders, village dwellers, school children, commercial bus drivers etc., are not in tune with the realities of the past and present, it is likely we may have much trouble to contend with sooner if nothing is done now. It is not clear what Kanu wants and how he intends to go about his secessionist aspirations but hate speeches, inciting violence and calling for secession will never do much to bring his dreams to reality. While it is understandable that the last election had bred a level of regional dissatisfaction, it however, shouldn’t be a reason for using egregious narratives to fight the Nigerian state.

The authorities must begin to act fast and take a firm stand on Radio Biafra and all its promoters. The station is a ticking time bomb that may explode if we do not nip it in the bud. Now is the time to act before we have yet another destabilising monster on our hands.

• Raheem Oluwafunminiyi, Lagos.

21

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

COMMENTS

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EGGARS are expected to beg, aren’t they? Kaduna State Governor Nasir El-Rufai should by now understand that a government ban on street begging cannot make sense to beggars. Following the July 7 terrorism-related morning bomb blast in Zaria that killed no fewer than 25 people, the governor’s spokesman, Samuel Aruwan, said in a statement: ”All beggars and hawkers are to stay off the streets until further notice. Any beggar or hawker found on the streets will be arrested until these measures are relaxed.” Aruwan justified the order: “The government is a responsible government and conscious of its constitutional role to protect citizens and to ensure law and order for common good. The state government will not fold its arms and allow citizens to be killed via terror acts and breakdown of law and order, hence the decision.”

The affected beggars must have wondered: What has begging got to do with terrorism? It is noteworthy that the bombing was said to have been carried out by an unidentified female suicide bomber who had a baby strapped to her back. A few days after the government’s announcement, a group of beggars demonstrated against the ban. It was a thought-provoking drama as beggars took their protest to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) state secretariat in Kaduna. Interestingly, they interpreted the ban as an attempt by the government to implicate beggars in the activities of terrorists against the state. A report quoted a beggar who spoke on behalf of the protesters, Abdullahi Jugunu: “Apart from feeling insulted, we will be seeking legal redress against the government, first for defamation of character.” Jugunu sounded like a man who knew what he was talking about. Did he? In addition, the beggars argued that the government’s warning amounted to a violation of their right to life, suggesting that begging is an unchallengeable right, as far as they are concerned.

Against this backdrop of dissension, it was unsurprising that beggars disobeyed the government’s order. A report said: “A visit to major road junctions in the state showed non- compliance with the order.” Beggars reportedly showed up for business “along Isa Kaita Road, Ahmadu Bello Way and the popular Kawo Motor Park.” One of the beggars at Kawo junction was quoted as saying: “I do not care about what they say. All I know is I have to find something to eat and this is the only business I can do, begging.” This particular beggar provided a basic philosophy of begging that will always defy control because it is founded on a lack of basic needs.

It is striking that after the punch and counter-punch, ElRufai struck a deal with beggars when he visited the Kano Road beggars’ colony and the Kaduna State Rehabilitation Centre. There are two observable complications that may eventually cripple the agreement. The first is connected with El-Rufai’s promise to build a training centre close to the

O

N April 30, on a street of Musaga, an outskirt of Bujumbura, two men held up a pair of placards reading: “Peace we need” and “We say no to the 3rd term”. The duo were among the tens of thousands Burundians, who poured to the street in a perennial protest asking President Pierre Nkurunziza to jettison his controversial third term bid for good.

In neighbouring Rwanda, President Paul Kagame, has made no secret of similar bid. The body language of president of Benin and that of his counterpart in Democratic Republic of Congo reveals the same intention to remain in power despite attaining their constitutional term limit. In Zimbabwe, the continent’s oldest head of state, Robert Mugabe, is enjoying limitless tenure since the nation achieved independence in 1980. In the same vein, the Gambia’s long-serving President Yahya Jammeh, is not looking forward to extend his tenure for a handful of years or so. He told the BBC in 2011, that he would rule for “one billion years... if Allah says so”.

These and many more African leaders, who are unwilling to relinquish power, have been on a collision course with ordinary Africans’ strong support of presidential term limits.

David Shinn, the former United States Ambassador to Burkina Faso and Ethiopia was said to have referred term limits for a country’s most important political leader as an essential component of building democracy. He advocated for a gold standard of maximum of two terms, each of which does not exceed five years (seven years at most). Term limits, he explained, “are usually thought to apply to the office of president. But for countries like Ethiopia, where the prime minister holds most of the power, it is more important that the constitution designates term limits for that position, not the office of the president which is ceremonial.”

Perhaps term limits can be a major hindrance to policy sustainability and sometime frustrate institution, especially for incumbent leaders but even occasionally for the led. As a result of these, some have expressed preference for leadership continuity rather than rotation because of the stability that comes with the former. Besides, many heads of government, Africans or otherwise, can serve their people

08054726574

Be your beggars' keeper Kano Road beggars’ colony to empower beggars with skills that would enable them to dump street begging. It is unclear when El-Rufai would swing into action. However, it is clear that the beggars won’t be out of action while they wait for the governor to keep his word. It is instructive to note the clarity of Mallam Abdullahi Samaila, who spoke for the beggars. He was quoted as saying: “It is not that we derive pleasure in begging for alms. However, we will get out of the streets once the governor fulfills his promises.” In other words, the burden of actualisation rests on El-Rufai.

The other difficulty exposes a public policy impotency and incongruity. The remarkably ironic picture of a rehabilitation centre in urgent need of rehabilitation confronted El-Rufai when he visited the state-run rehabilitation centre in Kakuri. The governor also promised to rehabilitate this centre soon as part of his efforts to get beggars off the streets. The existence of the Kakuri centre is a pointer to the scale of street begging in the state and the scope of governmental intervention. But more importantly, the condition of the centre indicated that it had been treated cosmetically by previous administrations. It is obvious that the situation will problematise the enforcement of the begging ban.

Pending the rehabilitation of the centre, beggars are likely to seek rehabilitation on the streets.

In the context, El-Rufai sounded delusional as he tried to sound focused. He rejected the argument that beggars have a right to beg. “There is no going back on the ban on street begging,” he told beggars. But experience has shown that banning begging is easier said than done.

It is convenient for El-Rufai, who has spent only about two months in office out of a four-year term, to cite security

concerns as justification for his anti-begging posture, especially the fear that beggars could be employed to carry out terroristic acts by Boko Haram militants.

However, considering that his move against beggars was prompted by the Zaria bombing, it is a weighty point against his administrative vision. From the look of things, El-Rufai was unprepared for the beggars’ burden and didn’t have any prior agenda for beggars.

Lamentably, it is this kind of ad hoc approach that has sustained street begging not only in Kaduna State. It is demonstrably true that street beggars are hardly ever factored into development programmes in the country, whether at the federal level or at the state level. Those in the corridors of power need to understand that general poverty-alleviation schemes are inadequate for the peculiar poverty of beggars. The reality is that beggars deserve a beggar-targeted plan of remedial action.

A study relevant to Nigeria classified beggars into six categories: “the physically deformed and disabled otherwise incapacitated; the physically deformed and handicapped but with relatively less disability such as those with single amputations or partial blindness; those who claim to be medically ill or appear to be so; those who claim illness but do not look so; those with prominent symptoms of psychiatric disability; and the elderly.”

Add to this picture the informed observation by researchers that “lack of political will and religious institutions encourage begging”, the result is a phenomenon that requires phenomenal attention and socioeconomic action from the political authorities particularly. The best begging control measures must be holistic, which El-Rufai and his ilk do not seem to appreciate.

‘It is demonstrably true that street beggars are hardly ever factored into development programmes in the country, whether at the federal level or at the state level. Those in the corridors of power need to understand that general poverty-alleviation schemes are inadequate for the peculiar poverty of beggars. The reality is that beggars deserve a beggar-targeted plan of remedial action.’

Africa’s leaders and term limits

By Umar Rayyan effectively in a third or even fourth term. For instance, the first Prime Minister of Singapore, Lee Kuan Yew, who governed for more than three decades – from 1959 to 1990. Yet he oversaw the transformation of Singapore from a third world country into one of the world’s richest and most civilized nations, and into a new type of political entity.

However, we have a host of other cases where prolonged stay in power leads to “syndrome of power in perpetuity” especially in Africa and the Middle East. A potent viewpoint on persistent leaders holds that they can be a biggest roadblock to transformation and fresh ideas. Multiple terms in office provides breeding ground for corruption, nepotism, tyranny, impunity and so on.

But across Africa, the number of sit-tight leaders has been soaring over the years following the full-on metamorphosis of heads of government from transient leaders to presidents for life. In this context the old cliché, that children of today are the leaders of tomorrow has lost its currency, as far as democratic power transition from one generation to the next is concerned.

Despite the paucity of smooth power transition across the continent, some African leaders have willingly turned over power in compliance with constitutional provisions. They include: former leaders of Botswana, Benin, Cape Verde, Mali, Mozambique, São Tomé and Príncipe and Tanzania.

A truly extraordinary late Nelson Mandela had earned a peerless reputation for stepping down after

his one term in office. But Jerry Rawlings of Ghana and Daniel arap Moi of Kenya complied with constitutional term limits under duress.

Several African leaders tried in vain to change the term limit provision of their constitution so that they could run again. Zambia’s Frederick Chiluba, Malawi’s Bakili Muluzi and our own Olusegun Obasanjo ultimately bowed to the will of the political system and accepted term limits.

Unfortunately, an attempt by West African leaders in May this year to adopt a common ground in favour of a maximum of two terms for all presidents in the region failed following disputations from the presidents of Togo (which abolished term limits in 2002) and Gambia.

Based on an extensive and highly revered report published by AFRO Barometer recently, the following key findings were revealed. In 34 African countries, about three-quarters of citizens favour limiting presidential mandates to two terms. Support of term limits has been consistently high over time and is the majority view even in countries that have never had term limits or that have removed term limits from their constitutions. More-educated citizens tend to express greater support for term limits, as do citizens with greater exposure to the news media.

It is obvious that Africans generally see the merit in term limits. Thus, it is time for more African governments to add term limits in the constitution and for incumbent leaders like President Nkurunziza it’s time to abide by the existing ones.

• Rayyan wrote from Abuja

‘Across Africa, the number of sit-tight leaders has been soaring over the years following the full-on metamorphosis of heads of government from transient leaders to presidents for life. In this context the old cliché, that children of today are the leaders of tomorrow has lost its currency, as far as democratic power transition from one generation to the next is concerned’

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

22

COMMENTS

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ORMER president, Olusegun Obasanjo last week, threw some insight into the rationale for his choice of successor at the twilight of his regime. In an interview with a local television station, he said he chose the late Umaru Yar’Adua because he was the only one among those eying the job that was not corrupt.

According to him, while one of those who wanted the job was heavily corrupt, another contender came to him and said – Sir, I like your job. But I cannot do it the way you are doing it. His reading of the latter was that the contender had plainly told him he did not have the kind of stamina (he) Obasanjo applied to the job. For that reason, he does not see any appeal to help him get the job. Justifying his decision further, he said “with all the people that are available for successor, what we came out with was about the best we could think of at that time,” What can be deduced from the above is that the desire to enthrone people of impeccable character into that elated office as a prelude to battling corruption weighed very heavily in Obasanjo’s calculations of who to succeed him. Thus, in considering those he needed to help get to the exalted office he took into account their records in the public offices they then held. Based on this critical index, he said his choice of Yar’Adua was the best at that time.

Obasanjo is entitled to his opinion. His claimed commitment to very credible and non corrupt leadership at that level may have been the critical factor for his choice of successor. Thus, the appeal of Yar’Adua who according to him, stood shoulders high above his peers within that matrix. There was no doubt that Yar’Adua was a modest, selfless and honest person. Not many will fault him on that ground. The issue that was copiously raised against his candidature bordered on his fragile health which many feared could not withstand the rigors of that office. Unfortunately, the same fears came to pass through his unfortunate demise barely two years in office.

His death may have denied the nation the benefits of those high-minded virtues that

‘Had Obasanjo and his henchmen allowed that freedom of choice which is the lynchpin on which democracy revolves, those thrown up through popular will may have turned out better. Perhaps also, the country could have been saved all the distractions these past years that nearly dismembered it’

Emeka OMEIHE 08112662675 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Obasanjo’s choice of successor endeared him to Obasanjo for which he thought he would have been a shining example in probity and accountability- leadership qualities the nation is in very dire need of. With his passing on, it is difficult to fathom the impact he would have brought to bear within this critical index. By the same twist of fate, there are no sufficient grounds to fault Obasanjo over that choice even as the stamina of an obviously unhealthy person was also in doubt. So we are left with no option than to believe that Yar’Adua, given this rating, was the most suitable among those who showed interest for that office within the ruling PDP. By extrapolation, the choice of his Vice, Goodluck Jonathan followed the same consideration. Obasanjo paved the way for his national ascendancy when in a very crude manner he procured the services of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission EFCC to impeach his boss, Diepreye Alamieyeseigha in the most controversial manner. He was also to pick him to run with Yar’Adua. Obasanjo acknowledged this role in his controversial letter to Jonathan titled “before it is too late” He had in that desperate letter designed to dissuade Jonathan from running the last elections, captured Jonathan’s impression of his role in his life thus, “You put me third after God and your parents among those that have impacted most in your life”.

In that letter, he also levied all manner of allegations against Jonathan. These included incompetence, running aground the economy, training snipers and corrupt practices. Today, the impression is high that the Jonathan administration encouraged corruption. The allegation has been bandied and bought into by sundry personages including those who personify all that is bad about corruption in

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RECENT interview allegedly granted by Kogi State Governor, Captain Idris Wada quoted him as saying that there is no marginalization of any group in his state. We would not want to believe that he said so. But if for any reason he did, we wish to serve this as a freshener.

Perhaps it may be necessary to define marginalization and cite a few, among the innumerable and outrageous instances of abuse of power and office in the name of marginalization by Governor Wada and his predecessors in a series of nepotic Igala governance.

By way of definition and education of all who cannot see happenings in Kogi State as marginalization, the Webster’s Collegiate Dictionary describes it as “the relegation to an unimportant position within a society or group” In stating the entrenchment of a series of unforgivable marginalization in the state, we may have to make a comparative analysis of Wada’s government viz a vis that of the founding Governor Abubakar Audu (1991 – 1993 and 1999 – 2003) who we thought was himself not only despotic but a tribal warlord.

In Kogi State, there are three senatorial districts – the East comprising Igala and minorities like Bassa-Komu; Bassange Egbira Mozum; the West with the Okuns, Nupes, Oworos, Egbira-Kotos, Bassa-Komu,Gukeri, Ganagana and Hausa; and the .Central – comprising

‘If Audu’s government was iniquitous, Ibrahim Idris’ and Wada’s are a glaring display of impunity. The figures below attest: Wada’s government has 18 Commissioners out of which nine are from the East, five West and four Central; 60 Special Advisers with a whopping 30 from his home area, the East while the West and Central have 20 and 10 respectively’

our national life. If this impression is taken as the correct representation of extant realities, would Obasanjo not take vicarious liability for its outcome?

Beyond this however, there are issues that have been thrown up by the revelations from Obasanjo. And they have wider repercussions for the type of democracy we operate in this country. There is the inevitable impression given the way he spoke that the choice of his successor was solely his. And his perceptions rightly or wrongly determined what was best for the country. The other fallout is that freedom of choice- a cardinal feature of representative democracy had to succumb to the dictatorship of a behemoth. There are serious problems with such a reality because the views of one man or an oligarch in such critical issue as who leads a country can be highly circumscribed.

And as can be gleaned from his choice of Yar’Adua and his deputy Jonathan, Obasanjo shares vicarious responsibility for the current mess the nation found itself. The convoluted impression by a few people that they would ever remain the conscience of the country because of the positions accidents of history entrusted on them is at the root of the nation’s retardation. Had Obasanjo and his henchmen allowed that freedom of choice which is the lynchpin on which democracy revolves, those thrown up through popular will may have turned out better. Perhaps also, the country could have been saved all the distractions these past years that nearly dismembered it. Obasanjo fell short of regretting those choices when he admitted that ‘if you take your son as your successor, you are not sure of what he will do when he gets there’.

The other evidence of faulty interpreta-

tion is shown by his reading of the statements of one of the contenders who had told him he liked the job but could not do it the way Obasanjo was doing it. Curiously, the former president interpreted this to mean the man does not have the stamina to do the job. That is a simplistic perspective of the obviously loaded statement. Obasanjo should have asked himself what is that way he did the job the contender said he could not? Answers to this will vary. He may even discover to his dismay, that some of his ways may have fallen short of known best practices. He may have even found out that his way may not be another persons’ way and that approaches to statecraft vary a great deal. There is even the added possibility that his style may have even been an unmitigated liability to the flourishing of the pristine tenets of the democratic culture. The boundaries of such inquisition and possible exposures are limitless. But then, why must Obasanjo want his successor to go about things the way he did it. When has his style become the standard practice or moral guide for action?

Take the issue of corruption which he said was the major consideration. Were those he described as rottenly corrupt not products of the system he superintended over? How did that system allow them to amass such humongous wealth with him in control?

These posers come handy because of the obvious excesses and overbearing influence that characterized his days in power. That was the time the EFCC was straddling the landscape like a colossus. That was the time the same Obasanjo procured the services of the body to impeach duly elected governors. He may argue that impeaching some governors the way it happened during his regime represented his own response to battling corruption. That could as well be. But that strategy did incurable damage to the image and credibility of that commission such that even today, it is being seen as a partisan tool in the hands of the ruling government. That time saw the EFCC being variously and viciously deployed to haunt and tackle political foes or those who refused to toe the line of the president. There was therefore a lot wrong with Obasanjo’s style of administration to expect that his ways amounted to the right ways forward.

Perhaps, it is safer to assume Obasanjo was compelled to those choices having been boxed to the corner by the premature death of his third term gambit. Someone engrossed with such a weird ambition would be left with little time for a workable succession plan. What we are facing today may be the prize for stopping Obasanjo from his self perpetuating plan.

Even within the index he assessed those to hand over to, it is still a moot issue if he represented a good example.

Wada and marginalisation in Kogi

By Tom A. Adaba Ebira-Okene, Ogori Magongo and Ajaokuta.

The State’s Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) stands at 7% East,12% West; and 72% Central, yet the East has produced the governor of the state for 18-years, the lifespan of democratic governance since the creation of Kogi State in1991.

Audu’s six-year governance of two terms (1991 – 93 and 1999 – 2003) produced the following: 17 Commissioners out of which nine were from the East, while four each come from the West and Central respectively; 33 Permanent Secretaries with 18-from Kogi East, 10 from the West and 5 from Central.

In the State’s Civil Service of 33,000 workforce, the East had a lion share of 23,100, while 5,940 were from the West and 3,960 were from the Central. Here one wonders whether it is the brilliance or competence of the Igalas in Benue State that had given them this advantage on arrival in Kogi. For those of us who were there at the inception of the state and knew the calibre of products that were moved from Benue State Civil Service to the new state of Kogi, we have our huge doubts, we denounced the fictitious figures and have been proved right by the recent audit that revealed the huge deposit of ghost workers.

If Audu’s government was iniquitous, Ibrahim Idris’ and Wada’s are a glaring display of impunity. The figures below attest: Wada’s government has 18 Commissioners out of which nine are from the East, five West and four Central; 60 Special Advisers with a whopping 30 from his home area, the East while the West and Central have 20 and 10 respectively.

Wada’s government has 83 Senior Special Assistants out of which 41 (50%) are from the East, 26 (31.1%) from the West and 16 (19.1%)from the Central.

Of Gov. Wada’s 242 Special Assistants, 139 are from the East, 66 from the West and 37 from Central.

Could this be somebody’s idea of justice, fairness and

equitable distribution? Could this be the opposite of marginalization?

Of the 32 Permanent Secretaries, 24 (75%) are from the East while the West and Central share 4 or 12.5% each.

Again one wonders if the civil service knowledge, skills and even experience are the exclusive preserve of the East.

Here again, we reiterate in the negative.

Indeed the reverse should be the case because the reservoir of highly talented, experienced and skilled staff from the West and Central have been edged out by the nepotic system and replaced by the Igalas.

The state has 25 Board Chairmen comprising 14 (56%) from the East, 8 (32%) from the West and 3 (12%) from Central.

The present government of Kogi State headed by Capt Idris Wada has a Civil Service of 18,650 which breaks down as follows:10,393 (approx 56%) from the East; 4,977 (27%) from the West; and 3,280 (17%) from Central.

On the distribution of road projects, the East has N39.3billion for about 476.6kilomretres, the West N21.9billion for 209-kilometres, while Central has a paltry N3.3billion for 62kilometres. It is however an irony that despite these figures, one cannot see a translation of them in action.

The litany of primitive imbalances is legion.

If all these are not heartless instances of marginalization, we are not sure what else to call it.

Perhaps, it may make better sense labeling it iniquitous voodoo governance.

This must change. Kogi has all the potentials for a first class state in the Federal Republic of Nigeria, considering its history, strategic location and boundless endowment.

The time has come to flush out ineptitude and jungle inequity. It is time to redeem Kogi State by installing a civilized, just, fair and equitable government.

• Dr Adaba, OON, former DG NBC, writes from Abuja

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

23

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

24

SHOWBIZ

MAMA 2015: Nigerian stars shine •Win eight laurels out of 16

T

HERE were frenetic preparations by the organisers. Many of the nominees also waited with bated breath. Indeed, it generated a lot of buzz so much so that many music lovers wanted to be part of history wherever they were.

Although it has come and gone, this year’s MTV Base Africa Music Awards (MAMA), which held at the weekend at the International Conference Centre, Durban, South Africa, truly lived up to its billing.

As a prelude to the bagful of fun already put in place by the organisers, Nigeria’s multiple-award winning singer, Tuface Idibia, opened the show with the powerful rendition of his ever-green song, African Queen, which gave the over 5,000 guests some rhythmic splendour. And then, almost immediately, the hall literally began to rise and tumble in all imaginable fun, with varied activities.

At one level, it was obviously another glory moment for Nigerian artistes and a clear testimony of Nigeria’s musical conquest in the continent. Reason: Nigerian artistes happily clinched majority of the awards.

They include Psquare (Artistes of the Decade and Best Group); D’banj (MAMA Evolution Artiste of the Year); Davido (Best Male Act); Yemi Alade (Best Female Act) Patoranking (Best New Act Transformed by Absolut); Burna Boy (Best Collaboration for All Eyes on Me) and Don Jazzy (Dorobucci, which won Song of the

•Peter Psquare and Dbanj

By Victor Akande, Durban, S/A

Year award).

With Nigerian acts going home with awards in eight top categories, the rest of Africa had the remaining eight to share. These include: Best Hiphop won by Cassper Nyovest (South Africa); Best Live won by Diamond (Tanzania); Video of the Year, Nafukwa won by Riky Rick; Best Pop & Alternative won by Jeremy Loops (South Africa); Best Francophone won by DJ Arafat (Ivory Coast); Best Lusophone won by Ary (Angola); Personality of the Year won by Trevor Noah (South Africa) and MTV Base Leadership Award won by Saran Kaba Jones and S’Bu Mavundla. The Best International award went to Nicki Minaj.

•Yemi Alade

D’banj, who gave the most striking acceptance speech of the night, beat Tuface (Nigeria), Anselmo Ralph (Angola), Asa (Nigeria), Black Coffee (South Africa), Chameleone (Uganda), Fally Ipupa (DRC), HHP (South Africa), P-Square (Nigeria) and Samini (Ghana) in that category.

He lauded his former label partner at Mo’hits, Don Jazzy, while also describing such artistes as Tuface, PSquare, Asa and Fali Ipupa as legends.

According to him, they all encouraged him to trudge on, even in the face of the challenges he encountered at the outset of his career.

The Evolution Award category was decided jointly by MTV Base and music fans via online voting, Twitter

Flavour decries scam activities

Organisation commends Buhari’s anti-piracy directive

T

HE Audio Visual Rights Society of Nigeria (AVRS) has commended President Muhammadu Buhari for diverting his attention to ending the activities of movie pirates and other forms of intellectual property rights abuse in Nigeria.

In a recent meeting with the Permanent Secretary and Directors of the Federal Ministry of Information, President Buhari had charged law enforcement agencies to “identify the perpetrators, sponsors and collaborators of copyright piracy, and bring them to justice.”

President Buhari urged law enforcement agencies to check piracy in Nollywood, noting that Nollywood practitioners have built a world-class industry through their own sweat and it is therefore incumbent on government to accord the industry necessary support.

Chairman of AVRS, Nigeria’s sole Collective Management Organization for cinematograph films, Mr. Mahmood Ali-Balogun, commended the presidential directive

O

Joe Agbro Jr.

and expressed the readiness of AVRS to partner with law enforcement agencies and the media in the task to curb movie piracy in Nigeria, which, according to him, has continued to hamper growth efforts in Nollywood.

According to a statement issued by the AVRS and signed by Eme Akiba-Eyo, ‘The creative industries’ contribution to the GDP can no longer be ignored going by the figures spurned by the current rebasing of the nation’s economy, hence the urgent need for all hands to be on deck to fight this piracy menace with every might that could be mustered.’

Ali-Balogun, however, advised that the president immediately set up of anti-piracy squad akin to SARS with an AIG/DIG in charge just as the Obasanjo-led federal government did for drugs counterfeiting.

He also advocated for an Executive Bill to amend the copyright law and make piracy an economic crime

and Instagram.

His rendition of Fall in Love and Oliver Twist at the show evoked memories of his glory days, which contrast sharply with his current status as one of the less active singers.

In his comment, Tim Horwood, Channel Director, MTV Base, described The MAMA Evolution award as “an honour to established artistes who have made indelible marks on African and global music culture and taken African music to new territories around the world, thereby pushing the boundaries of creativity and shaping the sound scape of contemporary Africa.”

For PSquare, it was time, again, to honour their parents whose prayers have continued to steady their feet in

the music industry.

With palpable joy, Yemi Alade, who was accompanied to the stage by singer Seyi Shay and other nominees in the category, expressed her gratitude to South Africa and described the award as a victory for all the female acts.

Apart from the coveted laurels, the show was marked by electrifying performances, and stunning duets between artistes of different genres: NeYo was up on stage with Seyi Shay; Tuface in tango with Bucie; Sauti Sol paired up with Yemi Alade while Patoranking did it with K.O. Other performers were DJ Fisherman, NaakmusiQ, DJ Tira, Anselmo Ralph, Danger from Big Nuz, Duncan, Burna Boy, Stonebwoy, Da LES, Diamond, Flavour, Toofan, Davido, Uhuru, Black Motion and Cassper Nyovest.

Commenting on the show, Alex Okosi, Senior Vice President and Managing Director, Viacom International Media Networks (VIMN) Africa, said: “Africa is a continent of the now and the future; tonight was testament to that. MAMA 2015 represented and reflected the abundant amount of creativity and passion this continent breeds.”

Interestingly, the glamorous event coincided with the nationwide posthumous birthday celebration of the late South African freedom fighter, Nelson Mandela’s birthday, with most artistes at the event rendering tributes to him.

It, however, climaxed with an energetic performance by Nigeria’s music sensation, Psquare, just before American host and Emmy awardnominated actor, Anthony Anderson, bade the excited audience good night at the colourful ceremony. The performance, undoubtedly, foregrounded the expected climax of the exciting fast-paced ceremony broadcast live across Africa on MTV Base (DStv Channel 322), MTV (DStv Channel 130) and BET (DStv Channel 129).

•Ali-Balogun

which attracts stiffer punishment.

‘If you steal a blackberry phone you go to jail without an option of fine,’ the statement said, ‘but if you pirate a film you are asked to pay a fine of N10, 000 or go to jail for three months.’

NLY recently, TV personality, Tajudeen Adepetu drew the attention of the public to activities of internet scammers when someone attempted to use his name to extort up and coming artistes but it appears that the fraudsters are undeterred in their activities.

The latest victim of their activities is hiplife artiste, Flavour N’abania. The artiste made this revelation Sunday when he stated that his Twitter and Instagram handles have been cloned.

The artiste called on his fans and supporters not to engage in any conversations or transactions with any account claiming to be him.

“ATTENTION!!! To all my fans and supporters, please note that ‘@2niteFlavour’ is my only and official account on Instagram and Twitter. Let’s put a stop to this and REPORT ‘@2niteFlavor’ on Instagram as well as any other fake profiles claiming to be me (please note, the spelling of the fake username is without a ‘U’). It’s a shame that someone can use another person’s

•Flavour

By Ovwe Medeme

name and identity to exploit others.

Let’s do better than that,” he posted on his Instagram page.

Real Dollar presents Boneface

W

•Boneface

ITH a view to changing the face of music in Nigeria, Real Dollar Eni Music Entertainment has signed on a new entrant, Fanimi Olalekan aka Boneface.

Headed by an enigmatic returnee, Prince Ernest Eidonojie, the outfit was founded in August 2013. Ernest is back in country after so many years of sojourn in Europe.

Eidonojie described Boneface as a music sensation, songwriter, lyricist and a rapper. The artiste grew up in Lagos State and claims that he fell head over heels in love with music at the tender age of ten. He ascribes his love

By Ovwe Medeme

for music to the influence of his devoted father.

From a young age, he said, he was exposed to hip hop and soon realised his calling as a rap artiste. Boneface, also displays fantastic skills as a coproducer, a gift which he says makes him stand out amongst his peers.

“Culturally grounded in music with a blend of Hip Pop and a fusion of Afro beat, Boneface has emerged with a sound that he calls his. He has carefully and strategically carved a niche and placed himself tops amongst his contemporaries.

“His musical influences vary from a range of contemporary genres to a list of culturally grounded sounds from the likes of Big Pun, Easy E, Exhibit, Ludacris, Biggy, and Tupac to mention few,” said Eidonojie of the budding artiste.

The artiste has been around for a while and was part of a rap group SRN. Following his decision to pursue a solo career, Boneface has graced so many stages across Nigeria, West Africa, UK and America. He revealed that he is currently working on his debut album which parades some of his finest tracks like Anything You Want and lots more.

25

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

T‘Economic HE CEO diversification should be

JOBS Writing to hit mega bucks News Brief Repairs of Kaduna refinery’s pipelines begin THE Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has started rehabilitation on the pipeline that supplies crude oil to the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company.

–Page 22

‘Multiple agencies killing export business’ THE Nigeria Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), has decried the proliferation of agencies at the ports, saying it is a major disincentive to export.

–Page 22

Restrict licences’ issuance, NCAA urged CHIEF Executive Officer, BiCourtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Mr Christophe Pennick, has urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to limit the number of Air Operator Certificates (AOC) it issues to operators in the domestic airlines’ sector.

–Page 22

cornerstone of national growth plan’

- P. 37

- P. 35

SEC mulls new regulatory framework for capital market T

HESecurities and Ex change Commission (SEC), in a major paradigm shift in its regulatory framework, is considering substitution of the class minimum capital requirement with risk-based capitalisation approach.

Reliable SEC and market sources at the weekend said the regulator plans to progress from the minimum capital requirement framework, which new deadlines expires on September 30, this year to a more robust risk-based capital base.

Under the class minimum capital requirement, SEC stipulates minimum capital requirements for all capital market functions. This mostly apply to all operators within each function,

By Taofik Salako

irrespective of assets size, operations and inherent risks. SEC had in December 2013 announced new minimum capital requirements for capital market operators with a compliance deadline of December 31, last year. The Commission however extended the deadline till September 30, this year. It has ruled out any further extension.

With the risk-based capital adequacy framework under consideration, the capital market regulator will align assets’ risk, operations and segmental peculiarities to fashion out a

graduated capital requirement scale for all operators, providing each operator with a clear capital guideline in line with its position.

Sources at SEC said the regulator plans to introduce the risk-based capital adequacy framework to address the failure of the current minimum capital requirement, which does not align a firm’s capital with risk arising from operation, business and market activities.

Besides, the sources added that SEC would strengthen its enforcement framework for corporate governance by building into the new regulatory framework a strong corporate govern-

ance and robust enterprise risk management provisions for all capital market operators.

Recent events have strengthened the voices of several industry leaders that had called for riskbased capital approach. SEC was recently shocked by the failure of BGL Group, one of the biggest capital market firms, after the regulator discovered that the firm was bankrupt and running several billion of naira in deficit and unremitted investors’ funds. BGL was categorised as having met the minimum capital base.

A market source said the

Assist poultry farmers, govt urged

By Daniel Essiet

DATA STREAM

T

COMMODITY PRICES Oil Cocoa

$54/barrel $2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

¢132.70/pound

Cotton

¢95.17pound

Gold

$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

$163/lb RATES

Inflation

8.4%

Treasury Bills 10.58%(91d) Maximum lending 30% Prime lending

15.87%

Savings rate

3%

91-day NTB

15%

Time Deposit

5.49%

MPR

13%

Foreign Reserve

$34.5b

change in the regulatory framework would be akin to the 2010 change in banking regulatory framework.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN’s) Scope of Banking Activities and Ancillary Matters No 3, 2010 requires banks to fully concentrate on core banking functions.

The new model requires banks to either sell all noncore banking businesses or form a holding company to hold such non-core banking businesses, including activities, such as insurance, asset management and capital market operations. It led to several divestment and asset sales by most banks while three banks FirstBank of Nigeria, First City Monument Bank and Stanbic IBTC formed holding companies.

•From Left: Representative of Deloitte, Mr. Durosaro Paul; Head, Consumer Banking, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Gbenga Adegoke and an official of the National Lottery Regulatory Commission, Mr. Oguile Kingsley at the first draw of the New Sterling Plush Cash Reward Promo ... at the weekend.

‘100 textile factories closed in 15 years’

N

O fewer than 100 textile factories in the country have closed shops between 2000 and 2015, the National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN) lamented.

The workers said the only surviving garment factory in Nigeria also closed shop recently with about 450 jobs gone.

Its President,Comrade Dele Hunsu, whos spoke at the weekend in Lagos,

By Toba Agboola

attributed the frequent closure of the textile and garment factories to importation, smuggling and lack of policies to protect infant industries.

Hunsu expressed displeasure over the dwindling fortune of the sector that used to provide one of the largest jobs as well as serve as economic support for the country during post-independence era.

He said successive gov-

ernments in recent years did well by imposing ban on the importation of textile products as well as supporting the sector with bail-out funds which helped to stabilise the industry.

He said some of his members accessed the loans and ploughed it into their business, while the frequent smuggling of textile products into Nigeria was to checked by government officials at the border posts when the ban was in

force.

He said the bail out fund would have helped in turning around the fortunes of the sector had the Federal Government not lifted the ban on the importation of textile products into the country.

According to him, the removal of the ban on textile products by the incumbent government was very unfortunate and ill-advised, adding that the nation has nothing to gain by allowing its borders

HE Federal Govern ment has been urged to provide financial protection for poultry producers against possible losses as a highly pathogenic strain of avian influenza forced producers to kill millions of chickens.

Deputy Director, the Department of General Management, Agricultural and Rural Management Training Institute (ARMTI), Dr Ademola Adeyemo, said avian flu is causing significant supply chain problems and that it could affect farms delivering strong financial performance.

He said producers need to be empowered to step up efforts to keep their chickens from getting infected and prevent spreading the disease.

He said the government should establish a special fund for poultry farmers to mitigate the effects of disaster, and also provide buffer for animal health programmes and farm services.

According to him, though the government has compensated poultry producers for losses following Avian Influenza (AI) outbreak earlier in the year, he said the industry needs more to take the brunt of the impact with several losing chickens.

He said the government fund would help farmers recover from flocks hit by bird flu, adding that poultry farmers hit hard by the disease will struggle to get back to business.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

26

BUSINESS NEWS Bi-Courtney urges NCAA to restrict licences’ issuance

Lafarge Group, Holcim seal $40b merger deal

By Muyiwa Lucas

L

AFARGE Holcim has launched its new Group around the world and announced key elements of its ambitions for the future.

This follows the successful completion of the merger between Lafarge Group of France and Swiss company Holcim.

The new Group will now work towards creating the highest performing company in the building materials industry.

Its outgoing Country Chief Executive Officer (CEO) for Nigeria, Mr. Guillaume Roux, who made this known at the firm’s Lagos office, said: “The merger will have a positive impact on the on-going consolidation of the Nigeria operations under Lafarge Africa Plc as United Cement Company of Nigeria (UniCem) a JV between Lafarge and Holcim in Cross Rivers would now join the other operations - AshakaCem in Gombe,Atlas terminal in Rivers, WAPCO Operations in Ogun , as well as its Aggregates and Readymix sites across the country as a member of LafargeHolcim in Nigeria.”

Its Area Manager, Nigeria & West Africa, Peter Hoddinott, who takes over the leadership of Lafarge Africa Plc, said the union of the two global biggest building materials companies marks a milestone in the company’s commitment to providing the best cement, concrete and aggregates products to Nigerians.

He affirmed that the company, which will still be known in Nigeria as Lafarge Africa Plc, would continue to play a key role in the economic development of Nigeria by leveraging on LafargeHolcimGroup’s combined technical excellence and years of operation for the continuous production of building solutions that are best in quality, innovative, available and affordable.

Hoddinotts said: “We aim to be the best in our sector through excellence in health and safety, which is our overarching value, quality, customer service, community relations and overall enhanced value to our stakeholders.

“We will create a stronger company that is able to make more solid investment in Nigeria and be better able to assist in delivering more affordable housing as well as support for socio-economic progress through CSR activities.

“The Lafarge Holcim merger has created the most advanced building materials company in the world, with experience of over 180 years in the cement, concrete and aggregates sectors.

Together, this new Group comprises over 115,000 employees and operates in 90 countries around the world. Lafarge Holcim products are backed by the most sophisticated research and development (R&D) capability in the industry with the largest cement technical centre employing more than 1,100 researchers.”

Hoddinott also acknowledged the leadership role of his predecessor and Roux over the last two years in transforming Lafarge Africa Plc into a consolidated entity with a positive impact for its stakeholders.

•From left: Mr. Roux; Country Communications Director, Lafarge Africa Plc, Mrs Viola GrahamDouglas; and Mr. Hoddinott during the press conference to announce Lafarge Holcim Merger in Lagos ... at the weekend.

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

C

NNPC begins repairs of Kaduna refinery’s pipelines T

HE Nigerian Na tional Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) has started rehabilitation on the pipelines that supply crude oil to the Kaduna Refinery and Petrochemical Company.

The repairs, a source told The Nation at the weekend, started early this year, adding that the oil giant did not want to make noise about it to avoid another vandalism of the asset.

The pipeline was vandalised in 2010 and couldn’t be repaired because of continual attacks by vandals stalling crude supply to the refinery, a source at the NNPC said.

Although the source didn’t want to disclose the cost of the repairs, he noted that the project is expected to be completed very soon so that productions from the three refineries in the country will

By Emeka Ugwuanyi

meet substantial percentage of the national fuel needs.

He said the Corporation’s plan is to bring all the refineries on stream before end of this month, having completed their rehabilitation but the challenge it has is how to supply crude to Kaduna.

He said: “The problem we have is the Kaduna refinery. The pipeline to the refinery that is bad especially from Abaji to Kaduna. That axis has become vandals’ haven and if we go out there to say we are repairing it, the vandals will be on the flank to strike again. “So we are not making noise about the project.”

The Kaduna Refinery with 110,000 barrel per

day (bpd) nameplate had been regularly starved of petroleum due to frequent attack on various points of the pipeline and as soon as the pipeline is repaired, the vandals will strike again. Sometimes, the vandals attack the Chanomi creek pipeline or the System 2C, which links Chevron’s Escravos pipeline system to Warri SouthWest Local Government Area of Delta State to Warri Refining and Petrochemical Company and also Kaduna Refining and Petrochemical Company.

The vandals attack these axis often and this stalls supply to Kaduna. The System 2C was attacked in August 2013 and the cost of the repair was estimated at N200 million.

The spokesman of NNPC, Ohi Alegbe, last

month lamented that Nigeria’s three refineries would resume production this month as phased maintenance of the refineries was nearing completion.

Alegbe said the two refineries in Port Harcourt are scheduled to begin to receive crude next week while those in Warri and Kaduna would follow shortly after. The maintenance programme, according to him started in November 2014, and is being carried out by NNPC’s inhouse engineers.

“We had to resort to inhouse engineers after the original builders of the refineries, who were called in to do the job, kept coming up with outrageous bills. We have installed mini power plant to solve the power problem,” he said. Bayelsa set to create eco-industrial hub for economic expansion.

‘Multiple agencies at ports killing export business’ T HE Nigeria Associa tion of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) has decried the proliferation of agencies at the ports, saying it is a major disincentive to export.

Its Director-General, Mr. Emmanuel Cobham, urged government to revisit the plight of indigenous exporters and initiate policies that would make incentives available for them.

He, however, commended the government for its efforts on port reforms, urging that it should be continued to boost its benefit in the economy.

On the effects of importation of foreign goods on local businesses, Cobham said: “Indiscriminate influx of foreign good weakens the local currency, adversely affects the growth of the local economy, creates trade imbalance, reduce foreign exchange earnings, increases the inflationary rates and results in job cuts.

“Every government all

By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

over the world is interested in protecting her own industry and market as it has consequence on the Gross National Products (GNP) and Gross Domestic Products (GDP). Consequently, the Federal Government needs to put in place policies that will protect home industries. This is to prevent unemployment which will in turn increasee poverty rate, protect our industries and secure the needed foreign exchange.”

On the effects of the Common External Tariff (CET), for West African countries, on businesses in the sub-region, the NACCIMA chief said it has the capacity to increase trade among the Economic Community of west African States (ECOWAS) nations that are involved in the regime.

CET could encourage more investments along the region, however countries

with poor infrastructure would be at the receiving end as the cost of their final products may not be competitive with those of the better developed countries, he added.

Adding his voice to the concerns raised in some quarters on the delay in appointing ministers by He said the fact that appointment of ministers is a serious business in governance and care must be taken to pick individuals best suited for the job for optimal performance.

He said:“President Mohammadu Buhari has requested for the understanding of Nigerians on this issue and I think we should oblige him this favour. We should not behave as if it does not matter who eventually becomes a minister in this administration. Understanding the direction of this government on social-economic issues is vital; if we

do we will appreciate the long wait to appoint ministers inorder to have credible people on board.”

He said Apapa grid-lock has created a lot of strain on the public especially those involved in the export business and importation as the road is the gate way to the ports where business are done.

“It negatively affected businesses, it created a strain on the system, resulting in time wastage to the extent that the volume of trade and revenue generation by both individuals and government was reduced. For instance, the traffic caused by the trucks operating at the Tank Farm located around the Apapa Port and Tin can Island Port area couple with the trucks collecting and discharging their containers in the ports added to worsening the extent of the grid. ‘’The way forward as I see it; is for the road to be rehabilitated, the Tank Farm relocated or an attempt made to increase the capacity of the holding bays.”

HIEF Executive Officer, Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), Mr Christophe Pennick, has urged the Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) to limit the number of Air Operator Certificates (AOC) it issues to operators in the domestic airlines’ sector.

He said the designation of many domestic carriers on few routes by the NCAA has led to a glut in the market, thereby bringing about unprofitable carriers, adding that the aviation regulatory body should allow domestic carriers consolidate rather than proliferate in the country.

He said the government must take urgent steps through market protection policies to save domestic carriers.

He said while the government grants licences to many domestic airlines that meet stipulated criteria under the NCAA civil aviation regulation, the Ghanaian government only licences not more than three airlines to save the sector and make the carriers profitable.

He said: “The NCAA should check the way it issues AOC to airlines.There are too many airlines in Nigeria which market share is just too small.

Many of the carriers are doing the usual triangular routes of Lagos-Abuja-Port-Harcourt.

The proliferation of these airlines has eroded the gains of the airlines.

“I hear the Federal Government is planning for a new national carrier; I would encourage the government to exercise caution because all over the world airlines are consolidating. China, with a population of over one billion people, has four major airlines, so if the Federal Government is bringing in or floating a new airline, how will the other airlines survive?”

Pennick said the government must focus its attention on bringing in the few strong, profitable, affordable and safe airlines, rather than adding more.

He said apart from one carrier, Nigeria’s biggest domestic airlines, the country does not have any large, strong airline, adding that most of the country’s airlines are weak, underfunded and under-capitalised.

As a condition, he said the government could equally put up a process that would allow the foreign carriers to partner with domestic airlines by way of code-share arrangement between them to fly their passengers to other destinations beyond the (foreign airlines’) points of entry.

He said it is one of the quickest ways the domestic carriers can thrive and become more competitive, expressing dismay at how Nigeria’s traffic rights are being given away freely to foreign carriers.

Foreign airlines once had code-share partnership with many Nigerian carriers but their lack of schedule integrity has adversely affected the partnership.

The most recent code-share partnership was between Emirates and Arik. The pact was signed last year but it remains to be seen whether the agreement still subsist because of the latter’s uncertain operations to Dubai.

27

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

ISSUES The Commissioner for Insurance, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Fola Daniel, bows out this month after eight years in the saddle. While some industry stakeholders and operators say his tenure was signposted by far-reaching reforms, others believe his regime imposed too many restrictions and sanctions on operators. OMOBOLA TOLU-KUSIMo reports

•NAICOM headquarters.

Stakeholders assess Daniel’s stewardship at NAICOM H

E came at a time activities at both the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the insurance industry generally were at their lowest ebb. That was on August 1, 2007, when Fola Daniel was appointed Commissioner of Insurance, NAICOM, the insurance industry’s regulator.

Eight years down the lane, opinion is divided whether Daniel been able to boost the technical capacity of the local insurance industry, which was considered below internationally accepted regulatory standard.

Was he able to stem the indiscipline among operators that plagued the industry, and also resolved series of litigations from the sector's trade arms, especially the Nigerian Insurers Association and the Nigerian Council of Registered Insurance Brokers? Perhaps, more importantly, will history be fair to him in the area of halting the age-long rejection and apathy by the general public towards insurance business, which stood at less than N100 billion premium income, brfore his appointment.

These are some of the pertinent questions agitating the minds of stakeholders, operators and experts in an industry saddled with the task of assessing the eight-year tenure of the insurance Commissioner whose exit is slated for July 31, 2015. While those conversant with the state of the industry prior to his coming described his eight year tenure as the golden era of the Commission and the industry, as it introduced farreaching reforms, others critical of his stewardship said his tenure was a time of draconian regulation that left many operators severely bruised. Others believed

‘

that Daniel will be remembered for turning around the fortunes of the insurance industry, saying he has, among other things, brought sanity, peace and harmony to the various trade groups, as well as restoring peace between the regulator and the operators.

They are quick to point out that out of the former Commissioners for Insurance, Daniel was the first to complete his tenure without any major crisis in the industry. Besides, under his watch, growth in industry gross premium written, rose from less than N100 billion in 2007 to over N300 billion in 2014.

Others believed that Daniel will be remembered for turning around the fortunes of the insurance industry, saying he has, among other things, brought sanity, peace and harmony to the various trade groups, as well as restoring peace between the regulator and the operators

’

Daniel in the eyes of operators, experts The Managing Director, FBN Life Insurance, Valentine Ojumah said the industry has never had it so good. He said Daniel's eight years’ reign as Commissioner, was the most successful in the history of the industry.

It was not an empty claim. Ojumah said: "He (Daniel), enforced policies that changed the attitude and manner in which many management and board of insurance firms do business. He forced a lot of us to be disciplined. He wipped them into line. What he achieved is similar to what has been achieved in the banking sector where no chief executive does things the right way."

Ojumah noted that the industry has been lagging behind in terms of leadership for many years, "but today, there is sanity and I give the outgoing Commissioner a lot of credit for this." He added • Continued on page 28

28

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

ISSUES

Stakeholders assess Daniel’s stewardship at NAICOM •Continued from page 27

that it was through Daniel's purposeful leadership and direction at NAICOM that his company, FBN Life, was able to achieve 100 per cent compliance in corporate governance, performance and zero tolerance for indiscipline.

"In his eight years of strict regulations, we were never fined for regulatory sanctions and this shows how much attention we paid to regulations. Indeed, we have had a good relationship with the regulator so far," he stressed, adding that he hoped that the next Commissioner will keep up the good work.

The FBN Life Insurance’s helmsman is not the only operator showering accolades on Daniel. The Director-General, Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria (CIIN), Kola Ahmed, is also appreciative of what he considered as the Insurance Commissioner's sterling performance. He said Daniel has performed creditably well in the past eight years.

In his words: "Daniel is leaving a legacy of performance. He has combined market development with market regulation and also impacted the industry positively while he also projected it well for future growth.

During his tenure, he was able to make government at all levels reckon with the industry. He had a strong board and good crop of management that supported him."

Ahmed is not done. He said in terms of market cohesion, Daniel tried to bring the operators together. "He has changed the face of the industry with his sterling performance and I score him 80 per cent," he said, noting that although there are some areas some people would wish he had done better, he, like any other mortal, is not perfect.

Also, the Chairman, Nigeria Insurers Association (NIA), Godwin Wiggle, said the Commissioner has done well for the industry. "He has done what no other Commissioner has been able to do. He may not be perfect, but history will definitely be kind to him. During his time, we have experienced discipline and sanity."

President, Institute of Loss Adjusters of Nigeria (ILAN), Lebi Omoboyowa, canvassed a similar position, saying that under the tenure of the former Commissioner, the industry witnessed tremendous growth.

According to him, he brought innovative ideas to the industry.

Loss Adjuster and Managing Director, Associated Vantage Services Limited., Sammy Sotomi, also lauded the initiatives of the former Commissioner, saying that under his watch, the fortunes of the industry have improved.

President, Association of registered Insurance Agents, Gbadebo Olamerun, on his part, said Daniel has added value Insurance Agents in the country. He said based on this, agents have been able to increase insurance penetration by taking insurance to the grassroots.

Omoboyowa however pointed out that despite these achievements, he wished that the Commissioner had done more for Loss Adjusters in terms of the challenge of poor remuneration encountered by the Loss Adjusters with Underwriters.

Projects and initiatives under Daniel NAICOM Director, Supervision, Mr. Nicholas Opara highlighted some of the key projects and initiatives prosecuted by the commission over the past eight years under Daniel to include the introduction of insurance into the school curricular for secondary and tertiary institutions, engagement of stakeholders, risk pricing, disclosure of information, and eradication of fake insurance products through arrest, investigation and prosecution of fake insurance sellers.

Opara said NAICOM under Daniel introduced premium collection and remittance guidelines, issuance of guidelines on

• Ojumah

• Daniel

• Ahmed

commission, rate and return premium and strengthening, reserving, sound accounting and disclosure requirements in line with International Financial Reporting standards (IFRS), and enforcement of prompt claims settlement among others.

On financial safety and stability, he acknowleged the recapitalisation and consolidation of the industry in 2007, enforcement of minimum solvency margin and capital base requirements. Besides, the Commission, he said, provided leadership for the industry's seamless transition to International Financial Reporting Standard in line with Federal Government roadmap, formulated policy on premium collection and remittance; investment regulations, which include issuance of guidelines on divestments.

Other initiatives under Danial's tenure that impressed operators and stakeholders, according to Opara, include regulations on investments of policyholders' funds, improving and strengthening solvency regulation and Anti-Money Laundering Requirements; publication of compliance status of companies, particularly on rendition of quarterly financial returns and audited annual financial statements. The commission also ensured transition to risk based supervision, consolidated supervision and issuance of guidelines for development of risk management framework.

"NAICOM was also able to achieve inflow of Foreign Direct Investment (FDI), which brought in AXA, Old Mutual, among others.

There was collaboration with other regulators, including issuance of NAICOM and PENCOM joint regulation on Annuity, and guidelines on consolidated supervision, signing MoU with National & International regulatory authority, among others," Opara said.

On market development, he said there was the Market Development and Restructuring Initiative (MDRI), which enforced compulsory insurances, eradicated fake insurance operators and created jobs.

The commission under its financial inclusion programme, also brought takaful and micro insurance regulations to alleviate poverty, enforced local content development particularly in the oil & gas industry through the issuance of guidelines on oil & gas insurance businesses in Nigeria.

The commission also reviewed the Insurance Brokers registration and renewal processes by reducing the renewal turnaround from the previous average of about four weeks to only one week, improved regulatory oversight through strengthening of NAICOM's core operational department and their processes, as well as capacity building for the Commission and the industry.

"There were also various workshops for desk officers of some government Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), including Office of the Accountant-

General and Office of Auditor-General, full participation at the North-East Economic Summit held in Gombe State, hosting local and international conferences and seminars and National Insurance Summit held in December 2014," he stated.

Also, the commission ensured the full utilisation of, and collaboration with trade associations, including NIA, Nigerian NCRIB, and the ILAN, to facilitate access to insurance products.

Okpara said the Commission's e-regulation system will soon begin. The system, he said, will build an integration point for the various stakeholders involved in insurance policy issuance, generate and provide a unique identification number for every policy issued in order to track and provide relevant statistics on them.

Besides, he said, it would help develop a capacity in NAICOM to record all policies issued by insurance companies, ensure proper accountability of all premium returns by insurance companies, capture all businesses done by every broker through the underwriter, and ensure proper accountability of all insurance levies received from brokers, while providing easy access to data regarding policies issued and support analysis and policy based decision making.

Opara pointed out that the portal provides a single point of access for all NAICOM services, validate the authenticity of insurance policies and is accessible from any location within Nigeria. He added that the system should be able to interact or communicate with other systems and users, such as thre Federal Road Safety Commission (FRSC), Police, and Vehicle Inspection Officers (VIO).

He also said with the system, the commission wants to identify each individual insurance policy issued in the country. "We are also developing a database of that identification number, so that anybody in the country can query the database to confirm if the policy document before him or her is genuine or not. We are hoping that in the next few years, we will get it out," he said.

He explained that the initiative cuts across all insurance product lines, adding that all policies procured by the public must have this unique number. According to him,, the concept is not a duplication of the Nigerian Insurance Industry Database (NIID) being promoted by the Nigerian Insurers Association (NIA). Rather, the association is collaborating with NAICOM on the project.

"We will not allow a situation where a section of the industry has made a huge investment on a project; we come up with something to stop it. We would collaborate with them to solve the problem of fake insurance which is giving the industry a bad image," he clarified, adding that the Commission is developing an information and technology policy for the industry that will put the operators on the same page with the commission.

"That document would ensure that we

have a minimum standard for everybody.

In fact, the draft policy has been done. Very soon, we willform industry committee that will look at that, harmonise it and take input to produce the final copy," he said.

Opara listed other projects and initiatives, as capacity building, review of enabling Acts, the Insurance Act. "Some of the projects and initiatives mentioned are still on-going and will continue to impact positively on insurance business regulation. They include IFRS, No premium, No Cover, MDRI, consumer's education and protection, capacity building in core technical areas for both the Commission and the industry," he stated.

‘

We are also developing a database of that identification number, so that anybody in the " country can query the database to confirm if the policy document before him or her is genuine or not. We are hoping that in the next few years, we will get it out

’

On the flip side

Although, some of these projects and initiatives are intended to reposition the industry for greater efficiency, their implementation may not have gone down well with some operators and stakeholders. To them, some of the initiatives and regulatory interventions under Daniel were too draconian.

The Nation learnt that after Daniel assumed office, operators were forced to brace up for stricter regulation, leading to complaints of too many regulations and sanctions. But the Daniel was resolute and undeterred. He insisted on full compliance with the Nigerian Insurance Act 2013, a position many said paid off in the eight years he’s been at the saddle.

Daniel’s winning edge

More than anything else, it was Daniel's insistence on stricter regulation, which to a large extent, restored sanity in the industry that warmed him to the hearts of operators and stakeholders.

According to experts, virtually all aspects of insurance business, from licensing, operation and liquidation are regulated in Nigeria. Insurance regulation is structured around several key functions, including company licensing, licensing of intermediaries, product approvals, market conduct, financial and prudential regulation and consumer services. By sticking to these tenets, he was able to give the industry the necessary push.

NAICOM was established in 1997, with the full responsibility of regulating and supervising insurance business in Nigeria, thus replacing the previous regulatory organ, the NISB. The principal objective of the Commission as stated in the NAICOM Act, 1997, is to ensure the effective administration, supervision, regulation and control of insurance business in Nigeria.

Specifically, NAICOM is saddled with the responsibility of providing adequate protection for policyholders, maintaining efficient and stable insurance markets and ensuring a fair and safe market for profitable insurance business transactions. It also provides the enabling environment and infrastructure to facilitate deeper market penetration in the insurance industry, among others.

Many operators and stakeholders who spoke with The Nation said the’ve never had it so good. Their consensus is that whoever steps into the shoes of Daniel must have the required technical and managerial competence to carry all stakeholders along on the task of taking the industry to greater heights.

29

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

MONEYLINK

Forms ‘M’: CBN to approve requests in 48 hrs

T

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has assured importers of good ‘Not Valid for Forex’ that they will get their Forms ‘M’ approval within 48 hours of request submission.

In a circular to authorised dealers and the general public titled: Procedures for Registration of Forms ‘M’ for goods ‘Not Valid For Foreign Exchange’, CBN Director, Trade and Exchange, Olakanmi Gbadamosi, explained this in a new directives on the registration of Forms ‘M’ for the 41 items it restricted from accessing forex from the apex bank and Bureau De Change (BDC) segment of the market.

The CBN director, however, stated

dence of source of funds.

The apex bank director also directed authorised dealers to submit hard copies of such Forms ‘M’ to its Director, Trade & Exchange Department before validation for necessary approval.

The CBN had earlier in the month, directed that certain categories of items, which had already been classified as ‘Not Valid for Forex’ cannot be funded at the interbank from proceeds of exports and Bureau de Change (BDC) sources. The CBN said authorised dealers are enjoined to ensure that these items are funded from sources outside all the segments of the foreign exchange markets.

Stories by Collins Nweze

that the new measure, “will not impede smooth flow of existing process, as the regulator will ensure that all approvals are granted with 48 hours of receipt.

Gbadamosi also explained procedures for registering Forms ‘M’ for goods ‘Not Valid for Forex’. He said that with effect from July 3, 2015, Forms ‘M’ to be established on Nigeria Single Window for Trade Portal for items ‘Not Valid for forex’ should be accompanied with Proforma Invoice from the supplier; insurance certificate (marine/cargo) and written confirmation from the authorised dealer showing source of funds (and) evi-

But President, Bureau De Change Association of Nigeria (ABCON), Alhaji Aminu Gwadabe, said the CBN is not supposed to be regulating Forms ‘M’ for imports of goods that it does not provide the forex.

He said such practice makes importation cumbersome and should be discouraged.

The 41 items affected by the CBN’s policy include rice, cement , margarine, palm kernel/palm oil products, vegetable oils, meat and processed meat products, vegetables and processed vegetable products, poultry-chicken, eggs, turkey, private airplanes/jets, Indian Incense, Tinned fish in sauce(Geisha)/Sardines, cold rolled sheets, galvanised

S

Suleiman explained that with some of the bank’s applications, customers are assured of having an exciting experience while fulfilling their banking, entertainment and financial literacy needs.

He disclosed that the product which can be accessed at any Sterling Bank branch with a minimum balance of N5,000 was the perfect solution for individuals interested in enjoying the benefits of both current and savings account offerings, without the associated cost of running a current account.

qualify for the draws with 1 ticket while subsequent multiples of N5,000 result in additional tickets.

The next draw will come up this week at the Sterling Towers head office of the Bank in Lagos.

The New Sterling Plus is a hybrid offering with the promise of many goodies and freebies such as free Lenovo smartphones pre-loaded with cool financial and entertainment applications among others for individual customers.

The bank’s Executive Director, Finance & Strategy, Abubakar

FirstBank, Digital Africa Consult host exhibition

F

IRSTBank of Nigeria Limited, has partnered with Digital Africa Global Consult Limited to host the third Digital Africa Conference and Exhibition.

The event with the theme: “Expanding Africa’s capacity for digital technology” will start in Abuja tomorrow and end on Thursday.

at broadening Africa’s IT capability.

In its third edition, Digital Africa reaches out to global markets, connects the industry and enables the digital technology innovations to grow and thrive. The conference also attracts senior-level executives, key decision-makers who are all looking to develop new business partnerships to do business and exchange ideas.

The Digital Africa Conference & Exhibition, the third, is a gathering of renowned ICT experts to discuss the development of Africa’s ICT sector and proffer solutions to the challenges limiting the continent’s advancement to the point of digital singularity with the rest of the globe.

The deliberations at event will also address a broad range of topics aimed

sheets, roofing sheets, wheelbarrows, head pans, metal boxes and containers, among others.

FCMB is fourth ‘most customer-focused bank’

Sterling rewards 40 winners TERLING Bank Plc has rewarded 40 customers in the New Sterling Plus Cash Reward Scheme. The customers were selected via an electronic raffle draw and winners emerged from various parts of the country. Sterling Plus is a new proposition for the retail segment of the market.

The bank said it is in fulfillment of its promise to reward customer loyalty and encourage a savings culture among Nigerians.

All customers with a minimum balance of N5, 000 automatically

•CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

K

PMG, an international consulting firm, has named First City Monument Bank (FCMB) Limited as the fourth most customer-focused bank in Small and Medium Enterprises (SMEs).

The report on the ranking showed the bank got the recognition after scoring 74.94 percent. It also came fifth in retail banking with 73.16 percent based on comments by customers surveyed by KPMG. This performance, which is coming barely four years after the Bank transformed to become a retail and commercial banking-led lender, is an improvement when compared to 2014 when it occupied the eight and seventh positions in the SMEs segment and retail banking space.

The rating, in this year’s report of the KPMG Banking Industry Customer Satisfaction Survey (BICSS), was on the basis of Customer Satisfaction Index (CSI), which took into account convenience, product/ service offering, excellence, and value for money and customer care. The

KPMG BICSS survey was launched in 2007 to heighten the consciousness of service delivery among Nigerian Banks. The survey has evolved over the years and in 2015, the scope covered over 23,000 retail customers, 2,800 SMEs and 400 corporate/commercial organisations.

The research highlighted quality of service experience as a major reason customers maintain or switch banking relationships, followed by financial stability before image and reputation. It was also stated that banks that customers perceive as offering high quality online and mobile capabilities recorded high overall customer satisfaction scores. These are factors that contributed to the leap in rating

by FCMB. The Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Mr. Ladi Balogun, said: ‘’this is a welcome development’’, adding that, ‘’it shows that we are on the right path towards achieving our goal of attaining the highest levels of customer advocacy in the industry.’’

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

126.04 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,744.73 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.2399 1.3035 0.7543 1.1801

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.2337 1.3035 0.7424 1.1801

ETI ACCESS UNITYBNK IKEJAHOTEL OANDO VITAFOAM DIAMONDBNK CONTINSURE SKYEBANK NASCON

O/PRICE 20.31 4.80 2.33 3.83 12.10 5.60 3.96 1.00 2.09 6.73

C/PRICE 22.00 5.03 2.44 3.99 12.60 5.70 4.08 1.03 2.15 6.90

CHANGE 1.66 0.23 0.11 0.16 0.50 0.10 0.12 0.03 0.06 0.17

LOSERS AS AT 16-07-15

SYMBOL CCNN TRANSEXPR FCMB MAYBAKER UNILEVER CWG FIDSON CHAMPION ETERNA AGLEVENT COSTAIN

O/PRICE 11.50 1.22 3.00 1.60 39.90 3.43 3.48 5.58 2.30 1.27 0.67

C/PRICE 10.42 1.11 2.85 1.52 37.91 3.26 3.31 5.31 2.19 1.21 0.61

Inflation:April

8.5%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

CHANGE -1.08 -0.11 -0.15 -0.08 -1.99 -0.17 -0.17 -0.27 -0.11 -0.06 -0.03

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) May 28, 2015 Interbank ($/N)

199.00

$1

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

$1

$28.2b

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR) Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$67.91

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 16-07-15

SYMBOL

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

Tenor

Tenor

N16.42 trillion.

16.5%

14.683

76.583

1M

15.033

15.977

3M

15.809

17.177

6M

16.493

17.908

May 28

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices 27 May Statistics 5 May All Share Index 34,649.3 29,383.93 Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) 11.8 9,804.36 Deals 3,385 3,714 Volume (mn) 564,28 377,75 Value (NGN’mn) 6,087.80 6,568.66

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

May 27

.

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Transaction Dates 03/02/2015 3/12/2014 1/12/2014

Amount Offered in ($) 500m

Amount Sold in ($) 499.93m

400m 350m

399.97m 349.96m

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

T-bills - 364

13.92

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

30

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 17-07-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 17-07-15

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

31

EQUITIES

Managed funds hit N695b as fund managers plan joint distribution network T OTAL managed funds-including funds under collective investment schemes, otherwise known as mutual funds, and institutional and individual funds under management, have risen to N695 billion, according to a report by the Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN).

President, Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN), Mr. Michael Oyebola, who gave the update on the fund management industry at a general meeting of the industry operators at the weekend, said total managed funds had risen to N695 billion, which had firmly established the industry as a strategic segment of the capital market.

He outlined that the total managed funds consisted of N200 billion under collective investment schemes (CIS), otherwise known as mutual funds, and N495 billion funds under management (FUM).

Collective investment schemes, otherwise known as mutual funds, are joint investment vehicles through which investors can pool funds and invest in chosen basket of securities under a professional management with a view to optimise returns and reduce risks. FUM relates to funds placed by individuals and institutions for direct management by a professional fund manager.

Oyebola, who gave comprehensive updates on the ongoing efforts aimed at strategically positioning the fund management industry, said FMAN has commenced efforts aimed at ensuring that the fund managers under the auspices of the association are able to perform similar role in the pension industry.

According to him, as part of these strategic initiatives, FMAN has joined the emerging market task force joint committee- which comprises of the Treasury in the United Kingdom and the capital market in Nigeria, which is currently pushing for cross-marketing benefits.

He said FMAN is striving to become a self-regulatory organisation

•SEC tightens fund management framework

•From left: President, CFA Society Nigeria, Mrs Sade Odunaiya; President, Fund Managers Association of Nigeria, Mr Michael Oyebola; Director, Investment Management Department, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Mary Uduk and Mr Efiok Effiong of SEC at an interactive session by FMAN in Lagos ... at the weekend.

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

with mandate to handle compliance, complaint and standardisation issues between its members and the investing public.

He urged members of the association to adopt the best practice of separating their personal corporate assets from clients’ assets without necessarily waiting for such enforcement of asset segregation by the regulatory authorities.

He also advised FMAN members who have not met the new minimum capital base for the industry to take necessary steps to meet the September 2015 deadline set by SEC as the apex regulator may not extend the deadline.

Oyebola pointed out that as part of

efforts to ensure best practices, FMAN had launched the asset managers’ codes in conjunction with the Chartered Financial Analyst (CFA) Society of Nigeria, Fund Managers Association of Nigeria (FMAN) and Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PENOP), which would serve as principles of conduct and transactions for asset managers and asset management.

The highlights of the codes included provisions in relation to asset managers responsibilities to clients, which mandate asset managers to act in a professional and ethical manner at all times, to act for the benefit of the client, to act with independence and objectivity, to act with skill, competence and diligence, to communicate with clients in a timely and accurate manner and to uphold

Search for mechanical weed control in cassava farming makes progress

I

NTERNATIONAL and indig enous engineers engaged by the International Institute of Tropical Agriculture (IIATA)-led Cassava Weed Management Project have made significant progress in the adaptation of motorised mechanical weeders for cassava farming systems in Nigeria.

The team of engineers, who met at the IITA, Ibadan to brainstorm and modify motorised weeders recently imported by the IITA Cassava Weed Management Project for cassava farming systems.

Specifically, the team was mandated to: • Evaluate the performance of the machines for general weeding and modify the machine as necessary

with special focus on cassava farms.

• Establish performance and suitability of these machines for weeding generally with focus on cassava farms; • Carry out any needed improvement to make the machines usable for cassava farms; and • Modify all the available machines for demonstration.

At the end of the meeting, the team of engineers modified and adapted 14 motorised weeders to suite cassava farming systems in Nigeria.

The machines are on trials in four states—Benue, Oyo, Ogun and Abia.

At the opening of the meeting, Project Leader for the IITA Cassava Weed Management Project, Dr Alfred Dixon, said the motorised me-

chanical weeders were aimed at providing farmers with a basket of options so they could tackle weeds more efficiently.

He urged the engineers to look beyond adaptation, and conceive the idea of developing African made motorised weeders that could tackle the problem of weeds on the continent.

Prof Abdulganiyu Olayinka Raji of the University of Ibadan commended the IITA project for involving national partners in the programme.

He recalled that the Nigerianmade-cassava flash dryer, which has become a success story, also started with a similar invitation of experts by IITA.

the applicable rules governing capital markets.

He added that SEC had endorsed the codes and the apex regulator would weigh in by ensuring that all fund managers adopt the codes of conduct.

Oyebola said FMAN is currently working on development of a customised platform for mutual funds distribution, a form of open architecture platform that will enable members to distribute their mutual funds in more cost efficient means.

He added that with the acceptance of voter’s card as a Know Your Client (KYC) document, efforts are in top gear to put together a mobile money platform that will address the various need of members of the association.

At the meeting, Director-General,,

Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr Mounir Gwarzo, who was represented by Director, Investment Management Department, SEC, Ms Mary Uduk and Mr. Efiok Effiong, said the commission is strengthening applicable rules at the market with a view to enhance the operational foundation and perception of the capital market by the public.

According to him, the principal objectives of new rules included safeguarding the integrity of the players and the sector, creating opportunities in asset product type and classes and inflow of funds into the sector.

He said the commission would provide a framework to introduce alternative funds such as expert and professional investor fund, which would be restricted to only qualified investors and with absolute discretion on choice of asset class and investment sector.

In her presentation on Global Investment Performance Standards (GIPS), President, CFA Society Nigeria, Mrs Sade Odunaiya, said all stakeholders are currently working to prepare and get Nigeria listed among over 30 developed and developing nations which have met the GIPS compliance and adherence standards.

According to her, the CFA Society of Nigeria, PENOP and FMAN are members of Nigeria Investment Promotion Commission (NIPC), GIPSsponsoring body in Nigeria, and there are plans to invite SEC and PENCOM to serve on its board on observer status.

She outlined that GIPS, though a voluntary set of standard, has enormous benefits given its practitionersdriven ethical principle and standards, industry wide approach to calculating and reporting investment result, reporting consistency and industry wide comparability.

She said the CFA Society of Nigeria has proposed a four-year period for full adoption of GIPS by Nigerian capital market operators.

Transcorp’s Teragro scales up investment in agribusiness

T

ERAGRO Commodities Limited, the agribusiness subsidiary of Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, has acquired and installed extraction cup technology, which enables the company to deliver superior quality juice concentrate that meet international quality standards.

Chief executive officer, Teragro Commodities Limited, Dupe Olusola, said the extraction cup revolutionizes the company’s production process and ensures that concentrates it produces will pass even the most stringent international standards.

“This investment elevates us to the top of local concentrate producers and ensures that Teragro is able to compete with any international concentrate producer from Spain, Brazil, the United States and

more,” Olusola said.

She outlined that Teragro processes orange and pineapple concentrates, mango purées and orange-peel oil for industrial markets in a 26,500mn TPA capacity plant called Teragro Benfruit Plant in Benue State. In addition to helping Teragro products meet international quality standards through tests conducted in International labs in Brussels and France, the new technology increases the capacity of Ben fruit Plant.

Chief Executive Officer, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, Emmanuel Nnorom, pointed out that the extraction cup investment has further strengthened customers’ loyalty for the agribusiness noting that it has received positive commendation from its biggest customers.

Vitafoam opens in Warri ITAFOAM Nigeria Plc has launched its second major sales outlets otherwise known as Comfort Centre, in Warri, Delta State, to boost sales.

Addressing key distributors at the inauguration at the weekend, Group Managing Director, Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, Mr Taiwo Adeniyi, said the second Comfort Centre in Warri was aimed at meeting the increasing demand for the company’s products.

“Vitafoam Comfort Centre is a retail concept born out of need to providing convenience and complete solution for our esteemed customers’ needs for premium comfort, wellness and relaxation. It is an experimental

V

•From left: Head, Human Capital, Capital Bancorp Plc, Tosin Olojo; Head, Investment Services, Mr. Mudashiru Ademola; Managing Director, Mr. Higo Aigboje; and Head, Stockbroking Operations, Opeyemi Ayoola, at a press conference to announce the forthcoming investors’ forum holding in Lagos.

centre where our esteemed customers view, appreciate and experience Vitafoan products in use and the world of Vitafoam,” Adeniyi said.

He said all the company’s products could be purchased at the centre, including premium health and baby products such as spring mattress, twill, cot, sofa and mat.

He pointed out that over the years, Vitafoam had moved from being a household name in the production of just mattresses and pillows into being a foremost provider of ultimate comfort products.

He commended the distributors for their consistent loyalty and assured them of regular production of topclass products at competitive prices.

32

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

BUSINESS AFRICA

Unions reject South African coal producers’ pay increase offer

T

HE four unions representing coal workers in South Africa, the continent's biggest producer of the fuel, rejected a pay offer by producers including Anglo American Plc, Glencore Plc and Exxaro Resources Ltd. The companies proposed an in-

crease of 4.6 percent, the Chamber of Mines, which represents them, said in an e-mail. The inflation rate was 4.6 percent in May. The National Union of Mineworkers, Solidarity, the Association of Mineworkers and Construction Union and UASA labour

groups rejected the offer, Franz Stehring, head of mining at UASA, said by phone.

The NUM, the biggest labour group, wants a 15 percent raise for members, spokesman Livhuwani Mammburu said by phone.

The producers' offer will "prolong

the negotiations process," Deon Reyneke, head of energy industry at Solidarity, said in an e-mailed statement.

South Africa's coal-mining industry directly employs almost 90,000 people and paid about 19 billion rand ($1.5 billion) in wages in 2014, ac-

cording to the chamber. The talks are taking place as coal prices have dropped 31 percent since the start of 2014 amid a global supply glut that Morgan Stanley forecasts will grow due to lower demand from China.

Negotiations will resume tomorrow, the chamber said.

Society decries professional misconduct

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•From left: Content Manager, StarTimes, Ayokunle Idowu; Public Relations Manager, Israel Bolaji; Consultant, Adedeji Oloyede and Marketing Manager, Habeeb Somoye, at the press conference to announce StarTimes Win a Trip to Germany promo in Lagos.

S/Africa must improve business regulation, power output: OECD

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OUTH Africa needs to improve business regulation to support job creation and privatise state-owned companies in markets with sufficient competition, the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development (OECD) said on Friday.

South Africa also needs to boost electricity generation by speeding up the independent power producer programme and facilitating private co-generation, the international think tank said in a report.

Growth in Africa's most developed economy was also being hampered by inadequate tax revenue needed to support infrastructure projects.

"The public sector will face considerable resource needs in the years ahead to expand social and economic infrastructure," the OECD said.

"Meeting these needs will require increased revenues, but this must be equitable and not penalise growth."

MTN to end two-month strike in South Africa

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OUTH African mobile operator MTN Group and union leaders reached a deal over bonuses on Thursday, ending a twomonth strike that disrupted the supply of some new mobile phones in its home market.

About 2,000 workers led by the Communications Workers Union (CWU) downed tools in May at Africa's biggest mobile phone operator, demanding an eight percent pay rise and 16 percent bonus payment.

The CWU said it had agreed to an 8 percent bonus payment this year and 12 percent next year. Both payments are guaranteed and not related to the performance of the company.

"Members are expected to go back to work within two days after the signing of the agreement," CWU General Secretary Aubrey Tshabalala said.

The two parties failed to reach a deal on monthly wages, but the CWU has said it would accept MTN's 8 percent offer if performance conditions are removed. MTN, along with its rivals in Africa's most advanced economy, is trying to contain costs in the face of tough competition that has hit profit margins.

‘Human trafficking impedes economic development’

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ABLE News Network (CNN) and award winning actress, Jada Pinkett Smith have partnered to work on a CNN Freedom Project Special Report to review how sex trafficking in the United States of America (USA) impedes economic development.

In a project is titled: 'Children For Sale: The Fight to End Human Trafficking, the team traveled to Atlanta, a trafficking hotspot, to write special report meant to unravel the complicated web of human trafficking in the United States.

The famed news network added that, the hour-long special report which airs Wednesday, July 22, 2015 at 2000 BST/ 2100 CET takes a look at the human trafficking industry in the United States, the lives of children caught in its web, and those fighting back against this form of modern-day slavery.

Smith and CNN delved into the heart of this heinous crime, following undercover officers on raids and rescues of underage victims, accompanying aid workers on outreach missions, and spending time with the survivors in shelters as they share their harrowing stories.

Smith said, "For me, this project is extremely important because I want the world to understand the dangers that every kid in America is susceptible to. Human trafficking is one aspect of the vulnerabilities and obstacles that we are confronted with. People who sell children are monsters."

Recalling her foray into activism, she said that sex trafficking hit her head-on when her then pre-teen daughter asked her about the crime in the United States. In disbelief, she began to research and is now a vocal activist and advocate.

The news network said that questions like, Where does sex trafficking start? How do girls get manipulated into it? How hard is it for law enforcement and others to save them? And how can communities help protect children from the men and women who prey on their vulnerabilities?

Will be answered in the report where Smith sits down with survivors who courageously share their horrifying stories of exploitation and the triumph of their survival.

Also, Smith and CNN followed Sergeant Tory Kennedy, head of the Internet Crimes Against Children

Division, as he conducted undercover raids to arrest suspected traffickers and rescue underage girls.

Founder of a safe house and rehabilitation facility for trafficked teens, Lisa Williams is featured as Williams counsels the exploited teen highlighted in this special report while Smith also comes face-to-face with a convicted female trafficker. Viewers will also hear from aid workers and prosecutors who are working to eradicate this crime.

'Children for Sale: The Fight to End Human Trafficking' (CNN Freedom Project) was executive produced by Jennifer Hyde, the Director of the CNN Documentary Unit, produced

by Senior Producer Ken Shiffman, Producer Tina Matherson, Executive Editor of the CNN Freedom Project Leif Coorlim, and overseen by Michael Bass, CNN's Executive Vice President for Programming.

HE Executive Secretary of the West African Society on Business Ethics (WASBE) Dr Adeyeye Adewole has decried the lack of ethical practices in businees across Nigeria and the West African sub region.

Dr Adewole, who spoke to reporters in Lagos, said: "A given research conducted overtime among students, institutional people, and corporate businessmen confirmed that they are confronted with the canker worm of unethical practices in business.

"There's the issue of corruption, issue of cutting corners, the issue of public procurement malpractices and others. We now have a situation where we have low standard quality of activity as a consequence of unethical business practices."

Adewole, who is also the Head/ Coordinator-Generalof Entrepreneurial Studies at the Ondo State University of Science and Technology, explained further the necessity for intervention by WASBE to correct this ethical ill.

According to him, the West African Society on Business Ethics is an idea of a collection of academics and some professionals in the academia.

"We looked around and we realised that our business sector generally lack of ethics in business is impeding business substantially in Africa, and which also snowballed into entrenching poverty and underdevelopment across the West African Sub region.

"We, therefore, felt that we needed to do something about it, knowing that business ethics is an extension of applied ethical standard, which is the application of ethical principles which should guide and direct human activity."

As an organisation, WASBE, which is made up of members all over West Africa, is laid out in various categories of membership, a Board of Trustees, Associates, Fellows, Institutional members, Corporate mem-

•Adewole

bers and students.

"The Associates are made up of researchers in the universities who have a bias for establishing Ethical practices in business. We also have the fellows. These are people that we have watched closely and are convinced that have successfully injected ethical practices in business as a front burner in their organisation and are respected members of society.

"We are making a lot of efforts, especially at the Federal Ministry of Education, to insist that we should now have business ethics in the curriculum of business school activities in all our polytechnics and universities across the West African subregion. As we link up with the ministry, we will also be talking to the Nigerian Universities Commission."

Adewole said WASBE would hold a two-day interactive conference in Lagos that would discuss how "we will institutionalise business ethics into our Government, Academic, Social and Corporate practices in the West African sub region" in November.

BATNF donates to farmers in Oyo

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O alleviate poverty among smallholder farmers across rural communities in the country, British American Tobacco Nigeria Foundation (BATNF) has supplied agricultural support materials to farmers in Oyo State under the second cycle of BATNF-sponsored cassava enterprise value-chain development project.

Chief Kola Jamodu, BATNF Board Chairman, who was represented by Mrs. Oluwaseyi Ashade, Executive Director, BATNF, at the flag-off in Otu Community area of Oyo State, said agriculture is significant to poverty eradication and wealth creation.

She said: "There is need to provide necessary requirements for the development of the agricultural sector like trainings, improved agricultural inputs, production capital, storage facilities and access to markets." This need, Ashade said, has posed a challenge to governments at all levels.

Several farming communities in Nigeria are affected by these challenges and this contributes in no small measure to the problem of poverty, hunger and other economic challenges.

"The enormity of these problems is such that governments alone cannot solve them. There is need for the organised private sector and other

charitable institutions to come to the aid of the government to address this important issue of agricultural development especially as it affects smallholder farmers who are key players in the sector and who are responsible for the production of a great percentage of the food consumed in the country," she further said.

Receiving the agricultural materials from the Foundation, Alhaji Muda Balogun, who spoke on behalf of the beneficiaries, expressed his gratitude to the Foundation for coming to the aid of the farmers.

His words: "We like to thank the management of BATN Foundation for coming to our aid, especially at a time when we need to move our farming business to a greater level.

As we can see, all the farmers from Otu and Ighoho communities of Oke Ogun are excited because the Foundation has brought succour to us all by making farming simpler, better and more profitable.

"I also want to urge my fellow benefiting farmers to take good advantage of this intervention, by ensuring that they are accountable, hardworking, and most importantly continue to see farming as a profitable business. In so doing, this will serve

as a motivation for BATN Foundation, and other would-be sponsors to further elevate farming business in our communities," he said.

Thomas Omosefe, Head of Leaf, BATNF, while speaking at the event said all the farmers, as part of the Foundation's major partners, should leave no stone unturned in ensuring that they (farmers) make the best use of the opportunity.

He said: "As our major partners, we will continue to ensure compliance with best practices that will enable success for farmers in their operations. Most importantly, we will support your business through periodic trainings, input distribution among others, to pave way for transformation of your business in a way that will impact bottom-line for farming operations."

The event was the second flag-off of BATN Foundation's cassava enterprise development projects across Otu, Ogbooro and Igboho in Oke Ogun, Oyo State, to help smallholder farmers easily transform their farming operations from subsistence to commercial level.

Other states that have benefited from this agricultural intervention include: Ebonyi, Nigeria, Kaduna and Benue.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

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HE German parliament has voted in favour of starting negotiations on Greece’s •86bn (£60bn) bailout deal.

The motion passed with a clear majority, with 439 MPs in favour, 119 votes against and 40 abstentions.

Prior to the vote, Chancellor Angela Merkel warned of “predictable chaos” if the Bundestag did not back the plan.

The Greek parliament has already voted in favour of the hard-hitting austerity measures required by the eurozone for a third bailout deal.

On Thursday, the European Central Bank (ECB) raised the level of emergency funding available. This has paved the way for Greek banks, which shut nearly three weeks ago, to reopen on Monday.

Greek banks have only been allowed to open briefly to give pensioners access to their cash But credit controls limiting cash withdrawals to •60 a day will only be eased gradually, officials say.

Separately on Friday, the European Council approved a •7bn bridging loan for Greece from an EU-wide emergency fund. The loan was approved in principle by eurozone ministers on Thursday, but required consultation with non-euro states.

It means Greece will now be able to repay debts to two of its creditors, the ECB and International Monetary Fund (IMF), due on Monday.

The German parliament has voted in favour of the proposal. But the mood is ugly. Forty-eight of Mrs Merkel’s conservative MPs had indicated in advance that they would defy her. Others went along with the party line but grudgingly; many here struggle to justify a third bailout to taxpayers in their constituencies.

This morning a poll revealed 49% of Germans don’t want to enter talks over the deal.

Finance Minister Wolfgang

Nasdaq hits record high

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• Mrs Merkel and others during the voting

Greece debt crisis: German MPs vote ‘yes’ to bailout talks Schaeuble can expect a tough time too; his notoriously hawkish stance has upset some MPs who worry that Germany’s reputation has been damaged as a result.

Interestingly, Mr Schaeuble used an interview on the eve of the debate to raise the prospect again of a temporary Greek exit from the eurozone.

Chancellor Merkel told MPs ahead of Friday’s vote that the deal was hard for all sides, but said it was the “last” attempt to resolve the crisis.

Media caption The BBC spoke to

some Germans who said Greece needed EU support “We would be grossly negligent, indeed acting irresponsibly if we did not at least try this path,” she said.

According to Reuters, 60 members - almost a fifth - of Mrs Merkel’s conservative Christian Democrat party voted against the motion.

Austria’s parliament voted in favour of negotiations earlier on Friday, before the outcome of the German vote was announced.

Germany and Austria are among several eurozone states requiring

parliamentary approval to go ahead with bailout talks. France and Finland have already backed the negotiations.

Meanwhile, there have been fresh calls for Greek debt relief measures from International Monetary Fund (IMF) chief Christine Lagarde - echoing a call from Greek PM Alexis Tsipras.

Ms Lagarde told France’s Europe 1 the IMF would participate in a “complete” Greek package that includes debt restructuring, as well as an “in-depth reform” of the Greek economy.

Europe pilots to be psychologically screened

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OMMERCIAL pilots in Europe should undergo psychological assessments as part of their initial training, or before they enter service with an airline say new recommendations from the European Aviation Safety Agency.

EASA also says they should undergo regular testing for drugs and alcohol, and never be left alone in the cockpit.

It was asked by the EC to report on the loss of Germanwings flight 9525.

The aircraft crashed into the Alps in March, killing all 144 on board.

The accident has been blamed on

the co-pilot, Andreas Lubitz, who was in control of the plane at the time.

Evidence from the flight data recorders suggests that he crashed the plane deliberately.

The report was produced by a task force, consisting of 14 senior representatives from airlines, flight crew associations, medical advisors and authorities.

It points out that, although most pilots do undergo psychological evaluations as part of their initial training programmes, this is not always the case.

Some can begin flying commercial aircraft without ever having undergone one.

The report says in future such testing should be made mandatory for all pilots, and the psychological element of regular medical checks should be strengthened.

It adds that because the abuse of alcohol and drugs can potentially harm the mental health of pilots as well as affecting their ability to fly a plane, airlines should be compelled to introduce random testing.

Another controversial issue looked at in the report is data pro-

tection law. It says that “an appropriate balance” needs to be found between patient confidentiality and the need to protect public safety.

A database should also be set up to allow basic medical information about pilots to be shared, and there should also be a “robust oversight programme” to oversee the training and performance of aero-medical advisers.

The report also says that current EASA advice to airlines, which states that there should be at least two people in the cockpit at all times, should be maintained.

US consumer prices up for five months

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NITED States consumer prices rose for a fifth straight month in June, pushed higher by a rise in the cost of fuel and food.

Prices rose 0.3per cent last month after increasing by 0.4per cent in May, according to the Labor Department’s Consumer Price Index.

Continuing price rises are likely to strengthen the case for an increase in US interest rates.

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However, the year-on-year rate is still only 0.1per cent, although excluding food and fuel so-called core inflation was 1.8per cent.

Federal Reserve chair Janet Yellen said this week that a rate rise this year was likely if the economy continued to grow.

Prices at the pump rose 3.4per cent in June on top of a 10.4per cent increase in May. Egg prices surged 18.3per cent, the biggest gain since August 1973. Other US data on Fri-

day also pointed to a strengthening of the US economy.

The Commerce Department said house building jumped by 9.8per cent in June, while the number of building permits issued rose 7.4per cent to a near eight-year high.

The Fed has kept its short-term interest rate near zero for more than six years, but many economists believe rising prices will trigger a rate rise later this year.

Ms Yellen has said she wants to

see more improvements in the economy, particularly the jobs market, but expects rates to rise modestly by the end of the year.

Employers have been adding a healthy 208,000 jobs a month so far this year, and the unemployment rate has fallen to a seven-year low of 5.3per cent.

The dollar rose to a session high against a basket of currencies on the data.

Financial Conduct Authority chief resigns

HE head of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), Martin Wheatley, is to stand down from his post after just two years. He will leave the City regulator in September, the FCA announced.

Chancellor George Osborne thanked Mr Wheatley for his service, adding he had done “a brilliant job of launching the FCA in tough circumstances”.

He added: “The government believes that different leadership is required to build on those foundations.”

Mr Wheatley will be replaced on an interim basis by his deputy, Tracey McDermott, while a search for his successor is launched.

He said he was “incredibly proud” of what he and his team had achieved together in building the FCA over the last four years. “I know that the organisation will build on that strong start and work so that the financial services industry continues to thrive.”

Make no bones about it, the Treasury was behind Martin Wheatley’s surprise decision to stand down as the head of the Financial Conduct Authority.

I am told that discussions were held with the head of the FCA in recent weeks where it was made clear that the Chancellor would not be asking Mr Wheatley to stay on when his contract came up for renewal in

March 2016.

With that sword hanging over his head, Mr Wheatley decided that he would go early.

The Treasury has always had a scratchy relationship with Mr Wheatley who famously said he would “shoot first” and ask questions later when he came across wrong doing in the financial services sector.

The banking industry didn’t much like such a gung-ho attitude and Mr Wheatley was often the subject of poisonous comments from senior banking executives.

Andrew Tyrie, chairman of the Treasury Committee, thanked Mr Wheatley for his work.

He added: “Martin took over at an exceptionally difficult time. He was faced with the challenge of changing the culture of both the regulated community and the regulator, given the exposure by the crisis of the shortcomings of the FSA. “With the interests of millions of consumers to protect, tens of thousands of firms to regulate and the need to secure more competition in the financial services sector, it will be essential to find a high quality successor.”

Mr Wheatley joined the forerunner to the FCA, the Financial Services Authority (FSA), in September 2011 before moving on to take over from Hector Sants as chief executive of the

HE Nasdaq composite hit a record high on Friday on strong results from Google (GOOGL.O), while the Dow and the S&P 500 fell, dragged down by Boeing (BA.N) and energy stocks.

A sharp drop in crude prices pushed the S&P 500 energy index .SPNY down 1.37 percent to its lowest level since January 2013. Exxon, down 0.7 percent, and Chevron, down 1.5 percent, were the biggest drag on the sector and also weighed on the broader market.

U.S. crude CLc1 dropped 1.39 percent and Brent LCOc1 declined 0.74 percent on concerns of growing oversupply. [O/R] Google surged over 16.7 percent to a record high of $702.11, a day after reporting strong ad revenue growth that led to its profit beating estimates for the first time in six quarters.

The strong report rubbed off on Facebook (FB.O), expected to report next week. Its shares rose nearly 5 percent to a record high of $95.39.

“While earnings have beaten low expectations, the market is looking for forward guidance,” said David O’Malley, chief executive of Penn Mutual Asset Management.

Malley said the markets need to see better earnings for it to move higher and break out of the sideways action that has characterized much of the year.

At 11:00 a.m. ET the Nasdaq Composite .IXIC was up 30.27 points, or 0.59 percent, at 5,193.45. The index touched a record intraday high of 5,197.61.

Shareholders approve controversial Samsung C&T merger

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HE merger would consolidate the founding family’s control over the Samsung group. One of South Korea’s most controversial mergers has been given approval by shareholders of the construction company Samsung C&T. The deal will see the firm taken over by holding company Cheil Industries, another part of the Samsung group. The merger is strongly opposed by some of Samsung C&T’s shareholders, led

by US hedge fund Elliott Associates.

For Samsung’s founding family, the move is a crucial step in consolidating control of the conglomerate.

Shareholders in Cheil Industries approved the merger earlier on Friday. Shares in Samsung C&T fell 10.4 per cent and Cheil Industries dropped 7.7 per cent after the merger was approved.

Elliott Associates, which is the second largest single shareholder in C&T, says the takeover significantly undervalues the company’s stock.

Marks and Spencer clothing boss quits

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OHN Dixon, the head of Marks and Spencer’s non-food division, has quit after 26 years at the retailer.

He took over running the clothing and homewares business in 2012 after starting out on the shop floor.

M&S has battled to revive the division, most recent figures showed like-for-like sales down 0.4 per cent in the quarter, in contrast, food sales were up 0.3 per cent.

Dixon had been regarded as a contender to become M&S chief executive if Marc Bolland decides to leave. However, Steve Rowe, the head of food, is said to be a more likely successor.

Rowe will now assume responsibility for the non-food business, while Andy Adcock steps up to become director of food.

Retal analyst Nick Bubb said: “It is a shame that John is leaving, but it looks as if he was moving down the internal pecking order at M&S, having been given the thankless task of running M&S clothing.

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THE NATION

BUSINESS INSURANCE

NEM Insurance repositions to grow its oil and gas business

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EM Insurance Plc is deploring resources in increasing its contribution to the oil and gas business in the country, Group Managing Director of the company, Tope Smart has said.

He made this known during a briefing and facility tour of its multi-million naira head office in Lagos.

Smart said the company had positioned itself to deepen insurance penetration in oil and gas and become one of the top three insurance firms in the country.

Aside, the company was also looking at partnering other insurance companies by way of acquisition or merger to become a big player in the insurance industry locally and globally, he added.

He also said that the company’s new headquarters has impacted not only on the company’s image but on the insurance industry.

The industry has moved from where it was five years ago with a lot of potentials in the industry.

The issues of confidence and lack insurance awareness that have held the industry down is fast easing out.

Stories by Omobola Tolu-Kusimo

This he said, has been addressed by the positive response of insurance companies to claims payment.

He said: “It is good to have a structure of this nature in the industry. The building has impacted on NEM and on the industry. Since the commissioning of the building, we have been receiving several visitors and many of them have been surprised that this can happen in an industry that has been written off. But now it is making progress particularly with this kind of structure in place and they now believe that there is a great future ahead.

“We are excited that the level of confidence in the industry is totally different from what it used to be before. The level of confidence has risen and to that extent, so many people now believe in the industry. You will agree with me that the industry has improved by way of response; response to some of the big claims which is in billions of naira that happened in the last five years. This gives a kind of confidence in the insuring public.

• From left: Director, Prestige Assurance Plc, Mr. K. Sanathkumar; Dr Swamy and Chairman, Mr. Gopalan Srinivasan during the company’s 45th Annual General Meeting in Lagos.

Some of the busineses that were taken abroad four to five years ago have come back to Nigeria because of the kind of response that the industry gave to claims payment.”

The NEM boss emphasised that on the part of the company, it had always been responsible, reliable and faithful to its clients.

“Although we are not yet there but we are evolving and our focus is to be one of the top three insur-

ance company in Nigeria. There is a lot of prospect and the potential in the industry. We have reengineered our operation and tried to differentiate our brand from others through our attitude and character.

“We have had influx of foreign investors in the country and people have been talking about consolidation. I agree that there must be synergies for us to grow faster.

The bigger we get, the better for us. We at NEM are looking at towards partnering either by way of acquisition or merger. We believe that it improves on the entire industry.

“Insurers should not be threatened by the foreign investors because it is good competition that will separate the boys from the men. So, it is a welcome development,” he added.

Pension funds burn cities as $1tr shortfall set to grow

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• From left: Assistant General Manager Corporate Affairs NEM Insurance Plc, Mojisola Teluwo; Group Managing Director NEM Insurance Plc, Mr. Tope Smart and Deputy Managing Director, Abisola Giwa-Osagie, during company’s briefing/ facility tour of the new head office in Lagos.

Prestige records N2.65b premium income

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RESTIGE Assurance Plc has written a recorded a gross premium of N2.65 billion in the financial year ended 2014, the company Managing Director, Balla Swamy has said.

He made this known at the Company’s 45 th Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos.

According to him, profit for the year was N176.75 million while reinsurance expenses stood at N1.52 billion.

He added that while taxation stood at N160.8 million during the year under review, retained earnings stood at N14.18 million.

He said the net premium income is N1.33 billion, profit before taxation is N176.75, profit after taxation is n14.18 million, total assets is N11.89 billion and shareholders’ funds is N4.58 billion.

Speaking on prompt claims payment, Swamy said the company continues to improve on its prompt claims payment policy with the sum of N1.93 billion payout in 2014.

He added that the solvency margin of the company in the year under review is N4.69 billion as against the N3 billion required

noting that this bears a testimony to the strength of the company.

He pointed out that the 63 years old company is set to reposition its business and turn around its fortune through delivery of prompt, efficient and qualitative services to its numerous clients, constantly rewarding its shareholders with adequate returns on their investments and also contribute to the development of insurance business in the Nigerian economy.

He added that in the quest to reposition the Company in the industry and increase its share capital, it offered for subscription N1.5 billion rights issue which was 113.59 per cent subscribed.

He said: “In a renewed vigor for providing excellent on-line-realtime services, the Company has launched its operations into Cloud which is accessible via cloud computing whereby large group of remote servers are networked so as to allow sharing of data-processed tasks, centralised data storage, and online access to computer services or resources via the browser.

“In pursuant to the positive impact of good corporate governance

structure in every forward looking organization, the Company remained committed to the principle that promotes good corporate governance hence there is constant review of processes and practices to ensure compliance with the legislative and best practice changes in the global corporate governance environment.

“In support of the local content in Nigeria, Prestige is finalising reinsurance program for oil and energy treaty to the tune of $10 million covering Nigerian oil and energy risks both on shore and off shore and five million US$ for aviation.”

He stressed that the company was embarking on opening of more branches in addition to its four branches in order to reach easily and serve efficiently our numerous clients.

As a proactive organisation, Prestige has positioned itself as a mega financial supermarket for its esteemed clients by offering Lease Financing, Guaranteed Commercial Papers, Bankers’ Acceptances and investment in real estate for letting to positively reflect in the company’s performance, he said.

HE cost to American cities for their cash-strapped pension funds is starting to look a lot worse, and it’s not because the stockmarket rally may be losing steam, Bloomberg has reported.

Houston was warned by Moody’s Investors Service this month that it may be downgraded because of mounting retirement bills, the latest municipality put on notice as the company ignores bookkeeping gimmicks that let cities mask the size of their debt for years. The approach foreshadows accounting rules for even top-rated issuers that are poised to cause pension shortfalls to swell as new financial reports are released.

“If you’re AAA or AA rated and you’ve got significant and visible unfunded pension obligations, you’ve only got one direction to go in terms of rating, and that’s potentially down,” said Jeff Lipton, head of municipal research in New York at Oppenheimer & Co. “It’s the presentation on the balance sheet that is now going to drive urgency.”

Cities that shortchanged pensions for years are under growing pressure to boost their contributions, even after windfalls from a stock market that’s tripled since early 2009. Janney Montgomery Scott has said growing retirement costs are

“the largest cloud overhanging” the $3.6 trillion municipal-bond market, where investors are demanding higher yields from borrowers under the greatest strain.

Chicago pays That was on display this week for Chicago, whose credit rating was cut to junk by Moody’s in May because of a $20 billion pension shortfall. The city was forced to pay yields of almost 8 percent on taxable bonds maturing in 2042, about twice what some homeowners can get on a 30-year mortgage.

Estimates of the pension-fund deficits facing states and cities vary, depending on the assumptions used to calculate the cost of bills due over the next several decades. According to Federal Reserve figures, they have $1.4 trillion less than needed to cover promised benefits.

Officials have been able to lower the size of the liability by counting on investment earnings of more than 7 percent a year, even after they expect to run out of cash. New rules from the Governmental Accounting Standards Board require a lower rate to be used after retirement plans go broke. Many reported shortfalls will grow as a result.

IAIS begins public consultation on HLA

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HE International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS) has begun a public consultation to help finalise development of the Higher Loss Absorbency (HLA) requirement for global systemically important insurers (G-SIIs).

The IAIS is seeking feedback through 21 August on several options to further support and inform the design, development and calibration of the HLA. In July 2013, the IAIS published its assessment methodology and policy measures for G-SIIs. These policy measures include a HLA requirement, the primary purpose of which is to help reduce the probability and impact on the financial system of the distress or failure of a G-SII. The HLA is to be delivered to the G20 for endorsement in November 2015 and will apply to GSIIs from 2019.

As a foundation for HLA requirements, the IAIS developed in October 2014 the Basic Capital Requirements (BCR) to apply to all group activities, including non-insurance activities, of G-SIIs. When the HLA is implemented, G-SIIs will be expected to hold qualifying regulatory capital that is not less than the sum of the required capital amounts from the BCR and HLA. The public consultation does not focus on specific formulas but rather seeks feedback on a structure designed to address the key objectives of risk sensitivity, robustness and simplicity.

The IAIS has also released additional information regarding the development of its risk-based, global insurance capital standard (ICS), which will apply to internationally active insurance groups (IAIGs) as part of the IAIS’ common framework for the supervision of IAIGs, or ComFrame.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

35

THE NATION

BUSINESS JOBS

• Web content writer

Can you write? Then, there is a job waiting for you as a content writer on websites and blogs, which subscribers can access on their mobile devices. Online businesses and marketers are increasing their spending on content marketing, reports, DANIEL ESSIET.

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S more people access the web from their laptops, smart phones and tablets, the demand for digital content is growing. Online companies have found that attractive prices, huge inventories and responsive online ordering aren’t enough to attract traffic. The missing ingredient, according to them, is quality content to inspire repeat visits. To them, quality content is reading materials that are of value to their target markets.

Moreover, the best content comes from writers. Content writers are professional writers who produce engaging text for use over the internet. They’re Internet-savvy individuals who create articles, blogs and other forms of written web materials.

In the last five years, new content opportunities are emerging on the net, an internationally recognised web content writer, Bamidele Onibalusi said.

Onibalusi, who has been successful as a web content writer started offering his services since December 2010. Since then, he has never looked back for any other job.

From his online earnings, he has been able to establish a commercial fish farm

Writing to hit mega bucks that has provided employment people. Compared to when he started five years ago, demand for web content writers has increased massively and it’ll continue to increase.

Onibalusi said this is due to the rise of a trend called “content marketing” online.

Basically, content marketing involves educating and informing audiences through online media. Realising the importance of content marketing, businesses worldwide have increased their budgets for it. This means, better days are here for web content writers.

Onibalusi said writers are raking in the cash. One area that he made money as a web content writer was in the area of writing landing page content on websites. A landing page is any page on a website where traffic

is sent specifically to prompt a certain action, or result.

He also writes blog posts and guest blogs for clients. In the last five years, his reputation has risen, drawing attention internationally. His portfolio contains large amounts of marketing materials such as printed flyers, brochures, e-books and emails that he has done for people and organisaions.

His stories and articles have appeared in newspapers and magazines in different countries.

Onibalusi, who runs a writing blog (writersincharge.com) that has been read by over a million people, said there’s high demand for writers online, internationally, and this is a great opportunity those who are willing to use their writing skills to earn an

income.

Businesses are in search of content writers to create content for the web including sales copy, e-books, podcasts and text for graphics. They are required to produce the content for many different types of websites, including blogs, social networks, e-commerce sites, news aggregators and college websites.

Aside from writing content, these writers might also be responsible for making sure the sites’ pages and content connect. They’re also responsible for setting the overall tone of the site. Content writers accomplish these tasks by researching and deciding what information to include or exclude from the site.

Onibalusi said a lot of youths with writing talents can carve a career for themselves as web content writers. Another celebrated web content writer is Michael Chibuzor. He is the owner of contentmarketingup.com. He has made so much from web content writing business. He has now, ventured into offline projects through income from his writing services.

•Continued on page 36

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

JOBS

Writing to hit mega bucks •Continued from page 35

Victor Ijidola, owner of startupwithgreatsales.com. He is gradually building himself as a successful web content writer. Beside working with international clients and charging them a premium, Ijidola has written for Forbes, Problogger and other key publications. A lot of Nigerians who are making it through website content writing wear many hats. Some are skilled copywriters, web content producer, content editor, website and search engine optimisation (SEO) consultant, freelance journalists and editors.

Their main service offerings include web copywriting, content editing, search engine optimisation, content marketing, website reviews, web consulting, editing and proofreading.

One example is a former Deputy Editor of City People Quarterly, a subsidiary of City People, Mrs. Iyabo Oyawale. She is a popular fixture on the social media, and earns good money from blogging. She runs two blogs http://naijanetwarriors.com and www.askiyabooyawale.com.

A champion of the “Quit Your Day Job” message, Oyawale is a professional copywriter, web content specialist, website/SEO consultant, journalist and editor. Over the years, she has produced and written quality content for a large variety of reputable businesses, and websites.

Drawing on her journalistic background, she writes web content in British and American English that is understood everywhere.

She writes professional copy for small business websites that improves their visibility in search engines.

According to her, a lot of Nigerians are accessing books, magazines and news content on their laptops, smart phones and tablets than traditional hard copies. This represents a substantial increase in digital content consumption. For this reason, news content media is growing with digital access.

While more Nigerians may be less interested in physical content because of high cost of living, their appetite for digital content

•Samson

• Bamidele

continues to grow. That appetite, coupled with the introduction of new technologies, is leading consumers to access the content they want on a number of different devices.

They are simply watching or reading on different media or platforms.

For this reason, she said digital content consumption’s growth is no longer something businesses can ignore. She said the industry is in need of content writer with skills in search engine optimisation. According to her, SEO has emerged as an important industry in recent years due to the increasing power that a search engine such as Google wields.

As companies try to raise their rankings on Search Engine Results Pages (SERP), she said they are turning to a specialised content writer with SEO skills to accomplish this goal. Such writers understand the art of designing, developing and promoting high quality websites. They have experience with search engine optimisation in a variety of online activities, including web design and web content production.

Content writers trained in SEO techniques and internet marketing help companies to create powerful, persuasive copy that compels and encourages positive audience reaction. As search engines continue to evolve their ranking mechanisms, companies struggle to align their strategies and stay in the game, she said. This makes writing for an internet audience increasingly challenging.

Oyawale said writing has an unbelievably low barrier to entry. According to her, if one is looking to cross the threshold into entrepreneurship, one needs training on SEO. On the whole, she said there has never been a better time to become an online writer than now.

She said the opportunities for those with experience and newbies too! – are greater than ever. While full-time staff positions may require a degree, usually in the arts such as English, all most freelancers have to prove is that they can write.

Online companies hire freelancers without degrees, but have killer writing samples and an understanding of search engine optimisation. Other skills required are excellent computer, research and organisational skills.

On the whole, web content writing is competitive too, but one can earn significantly more as a freelancer once one determine a niche, set own rates, create own service offerings, Oyawale, said. Those preferred are content writers with strong English and writing skills, as well as experience using softwares and technology systems.

The market is open to content writers that use various web formatting tools, such as HTML, CSS and JavaScript, as well as content management systems to help create their work.

While the social media has created a need for writers, there are more opportunities for

SEO content technically written for search engines. These are content written to be found by search engines. It is keyword driven.

According to her, the outlook for writers– especially freelance online writers– has never been better. The opportunities are there in many forms.

The Chief Executive, Business Impact Limited, Olatunde Samson said online content jobs show no signs of slowing despite the situation of the economy as companies turned to freelance hands to control costs and manage uncertainty. According to him, web based copies now require keyword research for search engine optimisation purposes.

Explaining the importance of SEO, Samson said it represents the ranking of a company or organisation’s internet content on web search engines. According to him, SEO content writers are responsible for creating content for websites using keywords that will be ranked highly by such search engines as Google, Yahoo and Bing. The writers, according to him, conduct keyword research to determine the most popular search terms and use analytic tools to monitor and measure ranking performance.

Generally, entry requirements for web content writers vary. However, many writers generally hold a bachelor’s degree in English, marketing, communications or another related field. Most successful content writers come from backgrounds in creative and technical writing, grammar, proofreading, editing and revising.

According to experts, good research skills are essential, as they are required to use and cite authoritative sources to gain credibility. Samson said SEO content writers must master the art of incorporating precise keywords into their writing in order to optimise the companies ranking on search engines.

This is because some clients provide a list of keywords to be used in articles, while other SEO content writers are left to the task of researching and developing lists of their own.

He said content writers need expertise in social media as some SEO content writing jobs may have social media and blogging components. He said aspiring SEO writers should be familiar with using the most popular social media and willing to adopt new technologies and applications as they emerge.

Few companies are currently offering positions for in-house SEOs. An SEO specialist is responsible for optimising page content, researching keywords, building links, adding content, among others. The range is very wide due to experience and opportunity. In some settings, a content writer is a critical part of an SEO firm.

EMPOWERMENT CLINIC

Taming team conflict for organisational and national devt (II) Best approach to tackling workplace crises

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AST week, we said the fact is that conflict is inevitable when people interact and it is important that we know how to handle it. We added that irrespective of the conflict level, the first step in its management is to deal with it. We said action teams are critical to finding a solution and also educated on the membership and leadership of the teams.

Leadership When it comes to the roles that people will hold in the team, the first one to fill is that of the team leader. This is the person who must keep the meetings moving forward and ensure that all members are involved. The focus should be to look forwards to solutions rather than rehashing problems once they have been clearly identified.

The team leader must also be prepared to hold members accountable for their performance when necessary. When choosing a team leader, select someone who has emotional intelligence and reputation for high performance. Another critical position in

By Goke Ilesanmi

the team is that of the secretary.

This person is responsible for capturing the meeting proceedings.

These written minutes and assignments should be distributed to everybody in the team not later than 24 hours after the meeting so that everyone can know his or her tasks for that week. The secretary can be selected by the leader at the first team meeting.

Progress and procedure To start the problem-solving process with an action team, choose a problem. Ensure that you carefully word your “problem to be solved” so that there is a clear understanding of the expected results of your action team. Then send out an email to all selected members of the team, requesting their participation in the team.

At the first meeting, you should brief team members on the importance of their assistance in the team, noting that it is just as important, if not even more than their normal responsibilities.

You can easily solve the problem by having a schedule. The process should typically follow this outline: Week one involves clearly defining the problem and researching the issues and related data. This

may include figuring out cost items and looking at different, possible solutions.

Week two is used to review the issues and the data, identifying new or modified procedures, and to identify updates or changes required to reporting systems. You want to track how the changes are affecting the business, so you need to establish some kind of measure to monitor.

Week three is used to finalise the new procedures through group interaction. In other words, the team is starting to establish written procedures on new, required actions.

Week four culminates with the final draft of all new procedures and an implementation of the plan. The result should be a new standard operating procedure and training on how to use the new process that is being created.

Deploying interpersonal skills One of the solutions to conflict is possession of a reservoir of interpersonal skills. The good news is that there are several concrete things you can do to improve your interpersonal skills and become closer to your colleagues. One of them is to create an environment

that encourages others to work together. You should also take a step beyond simply bringing people together and become someone who resolves conflicts when they arise.

Another one is to pay close attention to both what you say and how you say it. The good news is that we can develop these skills with minimal efforts. Emotional intelligence is also very critical.

Organisations emphasise this and other social skills because they want people who will work well in a team and are able to communicate effectively with colleagues, customers and others. Interpersonal skills are not just important in the workplace, our personal and social lives can also benefit from better interpersonal skills. People with interpersonal skills are usually seen as confident, charismatic and calm.

Final note Team conflict is inevitable when people interact. However, it is important that we know how to handle it and get the best out of it so that an atmosphere of peace can be restored.

PS: For those making inquiries about our Public Speaking, Business Presentation and Professional

•Ilesanmi

Writing Skills programme, please visit the website indicated on this page for details.

•GOKE ILESANMI, Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is an International Platinum Columnist, Professional Public Speaker/MC, Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker and Career Management Coach.

He is also a Book Reviewer, Biographer and Editorial Consultant.

Tel: 08055068773; 08187499425 Email: gokeiles2010@gmail.com Website: www.gokeilesanmi.com

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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THE CEO

‘Economic diversification should be cornerstone of national growth plan’ Chief Marketing Officer, Flobal Trust Limited and former Regional Head, Public Sector, Southsouth and Southeast, Ecobank Nigeria Plc, Mr. Abayomi Adeyeri, in this interview with TAOFIK SALAKO, speaks on how Nigeria can create an enduring economic growth.

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HAT should be done to deepen the Nigerian capital market and enhance domestic participation?

The Nigeria capital market is largely driven by the activities of foreign investors.

T!herefore, anytime they sneeze, the market catches cold as they have always been accountable for about 60 per cent of the volume in the market. Therefore as soon as there was sign of naira devaluation in the last quarter of last year, the market went flat as a result of their exit to protect their investment and convert back to dollars. I think one major way to deepen the capital market is by making the capital market investment environment more conducive. The promotion of online trading by the NSE is a welcome idea. This will enable the retail end of the market to be more active and larger proportion of the investing public will now be interested. It is also expected that SEC in collaboration with NSE should create awareness to the general public and also assure them of safety of investment. The reduction in settlement time for the present T plus 3 to following day settlement will also encourage the investing public.

What business policies should the Buhari administration adopt to grow the economy?

I think, they are taking the right step in the right direction by trying to ensure a solid foundation is laid. I call this the planning stage. I expect this stage to be over very quickly to enable them to begin to run because Nigerians are becoming impatient.

Focusing on reduction of corruption is laudable. It may not be easy to completely eradicate this immediately but the journey of a thousand miles must start with a step. Therefore, they should first block all the leakages of government income being diverted for personal interest while identified past leakages sitting in both local and foreign accounts are recovered and channeled towards infrastructural development.

The government should also look at creating employment for our youths. The major cause of crime in the county today is idleness. If our youths are engaged, they are able to channel energy to nation building rather nation destroying. Today, the poor cannot sleep because they are hungry and most times inside darkness because of power failure. However, it will interest you to know that the rich cannot also sleep because the poor are awake. Therefore, for the rich to live comfortably, the poor must be settled and adequately compensated and I think the administration of Buhari is strongly looking at this.

• Adeyeri

I also know that the administration must immediately diversify our economy. We have always relied on oil but oil has failed us. I expect to begin to see policies that will encourage agriculture. Where is the glory of cocoa today? We must begin to look and see how we can begin to generate more foreign exchange and begin to build our foreign reserves with positive balance of payment assessing alternative export products window outside the regular oil.

Personal finance is an important but often neglected area. What can be done to foster personal finance education and practice among the people?

I think education is very important, people need to understand the concepts, processes and implementation cycles of personal finance and planning. When we talk about personal finance, it is not about a rich man or woman alone, the focus is not on money alone but the entire life of a person and in as much as we are all living, personal finance is like the blood stream needed to sustain good and stress-free life. And it also goes beyond the planner’s life cycle to even his heirs and memories.

According to Wes Moss, the author of a book “You can retire sooner than you think” What determines that you are rich is simply

a relationship of what you have and what you need. As long as what you have covers what you need by 100%, you will be able to achieve a rich ratio of 1. Therefore, we educate our clients to always try and augment their needs as much as possible to at least maintain a minimum rich ratio of 1. Salary earners must always live below their means and ensure they are rooted in aggressive savings. Consequently, they are advised to spend wisely, save regularly and invest prudently.

On our part, we are educating people on financial literacy and personal finance. We •Continued on page 38

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THE CEO •Continued from page 37

have been able to engage staff members of various NNPC and subsidiaries including Chevron on how to be financially intelligent and augment what they have to accommodate what they need.

It is amazing seeing the plight of retirees and others becoming destitute after their working life.

What is the way out of this ugly experience?

From our various workshops and seminars, we have realised that the major challenge we face is lack of planning. Agreed, minimum income in Nigeria may not be ideal but it is a given fact that if you cannot save while earning N18,000 monthly, you may not also be able to save even when your monthly income becomes N180,000. We generally want to follow spending pattern of others resulting from bandwagon effect. We must be disciplined financially. You need to first ascertain your financial location, then determine your financial destination, then choose a vehicle that can easily deliver you to your financial destination. Vehicle can range from investment in money market to capital market and real estate. However, the services of a financial expert may be required for a good foundation and roadmap for a lifetime financial freedom. In Flobal Trust, we are delighted to assist our clients to expand their worth with the experience of our investment experts. We were able to equip participants in the last Warri Business Seminar with the tools required for an interesting and rewarding financial future. I will advise everyone especially those within Delta State to watch out for the next edition of this seminar powered by Flobal Trust, Klass and Korporate Consultants and Breakthrough moment.

We also need to see more of public-private partnerships in solving the retirement problems. We want to encourage governments to partner with companies such as ours to create programmes and trainings that will help to change the civil servants’ mindset regarding financial planning and planning for retirement. We already have proposals with some state governments and we hope for a positive outcome in order to achieve the objective of your last question.

We have designed one programme already titled “Planning for a Secure Future” and this has been delivered to 100 civil servants in Rivers State. It was an eye opener for those that attended based on their comment after the programme. As an advocate of rewarding retirement life, I took a bold step of early retirement after 20 years of bank work to retire and begin to work for myself. It may be rough today but I can assure you with about eight years of planning before early retirement to be an entrepreneur, it can only be better than what it were before now.

Now, looking at your company, Flobal Trust, how do you see your activities impacting on the society in the medium to long-term?

Our vision is to build a world class investment institution with sustainable growth and to expand the worth of our customers by providing innovative investment advice always. Consequently, we go the extra mile to build capacity to ensure that our customers are better informed with happenings in the financial sector and also become masters of their own business world by becoming financially intelligent.

Our mission is to provide an effective platform and enabling environment that will facilitate and ensure convenient and accessible services to our customers. We are launching a site soon that will enable customers conveniently trade on the Nigerian Stock Exchange floor from the comfort of their homes and offices without necessarily interfacing with us. As a re-

‘Economic diversification should be cornerstone of national growth plan’

• Adeyeri

• Adeyeri

• Adeyeri

‘When we talk about personal finance, it is not about a rich man or woman alone, the focus is not on money alone but the entire life of a person and in as much as we are all living, personal finance is like the blood stream needed to sustain good and stress-free life. And it also goes beyond the planner’s life cycle to even his heirs and memories’ sult, they can leverage on timely information for on the spot order execution and consequently expand their asset worth.

From our vision, it is clear that we are determined to add value to our customers by expanding their worth with innovative decisions as much as possible. I spent the last two decades working and adding value to my customers from the various banks I was privileged to work. Therefore coming to the capital market as one of the SECapproved capital market operators in Nigeria, the vision of adding

value to our customers are gradually being met with the various capacity building workshops and investment advice to potential retirees to ensure they have a fulfilled retirement life.

Our primary target markets are the various private and public sector employees as well as the numerous self-employed individuals in our society while we also have the various public sector parastatals and private companies as our secondary target market for asset management advice and capacity building.

We can proudly say that we are already achieving some of the goals of our mission and vision by adding value to the lives of Nigerians. We are in collaboration with two major companies namely Klass and Korporate Consultants and Cordros Capital Limited.

While Klass and Korporate is an international consultant with an office in London and a new one to be opened in the United States later this year, we have been able to execute capacity building training for the staff of Chevron, NNPC, Warri, Department of Petroleum Re-

‘Agreed, minimum income in Nigeria may not be ideal but it is a given fact that if you cannot save while earning N18,000 monthly, you may not also be able to save even when your monthly income becomes N180,000. We generally want to follow spending pattern of others resulting from bandwagon effect. We must be disciplined financially’ sources, Nigeria Gas Company, Warri Refinery and Petrochemical Company, Petroleum Training Institute and the Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue.

The feedback from the above organisations has been overwhelming and we intend to do more especially in the area of building ownership culture amongst public servants in Nigeria to ensure staff motivation and consequently improve productivity. We have proposals in various ministries and banks and we are hopeful to go into partnership with quite a few banks and ministries soon. Collaborating with Cordros Capital in the area of Asset Management is also paving way for some institutions to retain our advisory services in an attempt to ensure increase in their net worth and more returns to stakeholders in the various institutions.

We must not fail to also mention that we co-powered the first Warri Business Seminar in February this year with Klass and Korporate Consultants and Breakthrough Moment. This was a huge success.

We intend to make this a yearly event and the purpose is to empower and equip individuals going into the business world in Delta State and also help business starters to get their feet firmly planted for better productivity. We were also able to incorporate Flobal LLC in Atlanta GA and we hope to go into partnership with some capacity building institutions abroad to build capacity especially as it relates to investment and asset management.

Our plans within the next one year are to ensure we have customer base in excess of 3,000 from the current 300. We should be able to easily achieve this with the new internet online trading product to be launched in September 2015. We also plan to take our newly designed capacity building on ownership culture-Building Public Servant Commitment to a minimum of four states within the next one year with the objective of reaching out to the major key stakeholders in various ministries with the hope of having a paradigm shift to a culture of ownership among public servants in such states.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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Taxation How to obtain, update and validate your Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN)

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HE Taxpayer Identification Number (TIN) is a unique number allocated and issued to identify a person (Individual or Company) as a duly registered Taxpayer in Nigeria. It is for use by that Taxpayer ALONE. Registration for tax purposes is a legal obligation of every person who is required to pay tax in Nigeria.

The following necessary details for obtaining and updating TIN should be presented to the Tax Office nearest to the address of the Taxpayer.

Requirement for obtaining TIN For a Company, Enterprise or Business registered with the Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) • Duly complete Application form for TIN; • EITHER Certificate of Incorporation (for a Company) OR Business Name Registration Certificate (for an Enterprise & Business) showing clearly the Registration Number in each case; • Documents containing the following information: i. Address of Company, Enterprise or Business; ii. Principal location of business; iii. Date of Commencement of business.

For an Individual who (or whose business) is not registered with the CAC: • Duly complete Application form for TIN • Any of the following valid (current) identification documents: - International Passport; - National Identity Card; - Staff Identity Card (employed persons); - National Driver’s License.

The following RULES are important: (i) All information marked * on the application form MUST be provided; (ii) The characters of the NAME i.e. letters and other symbols constituting the name MUST NOT exceed two hundred (200); (iii) The characters of the ADDRESS also MUST NOT exceed two hundred (200); (iv) Email address must be UNIQUE and ACTIVE; (v) Mobile Telephone Number MUST be eleven (11) digits e.g. (08763201210).

Updating TIN Updating TIN under the ‘National Sin-

gle Window’ System is a requirement for taxpayers with incomplete records with Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS).

TIN may be updated at the Tax Office where it was initially generated by providing the following additional information: • Email Address; • Phone Number.

After updating, the system indicates that “The TIN has been successfully updated”.

The Joint Tax Board TIN (JTB TIN) It is important for a person to note the following information about the JTB TIN: (i) The JTB TIN is designed to subsequently replace the current TIN and is already in use within FIRS and several other States of Nigeria; (ii) The major difference is that the JTB TIN has ten (10) digits, it is uniform and general across Nigeria. It is UNIQUE for every registered taxpayer in Nigeria and not limited to FIRS Taxpayers alone; (iii) The JTB TIN is presently being issued out at the point of registration and also updated by FIRS and the States which have so far adopted it; (iv) Every Taxpayer in Nigeria will ultimately be required to possess and use ONLY the JTB TIN.

Validating TIN TIN validation is the process of confirming that the updated TIN meets the necessary conditions for transacting business with other Organizations such as Nigerian Customs Service (NCS), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC), etc.

‘

TIN may be updated at the Tax Office where it was initially generated by providing the following additional information: • Email Address;• Phone Number.After updating, the system indicates that ‘The TIN has been successfully updated’.

‘

• Acting Executive Chairman, FIRS, Samuel Ogungbesan

A Taxpayer can validate his/her TIN directly on the FIRS Trade Portal i.e. www.trade.gov.ng/firs by following the simple procedure and rules below: (i) Enter the TIN and the same email address that was provided to the Tax Office when updating; (ii) NEXT, enter the security word (captcha) and click on “Validate”; (iii) If the validation is successful, the following confirmation notice shall be displayed: “Register with NCS - Done” (iv) THEN, an automatic email notification from “Nigeria Single Window” with a log-in password and instruction on how to complete the registration process would be sent to the Taxpayer’s email address; (v) Upon completing the validation exercise, an email will automatically be sent to the email address provided confirming successful validation. A Taxpayer should therefore check the email including spam folder.

Authenticating TIN This is for the Taxpayer to re-confirm his/her updated and validated TIN. A Taxpayer experiencing difficulty in validating TIN (receiving Error Messages) should seek professional assistance from the Tax Office or send email to: tspd@firs.gov.ng or taxpayer.service@firs.gov.ng •Source: FIRS

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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BUSINESS EXTRA

A

member of the House of Rep resentatives, Hon Sergius Ogun, has described as outrageous, the N4 trillion spent as fuel subsidy by the Federal Government, urging President Muhammadu Buhari to stop further bleeding of the nation’s foreign reserves through this dubious method.

Ogun who is representing Esan Northeast and Southeast Local Government area of Edo State in the Lower Chamber, said instead of importation, local refining capacity should be strengthened by removing the hurdles on the way of private sector participation in the crude oil refining business in the country.

He said: “Given the twin factors of declining oil price and its effect on Nigeria’s foreign reserve as well as the pressure on the exchange rate stability in an import-dependent

N4tr fuel subsidy payment not sustainable, says Rep From Jeremiah Oke, Abeokuta

economy, there is an urgent need to encourage local refining given the over N4 trillion expended on importation. As part of the Nigeria’s Energy Security Strategy, fuel subsidy must be stopped henceforth. This is the solution given the environment of declining oil export.

“Domestic refining has a multiplier effect on the economy by feed stock for the fertiliser, power, manufacturing, and petrochemical industries. In a nut shell, the subsidy should be removed without

Samsung coasts to victory in proxy battle over $8b merger

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AMSUNG Group’s founding family has scored a narrow win in a landmark proxy battle, fending off an activist investor opposed to an $8billion deal that cements its grip as a new generation prepares to take the reins of South Korea’s biggest conglomerate.

At an often-heated shareholder meeting, investors in builder Samsung C&T Corp approved an allshare takeover offer from sister firm Cheil Industries Inc, Samsung’s de facto holding company – but only just. With the backing of two-thirds of votes cast needed for success, some 69.53 per cent of shares voted supported the tie-up.

U.S. hedge fund Elliott Associates, with a 7.1 per cent Samsung C&T stake, had led the charge against the deal, saying it undervalued the target. That view was shared by an im-

passioned group of domestic retail investors, who saw a merger that bolsters the Lee family’s control of Samsung Electronics Co as riding roughshod over minority interests.

“While the deal will boost Samsung’s restructuring, Samsung lost the faith of a lot of foreign and minority shareholders,” said Kang Dong-oh, a proxy representative for an online forum of minority shareholders against the merger.

Each of the two firms has stakes in key Samsung companies, including flagship tech giant Samsung Electronics. With 73-year-old group patriarch Lee Kun-hee hospitalised following a heart attack last year, the C&T-Cheil merger consolidates holdings into one entity firmly under the control of 47-year-old heirapparent Jay Y. Lee and his two sisters.

NAHCO begins cargo operations OREMOST ground handling at Enugu Airport operator, NAHCO Aviance,

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has commenced full cargo operations at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport, Enugu.

The Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Mrs. Mrs. Chinwe Chiji – Nnorom, who spoke for the managing and chief executive officer , Mr. Norbert Bielderman said the opening of the two warehouses, one within the airport, and the other a few metres from the airport would further enhance the development of the air cargo business in the south east, and the country as a whole.

Bielderman a few weeks ago inspected the warehouses where he directed that it must start full operations before his embarked on his vacation.

Bielderman also used the visit to meet with the Customs hierarchy

at the Enugu Area Command where the modalities for effective cargo operations were agreed upon.

But speaking in Lagos at the weekend, the Chief Financial Officer of the Company, Mrs. Chinwe Chiji – Nnorom, said the opening of the Enugu warehouses is a major milestone for the Company in its determination to ensure that the economy of Nigeria is further developed through the development of other airports in the country outside of Lagos Airport.

Chiji – Nnorom assured that the same excellent services NAHCO Aviance is known for in Lagos would be available for all users of the Company’s services at the Enugu Airport.

hesitation by the administration President Buhari.”

The lawmaker said this is the appropriate time to muster the political will to stop the racket known as fuel subsidy, adding that the economic distortions created by the subsidy issue is monumental.

“Yes, this is the right time for government to remove fuel subsidy.

The distortion created by paying about 30 individuals who do not create quantum value to the local economy and populace over N4 trillion must stop now. We should be utilising the foreign reserve for manufacturing, processing and ancillary services.

“The private refinery option has already been approved a long time

ago. However, the issue of accessing capital from financial institutions in a regulated environment and its effects on the cash flow projection for cost recovery makes the project unbankable. On the short term, the governance and marketing model for the current refineries should be like the NLNG (Nigeria Liquified Natural Gas) model in order to be optimally run.”

Speaking on the impact of the local content policy on the industry, he said Local content created a level playing field for the indigenous companies, there were services the local companies would never have been able to bid for. With the Act, the IOCs were compelled to advertise these services, the indigenous

•Ogun

companies that did not have capacity collaborated with companies outside the shores of this country by so doing there was quick transfer of technology. It is not yet Uhuru as the NCDMB should be encouraged to provide more support to the indigenous companies.

Google stock surge creates record $65.1b in shareholders’ wealth G

OOGLE Inc.’s stock roared out of a long slumber to produce the biggest shareholder windfall in U.S. history as investors rewarded the Internet company for promising to curb its spending on risky projects.A 16-per-cent surge in Google’s publicly traded stock translated into an additional $65.1-billion (U.S.) in shareholder wealth, on paper at least.

That barely topped the previous record one-day gain of $65-billion by Cisco Systems Inc. in April, 2000, after the computer networking equipment maker had suffered a steep drop in the previous week, according to S&P Dow Jones Indices. More recently, iPhone maker Apple Inc. posted a $46.4-billion one-day gain in April, 2012, after its quarterly earnings wowed Wall Street.

Google’s gigantic run-up came after the Mountain View, California, company reported quarterly earnings that topped analyst estimates for the first time since late 2013. The company’s inability to hit the targets that steer investors had raised doubts about

Google that had caused its stock to lag the rest of the market since the end of 2013.

Investors were even more impressed with a message of newfound austerity delivered by Google’s new chief financial officer, Ruth Porat. In prepared remarks and in responses to analyst questions posed in a late Thursday conference call, Porat repeatedly stressed that Google intends to control its costs more diligently.

The words placated investors who had become increasingly frustrated with Google’s penchant for spending on projects that had little or nothing to do with its man business of Internet search and advertising – areas that the company has long dominated.

The expansion into more experimental areas, such as self-driving cars, Internet-beaming balloons, and Internet-connected eyewear, had been contributing to a pattern of Google’s operating expenses increasing at a

faster clip than its revenue growth.

Although Google has still been making plenty of money, many investors believed the company needed to clamp down on expenses. Google CEO Larry Page and fellow cofounder Sergey Brin, who wield voting control over the company, resisted the demands until having an apparent change of heart in March when they lured Porat away as CFO at investment bank Morgan Stanley to take the same job at Google.

Porat, known for astute budget management, didn’t start working at Google until late May, but she has already quickly justified her pay package of roughly $70-million.

“People are feeling pretty good about Google now,” said S&P Capital IQ analyst Scott Kessler. “People are saying, ‘Wow, look at what we are already seeing with Ruth there. Let’s see what happens when she has time to make a really positive impact.”

Kazakhstan to build new refinery

K

AZAKHSTAN will construct a new – fourth refinery in the Mangistau region, Rakimbek Amirjanov, the deputy akim of the Mangistau region said at a briefing this week.

He also noted that the construction of the refinery will be conducted jointly with Iran, local Kazakh media reported.

“Akimat is considering the construction of Kazakhstan’s fourth refinery jointly with the Iranian side.

We have conducted an analysis and received a confirmation from the Iranian side,” he stressed. “Currently, we have offered to jointly construct a refinery. It will be located in the Mangistau region. Oil products will be sent from Mangistau to the northern ports of Iran.”

Amirjanov went on to add that Iran and Kazakhstan have already held a number of official negotiations.

Also, there are large companies in Kazakhstan that are interested in investing in this project.

A feasibility study of the project on construction of the fourth refinery should be completed in the near future and a relevant agreement for the construction of the refinery will be signed by the end of the year.

The approximate minimum amount of investment in the construction of the project is estimated at $6 billion.

Kazakhstan has some oil refineries, which are located in Shymkent (country’s southern part), Atyrau (western part) and Pavlodar (northern part).

They do not meet the needs of the petroleum products market of the country. The deficit in the country is about one and a half million tons or 30 percent of the total market.

Due to this, the country is now upgrading all the existing oil refineries, and this process will end in 2016. As a result, Kazakhstan’s needs in light oil products, corresponding to Euro 4 and Euro 5 quality standards, will be fully met in 20172022.

• From left: Manager Sales, Dana Plast Limited, Mr. Aderinlewo Olulere; General Manager, Dana Plast Limited, Mr. Atanu Datta, and MD/ CEO of Lagos Sate Printing Corporation, Mr. Oyewule Adeniyi during the presentation of an award to Dana Plast as "Africa's most reliable plastic products company of the year 2015"

World Bank expresses faith in China’s reforms HE World Bank believes that China remains committed to an economic and financial-sector overhaul, the international lender’s chief said Friday, despite concerns that Beijing may delay reform plans to support a slowing economy and stem a stock-market swoon.

“I’m convinced that their resolve and commitment to their reforms is as strong as ever,” President Jim Yong Kim told reporters at a briefing in Beijing, a day after meetings with top Chinese officials, including Premier Li Keqiang, Finance Minister Lou Jiwei

T

and central-bank chief Zhou Xiaochuan.

“We see that, in terms of fiscal reforms, financial reforms, even reforms of things like the hukou system, their resolve absolutely continues to be there,” Mr. Kim said. “We’re confident that the reform process will continue.”

China has been gradually scaling back the state’s role in the world’s second-largest economy, such as by liberalizing financial markets and dismantling the hukou system, which curbs rural-urban migration by tying benefits like health care and education

to a person’s place of birth.

But slowing economic growth has prompted Beijing to backtrack on certain reforms, such as those aimed at reining in ballooning local-government debt. Regulators also took drastic steps in recent weeks to arrest a stock-market collapse, including ordering companies and fund managers to buy stocks and making it easier for small investors to borrow to buy stocks?measures that observers criticized as undue government interference and a setback for financial-market liberalization.

43

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

BUSINESS EXTRA

‘Banks are encroaching into travel agencies business’ Travel agencies in Nigeria are grappling with a myriad of challenges not limited to zero commission from foreign carriers and infiltration into the business by deposit money banks (MDBs). President, National Association of Nigerian Travel Agencies (NANTA), Alhaji Aminu Agoha, spoke to KELVIN OSA OKUNBOR, on a wide range of issues affecting the industry.

This growing trend portrays a OW disturbing is the threat gently find a way of curbing this situation whereby the ‘This growing trend dangerous of commercial banks sell- trend. banks have abandoned their core ing airline tickets to the The refusal of airlines to join the portrays a dangerous business of providing financial servBSP is hindering travel agency general public to the business of to the public and are delving situation whereby ices business in Nigeria; precisely how travel agencies? into a business venture that they are The threat is real. Banks in Ni- bad is this scenario? legally licensed to perform. the banks have aban- not Airlines that have not joined the geria have become “jack of all What about non compliance with trades” and are gradually and BSP scheme are the ones losing out doned their core busi- procedures by some airlines? consistently encroaching on all because we are unable to sell their With the implementation of the ness of providing fi- Billing businesses including specialized tickets efficiently and effectively.

Settlement Plan (BSP) in Niareas such as ours. Banks are not Lately, we have also been calling on geria it was expected that ALL Airnancial services to the licensed to act as Airline agents. the necessary authorities to compel lines would operate on the BSP PlatTravel agents undergo a rigorous foreign airlines to partner with Lopublic and are delving form as is done worldwide. Seven cal airlines through the interline faaccreditation process before they are after full implementation into a business ven- years allowed to sell airline tickets. Why cility, rather than give the forhowever, some Airlines have reare airlines colluding with banks to eignairlines multiple landing rights to join the BSP thereby disture that they are not fused sell tickets by offering banks into the country. This can only be torting the market. We wish that commission and offering agents possible if our local airlines join the legally licensed to all Airlines operating in Nigeria be none? Recently, the general public BSP scheme. compelled to conform to the system perform.’

What is the market share of the has been inundated with adverts by that has been fully embraced by the

H

Banks in this country making ridiculous offers to the general public for the purchase of air tickets from such banks.

In practical terms how much are travelling agencies losing to this unprofessional practice?

Some travel agencies have folded up while others are downsizing.

This is certainly bad for our economy especially now that the government is looking for ways to create jobs for its citizenry.

Are there plans to engage the Central Bank of Nigeria to address this infraction?

Yes, we have written a letter to the CBN and have sort audience with the Governor of the Central Bank to discuss this issue.

The issue of fare disparity is assuming frightening dimensions.

Passengers prefer to travel through Ghana and other countries than directly through Nigeria, how could this be addressed?

We have tried to address this issue at various forums. In April 2012, I made a presentation on behalf of the Association to the then Senate Committee on aviation and detailed all the sharp practices employed by some international airlines operating in Nigeria. We have also called a press conference to alert the government and people of Nigeria about this issue and it is my hope that the incoming administration will take a critical look and engage professionals to map out strategies that will check the trend. We should not be taken advantage of, just because our people love to travel.

Has NANTA drawn the attention of NCAA to this infraction?

What has been the response?

Yes, efforts were made to address the issue during the tenure of Mr Harold Demuren who red red a riot act to all the airlines, but there has been no follow up after his departure from the NCAA. We have also recently written to them on the need to call a stakeholder’s meeting to ur-

entire travel agencies in Nigeria ?

This is estimated at about 79 per cent as pronounced by the Airlines at the end of 2014.

Most Nigerians do not know the difference could you please expatiate between travel agencies and travel management companies?

A travel agency is a private retailer or public service that provides travel and tourism related services to the public on behalf of suppliers such as airlines, car rentals, cruise lines, hotels, railways, and package tours. A travel management company is a business travel agent that manages an organisation’sbusiness travel requirements. In addition to making reservations, a travel management company will help an organization gain control and visibility of their annual expenditure on travel. The major difference between the two lie in the fact that while the travel agency works for the general public, travel management companies work for organizations.

Why is Nigeria the preferred destination by many foreign carriers?

In my opinion, it is mostlybecause the Open Skies agreement is skewed in their favour. Also the market in Nigeria is huge and there are no strict regulations. Fares originating from Nigeria are very high and the returns are highly favourable to them. In addition to these, they are able to remit almost 100 per cent of their earnings to their home countries. This lax operating environment makes it a very attractive terrain for them to operate.

Multiple entry points for foreign carriers is killing the domestic airline sector, what should government do to redress this problem?

Rather than give multiple landing rights to foreign airlines, they should be encouraged to code share with our local operators. This would enhance growth for our local operators, provide jobs for Nigerians and keep some of our money in Ni-

geria. Nigeria’s bilateral air services agreement (BASA) is lopsided.

Where BASA is not reciprocal, adequate royalty should be paid by airlines from those countries.

Consolidation plans for travel agencies could enhance market share and efficiency, what is your take on this proposal?

NANTA is providing support for agencies that are thinking in this direction. We recently organized aseminar on consolidation where we invited experts from South Africa to shed light on the South Africanmodel and share their experiences with our members.

How will government develop a master plan for tourism development in Nigeria?

All stakeholders in the travel and tourism sector should be involved in the development of a tourism master plan.

What are the challenges confronting travel agencies ?

Although NANTA now enjoys a good relationship with some of the Airlines; most of them are still operating in direct competition with Travel Agencies and all efforts to get them to relocate their sales offices to the Airport as is the practice all over the world has proved abortive.

While about 6,120 Nigerians work to generate 75 per cent of the market, only about 250 are employed by the Airlines. Therefore closing all the operational offices of the airlines will enable Travel Agencies to sell more and employ more Nigerians.Airlines make available on their website, fares which are much cheaper than those available on the Agency booking platforms.

This is unfair competition and the practice is running a lot of agencies out of business. We have documented evidence about this practice from Emirates airlines and KLM. How are you handling competion by banks?

Nigerian Market. Similarly, some Airlines have also not joined the BSP; rather, Airlines’ management has continued to subject Travel Agencies to buying tickets on a cashand-carry basis from their offices.

Furthermore, some airline’s ticketing offices are run by non indigenous companies who earn between 12 per cent and 20 per cent commission on ticket sales, yet deny Travel Agents their entitled commission. We wish that all airlines are compelled to conform to the BSP in the Nigerian Market.

What about air fares disparity ?

We do not understand the great disparity in fares between what the airlines offer to the Nigerian market and what they offer elsewhere in the world. The disparity in fares is alarming and we wonder why Nigeria should be singled out for this rip-off. We see no reason why a flight ticket from Accra, Ghana to Europe or USA on some airlines would be cheaper than from Lagos to the same destinations on the same airline.

For instance, a first class ticket to Las Vegas from Lagos is 1.8 million naira more than a first class ticket to the same destination from Accra! Nigerian travelers are now developing Ghanaian economy.

Their travel agencies are making huge sales from the Nigerian travelers while most of our Nigerian agencies are folding up. From our records, travel agencies posted $1, 306, 304,373.00 sales revenue for the year ended December, 2014.

There is an increased influx of foreign airlines into the Nigerian Market. Ordinarily, this should depict great revenue potential for Nigerian Travel agents. This is however not the case.

These airlines are coming to Nigeria to rip us off. First of all, their base fares (NUCs) are higher than what prevails for the same flight time for journeys originating from

•Agoha

elsewhere in the world. Even when they offer promotional fares, the added taxes charged are so huge. The new trend is for airlines operating in Nigeria to offer lower NUC’s which reduces the amount of commission agents receive and to charge exorbitant taxes. Taxes, now amount to more than 50 per cent of the total ticket fares. While the total industry sales figure is $2.0bn for the year ended December, 2014. The sales

by Travel Agents represent 75 per cent of the total sales; while the balance of 25 per cent was made through direct sales by airlines and the Internet.

What about unfair taxes ?

After the September 2001, bombing of the Twin Towers in America a new tax was introduced by airlines to offset the added cost of security.

Aviation fuel was also introduced worldwide due the unprecedented cost of fuel arising from the unending war in the Middle East. These taxes are charged twice for tickets originating from Nigeria and now constitute a major component of the total fare. It is worthy of note that most of these taxes are not Nigerian taxes and are remitted to the home countries of the airlines to the detriment of our economy.

These are sharp practices and we at NANTA have resolved to protect the public, our loyal customers, by contesting any further introduction of any tax by any airline under any guise whatsoever. We will support the present government in its quest to rid our country of dubious and corrupt practices that result in capital flight.

What is the growth plan for travel agencies in Nigeria?

Simply put mergers and consolidation is the way forward. Also In line with current global trends, weare diversifying our payment options to include the use of credit cards. Discussions are at an advanced stage with IATA as we believe this will increase our market.

Technology distribution is also key as more and more products have become available for us to sell. We are also keying into the use of social media.

Stakeholder to examine future of business aviation in Africa

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•Demuren

LAYERS in the business and charter aviation sub sector will meet next year in Lagos under the aegis of Nigerian Business Aviation Conference (NBAC), to examine opportunities and challenges of the sub sector in the face of new regulations rolled out by the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA).

The convener of the conference , Segun Demuren stated in Lagos that the conference will also look at how to connect Nigeria’s major cities by charter jets to accelerate business for high net worth players in the oil and gas and related sectors. Demuren, who is chief executive officer of Evergreen Aviation Nigeria ( EAN), an aviation logistics firm said the conference intends to focus on the increasingly

‘It is anticipated key themes will include Nigerian Business Aviation’s new regulations and how they affect operations; links between fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft in the energy market; the future of business aviation in Nigeria...’ complex nature of charter business.

The third Nigerian Business Aviation Conference, NBAC 2016 is scheduled to hold March 24- 26 , 2016 in Lagos, Nigeria.

The objective of the conference, he said is to raise awareness on the grow-

ing industry and to provide a forum for all stakeholders to exchange views. He said over 200 international and African delegates across the broad spectrum of business aviation attended last year’s conference including operators, financiers, lawyers, regulatory bodies and industry leaders.

Demuren said : “We were extremely pleased with the success of last year’s event and realised that a two day event, which reflects a more expansive programme thoroughly debating the increasingly complex nature of the business, is necessary. Nigeria is one of the largest business aviation users in Africa which is why the conference is important to all those that are operating or looking to operate in the region.

“It is anticipated key themes will include Nigerian Business Aviation’s new regulations and how they affect operations; links between fixed wing and rotary wing aircraft in the energy market; the future of business aviation in Nigeria and the importance of maintaining connections between major cities including Abuja, Lagos and Port Harcourt.

“These and other topics will combine to underpin the overall conference theme which will focus on how to create a better understanding of the value of business aviation in Nigeria, its’ importance as an economic driver for the region, and its contribution to developing international business.”

44

MONDAY JULY 20, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

After being in charge of the country in the last 16 years, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) went into the last general elections poorly prepared, but it threw everything at its disposal to win the contest. Its rejection at the March 28 polls was shocking for the party, which had vowed to rule the country for 60 years. Deputy Political Editor RAYMOND MORDI examines its recent efforts to reposition itself for the new role of opposition.

•Jonathan

•Secondus

•Muazu

•Anenih

PDP in search of new beginning S

INCE the March 28 presidential election, when Nigerians overwhelmingly voted for change, the former ruling Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP) has been trying to grapple with the reality of the verdict and has been making efforts to live up to its new role as the main opposition party.

In recent times, chieftains of the party have been taking stock of what led to its failure during the recent general elections. They have also vowed to set the machinery into motion to rebuild the party before the next general elections in 2019.

Some of the names being touted to replace Muazu include a former Rivers State Governor, Dr. Peter Odili; immediate past Cross River State Governor, Mr. Liyel Imoke; and his Delta State counterpart, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan. Some observers have, however, cautioned the party not to think of replacing the former National Chairman, Alhaji Adamu Muazu, with a chieftain from the Southsouth, otherwise it would reduce the PDP to a regional party.

In this regard, the Director-General of the party’s Presidential Campaign Organisation in the last election, Mr. Femi Olukayode, has suggested that it would be in the best interest of the party to appoint the former Chairman of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Mr. Nuhu Ribadu, as its national chairman. Olukayode (former Fani-Kayode; he changed his name to OluKayode following his acquittal for moneylaundering charges), said: “The best thing that our party, the PDP, can do now is to draft in Nuhu Ribadu as our national chairman. We need credibility and strength.”

Ribadu and Muazu, who resigned on May 20 amidst calls that he should quit, are both from Bauchi State. Former Deputy National Chairman, Chief Uche Secondus, has been acting since Muazu resigned.

Secondus is from the Southsouth, where the party controls five of the six states in the region. Like in the Southeast, the party produced almost all the National Assembly members in the Southsouth. On the contrary, the party controls only three of the 19 states in the North. The states are Taraba, Gombe and Kogi. In the Southwest, the PDP is at the helm of affairs in Ondo and Ekiti, out of the six states in the region.

The mere fact that PDP wants to be relevant in government has disqualified it. For instance, it allowed its member, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, to become the Deputy Senate President. With this, the party has become part of the government. That is not very good for a healthy democracy, because I don’t think there is going to be a viable opposition But, other observers argue that it would be better for a Southsouth person to occupy the chairmanship to pave the way for a Northerner to emerge as the Board of Trustees (BOT) chairman. This is against the backdrop of the fact that the party may likely field a Northern candidate in the 2019 presidential elections, to challenge President Muhammadu Buhari, if he decides to re-contest. The BOT chairmanship was vacated by Chief Tony Anenih, from the Southsouth, ostensibly for former President Jonathan to take over. All the issues pertaining to the reorganisation of the party would be settled next month, when the party holds its next national convention.

But, according to observers, the PDP leadership has a long way to go in its effort to reposition the party to provide an alternative platform to the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Enugu-based lawyer Mr. Enechi Onyia believes the PDP is not prepared to be an opposition party. He said: “The mere fact that it wants to be relevant in government has disqualified it. For instance, it allowed its member, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, to become the Deputy Senate

President. With this, the party has become part of government. That is not very good for a healthy democracy, because I don’t think there is going to be a viable opposition.”

Onyia, who was involved in politics during the Second Republic, said the PDP must first of all study Nigeria’s position in the world, vis-à-vis where it ought to be and fashion out its programmes and policies, if it wants to become a virile opposition. He added: “Secondly, it must try to align itself with what Nigerians want: Nigerians want a government of service, not a government of sharing. These are the issues; it not a question of whether one is an Ibo, Yoruba or Hausa. It should be able to position Nigeria in world affairs, as the country with largest population of blacks.

“You do not build a nation by sharing its wealth, rather than increasing the wealth of the nation. I have not seen the indication that suggests that it wants to turn a new leaf. I have not seen signs that it wants to enthrone internal democracy.”

The Enugu-based lawyer said the current situation in Nigeria shows that youths and intellectuals are forging ahead to align themselves with the dynamics of democracy. So, I believe an opposition would emerge very soon.

To the National Chairman of the United Progressive Party (UPP), Chief Chekwas Okorie, it is a welcome development that the PDP is doing something to come back to reckoning. “Some of us have been doing it for a long time. But, it would take a long time for Nigerians to begin to look at them differently,” he said, adding: “Nigerians expect them to play the role of providing an alternative government. But, it must not forget that it gave Nigeria nightmares for 16 years and no matter the level of reorganization, if it thinks it can return to power after four years, it must be day-dreaming.”

To be able to get it right, elder statesman and Second Republic politician, Alhaji Tanko Yakassai, is of the view that the PDP should go round the country, if possible state by state, to find out why it failed during the recent general elections. He added: “Thereafter, the party should summon an emergency meeting, to dissolve its executives from top

to bottom and then appoint caretaker committees to run its affairs. The caretaker committee should be given a time-span to reposition the party, by inviting more Nigerians to join the party.

“This would help to inject fresh blood into the party. This should be followed by the election of officers from the bottom to the top in its chapters across the country. They should try to appoint a national chairman and reconstitute the board of trustees, by bringing in more people.

“Also, they should start looking for genuine party supporters who can contribute generously to the success of the party from the ward to the national level. The problem of the party is from top to bottom, so the reorganization should be holistic.”

A finance and investment consultant, Mr. Akintunde Maberu, equally said the PDP must sit back and look at where it failed in the last 16 years, if it wants to succeed in its new found role of becoming a viable opposition party, adding that it is still indulging in the blame game.

To get its acts together, Maberu said in the first instance, the party has to rewrite its rules, refocus their objectives and now come up with constructive criticisms. He said: “It must take up specific areas of the economy and provide an alternative viewpoint to whatever the government in power is doing.

As an opposition party, it must thrive on objectivity, for it to galvanise knowledgeable Nigerians into believing what it is saying.”

Since the party was formed in 1998, it has been faced with one internal crisis or the other. The crisis started after the party’s Jos Convention in 1998 where Chief Olusegun Obasanjo emerged the party’s presidential candidate, at the expense of the former Vice President Chief Alex Ekwueme. Many of the party’s founding fathers were not comfortable with Obasanjo’s emergence, saying it was a coup by powerful individuals in the North, who were behind the candidacy of the retired general.

Thus, right from the outset, there was no attempt to enthrone internal democracy in the party. As a former military dictator, Obasanjo’s approach to governance did not • Continued on page 45

THE NATION MONDAY JULY 20, 2015

POLITICS

45

They should not forget that the likes of Saraki, former Vice President ‘Atiku Abubakar and the five PDP Governors that defected and helped the APC to win the presidential poll started like a child’s play before it snowballed into an uncontrollable level ’

‘Nobody can rubbish Tinubu’

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KITI State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Chief Olusegun Osinkolu has said any attempt to pull down the National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, by some interest groups will fail.

Speaking against the backdrop of the National Assembly in an advocate of party supremacy.

He said misguided APC lawmakers played into the hands of the opposition in the election, which produced Dr. Bukola Saraki as Senate President and Mr. Yakubu Dogara as House of Representatives Speaker. Osinkolu described the development as “very unfortunate and disturbing.”

Osinkolu said in a statement in Ado Ekiti, that it was a “gross political miscalculation and misdirected act of vengeance” for some APC bigwigs to see the election of the National Assembly principal officers as an opportunity to fight Tinubu, who sacrificed a lot for the APC to become the ruling party.

He advised the APC Caucus in the

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

Southwest to refrain from being used against Tinubu, whom he described as the “party’s indisputable leader and benefactor” just for some people outside the zone to achieve their egocentric motives.

Osinkolu expressed confidence in the ability of the Chief John OdigieOyegun-led National Working Committee (NWC) to bring the situation under control and ensure cohesion and unity of purpose.

The former senatorial aspirant in Ekiti North District urged party leaders to caution “those who thought they could undermine the party and demonise perceived opponents in a bid to actualize their personal ambition.

Osinkolu said Tinubu is a revered national leader in APC and a father figure to members in the six states in the Southwest geopolitical zone.

He said any attempt to sideline the former Lagos State governor in a party he laboured so hard to build would be vehemently resisted.

Osinkolu said: “We are not against the leaderships of Senator Saraki and Hon Dogara in the National Assembly.

“They are leaders of our party who deserve to hold any position of their choice as guaranteed by the constitution.

“But we frown at the way some of these leaders have been painting our Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu in bad light.

“They craftily painted the entire power struggle to mean a struggle between the APC and Tinubu. This is bad politics and we condemn such in its entirety.

“Any Attempt to bring Tinubu down or rubbish him in APC will backfire.

“They should not forget that the likes of Saraki, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar and the five PDP Governors that defected and helped the APC to win the presidential poll started like a child’s play before it snowballed into an uncontrollable level. So, the APC must learn from history in order not

We frown at the way some of these leaders have been painting our Leader, Senator Bola Tinubu, in bad light

•Asiwaju Tinubu to fall into the same pit.

“They said Tinubu was the one propping up Senator Ahmed Lawan and Hon. Femi Gbajabiamila for Senate Presidency and Speakership positions. Immediately after election, Gbajabiamila congratulated Dogara and prom-

ised to work with him. Where then did Tinubu get connected in this matter?

“This issue became worrisome to some of us because the battle is gradually assuming an ethnic colouration even less than one month President Muhammadu Buhari took over the reign of government. People are beginning to insinuate that some people are pursuing ethnic agenda in our party”.

Osinkolu appealed to the warring factions in the National Assembly to close ranks and form a formidable front for the realisation of the Buhari’s agenda stand to bring radical change in the system.

APC chieftain lauds Amosun on creation of local govts

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GUN State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain Olamikekan Bakare has praised Governor Ibikunle Amosun’s plan to create additional councils.

He said the initiative will speed up development and enhance grassroots politics. Bakare, who hails from Imobi, Ijebu East District, said the existing local governments are inadequate to enhance the quality of life.

He said: “I so much believe in the governor’s initiative because breaking the local government areas into smaller units will definitely allow developments to spread to the rural areas which to me, mean that the governor has his people at mind and it is a welcome development.”

Bakare urged members of the National Assembly to work for the progress of the country to avoid electoral protest by voters.

He said: “Our senators and mem-

By Musa Odoshimokhe

bers of the House of Representatives should stop playing politics at this period when Nigerians are expecting good governance as promised by the APC government. The nation’s interest should be more paramount to the legislators than their personal interests.

“Our legislators must be serious and get set for business of governance rather than fighting unnecessary cause, Nigerians are full of expectations of good governance as promised by the APC government.

And I expect our people to have prepared themselves for this course.

Our party, APC must not fail Nigerians because it’s the hope of the nation at this period.”

Bakare advised Nigerians to be patient with the President Muhammadu Buhari, noting that his six weeks in office has brought more improvement to the country.

Yakassai denies attacking Buhari, Odigie-Oyegun

E

LDER statesman and Second Republic politician Alhaji Tanko Yakassai has refuted allegations that he blasted President Muhammadu Buhari and the All Progressives Congress (APC) National Chairman, Chief John Odigie-Oyegun, over their handling of the crisis in the National Assembly.

Speaking with our reporter on telephone from Kano, the elder statesman said he has no reason whatsoever to blast them and that as someone who does not belong to any political party that he tries to offer advice most of the time on burning national issues.

He said: “I never did anything of that nature. I only advised them to handle the crisis in the National Assembly with care. I considered it necessary to offer the advice because neither of them has requisite legislative experience. I was speaking based on my experience working with the National Assembly during the Second Republic, when I was Special Adviser to the then President Shehu Shagari on National Assembly matters.

“I have no reason whatsoever to blast them; while I’m not very close to Buhari, Chief John Odigie-

•Odigie-Oyegun

By Raymond Mordi

Oyegun is my personal friend and we have tremendous respect for one another. So, I have nothing against them, to warrant blasting them, as the publications insinuated. I don’t belong to any political party, so I speak my mind when it comes to national issues. In fact, in most cases, I offer advice.”

• Lagos State Governor Akinwunmi Ambode (middle) with the South African Consulate-General to Nigeria, Ambassador Mokgethi Sam Monaisa (3rd left), Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Justice Mr. Lawal Pedro (2nd left), his Ministry of Health counterpart, Dr. Modele Osunkiyesi (left), Third Secretary, Political, South African Consulate-General, Lagos, Mrs. Mondumiso Ngubane (3rd right), Chief of Staff to the Governor, Mr. Samuel Ojo (2nd right), and Permanent Secretary, Public Service Office,Mr. Olalekan Akodu (right) during the Consulate-General’s courtesy visit to the Lagos House, Ikeja.

PDP in search of new beginning • Continued on page 44 brook any contradiction; he was highhanded. Under his administration, the party was always moving from one crisis to the other. During this dispensation, members of the party indulged in all sorts of undemocratic practices. Terms like adoption, imposition, consensus, affirmation and proclamation were very common in the party’s political lexicon; indeed, they found their way into the party’s constitution.

Owing to the fact that the opposition was fragmented and weak, party chieftains did not see the need to imbibe democratic tenets and processes. Political godfatherism and the do-or-die brand of politics were the order of the day. Political jobbers had a field day; founding fathers of the party like Ekwueme were either sidelined or expelled. In this state of affairs, governors under the party’s platform were demigods, who could do no wrong.

Nevertheless, the major crisis that caused the downfall of the party was the one that preceded the 2015 general elections. After Jonathan succeeded the late Umaru Yar’Adua, the North was initially opposed to his bid to contest the presidential election in 2011. The argument was that the North had only done one term and that a can-

Jonathan himself said he will do only four years. Emirs, leaders and stakeholders in the country accepted that Jonathan will do only four years so that power can shift to the North. When the time came, a lot of macabre dance started didate of Northern extraction should be allowed to complete the remaining four years. But, former the President Jonathan allegedly pacified stakeholders from the region by agreeing to do only one term.

Indeed, a chieftain of the PDP, Dr. Cairo Ojougboh said the recent general election was a battle between the North and the South and that the one-term pact allegedly entered into between Jonathan, supported by former President Olusegun Obasanjo then, and the Northern bloc within the party was the major issue that decided the outcome of the election.

Ojougboh, who is the PDP’s Vice Chairman (Southsouth), lamented

recently that if Jonathan had kept to his promise to do only one term, the party would not have lost the recent general election. He said even the Christian North turned against the former President in the 2015 polls because of the “injustice” of reneging on his promise.

Jonathan had denied entering such a pact and challenged his accusers to provide evidence. But, Ojougboh maintained that Jonathan did make the promise after succeeding the late Yar’Adua, who passed away after spending about three years in office.

Ojougboh said: “Jonathan himself said he will do only four years.

Emirs, leaders and stakeholders in the country accepted that Jonathan will do only four years so that power can shift to the North. When the time came, a lot of macabre dance started.

People started putting pressure here and there, and people started encouraging Jonathan to contest. Unfortunately, Jonathan didn’t have the nerve to say, no.”

Thus, despite the vigorous and unprecedented campaign mounted by the PDP, Jonathan lost the contest to President Muhammad Buhari. PDP also lost massively in governorship and National Assembly elections. While the APC has taken control of 22 states, the PDP is in charge of 14 states now.

• Continued on page 10

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THE NATION MONDAY JULY 20, 2015

‘

It is not enough for the opposition to criticise; it must proffer solutions too. The incumbent occupies the driver’s seat and those of us in the passenger seat should be there to guide him by pointing out potholes, sharp bends among other hazards

’

POLITICS

The Secretary of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Reconciliation Committee and founder of Bayelsa Development Forum (BDF), Chief Thompson Okorotie, speaks with MIKE ODIEGWU in Yenegoa, the state capital, on the gale of defections from the party and other issues.

‘Defectors from Bayelsa PDP ‘ll be disappointed’

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HAT is responsible for the crisis in the Bayelsa PDP? I will call it misunderstanding. In every family, big or small, particularly the big ones, there are bound to be misgivings, complaints, grievances at one time or the other, particularly now that it has become well established in Bayelsa state. Especially when it is election time, there are so many interests. I believe that PDP remains strong, united and that is why we have reconciliation committees at various levels and we are making sure that grievances, where they are established to be genuine, are looked into because there are some complaints that have no basis in truth. Some are fabrications, some are excuses for them to do what they want to do. There are those who are not very patient. There are those who must see themselves enjoying all the time. Some people are not used to self-sacrifice at some point. This makes the unstable politician jump ship very frequently but at the end of the day they end up damaging their political image. It s something that is happening in Bayelsa state. Even in any other place, when it is election time, there is usually a lot of tension.

You are a member of the reconciliation committee set upby former President Goodluck Jonathan to unite the party. How far has that committee gone?

I’m not just a member, I’m also the secretary of the committee and we are doing that work. It will not be proper to talk about the committee prior to the submission of a report, but we are working and there is a lot of progress.

Are you not worried that some founding members of the PDP are leaving the party for the APC? Not all founding members are leaving.

Maybe they are one or two. Founding members of the party are those who signed the document that brought about PDP in Shera-

ton Hotel in 1998. Call them for me. I signed the document.

Why are the elders not supporting the governor again?

There are some people who don’t want to have self-sacrifice at some point. But, things cannot be good for them all the time. I have been in this game for close to 40 years. I have seen many administrations having hiccups at this kind of time. At the end of the day, because of their grounded nature in terms of accomplishment, in terns of their support base, they always at the end of the day prevail. Those who miscalculate go and before you know it like the immediate past President said, they come back with empty stomachs. APC has not finished looking after their members to remember you who was a creation of PDP, developed by PDP, empowered

by PDP and now you are moving. They know you and your antecedents. There are one or two people that have left us. We have to watch and see because we are still in the majority. There is no way there will be 100% at any particular time.

The defectors have accused the state government of polarising the PDP. Do you share that view?

I don’t share that view. The only area I see them talk about is the fact there were disciplinary actions. I think for a party, there should be disciplined. There should be party supremacy. You can’t belong to a party, even work closely with those that are in government and at election time you go out of that party to sponsor or develop candidate in parties that don’t even exist in reality in the state.

That is why Article 23 of our party Constitution provides for an elders’ committee with a responsibility to go into dispute and carry out conflict resolution because at some point there will be misunderstanding because most people look at politics from their own personal viewpoint.

•Okorotie Some say ‘I wanted to be this and I was not picked’. Will someone die because of that? At every time, somebody will become lucky. At every point in time, somebody will be picked. It could be destiny. Everything that is happening to somebody is not an accident, it is as proposed by God and that is why you will find some people assuming offices under very mysterious circumstances.

It is God’s own wish and therefore, I’ll appeal that we should try and be patient. We should try and understand. When there is an atmosphere of reconciliation,there should also be discipline.

So, you are supporting the expulsion and suspension of the PDP heavyweights?

Yes, I back it. But at some point, we are

also saying that if there is an opportunity to review it, we can review it in the spirit of reconciliation.

Is governor Seriake Dickson electable for a second term?

Very much electable. In fact,he is the best foot that PDP has for the following reasons.

First,he has performed creditably, comparatively with any other governor that has ever ruled here. What he did in two and the half years is history. What has slowed project down is purely a function of economic downturn. You can only develop with money that you have especially when you are running a government of prudence especially when you are running a government that is not corrupt.

He has credibility. Apart from that, he is going into areas other governors did not have the courage to go into. For example, the three senatorial roads, they are federal roads, but he has gone to them. Road has gone to Nembe. Road is approaching Oporoma. The one going to Ogboibiri, has gone beyond Ofoni. Our wealth is in the ocean and if our roads get to that area, we will experience development and the energy that is locked up in our rural areas will be unlocked. We are very energetic people, but inaccessibility by way of lack of road has been a problem.

But, the governor has been accused of embarking on many projects at the same time without considering their implications. How will you react to this?

It is not true. The governor was carrying out projects within the limit of the funds he had. Dickson is one of the consultative governors. Go into the government house, downstairs and upstairs, people are full. He is one of the most accessible governors that we have had. In fact, some people have even told him, ‘you will die very early. Why don’t you programme some if these visitors for the deputy governor, for commissioner and all that’. He will say, ‘What will I do? Most people want to see the governor’ Accusing him of lack of consultation is not right. These people that are talking are beneficiaries of this government. They had contracts. They were paid and they had appointments. I am an elder. I’m looking for reconciliation and even those who have are welcome back.

In this interview, Oyo State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftain Hon. Femi Babalola speaks with Correspondent OSEHEYE OKWUOFU in Ibadan, the state capital, on the reconciliation in the party and why he is supporting Governor Abiola Ajimobi.

T

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has been decimated in Oyo State by the gale of defections. Do you still see the PDP as a viable party?

The PDP, by its intrinsic characteristics, will remain a viable political party in the country. In fact, it has greater capacity for viability than the APC, notwithstanding the outcome of the last general elections. You have to understand the makeup of the party to appreciate its strength. The components that constituted the PDP were generic and quite tangent to the nation. The PDP is built on a very strong foundation and it will be very difficult to break the sinew. It will be simplistic to doubt the party’s resilience or write it off. But, this is not so with the APC. We cannot forget the fact that the APC is a marriage of convenience. Throughout our political history, we have seen that mergers of political parties have never really worked. Though we have seen the APC apparently breaking that jinx by winning the federal election, it is not certain how long that amalgam would work. That fabric is not neatly knitted and anything can happen anytime. The PDP will be more capable of intrinsic rejuvenation than any other political party in the country and it will definitely bounce back. The party’s loss generates interest because nobody ex-

‘Why I canvass support for Buhari’ pected it to lose because of its size as the second largest party in Africa, but the loss of elections by a big party is not new in history. India’s biggest political party, the Congress Party, has severally lost elections and it is presently out of power. In the US, the Democratic Party and the Republican Party have variously lost elections. At a time, the serial victories of the Republicans almost pushed the Democrats to the background. But, that has not undermined the viability of these political parties. Inspite of the panic exit, the PDP will remain the largest party in Nigeria.

Are you saying that the PDP will not be affected by the defections?

It will take years of exit of members for the party to plummet, but we will not allow that. Recently, those in the APC admitted that there are still many good people in the PDP. That is very true. Efforts of these good people will save the

party.

I do not only expect the rebounce of the PDP, I expect it sooner than later. That optimism is premised on the recent resolution by elected members of the party and some other bigwigs not to defect.

Are you also defecting from the PDP tothe APC? I do not need to leave the PDP to offer selfless service to Nigeria.

Those leaving the PDP have not considered the dialectical implication. A politician would have been most insulted, if he is considered to be unprincipled. Politics is principledriven and I remember Senator Bola Tinubu mentioned that recently. So, I don’t envy those going to the APC. Besides, political parties should not be reduced to shifting coalitions. But then, the Nigerian polity is ripe for bi-partisanship and the polity will benefit immensely from across party collaboration. As Nigerian political parties embrace bipartisanship, the

The political class has a duty to ensure that democracy works. Democracy must meet the yearnings of the people. That is why I call for aggregate support for the present administration

political environment will become less acrimonious and defection will be discouraged because you are able to contribute to national development. A clear proof of my point was the President Buhari’s endorsement of Dr. Adewumi Adesina for the presidency of the African Development Bank (AfDB), when Adesina was essentially in the PDP as minister in the Jonathan Administration.

This should be the new attitude among politicians in the interest of the country. If you recall the stalemate in the US that led to the shutdown, matters were resolved through resort to bipartisanship. If party rigidity had been sustained;,the shutdown would have lingered with adverse effect on that country.

Why are you supporting the Ajimobi Administration?

In Oyo State here, I have advocated all-party support for Governor Ajimobi to move the state forward and allow it attain its full potential. Politicians across parties must be willing to collaborate with the incumbent, notwithstanding how they feel about the governor or the ruling APC. It is high time politicians came to synergise in the interest of the masses that look up

•Babalola to the political class for the gains of democracy. The political class has a duty to ensure that democracy works. Democracy must meet the yearnings of the people. That is why I call for aggregate support for the present administration in the state and, by extension, the Buhari administration. It is not enough for the opposition to criticise; it must proffer solutions too. The incumbent occupies the driver’s seat and those of us in the passenger seat should be there to guide him by pointing out potholes, sharp bends among other hazards.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

DISCOURSE

Aregbesola: moving Osun from mediaeval dependency to modernity Managing Nigeria’s dependent states: Aregbesola and the case of Osun •Continued from page 14

Thus investments in Schools, health facilities, roads agricultures and in an International Airport are coherent and foresighted initiatives designed to complement and enhance the State’s endowments. Soon investors, businessmen and tourists will begin to respond positively to these developmental strides. It is called infrastructure, human capital and servicesled development.

It has been argued by some that a number of these projects are sheer ego trip but at the bottom, some of it is sound economics. Inflation of course, will double the cost of any project in Nigeria in less than eight years, so the earlier you embark on a key economic or social infrastructure project in Nigeria, the better you are.

The only proviso is that it must be able to attract and secure economic returns on the invested funds over time. Of course, uncompleted projects do not give people any beneficial service but they can create a whole cascade of troubles.

We are in a state of economic emergency in Nigeria today precisely because nobody had bothered to create an alternative economy based on regional comparative advantage and complementarities since the last massive economic down –turn that lasted from 1982-1999.

We have no choice but to wean ourselves (politicians, importers, retirees, workers, unemployed and students) from the psychosis of the dependent economy and the juvenile

mindset and disposition it has engendered in Nigerians. The world will not wait for us and they don’t owe us a meal.

To the credit of Rauf Aregbesola who inherited a State deep into debt overhang from projects of doubtful economic or social value for a hinterland state (five stadia at a go!), given Osun’s lack of a meaningful economy.

He worked out or engineered a financing strategy that enabled the state to embark on major gamechanging and face-changing projects for Osun, that had been marooned in rural obscurity where even its principal city, Osogbo was simply a rustic backwater glorified with the label of State Capital, had nothing capital about it and little trace of Stately existence.

As far as some cynical citizens who work for government are concerned, as long as money can be found to pay salaries the state can remain in this depressed condition for ever. Everybody takes it for granted that their grown-up children and wards must go to Lagos or travel abroad as economic refugees elsewhere and then come back home to build houses they will live in for a few days in a year while on holiday.

Resignation and selfcondemnation to hopelessness in the face of this level of decay tells us more about ourselves than would anything else. The people who constantly undermine their best this way have no self-confidence and I doubt that God will help such.

Although Aregbesola’s physical infrastructure projects are yet to be com-

pleted, even his worst critics give him credit for daring to transform the state from its mediaeval look to a worthy place in the modern world. He has been criticized for looking too far ahead in his frenzied drive to secure for the state a future commensurate with its historical and cultural potential. His massive and well-targeted infrastructural change projects have been carefully prioritized to make the desired impact. Beginning with roads in the most populous residential areas of nine major towns and cities of Osun and its thirty Local Government headquarters, the State Government did 10 kilolmetres of high standard asphalted roads with reinforced concrete drains and road markings to enhance safety, the LGAs also did 5kilometres of roads to a similar standard, to give the entire territory a total of 295 roads and the state at least 450kilometres of good roads.

At the same time, he embarked on rural access roads (non-asphalted) totaling about 250 kilometres with good drainage to ensure that farmers have access to farms and ease evacuation of produce to the markets. He has also constructed over 60 brand new schools to a standard that only the best Private Schools have and offered free lunch to elementary school pupils attract and to keep them focused on their future.

Aregbesola has been implementing his big and bold vision for Osunelucidated in the green book ‘My Pact with the People of Osun’and he has never hidden the fact that a state of well-

•From left: Pakoyi Adinni of Itesiwaju Local Government, Alhaji Abdul Lateef, a Chieftain of All Progressives Congress (APC), Hon. Niyi Adeagbo and Mufti Musulumi of Itesiwaju Local Government, Uztaz AbdulGaniyu praying at the Eid-El-Fitr celebration in Ibadan, Oyo State.

being for all citizens that he has envisioned can be made possible only through the devotion of the greater part of the resources of the country to empowerment of the citizenry for the development of a viable economic base and a positive and vibrant societal ethos.

As the widespread problem of state insolvency has revealed, we have only multiplied the problems of thirty two years ago, and have found no solutions. Except for Lagos (and for exceptional reasons), our thirty six State governments are infantile.

The Stateseach with its Civil Service executive bureaucracy, legislative and judicial arms, and a total of 774 Local Government administrations, and Federal government altogether employ about four million workers between them and gulp down enormous resources but with none of them, Federal, State or Local Government having any viable internal economic activities to turn to for succour. They are the results of a presumptuous, even reckless convenience, naïve and adolescent mindset, not of necessity.

This situation calls for a fundamental review of the entire gamut of the Nigerian State, its philosophy, activities and departments to align them with what ought to be the essence of a modern independent stateempowerment of the people as the source of strength of the State.

A population of 176million people divided into 774 Local Gov-

ernment Areas works out as an average of 225,000 persons per LGA per State.The question has been asked time without number: Do we really need to have 36 State governments, 36 Houses of Assembly, 36 Arms of the Judiciary and 36 Civil Service bureaucracies and Federal government as large as we have today? Each one of these competes for the right to salaries and other emoluments and pensions that cannot be rationalized on the basis of productive output, or available resources.

An apt question to ask is what does each member produce? How do they live and what do they really wish their lives to be like, say in 5, 10, 15 or 20 years compared to what it was twenty or thirty years ago? Collective answers to these questions should be formulated into Communal, Local Government Area, State and National Development Master Plans, (instituting a bottom-up approach to planning and entrenching a truly grass-roots democratic culture) which should become the reference document, (MOU or Social Compact)with each territory and people-thus setting an agenda that matches means-andends, sets the right priorityand addresses the core issues of politics and governance in each territory.

It is from this Compact, based on the Master Plan for Local Community, Area and State that should be aggregated astheNational Development Plan from which Political Parties

•Aregbesola

should derive their Manifestoes and Agenda for canvassing for the support of the electorate.

This will provide the ultimate solution to the unsteady progress of the Nigerian state under Presidents, Governors and LGA Chair persons with widely different inspirations and motivations and bring an end to the culture of wastage, abandonment and frustration common in government.

The proper role of Political Aspirants willbe that of mobilizers and leaders of the effort to implement society’s agreed and documented vision and skillful motivators and managers of the process of putting into effect the collective will.

Ideally, our governments should operate like PLCs where the LGA Chairman, Governor and President are the CEOs and report to us the Shareholders yearly or twice yearly for evaluation of their performance score cards, based on the concrete tasks and targets we set for them.

This is the crux of the matter and kind of thought thatAregbesola has consistently championed. It is the source of his good troubles for being an advocate of CHANGE! •Concluded

•Representative of Lagos State Governor, Hon Fatai Oluwa (middle) , representative of Environment Commisioner Dr Perere (second left), Executive Secretary, Ikosi-Isheri Local Council Development Area, Mr Afolabi Bamise Kazeem (second right) his wife Alhaja Folashade (right) and Head of Environmental Sevice, Sokpe Amokunmosa at this years’ tree planting at the local government.

48

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

NATION SPORT

Klinsmann hails hattrick hero Dempsey

FIFA presidential election date to be decided on Monday U

NITED States head coach Jurgen Klinsmann lauded the performance of Clint Dempsey, who netted a hattrick in Saturday's 6-0 demolition of Cuba in the CONCACAF Gold Cup quarter-final.

Dempsey has been in sublime form in this year's tournament, and now has six goals in four appearances.

The Seattle Sounders man headed in the first in the fourth minute before Gyasi Zardes, Aron Johannsson and Omar Gonzalez all scored prior to the interval.

Dempsey doubled his tally with a penalty shortly after the hour and then completed his treble 12 minutes from time.

"What we've really enjoyed the last couple of weeks is his energy, his energy to also come back and help out and to constantly stay in the game," said Klinsmann,

F

IFA will meet on Monday to choose a date for a special congress at which to elect a new president.

It is the first meeting of world football's governing body since seven of its officials were arrested on corruption charges on the eve of FIFA's presidential election in May. The seven were among 14

people indicted by a United States inquiry.

Sepp Blatter was re-elected as president but stepped down following the series of arrests.

A second criminal investigation into Fifa was also launched at the time, with Swiss prosecutors looking into the bidding process for the 2018 and 2022

World Cups, won by Russia and Qatar respectively.

The extraordinary congress to elect a new president is expected to take place between December 2015 and March 2016, although UEFA - European football's governing body - is believed to want Blatter to vacate his position sooner.

Blatter did not use the word

'resign' when he announced he would leave a post he has held since 1998.

But the 79-year-old said: "While I have a mandate from the membership of FIFA, I do not feel that I have a mandate from the entire world of football - the fans, the players, the clubs, the people who live, breathe and love football as much as we all do at FIFA.

Navas: I want to be Real´s first-choice keeper

C

OSTA Rica international Keylor Navas insisted he is happy at Real Madrid as he bids to become the club's firstchoice goalkeeper, despite the potential arrival of Manchester United shot-stopper David de Gea.

Real are interested in signing De Gea, who is reportedly ready to swap Manchester for his hometown of Madrid, though it remains unclear whether the La Liga giants will pursue the Spain international after recruiting countryman Kiko Casilla.

Navas was quizzed about

the speculation surrounding De Gea after Real kicked off their International Champions Cup campaign with a 7-6 penalty shoot-out loss to Roma in Melbourne on Saturday and told reporters: "My aim is to keep fighting for my place. I want to be the first-choice keeper.

"I have five years left on my contract, I'm very happy to be here and I want to win a lot of trophies.

"I'm very relaxed and have total faith. I wanted to recover from my injury and now I'm back to 100 per cent. Now I have to do what I love which is training at 100 per cent and wait for my opportunity.

"I can only speak about the

present and those of us that are here and the desire I have to earn a place in the team."

Navas and Casilla are now seemingly set to compete for the number one position at the Santiago Bernabeu in 2015-16, and the former is relishing the challenge.

"He is a great goalkeeper. If Madrid notices him it is because he has great conditions. The competition is good, I have always said that," Navas added.

"Whoever comes to Madrid does so because he has the qualities to do things well. We are going to fight for a spot with humility, but with respect for team-mates, and fighting hard."

Webb pleads not guilty in FIFA case

F

ORMER FIFA VicePresident Jeffrey Webb has pleaded not guilty in connection with a massive corruption scandal in the world football governing body.

He was placed under house arrest on $10m (£6.4m) bail by a New York judge.

Mr Webb, from the Cayman Islands, is accused of accepting bribes worth millions of dollars in connection with the sale of marketing rights.

He was detained in Switzerland in May, along with six football officials, and was this week extradited to the US. He was the only one not to contest his extradition from Switzerland and the first to appear in an American court.

He must remain at home within a 20-mile (32km) radius of the court, his

whose side will face Jamaica in the semi-finals.

"He's not switching off at all.

He's hungry. He's hungry for goals first of all, and that helps us. He has two more meals.

"This is what a striker is keeping in his mind non-stop.

This is what drives you. Every day, a striker is thinking, 'every day I want to score'.

"Right now he seems happy, balanced and he seems to be alright with himself as well.

He's in good physical shape, which is important.

"He has the feeling that he can always get ahead of my opponent. Now we make sure he really enjoys the next two games.

"Those are the big ones.

These are the ones where you really want him to score."

Dempsey added: "I feel good. My team-mates have given good service and have put me in good positions to get good looks in front of the goal and I've been able to put them on target.

movements will be monitored via an electronic tag and he has already relinquished his three passports, two of which are UK passports.

His lawyer has declined to comment.

Appearing in court wearing a dark blue business suit, a crisp white shirt and a silk tie, Mr Webb smiled at his wife, Kendra, as he walked in, accompanied by US marshals.

A giant of a man often referred to as "Mr President" in the Cayman Islands, he projected a confident air as he stood before the judge, flanked by his defence team and the US prosecutors who have mounted the case against him, and secured his extradition from Switzerland.

Mr Webb entered a plea of not guilty to charges of money-laundering, wire fraud and racketeering.

Milan will be ready for Serie A season - Mihajlovic

M

ILAN coach Sinisa Mihajlovic insisted his team will be ready in all aspects of the game for the start of the Serie A season, despite losing to Lyon on

Saturday.

Mihajlovic and Co. lost their first real test of the pre-season against Ligue 1 outfit Lyon, who emerged 2-1 winners thanks to Alexandre Lacazette at Stade de Gerland.

Lacazette netted the winning goal 10 minutes from time, after Andrea Poli had cancelled out Nabil Fekir's first-half opener in Lyon.

While the result was not ideal, Mihajlovic said he is happy with Milan's preparations, with new signings Carlos Bacca and Luiz Adriano still to be introduced.

"We knew that they were further ahead in preseason preparations compared to us and we also changed system," said Mihajlovic.

"It's never pleasing to lose, but I can say I'm satisfied with the work we've done at this stage.

We interpreted the game well, but we could’ve done better and we will do better.

"There are players who aren't yet in the right shape, but we tried to replicate some of the things we tried out in training.

"Milan will be ready physically, technically and tactically for the start of the season. The players who have yet to arrive, like Carlos Bacca, Luiz Adriano, Jeremy Menez and Cristian Zapata, can make the difference."

51

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

FOREIGN NEWS

Seven prison workers charged in ‘El Chapo’ escape row

S

EVEN people who worked in the maximum-security prison that held Joaquin “El Chapo” Guzman have been charged in connection with his escape, Mexico’s attorney general said Friday in a statement.

The prison workers will be jailed in the state of Guanajuato and the investigation continues, the statement said.

On Thursday, Mexico’s interior minister said that on the night Guzman escaped, it took 18 minutes for guards to arrive at his cell after they lost sight of him on surveillance video.

Investigators are trying to determine whether the guards’ response time contributed to his July 11 escape from the facility west of Mex-

ico City.

“That is part of what the attorney general’s office is looking at — if the protocols were fulfilled in the correct times,” Interior Minister Miguel Angel Osorio Chong said at a news conference.

Guzman, Mexico’s most notorious drug lord, slipped through a hole under the shower in his cell and es-

caped through a mile-long tunnel to freedom, authorities said.

Guzman’s cell was videotaped 24 hours a day. But the surveillance had two blind spots for privacy — the toilet and the shower.

Closed-circuit video from July 11 shows him going to the shower fully clothed twice and bending down behind a

A

I

•Zhao Shunjin, 100, holds up a piece of paper with her name written on it in her own handwriting at her home in Hangzhou, China on July 16, 2015.

PHOTO: Luo Rongsheng

sive 10-day literacy program held by her neighborhood

committee, according to Luo. She spent two hours learn-

ing to read and write every day.

PM Cameron wants Britain to do more to fight IS

P

RIME Minister David Cameron wants Britain to do more to help the United States destroy Islamic State in Syria, he said in an interview broadcast yesterday.

Cameron failed to get parliamentary approval for military action against the forces of Syrian President Bashar al-Assad in 2013 but has asked lawmakers to consider whether Britain should now join U.S.-led strikes against IS in Syria.

“I want Britain to do more, I’ll always have to take my

parliament with me,” Cameron told U.S. network NBC. Government sources say he is expected to wait until after the opposition Labour Party elects its new leader in September to seek a fresh vote on bombing Syria.

In a speech today, Cameron will say Britain also needs to do more to confront the ideology of extremism by promoting British values such as democracy, freedom and the

rule of law and challenging “ludicrous conspiracy theories” of groups such as IS, also known as Islamic State in Iraq and the Levant (ISIL).

He will also issue a warning to those thinking of joining the around 700 Britons already thought to have travelled to Syria and Iraq.

“You are cannon fodder for them. They will use you. If you are a boy, they will brainwash you, strap bombs to your body

A

which those court papers were based, in which more details are given.

Mr Cosby was questioned for four days in 2005 and 2006 in a Philadelphia hotel, and the deposition of close to 1,000 pages was formed.

The case was brought by Andrea Constand, a former employee of Temple University - the Philadelphia college with which Mr Cosby was once closely associated.

After Mr Cosby intiated what he called a mentoring relationship, Ms Constand says he then gave her a powerful drug and molested her.

Mr Cosby says he gave her only the over-the-counter antihistamine drug Benadryl After Ms Constand became

upset and returned to her native Canada, Mr Cosby offered to pay for her further education.

“My wife would not know it was because Andrea and I had had sex and that Andrea was now very, very upset and that she decided that she would like to go to school,” the New York Times quotes Mr Cosby as saying in the deposition.

He is also reported as saying he was skilled in reading women’s reactions: “I think I’m a pretty decent reader of people and their emotions in these romantic sexual things, whatever you want to call them.”

Mr Cosby also admits paying another woman he met in 1976 and to obtaining sedatives

Israeli PM: Iran leader’s speech shows nuke deal’s folly

Zuma discharged from hospital

SRAEL’s leader says an “aggressive and confrontational speech” by Iran’s supreme leader shows that any expectations a nuclear deal would soften the militancy of the Islamic Republic were misguided.

On Saturday, Iran’s Supreme Leader Ayatollah Ali Khamenei said the agreement won’t change Iran’s approach to the United States and it would continue supporting the Lebanese Hezbollah guerrillas and Palestinian militant groups.Benjamin Netanyahu said Sunday that Iran doesn’t “even try to hide the fact” that it will use a looming lifting of sanctions to further arm regional militant groups and to oppose American and Israeli interests around the Middle East.

Netanyahu has been among the fiercest critics of the nuclear agreement reached with Iran last week.

OUTH African President Jacob Zuma was discharged from hospital yesterday after undergoing a scheduled procedure the previous day to remove gallstones, the presidency said.

“Doctors are pleased with the outcome of the operation.

The President will spend the next few days resting and recuperating at home,” a statement from Zuma’s office said.

I

S

T least 43 people have been killed in shelling by Yemeni Houthi rebels in the southern city of Aden, officials say.

They say more than 100 others were wounded in yesterday’s bombardment, which came amid attempts by government forces to tighten their grip on the city.

Aden has seen months seen heavy fighting between rebels and loyalists.

Pro-government forces, backed by air strikes from a Saudiled coalition, have managed to recapture most of the port city over the past week.

But overnight pro-government militias failed to capture the last remaining rebel stronghold there - the Tawahi peninsula in the south.

The government fled Aden in March, as the Houthis - Shia Muslims from the north who control the capital Sanaa pushed towards the provincial capital.

Following the recent advances by loyalist forces, the exiled government of President Abdrabbuh Mansour Hadi declared the area “liberated” on Thursday. ack for the Houthis since Sunni power Saudi Arabia launched a coalition air campaign against them in March.

The Saudis say the campaign is aimed at forcing the rebels - who they say are armed by regional Shia rival Iran - to retreat and to restore the exiled government.

Iran denies backing the Houthis militarily.

The UN says more than 3,200 people, half of them civilians, have been killed in the conflict.

Another one million civilians have been displaced by the conflict and more than 80% of Yemen’s 25 million people now need some form of humanitarian aid.

Cyber-jihadist Babar Ahmad released •Cameron

and blow you up. If you are a girl, they will enslave and abuse you. That is the sick and brutal reality of ISIL,” he will say.

Cosby ‘offered women hush money’ after sex MERICAN comedian Bill Cosby admitted trying to pay women to keep quiet after having sex with them, according to testimony obtained by the New York Times.

The newspaper says Mr Cosby made the deposition 10 years ago. A lawsuit was lodged by a former university worker in Philadelphia who claimed he drugged and molested her.

Mr Cosby, now 78, is facing a series of sexual assault accusations.

He has denied the claims.

Court papers unsealed earlier this month showed that he admitted giving drugs to women with the aim of having sex with them.

The New York Times says it has obtained the deposition on

Guzman’s capture.

Nicknamed “Shorty” for his height, Guzman already had pulled off one elaborate escape from a maximum-security prison. In 2001, he managed to break free while reportedly hiding in a laundry cart. It took authorities 13 years to catch him — closing in as he was sleeping at a Mexican beach resort.

Yemen: Dozens killed in Aden heavy shelling

Woman learns how to read and write at 100 T’s never too late to learn, at least for this Chinese great grandmother.

Zhao Shunjin, from Hangzhou in eastern China, has just been taught how to write her own name at the ripe age of 100.

Her son, Luo Rongsheng, 70, told CNN that Zhao announced at a family dinner in June that she would like to learn how to read and write.

She has now mastered about 100 Chinese characters after taking an inten-

wall. After the second time, he never resurfaced in the cell.

It’s likely prison workers helped Guzman break out, the interior minister said this week. Osorio Chong said he has already fired the prison director and other prison officials.

Mexican authorities announced a $3.8 million reward for information leading to

•Cosby

with the aim of giving them to women to have sex with him.

Mr Cosby says allegations against him are “fantastical” And, still in the deposition, he says he asked a model about the cancer her late father suffered with the purpose of having sex with her.

Best known as Dr Cliff Huxtable on The Cosby Show in 1984-92, the comedian is facing a number of allegations dating back to the 1960s.

Most of the claims of sexual assault are barred by statutes of limitations. They restrict the length of time in which legal actions can be taken after an alleged crime has been committed.

The accusations, which Mr Cosby has described as “fantastical” and “uncorroborated”, have led to some of his standup shows being called off and the cancellation of some TV projects.

A

BRITISH man jailed in the US over a website considered to be a key moment in the birth of the internet jihad has returned home.

Babar Ahmad left prison last month and is now back in London with family.

He fought a record eight-year-long campaign against extradition for offences committed in the UK. British authorities never charged him - but he later pleaded guilty in the US to providing material support to terrorism through his site.

His July 2014 sentence of just over 12 years took into account his time spent in jail in the UK prior to extradition.

US prosecutors had sought a far longer term, but the sentencing judge said she could not ignore glowing references in Ahmad’s favour, including one written by an influential former CIA officer.

In a statement released via his campaign website, Mr Ahmad, 41, said it had been a “great joy” to be with his family for the Muslim festival of Eid, which comes at the end of the fasting month of Ramadan.

“Eleven years of solitary confinement and isolation in ten different prisons has been an experience too profound to sum up in a few words here and now,” he said.

“In October 2012, I was blindfolded, shackled and forcibly stripped naked when I was extradited to the US. Last week, US and UK government officials treated me with courtesy and respect during my journey home.”

Ahmad’s case has been one of the most complicated and controversial terrorism investigations since 9/11 and even involved an unprecedented legal battle between the government and BBC News over interviewing him.

Babar Ahmad, like others from the UK, enlisted in the Bosnian Army 20 years ago to help defend Muslim communities from genocide at the hands of Serbian forces during the collapse of Yugoslavia.

In July 1996, he began distributing audio cassettes which told the stories of dead Muslim fighters, whom he hailed as martyrs, and the wider pro-jihad jihadist Azzam Publications website then followed. Some of its later content promoted support for the Taliban in Afghanistan.

Ahmad was a hugely influential figure among some young British Muslims who were debating their place in the world in the aftermath of 9/11. At one point, MI5 placed an informant inside his circle to gather intelligence on his views and contacts. That information never led to any criminal charges in the UK - but he was arrested pending extradition to the US in August 2004.

His campaign against extradition was backed by tens of thousands of ordinary Muslims who believed he was being victimised - but security chiefs in London and Washington blame him - and others who were never arrested or charged - for pioneering online jihadist propaganda techniques still in use today.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

52

FOREIGN NEWS

Algeria says nine soldiers killed in attack

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T least nine Algerian soldiers were killed when Islamist militants ambushed their patrol west of the capital Algiers last week in one of the deadliest attacks in months, the defense ministry said yesterday.

Al Qaeda in the Islamic Maghreb claimed Friday’s attack in the Ain Defla region in a statement posted on a social media account that often releases its communiques.

A security source on Sat-

urday had said 11 soldiers were killed. Sunday’s statement from the ministry was the first official confirmation of the attack.

“A detachment of the army was targeted by a terrorist group. We deplore the death of nine soldiers as martyrs and two injured,” the ministry statement said.

Since Algeria’s conflict with armed Islamists in the 1990s in which more than 200,000 people were killed, it has become one of North Af-

rica’s most stable states and is a key ally in the Western campaign against Islamist militancy in the region.

But al Qaeda-allied fighters under veteran commander Abdelmalek Droukdel, and rival fighters who split to declare loyalty to Islamic State, are still active in pockets of the country, mostly in remote mountain areas.

One security source said Droukdel may have been involved in the ambush as a way to show al Qaeda pres-

ence on the ground.

Gunmen claiming loyalty to Islamic State, which controls swathes of Iraq and parts of Syria, have been gaining ground in neighboring Libya, where a conflict between two rival governments has created a security vacuum.

Islamic State has claimed two major attacks on foreign tourists in Tunisia. Authorities say gunmen in the Sousse beach resort attack last month and the March gun assault on the Bardo museum in Tunis

were trained in jihadi camps in Libya.

But an al Qaeda-allied group Okba Ibn Nafaa has been the most active, mostly along the border with Algeria, carrying out attacks on the military and police. It was also blamed by government for the Bardo attack.

The Islamic State splinter group in Algeria, known as the Caliphate Soldiers, has been decimated by a security crackdown since it beheaded a French tourist late last year.

•Opponents of the Greek bailout measures took to the streets of Athens in mainly peaceful protests ahead of the vote. However, one group threw petrol bombs at police officers who responded with tear gas.

PHOTO:AP

Ukraine and rebels in shelling blame

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HE Ukrainian military and pro-Russian separatists accused each other yesterday of shelling residential districts of separatistheld Donetsk overnight, the first attack on central parts of the city since a February ceasefire agreement.

Late on Saturday, rebels said the attacks had killed one civilian, destroyed buildings and started several fires

in the city.

More than 6,500 people have been killed since the conflict broke out in eastern Ukraine in April last year.

Attacks have lessened since a peace agreement was brokered in Minsk, Belarus, five months ago, but both sides accuse each other of violations.

Ukrainian military observers said they witnessed

rebel missile systems “turned towards Donetsk, shelling residential areas of Donetsk, then turning and starting to fire in the direction of Ukrainian positions,” Ukrainian General Andriy Taran said in a televised briefing.

Military spokesman Serhiy Galushko said the army had intercepted rebel radio traffic that also suggested separatists planned to shell

the city.

Senior rebel commander Eduard Basurin denied separatists were responsible for the attacks.

“Last time the center of Donetsk was hit was in February...I have no explanation. The Ukrainian side says we shelled ourselves.

Do you believe we can shell ourselves?,” he told Reuters by phone.

The Organization for Security and Cooperation in Europe (OSCE), which is monitoring the ceasefire, has said neither side has fully withdrawn heavy artillery from the frontline as required by the peace deal.

The Ukrainian military said one serviceman had been killed and seven wounded in separatist attacks in the past 24 hours.

Explosions hit Gaza official’s cars

F

IVE explosions targeting parked cars belonging to members of various Palestinian factions rocked Gaza City yesterday, according to a statement from Iyad al-Buzom, spokesman of Gaza’s ministry of interior.

Police sources and witnesses also confirmed the explosions..

The explosions took place in the Shiekh Ridhwan neighborhood and happened in quick succession around 6 a.m. local time (11 p.m. Saturday, EDT).

Police sources and eyewitness said the bombs were planted on cars used by members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Hospital sources said two people were wounded in the blasts.

It is not yet known who planted the bombs.

The Gaza strip has been riven by internal divisions.

During last year’s Gaza conflict, which took place in July and August, Hamas used the chaos to settle scores and carry out “horrific abuses . . . some of which amount to war crimes” against fellow Palestinians, according to Philip Luther, director of the Middle East and North Africa program at Amnesty International.

Palestinians gather around a burnt-out car in Gaza City Saturday, after explosions destroyed five cars PHOTO:AP in Gaza belonging to members of Hamas and Islamic Jihad.

Fifth service member dies after Chattanooga shooting U.S. Navy Petty Officer Randall Smith, wounded in a shooting rampage in Tennessee, died early Saturday, according to a family member. He is the fifth American service member killed in the attack.

Darlene Proxmire, Smith's step-grandmother, said the logistics specialist was shot in the attack at the Navy Operational Support Center in Chattanooga. It was one of two military sites in the city that were targeted by a gunman Thursday.

The U.S. Navy confirmed the death, saying Smith died at 2:17 a.m.

Smith saw the shooter and warned people around him, according to family members. But he was unable to get away. Smith was shot in the liver, colon and stomach, said his grandmother, Linda Wallace.

Mohammad Youssuf Abdulazeez opened fire, shooting seven people, including four Marines who died that day.

The two surviving wounded are a Marine recruiter who was shot in the leg and a responding Chattanooga police officer, Dennis Pedigo, who was shot in the ankle.

On Friday, hundreds in Chattanooga packed Olivet Baptist Church for a prayer vigil. There were Christians. There were Muslims. A cross-section of the Tennessee community When the shooting broke out, they went into combat mode, had everybody drop to the floor, and then "cleared the room" by having everyone go out the back, the official said. All seven people in the centre survived, and reports indicate those Marines helped save lives.

Authorities have seized four guns connected with Abdulazeez, a law enforcement official said.

Abdulazeez had a handgun and two long guns in his possession when police killed him at a Navy Operational Support Centre, and another rifle was seized when police searched his home, the official said.

Abdulazeez obtained at least one of his firearms from a seller via the Internet, law enforcement sources told CNN, and at least two other firearms were bought from licensed firearms dealers.

The handgun was registered in his name, the source said. Officials believe the shotgun and AK-47-style gun were legally obtained, the source said.

Two women in Taiwan presidential election race

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AIWAN’s top two political parties have each nominated a woman for president in 2016, a historic first signalling acceptance of female leadership and kicking off a campaign highlighted so far by clashing views on ties with rival China.The ruling Nationalist Party yesterd

picked as its candidate Hung Hsiu-chu, a former teacher and the current deputy legislative speaker.

Hung, who supports friendly relations with China, will run against Tsai Ing-wen, the opposition Democratic Progressive Party chairwoman and an advocate of more cau-

tious relations with Beijing.

Tsai leads in opinion polls ahead of January’s election.

Ties with Beijing, long icy but cordial since 2008, have shaped up as an early campaign issue.Voters in Taiwan, which has been democratic since the late 1980s, have never elected a woman as presi-

dent nor had a choice between two female candidates backed by the major parties.Joanna Lei, chief executive officer of the Chunghua 21st Century Think Tank in Taiwan, said that some younger women struggle to advance in Taiwan.

However, she said society accepts the leadership of wom-

en over age 50 because they historically ran clans in China, where Taiwan’s culture originates.

Women manage 10 government departments and some of Taiwan’s top companies. One third of Taiwanese legislators are female, compared to 13 percent in Japan

and 16 percent in South Korea, said Sean King, senior vice president with Park Strategies, a New York-based consultancy firm.Elsewhere in Asia, Park Geun-hye took office two years ago as South Korea’s first female president, and Sheikh Hasina is currently the prime minister of Bangladesh.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

53

FOREIGN NEWS U.S.-led airdrops shower leaflets over IS territory

54 years after, U.S., Cuba reboot diplomatic ties today

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UBA’s blue, red and white-starred flag is flying outside the country’s diplomatic mission in the United States for the first time since the countries severed ties in 1961.While no formal ceremony is planned today for the U.S. Interests Section in Havana, it too will become a full-fledged embassy just after midnight as the Cold War foes formally enter a new era of engagement despite what remains a deep ideological gulf. ”It’s a historic moment,” said longtime Cuban diplomat and analyst Carlos Alzugaray, adding that now the truly hard work begins: Resolving thorny disputes such as mutual claims for economic reparations, Havana’s insistence on the end of the 53year-old trade embargo and U.S. calls for Cuba to improve on human rights and democracy.”The significance of opening the embassies is that trust and respect that you can see, both sides treating the other with trust and respect,” Alzugaray added.

“That doesn’t mean there aren’t going to be conflicts -

there are bound to be conflicts - but the way that you treat the conflict has completely changed.”Cuba plans a solemn morning ceremony at its stately mission in Washington with some 500 guests, including a 30-member delegation of diplomatic, cultural and other leaders from the Caribbean nation, headed by Foreign Minister Bruno Rodriguez.The U.S. government will be represented by Assistant Secretary of State for Western Hemisphere Affairs Roberta Jacobson, who led U.S. negotiators in six months of talks leading to the July 1 announcement that embassies would reopen, and Jeffrey DeLaurentis, the U.S. Interests Section chief in Havana who will now become charge d’affaires.Rodriguez is scheduled to meet later in the day with U.S. Secretary of State John Kerry.Officials say the U.S. Interests Section in Havana will not immediately raise the stars and stripes, instead waiting for a formal ceremony expected to be presided over by Kerry in August.

But they’ve already drilled

A

The Cuban Embassy in Washington, DC, located at 2630 16th Street Northwest, Washington, D.C., in the Adams Morgan neighbourhood—reopens today after 54 yers.

holes on the exterior to hang signage flown in from the U.S., and arranged to print new business cards and letterhead that say “Embassy” instead of “Interests Section.”

What for years was a lonely flagpole outside the glassy sixstory edifice on Havana’s seafront Malecon boulevard recently got a rehab, complete with a paved walkway.Every day for the last week, employees have been hanging handlettered signs on the fence counting down, in Spanish, to Monday: “In 6 days we will become an embassy!” and so on.The mission’s Facebook account also celebrated by posting a series of pre-1959 revolution photos of the U.S. diplomatic presence in Havana.

On one recent day it uploaded an image of the Swiss flag with the word “Gracias!”

Both interests sections have technically operated under the aegis of “protecting power” Switzerland; the Swiss also were caretakers for the former American Embassy and ambassador’s residence from 1961 to 1977, when the U.S. had no diplomatic presence in the country at all.Havana, too, has been sprucing up the surrounding streets in anticipation of a flood of media cameras, painting curbs and lampposts and scrubbing sentry stations. At least one residential building across the street also got a fresh coat of paint.But the main action today will be in

Washington.

Among the attendees will be Cuban singer-songwriter Silvio Rodrigez, former parliament president Ricardo Alarcon, Havana City historian Eusebio Leal and the artist Kcho.”It is going to be a celebration on our part,” said Gustavo Machin, deputy director for U.S. affairs at Cuba’s Foreign Ministry.Machin also said many Americans who have worked to cultivate U.S.-Cuba ties over the years have been invited.Wayne Smith, a former U.S. diplomat who was serving in Havana when relations were cut and returned in the late 1970s as chief of mission, confirmed he’s on the guest list: “Wouldn’t miss it!”

Merkel: Greek debt relief possible

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ERMAN Chancellor Angela Merkel says she is prepared to consider further debt concessions to Greece once its latest economic reforms are worked out.

In a television interview, she said she was open to discussing reduced interest rates and extended maturity dates.

But she said this would happen only after details of the latest bailout had been negotiated, and reiterated that there would be no debt write-off.

Meanwhile France’s president called for the creation of

Melbourne clashes as nationalists and anti-racist groups rally

a eurozone government.

Reviving an idea originally put forward by former European Commission chief Jacques Delors, Francois Hollande proposed “a specific budget as well as a parliament to ensure democratic control” of the eurozone.

“What threatens us is not an excess of Europe but its insufficiency,” Mr Hollande wrote in a French newspaper.

The 19 countries who use the euro are members of an informal body, the Eurogroup, made up of each country’s fi-

nance minister.

The complex negotiations earlier this month over whether to grant Greece a third bailout highlighted vastly different points of view between the various eurozone members.

Germany - which is the largest contributor to Greek rescue funds - has taken a tough line on Greece.

Both Greece and, one of its key creditors The International Monetary Fund, have been arguing for a restructuring of its •320bn debt saying its current position is “unsustain-

able”.

But Mrs Merkel said again on Sunday that “a classic haircut of 30, 40% of debt cannot happen in a currency union.”

“Greece has already been given relief. We had a voluntary haircut among the private creditors and we then extended maturities once and reduced interest rates,” she said in an interview with ARD TV to be broadcast later yesterday.

“And we can now talk about such possibilities again... once the first successful review

S. Korea spy kills self amid hacking scandal

A •Merkel

of the programme to be negotiated has been completed, then exactly this question will be discussed - not now, but then,” she said.

PLUTO ON THE HORIZON

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USTRALIAN nationalist protesters and antiracist groups have staged rival demonstrations in Melbourne, with police using capsicum spray and horse squads against crowds.

Clashes occurred after counter-demonstrators flocked to oppose rallies called by rightwing groups Reclaim Australia and United Patriots Front.

One anti-racist campaigner declared victory “against the racists”.

But police said the violence meant the message from either side was lost.

Dozens answered the nationalists’ call to protest near Parliament House for the state of Victoria, against what they claim is the “spread” of Islam, halal food and “non-white immigration” in Australia.

Police encircled the protesters and were in turn surrounded by hundreds of counterdemonstrators, a small number of whom tried to break through the police lines to reach the nationalists, reports said.

U.S.-led coalition dropped new leaflets over the de facto capital of the Islamic State group in Syria, promising those below that "freedom will come" to the region, activists said yesterday.

An anti-Islamic State group called Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered and the Britainbased Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said the leaflets had drawings showing dead extremists and their flag turned upside down. Four fighters with the main Kurdish militia, the People's Protection Units, or YPG, walked down a street in the picture, with two words in Arab below: "Freedom will come."

The latest leaflet drop comes as YPG fighters have been advancing in northern Syria as close as 50 kilometers (30 miles) north of Raqqa.

Coalition warplanes have dropped such leaflets in the past.

One previous had a cartoon showing masked Islamic State extremists at a "hiring office" feeding people into a meat grinder.

Also yesterday, the extremists gave Internet cafes in Raqaa four days to stop offering wireless Internet connections to nearby homes, the Observatory and Raqqa is Being Silently Slaughtered said. The move comes two weeks after extremists released a video purporting to show the killing of two Syrian men in Raqqa, allegedly for spying.

The Islamic State group holds about a third of Syria and neighboring Iraq in its self-declared "caliphate."

•A new image taken by the New Horizon spacecraft of Pluto’s heart-shaped feature, informally name ‘’Tombaugh Regio’’ reveals a ‘’vast, craterless plan that appears to be no more than 100 million years old according to NASA the frozen region ‘’is possibly shaped by geologic processes’’.

PHOTO: NASA

N employee of South Korea’s National Intelligence Service (NIS) spying agency has been found dead in his car after apparently taking his own life on a mountain road, police say.

His death comes as a scandal over phone-hacking gathers pace.

The man left a suicide note admitting that he had deleted important information about the hacking. It has emerged that mobile phones were tracked and monitored just before the presidential election in 2012.

Government and NIS officials have denied opposition claims that the spyware - bought from an Italian company - was used to monitor South Koreans in general.

The Supreme Court on Thursday ordered a retrial in the case of former NIS head Won Seihoon, who was convicted for trying to influence the results of the 2012 presidential election They insist that its purpose was to boost the country’s cyberwarfare capabilities against North Korea.

The BBC’s Stephen Evans, in South Korea, says that the note left by the dead man implies that phones were monitored only to keep tabs on people connected to North Korea and not to besmirch opponents of the right-of-centre president.

The spy agency had a scandalous reputation in the years before South Korea embraced democracy in the 1980s, and was involved in abductions and killings.

The modern NIS is not accused of such serious offences but has nevertheless been embroiled in several scandals, including election meddling.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

54

NEWS Free medical service for residents

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EN of the 27 Task Force Brigade in Damaturu, Yobe State, yesterday conducted a free medical service for residents under tight security, following a suicide attack on the town at the weekend.

The people enjoyed general medical consultation, blood pressure screening, viral hepatitis screening, voluntary HIV testing/counselling, blood sugar diabetes miletus and general health education.

The Chief of Army Staff, Maj.-Gen. Tukur Yusuf Buratai, who inspected the exercise and interacted with the residents at Injiwaji layout playing ground, told reporters that the essence of the exercise was to strengthen civil/ military relationship.

He said: “We embarked on this exercise to cement the civil/military relationship. We want to show them that we are not only carrying guns, but we can look at them in other areas of protection. We have doctors and other auxiliary per-

From Duku Joel, Damaturu

sonnel, who are part of the military profession. We are extending these services to them so that they will know that we are here to protect and cater for them in healthcare delivery.”

The Army chief hailed the cooperation of residents in the counter-insurgency fight.

He said he was impressed by the involvement of a female vigilance group member, who was the head of the group in Damaturu, urging the women to keep it up.

Maj.-Gen. Buratai said: “It’s excellent. You can see from the vigilance group headed by this hajiya. It’s quite interesting. I am impressed. I wasn’t even aware that a woman is involved at this level in the fight.

It’s quite interesting. I am excited and we are motivated to do our best.”

He urged the people to be vigilant about strangers and suspicious movement, saying they should report such to the security agencies.

Security agents arrest 64 suspected hoodlums in Ilorin A

COMBINED team of security personnel at the weekend arrested 64 suspected hoodlums during a raid on their hideouts in Ilorin the Kwara State capital.

The security team conamed: ‘Operation Harmony’, comprises soldiers, policemen, civil defence corps officials and men of the National Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA).

The security personnel also reportedly stormed

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

the hideouts of suspected Indian hemp smokers, arresting several.

NDLEA spokesperson Mr. Segun Adewara confirmed the arrest. He said the exercise was a continuous one to rid the state of undesirable elements.

Adewara said the team

raided three of such hideouts on Ilofa Road, a popular hotel at Flour Garden (all in GRA) and Offa terminus.

He said the incident occurred about 5:30pm on Saturday.

It was learnt that the NDLEA men acted on a tipoff.

An eyewitness account showed that the operatives

raided the hideout in a commando style, shooting sporadically into the air.

The incident caused a stampede, as residents and shop owners ran away to avoid being implicated.

The security men were said to have stormed the Ilofa Road hideout with about 12 vehicles.

It was learnt close associates of the arrested suspects were seen calling others to stay away from the spot.

‘Be patient with Buhari’

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GOVERNORSHIP aspirant in Kogi State, Prince Rotimi Obadofin, has urged people to be patient with President Muhammadu Buhari, to enable him tackle the country’s problems.

Obadofin, who addressed reporters yesterday in Lokoja, said the President should not be stampeded into taking actions.

He said: “With the prob-

From James Azania, Lokoja

lems inherited by his administration, there is need to be patient with President Buhari to study the situation and find a solution to the problems.”

The governorship aspirant said the citizens were aware of the problems left by the former President Goodluck Jonathan administration, noting that solving them would be gradual.

SDP man accuses APC of rigging

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HE candidate of the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in the House of Assembly election in Adamawa State, Dr. Raymond Chidama, has accused the All Progressives Congress (APC) of rigging some wards, including Gaiya in Uba/Gaya.

He lost because of what he described as an “arranged rigging” by the APC, whose candidate, Mohammed Hayatu Atiku, won the poll.

Chidama said results brought to the collation centres showed that the party was leading, adding that he was

From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

•The Emir of Mubi, Alhaji Abubakar Isa (right), speaking during his Sallah homage visit to Adamawa State Governor Mohammed Jibrilla in Yola...yesterday PHOTO:NAN

shocked when results came from a unit in Gaiya ward, which showed that SDP did not win a vote.

He said in other units where the APC knew were the stronghold of the SDP, they insisted on using Card Readers and youths molested and threatened people who voted against the APC. Chidama said he would challenge the purported victory of Hayatu at the tribunal despite death threats.

Emir reflects on life after death •‘Leaders should be honest’ From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

Boko Haram: Yobe road reopened

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HE military yesterday re-opened a major road in Yobe State, Northeast, closed more than a year ago after Boko Haram insurgents attacked motorists.

Army spokesman Col. Sani Usman said the road between Damaturu, the capital of Yobe State and Biu, a major commercial centre in Borno State, had been cleared of mines by the special forces, backed by the police and vigilance groups

engaged in fights against Boko Haram insurgents.

During the demining, four improvised explosive devices “planted by suspected Boko Haram terrorists were discovered and detonated,” Usman said.

The reopening of the thoroughfare came in a week in which three girls staged suicide bombings in Damaturu, killing at least 13 people on Friday as residents prepared for the Eid-il-Fitr at the end of Ramadan, police said.

Ex-Osun chief judge dies

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•The late Oluborode

HE death has occurred of Justice Olatunde Oluborode (rtd), a former chief judge of Osun State and the Baba Ijo of Jehovah Nissi African Church Cathedral, Ilesa.

He died on July 1. He was 80.

A spokesman for the family, Dr. Olawunmi Oluborode, said a funeral programme would be announced later.

•Emir Sanusi 11

T

HE Emir of Kano, Muhammadu Sanusi 11, yesterday at the African House, Government House, Kano, wept as he reflected on life after death.

Tears welled up in his eyes as he addressed his subjects on the need to exhibit good character of honesty, trust, transparency and compassion when interacting with others.

Emir Sanusi 11, who was at the Government House to visit Governor Abdullahi Umar Ganduje, as part of the events to mark the Hauwan Nasarawa, urged Ganduje to use his experience to develop the state and promote peace.

He also advised him not to relent in providing

security, saying he should prioritise education, health, agriculture and water.

The Emir implored leaders to use Eid-El-Fitr to reflect on the teachings of Prophet Mohammed by making a resolve that one day, “we shall stand before our creator and answer for all we have done.”

He enjoined the people to be law-abiding and be their brother’s keepers, irrespective of religion or ethnicity.

The monarch told the government to tackle insecurity.

He pledged the support

of the Emirate to the Ganduje administration and congratulated members of the executive council on their appointments.

The governor said his administration would transform the state through new projects and the completion of the ones inherited from the last administration.

Ganduje, who decried a new method of begging, described the action as unislamic.

He said his administration would resist attempts to make Kano the headquarters of street begging.

Ganduje said he had begun discussions with President Muhammadu Buhari on how to resettle Fulani herdsmen at Falgore.

Sultan advocates rent control boards

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HE Sultan of Sokoto, Muhammad Sa’ad Abubakar III, yesterday advocated the establishment of rent control boards to curb insecurity.

The monarch, who spoke when he visited Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal during the Eid- il-Fitr, said the boards should be charged with the responsibility of keeping a national database of landlords and tenants.

He added: “Doing so will reduce kidnapping and other crimes.

From Adamu Suleiman, Sokoto

“Such a nationwide database will enable the government and the security agencies to know who to get hold of if there is any problem.”

The Sultan urged Nigerians to see security as a collective duty and not that of the government alone.

He advised the government to introduce a statewide school shuttle bus service to alleviate the suffering of pupils.

The royal father enjoined the government to

revive the development fund to boost socio-economic development.

He appealed to the government to ensure the utilisation of dams to boost irrigation.

According to him, “the Sultanate Council will sustain the cordial relationship between it and the government.”

Governor Tambuwal hailed the Sultan for the visit and his efforts to promote peace and unity in the state and in the country.

He added: “Your steadfastness towards ensur-

•Sultan Abubakar III

ing peace, unity and stability of Nigerians, irrespective of divide, is encouraging and should be sustained.”

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

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NEWS Ijaw youths to Obasanjo: Jonathan performed better than you

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JAW youths have said their kinsman and former President Goodluck Jonathan’s five-year Presidency recorded more achievements than the eightyear administration of former President Olusegun Obasanjo.

The Ijaw youths took exception to a comment credited to Obasanjo, that the actions and inactions of Jonathan in office would haunt the people of the Niger Delta for a long time.

In a statement by spokesman of Ijaw Youth Congress (IYC), Worldwide, Mr. Eric Omare, the youth reminded Obasanjo that one of Jonathan’s greatest achievements was the restoration of Nigeria’s international image through free and fair elections.

The youth said Obasanjo’s penchant for fraudulent elections made the international community, especially the United States (U.S.), to reject the process that ushered in the late President Umaru Yar’Adua’s administration.

The statement said: “We make bold to state that former President Jonathan’s five years in office were far better than Obasanjo’s eight years.

If Obasanjo has forgotten, we wish to remind him that because of his impunity in rigging elections, President Yar’Adua, on assumption of office, had zero regard in the international community.

“However, President Jonathan has redeemed this badly battered image by reforming the electoral system; elections in Nigeria today are substantially free, fair and credible with the consequent goodwill they have generated for Nigeria in the international community.

“President Muhammadu Buhari would not have been receiving the highest respect before U.S President Barack Obama, if not for former Pres-

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

ident Jonathan’s efforts at reforming the electoral system in Nigeria.”

IYC noted that if regions were to be haunted by the sins of ex-Presidents, the Southwest would be the first.

The congress described Obasanjo’s performance as abysmal.

It noted that the Southwest was exonerated from any blame because it rejected Obasanjo in 1999, having known that “nothing good” could come from him.

IYC described Obasanjo’s anti-Jonathan’s comments as reckless, baseless and a deliberate effort to dent the former President’s “towering image in the international community”.

It said: “The Niger Delta region is proud of the achievements of former President Jonathan in office, considering the difficult circumstances he worked. Events in the last few weeks, especially the increased momentum of Boko Haram insurgency in the North, have shown that Jonathan did very well.

“The IYC advises Chief Obasanjo to conduct himself like an elder statesman and stop his grandstanding all over Nigeria by trying to pull down other leaders. Nigeria needs the wise counsel of elder statesmen to pull the country out from the numerous challenges facing it.

“The IYC also decries the gradual slide to dictatorship, as exemplified by the reckless arrest and detention of Nigerians, who served under President Jonathan, like Col. Sambo Dasuki and Felix Obuah without due process.

“It is illegal and unconstitutional for Obuah and (Dasuki), a former Chief Security Officer (CSO) to President Jonathan, to be detained in an underground cell without access to their family members and lawyers.”

Disquiet in Odi over abduction of N15b fund’s chair

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HERE was tension yesterday in Odi, Bayelsa State, following the abduction of the Chairman of the Compensation Funds Disbursement Committee, Prof. Zibokere Daukiye, by gunmen.

Besides Daukiye, it was learnt that Mrs. Evelyn Gagariga, the 45-year-old wife of the Deputy Chief of the community, Capt. Tari Gagariga, was kidnapped.

Gagariga, a member of the committee and retired a pilot, was said to be in Abuja when the hoodlums struck.

A source in the community, who spoke in confidence, said the gunmen stormed Gagariga’s home, after abducting Daukiye.

“But Gagariga was not around. After searching the house and discovering that their target was not there, they seized the wife and took her away. The motive of the

B

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

vance.

The PDP chieftain noted that the defectors were former aides and political associates of former Governor Timipre Sylva, who is APC’s state leader.

He said most of them were members of the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN), which he described as the renegade group used by former First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan, to polarise the state and work against Dickson’s re-election.

Godspower said: “It is clear that the defectors were never with us. Most of them, in their wards, cannot even win one vote against the PDP. We know them too well. For instance, you will recall that in the just-concluded National and House of Assembly elections in the state, you saw how we defeated them.

“Many of them sponsored candidates in other parties against the PDP; yet, they were roundly defeated. I can assure you that the defectors lack electoral value. On December 5, we will defeat them again in the governorship poll.

“Their defection is motivated purely by greed. Soon enough, they will come begging to be readmitted into the PDP. The PDP in Bayelsa State remains the party to beat in the coming governorship election.”

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

gunmen is not known.

“There is tension in the community. We are in confusion because the abductors are yet to establish contact with the victims’ families,” the source said.

Another source said most people in the community linked the incident to the controversies surrounding the compensation fund paid to the community by the Federal Government.

The coastal community has been engulfed in a crisis since 1999, when federal troops, under President Olusegun Obasanjo, bombarded it to avenge the murder of security operatives by youths in the militancy era.

The community was awarded N37.6 billion by a Federal High Court in Port Harcourt,

the Rivers State capital.

But it was later paid N15 billion by the government after negotiation.

The N15 billion compensation paid to the community by the government, after a series of legal actions, has caused divisions and violent protests, following alleged embezzlement of the funds.

The source said: “There is suspicion over the kidnap.

The committee’s members and the community have been at loggerheads over allegations of embezzlement of the money.

“The community has even dragged the committee to court. So, people are questioning the authenticity of the kidnap story.”

Police spokesman Asinim Butswat, an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP), confirmed that Mrs. Gagariga

was abducted with Daukiye.

He said: “In the early hours of Friday, some gunmen stormed the home of Prof Zibokere Daukiye, the Chairman of Odi Compensation Fund Disbursement Committee, at Odi, in Kolokuma/ Opokuma Local Government Area.

“Mrs. Evelyn Tari Gagariga, 45, who is the wife of Tari Gagariga, a member of Odi Compensation Fund Disbursement Payment Committee, was also abducted.

“The gunmen whisked them into a waiting speedboat and sped off to an unknown destination.

“A manhunt has been launched by a combined team of Marine Police, Anti-Kidnapping Unit and the Joint Task Force (JTF) to rescue the victim and arrest the abductors.”

•Akwa Ibom State Governor Udom Emmanuel (middle); former Minister of Housing, Lands and Urban Development, Mrs. Akon Eyakenyi (left) and Commissioner for Finance, Mr. Akan Okon, during the governor’s worship at Destiny International Mission, Uyo...yesterday.

You’re traitors to Ijaw, Bayelsa PDP AYELSA State Peoples tells defectors Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday called its founding members, leaders and party chiefs defecting to the All Progressives Congress (APC) ahead of the December 5 governorship election, traitors.

The PDP chapter has suffered mass defections, which led political associates and friends of former President Goodluck Jonathan to move to the APC. On Friday, a two-time member of the House of Representatives, Mr. Warman Ogoriba, led hundreds of former political office holders, close associates of former President Jonathan and ex-officials of the PDP to the APC in an elaborate ceremony.

Ogoriba’s defection came a few weeks, after Chief Dikivie Ikiogha, a former Chief of Staff in Governor Seriake Dickson’s administration and ally of Jonathan, dumped the PDP for the APC. But the PDP said those abandoning its fold were “traitors and enemies of the Ijaw nation”.

The state’s PDP Secretary, Keku Godspower, berated the defectors.

He described their action as most reprehensible.

Godspower said the defection was wrong because it occurred when well-meaning Ijaw sons and daughters were coming to terms with what he called a conspiracy to scheme out the ethnic nationality from political rele-

•Committee member’s wife also kidnapped

O

DESOPADEC law: Ijaw youths send foreign nationals, Chevron, others packing

IL bearing communities in Delta State have warned the state government and the House of Assembly to tread carefully on the state’s Oil Producing Areas Development Commission (DESOPADEC) amendment Bill.

An executive bill was recently sent to the House of Assembly by Governor Ifeanyi Okowa for the amendment of the DESOPADEC law But oil bearing communities are kicking against the perceived sectional agenda of the proposed amendment.

Flowstation and Wellhead Ijaw host communities yesterday gave foreign nationals and oil multinationals operating in the state seven days to vacate their personnel and contractors.

The host communities warned that they would not guarantee the safety of those who remained after the ultimatum.

Comrade Sheriff Mulade, John Bebeapere, Isaac Ikoroware, Faith Mamamu and Dickson Ogugu, representing Gbaramatu, Ogulagha, Egbema, Ogbe-Ijoh and Diebri, gave the ultimatum at the weekend after a meeting of the host communities in Warri.

In a communiqué after the meeting, the host communities said: “The proposed amendment bill is like a keg

From Shola O’Neil, Warri

of gun powder, which can explode any day and engulf the state with devastating consequences.

“We call on the foreign embassies to advise their nationals in the above Ijaw territories as their safety shall not be guaranteed.

“We hereby call on the major oil companies, including Chevron Nigeria Limited, Nigerian Petroleum Development Company (NPDC), Neconde Energy Limited, Shell Development Petroleum Company (SPDC) and AGIP within the above Ijaw territories, to vacate their personnel and contractors from their various facilities within seven days effective from the

date of this publication.”

They said instead of amending the DESOPADEC law, the government should release N300 billion underpaid to the commission over the years, to enable it begin an aggressive development of their areas.

The Ijaw community leaders condemned the amendment, adding that the focus of DESOPADEC would no longer be restricted to the oil bearing communities, which have peculiar development challenges because of oil and gas exploration and production activities.

“The negative effect of this arrangement is that politicians who are not from oil bearing communities would be the ones to determine the direction of the Commission

to the detriment of the oil and gas producing communities,” the communiqué said.

The group faulted last Thursday’s public hearing organised by the House of Assembly, alleging that it was stage-managed and members of the ad hoc committee carefully.

They called for a new sharing formula that would give the host communities 50 per cent and impacted communities 30 per cent.

That would leave 20 per cent to the state government.

The host comunities urged the state government to source funds for the development of the state capital and other parts of the state from other sources.

‘Akwa Ibom not owing salaries’

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KWA Ibom State Government has said it is not owing its workers.

This is contrary to reports that its workers, including teachers, are being owed since 2012.

Commissioner for Information and Communications, Mr. Aniekan Umanah, addressed reporters yesterday in Uyo, the state capital.

Umanah said: “For the umpteenth time, I wish to state that Akwa Ibom State Government is not owing

•Emmanuel dissolves boards From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

any worker, not even teachers, as wrongly peddled by enemies of this government.”

He said official records showed that “the only outstanding salary is that of July 2015, which is not yet due, pending the receipt of July allocations from the Federation Account”.

Also, Emmanuel has authorised the immediate dissolu-

tion of the state’s boards.

A two-paragraph statement by the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Ekerete Udoh, confirmed the order.

The statement reads: “Governor Emmanuel has authorised the immediate dissolution of all boards in the state.

“The governor appreciates the service the former board members gave to the state and wishes them the best in their future endeavours.”

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

NEWS Otti felicitates with Muslims

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HE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti, has felicitated with Muslim faithful on Eid-elFitr, urging them to pray for peace and unity.

In a statement at the weekend, otti urged them to dedicate the period to pray for greater peace and unity in Nigeria.

He expressed concern over the insurgency in some parts of the country and the resultant wilful destruction of lives and property, saying the sit-

F

OLLOWING the state government’s inability to pay worker’s salaries, the organised labour in Ebonyi State said it would begin an indefinite strike tomorrow.

A statement by the chairman of Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC), Comrade Ikechukwu Nwafor, Secretary Comrade Chukwuma Onwe and 34 others, lamented that their salaries were yet to be paid since the present government came into power.

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

The statement reads: “You may recall that workers had on April 9 suspended their onemonth strike after an agreement was reached with the government that 50 per cent of the 60 per cent recommended salary table would be implemented.

“You may also recall that Governor Dave Umahi promised to pay 100 per cent mini-

mum wage.

“He has become governor today and has refused to pay the existing salary structure, not to talk of the 100 per cent he promised.

“Comrades, as at today, the Governor has not approved the payment of workers’ salaries since he assumed office and this is unacceptable.

“This is happening in the face of the recent Federal Government’s intervention fund to states, including Ebonyi, to

clear all backlog of salaries and pension arrears.

“In the light of the above, the organised labour has resolved to resume the suspended indefinite strike with effect from Tuesday July 21. Workers in the civil and public service are hereby directed to comply accordingly by staying at home until otherwise directed”.

The state government has appealed to the workers to exercise patience and shelve the intended strike.

EFCC charges company’s director, others for forgery as co-owner alleges theft

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) has filed criminal charges against a director of Rana Prestige Industries Nigeria Limited, Mr. Gnanhoue Nazaire at the Federal High Court in Lagos.

Nazaire, the company’s General Manager, Senou Modeste, and “Company Secretary” Ferdinand Egede were charged with forgery and “uttering” of forged documents.

Uttering a forged instrument is the passing or making use of a forged writing or document with knowledge of its forged nature. It is a crime usually charged in conjunction with a forgery.

EFCC said they allegedly conspired among themselves on May 28, 2007 to forge Rana Prestige’s ordinary resolution, which they claimed was signed

by Mrs. Rachadatou Abdou, who co-owns the company.

The commission said they allegedly forged a Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC) Form 7 dated November 22, 2005, claiming it was also signed by Mrs. Abdou.

They were also accused of uttering of forged document by presenting the Form 7 to CAC as genuine.

The four-count charge includes conspiracy to commit a felony, forgery and uttering of false document, which violate section 516, 467 and 468 of the Criminal Code, Cap C17, Laws of Lagos State of Nigeria 2003.

The accused persons are yet to be arraigned.

In a supporting affidavit, an EFCC investigating officer said the board resolution was purportedly signed and passed by the directors appointing Egede as the company secretary while Mrs. Abdou was out of the country.

The commission said Nazaire fraudulently convert-

By Joseph Jibueze

ed the company’s share to his use and to Mrs. Abdou’s prejudice, as well as “converted huge sums of money” belonging to the company “to his own use.”

But Rana Prestige, its Administrative Manager Adewale Adeniyi and Nazaire, through their lawyer Chief Rickey Tarfa (SAN), have filed a fundamental rights enforcement suits, praying the court to order the unsealing of the companies’ business premises and unfreezing of their bank accounts with Diamond Bank, Ecobank, and Access Bank.

They are also asking for an order of perpetual injunction restraining EFCC from violating their rights.

When the case came up before Justice Mohammed Yunusa last Thursday, counsel for Mrs. Abdou, Mr. Femi Falana (SAN), opposed the applications. He urged the court to dismiss them.

Three applications were heard, one by Hair Prestige Manufacturing Nigeria Limited, Prestige Hair Fashion Nigeria Limited, Nazaire (trading under Rana Seasoning Ventures) and Senou against the EFCC, Mrs. Alice Bulus and Mrs. Abdou.

The second fundamental rights application is by Rana Prestige and Nazaire against the same respondents, while the third is by Adeniyi.

Adeniyi is seeking N30 million as general, exemplary and aggravated damages for the violation of his rights, as well as N10 million as cost of the suit.

Hair Prestige, Prestige Hair Fashion, Nazaire and Senou are seeking N180 million as damages for the violation of their rights.

Rana Prestige and Nazaire, in the third application, are seeking N100 million damages, and N10 million as cost of the action.

Falana said Adeniyi’s claim that Mrs. Abdou instigated his

arrest was not backed by any evidence. “The applicant has not attached any documents in support of his application,” he said.

Besides, he said his client’s petition to EFCC, alleging massive fraud, forgery and diversion of funds did not name Adeniyi in it.

Falana urged Justice Yunusa not to restrain the EFCC from dealing with “a foreigner who came to Nigeria to treat our laws with disdain.”

He added: “Nobody is above the law. There is now a valid charge before this court. To grant the applications will be to confer permanent immunity to criminal suspects.”

EFCC’s counsel Iyabo Daramola said the commission was only carrying out its constitutional duties. She said the commission did not violate their rights.

“The action of the first respondent was statutorily conducted and we urge the court to so hold,” she said.

In her counter-affidavit to Adeniyi’s suit, Mrs. Abdou said she and Nazaire jointly established Rana Prestige and were the company’s only two directors.

She said she was fraudulently cut off as the company’s director by Nazaire and Senou to the extent that money was withdrawn from the company’s accounts without her consent despite the fact that she’s a signatory to them.

“It was in the cause of this fraudulent act perpetrated against me that I wrote a petition against Mr. Nazaire to the EFCC through my lawyer,” she said.

According to her, she allowed the commission to carry out its investigation and never intervened in any way nor instigated EFCC to perform its official duties.

In her counter-affidavit to the suit by Rana Prestige and Nazaire, Mrs. Abdou said she

uation poses a great challenge to religious leaders.

Otti called for greater religious harmony and peaceful co-existence among the different ethnic nationalities, saying that Nigeria’s strength and potential lies in her diversity.

He urged the Muslim community to use the occasion to pray for the administration of President Muhammadu Buhari as it makes concerted efforts to stamp out terrorism.

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

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HE All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State has urged Governor Okezie Ikpeazu to disclose the financial position of the state and the debt he inherited from his predecessor, Theodore Orji.

According to it, the inability of the Ikpezu-led government to disclose the amount left in state coffers one month after assuming office makes the PDP-administration ‘a deceptive government’.

The party lamented that Orji didn’t make public, the debt and cash he was leaving for his successor.

Chairman Augustine Ehiemere, at a press conference, said Abians deserved to know the true financial status of Abia.

“The PDP-led government should as a matter of duty and responsibility, disclose the true financial status of Abia.”

Ehiemere emphasised that the purported claim by the state government to have obtained $200m loan from the African Development Bank (ADB) was a facade.

“The process and procedure of securing such a loan requires the approval of the House of Assembly, Senate Committee on Finance and the Federal Ministry of Finance.

Of course, none of these requirements have been met; one therefore wonders where and how government got the loan,” Ehiemere said.

But Senior Special Assistant (Media) to Governor Ikpeazu, Ugochukwu Emezuo, in a telephone interview, described the accusations as out of tune and baseless because according to him, the governor at different fora, had said he inherited some debts and cash.

Emezue stressed APGA was entitled, under the law, to criticise the government (positions and actions), adding that such should however be constructive.

He said the issues raised by APGA had no basis, citing the $200m ADB loan which he said was started by the previous administration and only concluded by the present government.

•EFCC chair, Ibrahim Lamorde

was in Paris for over six years during which Nazaire allegedly defrauded the company of several millions of naira by forging her signature to pass a fictitious resolution to change the company’s mandate with the banks.

Besides, she said following her investment of N10 million in Rana Prestige at its inception, her shares which was supposed to be 50 per cent was manipulated and she was allotted 40 per cent.

She said Nazaire later incorporated Hair Prestige Manufacturing “to further continue their act of fraud against me and Rana Prestige Industries Ltd.” But Tarfa said it was illegal to seal the companies and freeze their accounts without a court order.

He said the applicants’ business premises had been sealed and their accounts frozen and many documents carted away by the respondents without any lawful order of court.

Tarfa said the companies may be forced to die if their constitutional rights are not urgently protected.

“The sealing up of the premises, seizure and detention of property and freezing of the accounts of the applicants were carried out by the respondents in a manner that infringes on their fundamental rights,” Tarfa said.

Justice Mohammed Yunusa adjourned till August 18, 20 and 24 for ruling on the applications.

Umuahia

Declare Abia debt profile, APGA urges Ikpeazu

•Chairman of Nsukka Local Government Area, Charles Ugwu (left) with the Chairman of Nsukka Urban Renewal Committee, Chris Offor (right) during the committee's fact finding and assessment visit to Nsukka town and environs at the weekend.

Ebonyi workers to commence strike tomorrow

From Ugochukwu Ugoji-Eke,

Ugwuanyi to address imbalance in Enugu

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NUGU State Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi has said his administration remains committed to addressing imbalances in the state’s socio-political life, with a view to promoting justice, equity and fairness.

Ugwuanyi, who spoke at a meeting of Nsukka General Assembly in Nsukka called for the people’s continued prayers for the economy to improve so that government can actualise its development plans.

The governor hailed the assembly’s leadership for the opportunity to chart a cause towards providing the people’s needs. He assured them that his administration would not go back on its resolve to give a radical approach to the planned facelift for the area.

From Chris Oji, Enugu

Chairman of Nsukka General Assembly, Prof.

Lawrence Ochor advocated for the actualisation of the creation of ‘Adada State’, as the quickest way to find respite from the unending neglect suffered by the people in terms of infrastructures and abandonment of on-going projects.

“In infrastructural development, allocation to our zone has been dismally low and disgraceful.

“Consequently, the road billed to be tarred from Eke, through Akpakwume to Nze and Aku never entered our zone. Adarice and Adada Dam projects have been abandoned; Adada campus of ESUT was removed”, Ochor lamented.

Church marks founder’s day

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HE Ark of Covenant Spiritual Church of Cherubim and Seraphim will mark its 2015 thanksgiving and founder’s day on July 26.

The ceremony will be preceded by a three–day revival service beginning from Friday, July 24. All events will hold at the church auditorium, at Abule–Ajelanwa, Atan-Ota, Iyana Lusada Bus-Stop, Ogun State at 10am.

Founder, Prophet Michael Ajisafe said: “The anniversary is very important in the life of the church as it marks our beginning. We use it to appreciate God for His mercies and favour.

“It promises to be power–packed and soul-lifting where people will give testimonies. Therefore, all children of God are invited”.

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THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

NEWS Buhari writes Senate •Former Speaker, House of Representatives, Dimeji Bankole (left), Speaker Yakubu Dogara and Benue State Governor Samuel Ortom at the thanksgiving service of member of the House Herman Hembe at Our Lady of Perpectual Help Cartedral Church in Makurdi, Benue State... yesterday.

DSS probes $5m from Dasuki’s office Continued from page 4

Said the source: “I believe Dasuki knows the truth and he is only latching onto the democratic environment to twist the tale. The cry of a witch-hunt is unfounded because we work in the same office. We don’t even need to go into how he purchased the Asokoro mansion few months after his appointment as NSA. “Is Dasuki also claiming ignorance of investigation into the suspicious disappearance of a driver to his Personal Assistant with a vehicle loaded with $5m? In fact, the relatives of the driver are still asking the authorities to help look for their son. The money was withdrawn at the CBN and the PA claimed the driver said he wanted to go

for lunch only to disappear with the money, which was in the boot of the car. Now, who allows a driver to go out with a vehicle containing such a huge sum of money?

“You know Dasuki is just playing for time and I think he knows the game is up. By the way, who told the former president that he could influence the sacked Service Chiefs to stage a coup and frustrate the handover date?

Who championed the idea of changing the date for the election midway, having realised that Jonathan was not going to win? Who has been collecting millions of dollars to buy sophisticated gadgets and equipment to fight insurgency without any appreciable progress until the tail end of the tenure of Jonathan?”

The source also said that

Dasuki cannot explicate his office from the botched $15million cash-for-weapons deal that went awry in South Africa, adding that the extension of the investigation to Sokoto was informed by the fact that the former NSA had taken full control of the house long after his father relocated to Kano before moving to London to treat an ailment.

Said the source, who pleaded not to be named because of the “sensitivity” of the matter: “The truth is that his father relocated from Sokoto a long time ago and that house is solely being used by Dasuki.

What point is he trying to prove by feigning ignorance about what he keeps in the Sokoto house? Is he saying there is no money lodged in that house or that some gov-

ernment vehicles were not retrieved from there? Anyway, by the time he is brought before justice, we will know whether this is frame up or not. Sometimes, it is not the noise you make on the pages of newspapers that count but how you defend your integrity”.

Dasuki in an exclusive interview with The Nation on Saturday had described the siege to his house is mere witch-hunt. He said: "It is just a witch-hunt. If you want me to make clarifications on any issue, in the spirit of democracy and the rule of Law, have the courtesy to invite me and as a gentleman, I will honour the invitation. Sending two trucks to lay siege to my house and restrict my movement is just abysmal."

What U.S. expects from Buhari, Obama talks Continued from page 4

U.S. officials have expressed willingness to send military trainers to help Nigeria counter the six-year-old Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast.

Since Buhari’s election, Washington has committed $5 million in new support for a Multinational Joint Task Force (MNJTF) set up to fight the group.

This is in addition to at least $34 million it is providing to Nigeria, Chad, Cameroon and Niger for equipment and logistics.

“We’ve made clear there are

additional things that can be done, especially now that there is a new military leadership in place,” a senior U.S. official said.

Another senior U.S. official said Washington was urging President Buhari to step up regional cooperation against the militants and to provide more aid to afflicted communities to reduce the group’s recruiting power.

Buhari had listed the strengthening of the economy - hard-hit by the fall in oil prices-, boosting of investments and tackling “the biggest monster of all” – corruption as his priorities.

“Here too, he is looking to deepen collaboration and one of the things he is focused on is asset recovery,” the official said.

“He is hopeful we can help them recover some of that,” the official added.

In 2014, the U.S. took control of more than $480 million public funds siphoned during the administration of the late Gen. Sani Abacha.

Washington has broad powers to track suspicious funds and enforce sanctions against individuals.

Johnnie Carson, a former assistant secretary of state, said Washington should not let se-

curity issues overshadow the need for closer trade and investment ties.

“Nigeria is the most important country in Africa,” said Carson, currently an adviser to the U.S. Institute of Peace.

Now more than ever, “the relationship with Nigeria should not rest essentially on a security and military-to-military relationship,” he added.

Lauren Ploch Blanchard, an Africa specialist with the nonpartisan Congressional Research Services, said the U.S. challenge was to work with President Buhari while giving him time to address the country’s vast problems.

DSS may arraign Dasuki this week Continued from page 4

“He had been cautioned by the DSS operatives who searched his home. We also recovered some incriminating documents from his residence.

“When charges are preferred against the ex-NSA, Nigerians will have the details.”

But the former NSA and his father, the deposed Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki, plan to head for court tomorrow over the invasion of their homes.

It was learnt that the ailing former Sultan, who is recuperating in a London hospital, felt devastated that his residence could be invaded after working for President Muhammadu Buhari’s victory.

A top aide of the ex-NSA said: “Oga and his father have assembled a crack legal team to go to court because of the procedural errors in conducting the search. Also, going by a judgment of the Supreme

Court, no agency is allowed to seize any Nigerian’s passport again.

“The legal team also cited an authority by a legal expert, Dr. Fred Latimore Oghenesivbe, on the execution of search warrants.

The expert treatise reads in part: “The authority to issue a search warrant is vested in a Judge or Magistrate under Section 107 of the Criminal Procedure Act and Section 74, 75 and 76 of the Criminal Procedure Code.

“The valid execution of a search warrant is anchored on

Section 78 of the Criminal Procedure Code which expressly states that a search warrant should be executed in the presence of two (2) respectable inhabitants in the neighbourhood to be summoned by the person to whom the warrant is addressed.”

On Obuah, a source said: “Apart from abuse of office, I think they are investigating Obuah for alleged security breach. It was alleged that Obuah visited Charles Okah with a top aide on amnesty initiative with a draft endorsement of Jonathan for second

term by MEND. “They alleged that the statement was to be sent to MEND to be released to the public to boost Jonathan’s support base during the election.

“These emissaries were said to have promised Charles Okah freedom if he could reach out to MEND and convince the militant group to endorse Jonathan.

“But Obuah has denied any link with MEND or any subversive group. When he regains freedom, he will tell Nigerians his own story.”

Boko Haram tops agenda Continued from page 4

funds and reviving budding investments in Nigeria’s petroleum industry.

Ahead of the meeting, President Buhari has been cleaning the house he inherited from his predecessor Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

Penultimate Monday, the President replaced all Service chiefs and laid off scores of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members, who had been given lucrative positions on the boards of state owned agencies and parastatals.

Cleaning up the military may unblock sales of U.S. attack he-

licopters.

The U.S. law forbids the sale of certain arms to militaries accused of gross human rights abuses and Amnesty International (AI) has accused the military leadership of alleged complicity in the death of 8,000 detainees in the battle against Boko Haram.

Continued from page 4

by subsection (1) of this section shall include power to appoint the Chief of Defence Staff, the Chief of Army Staff, the Chief of Naval Staff, the Chief of Air Staff and heads of any other branches of the armed forces of the Federation as may be established by an Act of the National Assembly.”

On the appointment of the National Security Adviser (NSA), Maj.-Gen. Babagana Monguno, and the DirectorGeneral of the Department of State Security (DSS), Mallam Lawal Daura, the source said: “Such nominees are within the prerogative of the President; they do not need to be screened and confirmed by the National Assembly.

“What the President has done on the Service Chiefs was to comply with the law in line with his promise to Nigerians.

“And you will recall that a retired judge of the Federal High Court, Justice Adamu Bello, on July 1, 2013 ruled that the appointment of Service Chiefs is subject to confirmation by the Senate.”

But as at press time, it was learnt that the screening and confirmation of the new Service Chiefs may have to wait till the return of Senators from recess on July 28.

There was no confirmation yesterday that the upper chamber has received the letter.

But a source said yesterday that the Senate will screen the new Service chiefs in camera, it was learnt yesterday.

To be screened are: Chief of Defence Staff (CDS), Maj-Gen. Abayomi Gabriel Olonishakin, Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Maj-Gen T.Y. Buratai, Chief of Naval Staff (CNS), Rear Admiral Ibok-Ete Akwe Ibas and

Chief of Air Staff (CAS), Air Vice Marshal Sadique Abubakar.

One of the senators close to the Senate President’s Office told The Nation that Saraki will on the floor of the upper legislative chamber when the National Assembly reconvenes on July 28, read a communication from President Buhari seeking the confirmation of the Service chiefs.

The senator noted that after reading the presidential memo containing the names of the nominated Service chiefs, Saraki will proceed to set ad-hoc screening committee.

Setting up ad-hoc committee to screen the Service chiefs, he explained, became necessary in the absence of Standing Senate Committees.

He noted that the Senate Joint Committee on Defence and Army, Air Force, Navy, National Security and Intelligence, would have been mandated to screen the Service chiefs if they had been constituted.

The source said: “Because the committees are yet to be constituted, ad-hoc committee will screen the Service chiefs on resumption of plenary.”

The source added that the “security nature of the screening is the main reason why the Service Chiefs will not be screened on the floor of the Senate.”

On the members of the screening panel, he said that “those that will screen the military chiefs are purely at the discretion of the Senate President.”

He said that there is no controversy over the screening of the Service chiefs, pointing out that the Senate will not shy away from performing its duties.

Army chief to troops: time to defeat insurgents is now

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CHIEF of Army Staff (COAS), Maj-Gen Tukur Buratai has arrived in Borno State after spending the Sallah holidays with troops in Damaturu, the Yobe State capital.

He immediately went to Konduga, headquarters of Konduga Local Government Area, where he launched 'Operation Zaman Lafiya Dole’, a new operational code for the counter-insurgency fight in the Northeast.

Accompanied by Borno State Deputy Governor Zannah Umar Mustapha and other military top brass, the COAS appealed to the troops and other security agencies?

He also called for collaboration from the general public to end the Boko Haram crisis, stressing that “without cooperation, determination and discipline among all and sundry, it would be difficult to defeat terrorists”.

His words: “The ongoing activities of Boko Haram is assuming an alarming dimensions in Borno and other parts of the Northeast. We’ll not tolerate the killing of citizens and destruction of property, in as much as we urge you (troops) to adhere strictly to human rights’ abuses.

The time to crush Boko Haram and other criminal activities in this country is now or never.

“As Chief of Army Staff, I will be actively involved in this 'Operation Zaman Lafiya Dole' to end the madness of Boko Baram if I will have your collective maximum support and cooperation.

“My doors will always remain open to all of you for construc-

From Duku Joel , Maiduguri

tive criticism and advices towards restoration of peace in this part of the country.

“Therefore, we are here to identify with you and to officially inform you that as from today henceforth, we have changed our operational code from ‘Operation Zaman Lafiya’ to ‘Operation Zaman Lafiya Dole'.

The deputy governor praised the Army chief and the General Officers Commanding 7 and 3 Divisions for taking their time to visit the state to see the troops.

He promised that the state government will continue to support the military and other security agencies in the fight against Boko Haram even as he said that the sect once sacked almost 22 local government areas of the state with thousands of people mostly villagers killed and millions displaced.

At the Shehu's palace, Buratai described the visit as a homecoming for him.

“This is my first official courtesy call since my appointment as army chief,” he said.

He said the peace and tranquility associated with Borno will now return, pledging the commitment of President Muhammadu Buhari to restore peace.

Buratai said: “We will need the support of the royal father and the people of Borno that we will ensure peace return to the entire region.

“Since BH terrorists have rejected peace (Zaman Lafiya), we’ll now force them to accept peace. The peace that permeated Borno and transcend Lake Chad will soon return.”

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

58

NEWS

Osun not ready for renegades' summit, says Speaker Osun State House of Assembly Speaker Nasim Salaam spoke with reporters in Osogbo, the state capital, on the wage crisis and allegations of financial recklessness by Justice Olamide Oloyode against Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

‘

T

HERE appears to have been at a standstill now for lack of fund to pay workers' salaries and complete the abandoned projects, what is your take on this?

Osun, is passing through a phase, not standstill, and it is so, because Osun just like others, is a constituent unit of a troubled nation which was raped badly by the ousted Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) regime. And if President Muhammadu Buhari could describe the country as at present as Augean stable that must be cleaned up for forward march, what do you expect Osun as an integral part to do?

Look, let us face the reality, the predicament we are in is not about the making of an individual, governor or poor economic planning; it is a structural problem and not until the top gets it right, the federating units would still be contending with epileptic mode of economy and financial topsy-turvy. Because the kind of federalism we practise is what I call 'feeding bottle' federalism. For no state could access her resources to surge up her finance.

Everything belongs to the Federal Government, and the federal government may not be ready to tap your own resources now, because there is one laying the golden eggs already.

For instance, the entire Ilesa township is sitting on gold of South Africa quantity according to experts who came visiting of recently. Yet we, as a state cannot mine it, because it is considered a national asset, just the way Ondo State could not tap its bitumen anyhow. So, each state of the federation must defer to the centre for ecological fund, education tax fund and so on and so forth. So, we you are not a friend f the centre and the sitting President is vindictive, then you are in for a big trouble.

As for Osun, we are one of the least paid in the federal allocation and now that our allocation has fallen short of what can be used to defray salaries of workers alone, what can we do. Strategise on how to wriggle out and that is what is going on now. Yes, it takes time, but we have to do it.

However, some people believe that the governor has bitten more than he could chew in terms of capital projects and that the state has been dragged to heavy debts in the process, that is why no amount of allocation could solve the problem at hand, what can you say to this?

People outside the government have the right to their own opinions, but it would be unfair to hold the position of the bitter opposition as statement of facts, because their insinuations are full of fallacies and innuendoes. One, let it be known that executive could not do anything without the knowledge of the legislature. Two, we have to endorse any borrowing; three, we have the power to oversight the projects captured in the budget. So, when some people say the governor has don this, has done that, the impression is that the governor has the power of death and life without being questioned. No, democracy does not work like that.

The true picture is, Governor Rauf Aregbesola came to Osun and was dissatisfied with the state of under-development he inherited and he vowed to remove the state from a sleeping mode, change the sedentary life of the people and reawakening its commerce and position the state among the comity of performing states. Do not forget that Osun used to be a civil service state before the emergence of Aregbesola and that made the civil servants to dictate everything then, ranging

Tell me of any atomic individual moral agent who intends to be great that would not incur debt... what is the issue in approaching financial institutions in sourcing for funds to finance public infrastructure... we have to be fair to ourselves while criticizing a government •Salaam

from who should be the governor; how should the economy of the state be run and so on, making Osun to be revolving with funds that is less than what obtained in a branch of a commercial bank in Lagos.

So, he began with infrastructure, education, agriculture and youth engagement. Look, we should be careful not to make crime out of the zeal to serve the people, because it is convenient for Aregbesola to pay salaries and flashes some substandard projects, and introduce the media the media blitz to them and keep the rest of the accruals to himself, but he chose to work and the lazy opposition are talking. Unfortunately, the media that ought to be investigative and place proper judgment in the court of public opinion seem to be playing along.

On the debt issue. Tell me of any atomic individual moral agent who intends to be great that would not incur debt. When I wanted to build my house, I took a loan from the bank. That is debt and I suffered to pay back. When an industrialist wants to inaugurate an industry, he approaches bank or a consortium of banks for fund; when an investor is ready to invest, he approaches banks. Then, what is the fuss in approaching financial institutions for funds to finance public infrastructure. America with its might has a debt ceiling of over $17 trillion and it is a country the same critics want to go and access health, education, and holiday. We have to be fair to ourselves while criticising a government. Of course, it could have been a different ball game if the those monies were borrowed to finance consumption.

See, it saddened me that these days we have to resort to borrowing to offset pension and pay salaries. But for the fact that the banks could not lend us for now as a result of vindictive directive given to the banks by the ousted Dr Goodluck Jonathan administration. The noise is everywhere that the state could not pay salaries. Yes, it is painful that we have to find ourselves in this situation and it is disturbing to see our workers suffering, but what can an individual do when the entire country with the same connective rod is in trouble?

Besides, what you called abandoned projects are not abandoned,

they are only on a halt for want of funds. Immediately the state rebound, the contractors will be back o the sites and the work will be done.

A serving judge in the state judiciary has just petitioned the legislature to investigate financial recklessness of Governor Rauf Aregbesola and his deputy, urging the parliament to begin impeachment process against them. How far?

We have more than one petition for and against the governor and we have inaugurated an investigative panel headed by my deputy, who is a lawyer, an engineer with journalistic background to work on the petitions. So, wait for the report.

But the minority leader has expressed his opposition to the composition of the committee, protesting the exclusion of an opposition member from it, would that not question the credibility of the report?

Those who wrote the petitions knew the House of Assembly under my watch is credible and they have faith in the process. Besides, it is my prerogative to constitute a panel that could do the job as the Speaker. As the Speaker, I see all, members as honourable men, but all of them could not be appointed into a seven man committee. Moreso, ranking and experience count in the legislative business. The chairman is in the House for more than six years now, and he is a lawyer and journalist.

There are accountants, administrator economist and individual with security background among them. So, it is a committee that is carefully woven to search everywhere to serve the interest of the people. As for the minority leader, he is playing his role and he does not have to agree with us on everything. And I appreciate that, but at least he must have his say not necessarily his way.

Meanwhile, the report will be submitted to the House for debate and the minority leader will have his say on it, but if he is part of the committee, he would be barred as a matter of rule, to speak on it when the report is presented. So, he must know that we have done him a favour by reserving a room for him on the floor when the report is ready. I chose to toe that part to starve off the tyranny of the majority.

’

When do we expect the report?

When the committee is ready. But not less than two weeks.

There is a feeling out there that this parliament is in the armpit of the governor, how true is this?

I am glad you said a feeling".

Look, if there is any mindset like that, I think anarchy is attributed to it. I was the Speaker for four years and we engaged the executive without rancour. I don't believe in negotiating a course with violence, I believe in constructive engagement and in fairness to Aregbesola, he has never disrespected us as a parliament.

Even, while his deputy, Mrs. TitiLaoye Tomori was supervising education ministry, she had appeared before the education committee for explanation. So, why do we need to take a fight to the pages of newspapers in order to assert independence?

That was the culture when we were evolving, but the world has moved on.

Are you going to be part of the stakeholders' summit that is being packaged by Yinka Odumakin and Muyiwa Oladimeji group, for you have been advocating for it?

Smile. I can't be part of a summit whose report is predetermined to smear the personality of an individual who the promoters believe would forever constitute a clog to their plan to hijack power in the state for their selfish interest. I think the profiles of those who are calling the summit suggests the coming together of renegades who hate Rauf Aregbesola's gut, and right here I can tell you their three cardinal objectives: one, to hijack power in 2018 having lost out disgracefully in 2014; two, to wage a campaign of calumny against the person of the governor; three, to sex up fictitious figures as our debt profile, expenditure and income arbitrarily. So, you need to place the objective of Odumakins in proper perspective.

If you care to know the grouse of Odumakins, read what Chief Ayo Opadokun said about him. For Muyiwa Oladimeji, I think some of my friends in Osogbo have given me the graphic of his person, and what do you expect from a man who chose to be an incurable reactionary? And I can't belabour the obvious about their friends, who were given a bloody nose by Aregbesola at the last governorship election.

Simply call it a summit of the renegades. Meanwhile, Osun is not ready for the summit of renegades.

A stakeholders' summit will be called when the governor is ready, because he is the one to implement the resolutions, but the parliament desires to spearhead it because we are to back it up with a piece of legislation.

Can we then say that Osun is bankrupt now?

Bankruptcy is declared when a state or an institution has gone under, and Osun has not gone under.

Yes, we have financial challenges and as I said earlier, the challenges are meant for temporary phase. We are working around it and we are progressing gradually. I must acknowledge the unalloyed support of the people and a section of the workers who could think beyond the box.

What can you say is the mood of the state now?

Mixed feelings- mixed feelings because majority of the people were unhappy that a governor with uncommon courage and zeal to serve is being hampered by financial constraint. Some are happy that workers are not paid, because they think that will relaunch themselves back to power in 2018. The workers felt bad because they could not meet their obligations and we on the corridor of power feel the pain the more that we are compelled by extenuating circumstances to meet our obligations. But, I have once said we are tough contenders of time now. And tough time never last, but tough people do. We shall soon put the situation behind us.

If the report of the committee indicts the governor, would it be impeached? That is subjudice, let the report be ready first?

If the governor is exonerated, would the serving judge be sanctioned?

Again, I would not be dragged into preempting the outcome of the investigation. If the report is ready and the debate is conducted, then the resolution of the house will be made public.

Does the parliament under your watch has the tooth to bite the governor?

You seem to have locked your mind up about us. Look, only a governor without emotional intelligence will try to toy with any parliament.

However, a tiger will not profess its tigritude, you and I know that an average viper has its venom.

What can you say about the bailout packaged by the Federal Government for the states that are broke?

What obtained with the restructure of indebted states by the Debt Management Office and N250 billion facility that can be tapped is a relief package not a bailout, because the obligations would still be met in the future. But, the immediate result is to liquidate outstanding salaries and other obligations. So, the media should help us to educate the masses better. You see, I suspect a big conspiracy against Osun in the media, because no fewer than 18 states owed salaries of their workers and pensioners and more than 10 states have worst case scenario, but only Osun is made to be the face of defaulting states. But, I take consolation from the submission of Simeon Kolawole in one of his write-up in Thidsay newspaper that when we were bubbling with inauguration of one projects or the other, when Aregbesola was being celebrated around the world for his feat in education and O' meal, we enjoyed positive media limelight, and what we are witnessing now is a bye product of limelight as well.

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

59

NEWS Emmanuel urges divine help to develop Akwa Ibom

Wike: I’m not desperate to complete projects without quality

A

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

R

IVERS State Governor Nyesom Wike has said he is not desperate to complete projects that will lack a high quality.

The governor said he wanted to mark a successful 100 days in office.

Wike spoke at the weekend at Iriebe, in continuation of his projects’ inspection and supervision.

The governor said there must be a high quality for the projects his administration would give the state.

He noted that the vagaries of weather should not be an excuse for poor quality of work.

Wike directed Housing Commissioner Emma Okah to monitor government housing programmes and ensure their safety.

The governor said some government houses were being illegally occupied.

He also directed Okah to serve quit notices to such illegal occupiers to enable the government legally allocate them.

Wike toured the new Irebe satellite community housing scheme, being built by the state government.

Okah said the 50 bungalow flats of two bedrooms each, still under construction, would be ready in 30 days.

The commissioner drew the attention of the governor to illegal occupiers of government’s houses.

IED found near DPR manager’s home in Delta From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

T

HERE was pandemonium at the weekend in Asaba, Delta State, following the discovery of an object suspected to be an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) at the entrance to the home of a top management worker of the Department of Petroleum Resource (DPR), Mr Anthony Konwea.

The object, which was discovered at 6.30pm on Saturday, was a parcel in paper wrappings and held together by a blue striped men’s tie. It also had some electrical connections.

The discovery caused fears among the residents, who kept their distance from it until it was detonated.

But State Police spokesman Celestina Kalu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP), dismissed the claim that the object was an IED. She said the strange object was “just a trash tied in a black polythene bag”.

The spokeswoman noted that people had become more alert about strange objects in their neighbourhoods, following series of security tips the police gave them. tHE Manager, Gas Production and Flare Monitoring at the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR), Mr Konwea said he had not recovered from the shock.

“I was shocked. I did not expect that an IED would be planted anywhere near me, let alone my country home. It was shocking. I have no idea what could be responsible for this,” he said.

•Executive Secretary, Ejigbo Local Council Development Area (LCDA), Jaiye Alabi (right) presenting cash gift to a widow, Mrs. Afusat Rotimi, during the disbursement of cash gifts to 25 widows in the area. With them is Council Manager, Alhaji Nurudeen Shobajo.

PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

Southern group seeks support for Buhari

A

SOUTHERN group, The Southern Nigeria Peoples Mandate (SNPM), has urged residents of the region, especially those in the Southeast, to stop condemning President Muhammadu Buhari’s administration.

The group’s President Augustine Chukwudum told our reporter yesterday in Calabar, the state capital, that it was not justifiable that former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governments squandered the nation’s resources in the past 16 years and put the heat on the Buhari administration, less than two months in office.

The group consists of Concerned Southsouth Movement, Southwest Business League, Southeast Peoples Agenda and Ndigbo Unity Forum.

Chukwudum said: “This government has been in office for less than two months and

From Nicholas Kalu, Calabar

every Nigerian, who has conscience and is honest, would notice that there is a difference between this government and the past leadership of the PDP, which squandered our resources for 16 years without achieving anything for this country.

“President Buhari’s government has brought sanity, as everyone can see. Now, we want Nigerians to appreciate the good things that would come out of this government, not by continuing to do tribal politics. Our advice is going to the people of Southsouth and Southeast, the Ndigbo in particular. They should stop attacking this government.

They should give all the support the government needs so that from there, they can contribute their quota to the development of this country. The country belongs to all of us.”

On the crisis in the National Assembly, he said: “We want to remind the leadership of the National Assembly, led by Senator Bukola Saraki and House of Representatives Speaker Yakubu Dogara, that they should respect the decision of their party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), which made them to become members in the first place. They do not have any right to go against the will of the party. We want to condemn them and let them know that without APC, they would not be in the National Assembly.

“So, we are calling on them to obey party supremacy. We want to commend Senator Bola Tinubu, Dr Ogbonnaya Onu and President Muhammadu Buhari for the ma-

ture way they have been handling the issues. We call on Saraki and Dogara to resign with immediate effect since the party does not want them.”

The spokesman urged the government to expedite action on the country’s refineries and stop fuel subsidy.

Chukwudum said: “The government should expedite action on refineries and fuel subsidy. If $2 billion can give us a refinery that can refine 200,000 barrels of crude oil, then there is no need importing fuel into this country and selling it at N110 per litre. Kerosene, at N130, is too expensive for the ordinary man to buy. We are appealing to the President to stop this subsidy, because nothing is subsidised for us. We want to appeal that within 12 months, fuel importation should end. Let our refineries be revived.”

•Wife of Adamawa State Governor, Hajiya Maryam Jibrilla (left), presenting chocolates to Executive Secretary, Adamawa State Emergency Management Agency (ADSEMA), Alhaji Haruna Furo (right), for distribution to children during a Sallah party organised for Internally Displaced Persons in Malkohi IDPs camp in Yola ...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Wike’s wife, Obuah seek prayers for Rivers governor

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HE wife of Rivers State governor, Justice Suzzette Wike and the state’s Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Chairman Felix Obuah, have urged Christian women to pray for Governor Nyesom Wike to succeed in making the state greater.

Mrs Wike and Obuah spoke at the weekend as special guest of honour and guest of honour at a praise night and fund raising ceremony for the league

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

week of the Women’s League of Christ Church, Port Harcourt.

Obuah is also the Sole Administrator of Rivers State Waste Management Agency.

Mrs Wike said: “I appeal to Christian women to pray for the governor, pray for direction for the governor, so that Rivers State will get

to the heights it is supposed to be. I believe in the governor’s vision.

Rivers State will get there, with Governor Nyesom Wike.”

Mrs Wike hailed the women for organising the programme, aimed at seeking God’s help and propagating His word.

The governor’s wife urged them to sustain, assuring of her support to spread God’s word.

Obuah noted that the choice of a woman as Rivers State deputy governor underscored the vantage po-

sition women occupy in Wike’s administration.

The PDP chairman urged Christian women and the Christian community to support and pray for Wike.

He hailed the women’s league for organising the praise night and other projects aimed at empowering women through skills, crafts and scholarship.

Obuah promised to support them to actualise their dreams.

KWA IBOM State Governor Udom Emmanuel has urged the church to partner his administration in its quest to redeem the state from poverty for sustainable development.

The governor spoke yesterday at Destiny International Mission, Uyo, the state capital, where he worshipped.

He said it was for the state’s restoration his administration initiated projects and programmes, such as the vehicle assembling plant, to create jobs and wealth for the people.

Emmanuel urged Christian to purge themselves of hypocrisy and focus on God for divine revelation.

The governor said prayers were key to unlocking the hidden treasures of the land.

Emmanuel, who based his submission on the book of Nehemiah 5:11 and Psalm 7:9, noted that God can always make something out of nothing.

The governor urged the people not to be discouraged by the prevailing economic situation but to have faith in God for the manifestation of His blessings.

He sympathised with victims of a flood in the state, promising that his administration would forestall future floods.

Emmanuel said more jobs would be created because his administration had concluded plans to reactivate ailing industries.

‘Why Abians chose Ikpeazu’

By Joseph Jibueze

P

RESIDENT of the Igbo Question Movement (IQM), Mr Ben Onyechere yesterday said Abians voted for Governor Okezie Ikpeazu because of his deep intellectual capacity and grassroots connection.

He said the governor’s antecedents led to the “massive backing” he got from voters.

The political analyst and Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chief said those challenging Ikpeazu’s victory would soon be disappointed.

“The sensibility of Abia people could not be tampered with because their preference for Ikpeazu can not be faulted since he not only belongs to the ruling party in Abia but is also a grassroots politician with a robust intellectual background.”

“It should not be forgetten that he is an abridgement of the old and new breeds and therefore attracted massive backing from all segments of the electoral populace who simply see him as one of them as distinct from the diaspora politicians,” Onyechere said.

He said the claim by All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate Alex Otti that he has the capacity to realise what Onyechere described as a non existent mandate in the election tribunal is a ploy to seek undue attention.

“The people of Abia had closed ranks in their resolve to move power up south particularly in favour of a core Ngwa indigene.

“It is, indeed, surprising that he (Otti) could allow himself to be misled by people who merely enjoyed the largese he provided but in any case it is his own baptism of fire because experience is the best teacher,” Onyechere added.

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THE NATION SPORTINGLIFE MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

GLOBACOM PREMIER LEAGUE (08111813079)...GLOBACOM PREMIER LEAGUE (08111813079)...GLOBACOM PREMIER LEAGUE (08111813079)...

d e n r a e y l d n Bafana frie

GLO LEAGUE TABLE # 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 16 17 18 19 20

Team MP Sunshine 19 Enyimba 19 Wikki Tourists 19 Heartland 19 Giwa FC 19 Warri Wolves 17 Abia Warriors 19 FC Ifeanyi Ubah 19 Kano Pillars 19 Rangers 19 3SC 19 7 Nasarawa 19 Akwa United 19 El-Kanemi 18 Kwara United 18 6 Lobi Stars 19 4 Sharks 19 3 9 Bayelsa United 19 Dolphins 19 3 8 FC Taraba 19 2

W 11 10 9 10 8 9 9 8 8 8 5 7 7 7 4 9 7 4 8 7

D 3 6 6 2 7 2 2 3 3 3 7 5 3 3 8 6 15 6 16 10

L 5 3 4 7 4 6 8 8 8 8 18 7 9 8 18 17 21 9 22 17

F 30 26 24 30 24 23 23 21 23 21 15 18 13 17 22 23 -6 12 -6 28

A 18 16 19 20 21 17 23 17 21 21 3 20 18 23 -4 -6 18 21 17 -11

GD 12 10 5 10 3 6 0 4 2 0 26 -2 -5 -6 22 21

P 36 36 33 32 31 29 29 27 27 27

T

HE Management of Sharks FC has placed one of its players, Yomi Olaoke on indefinite suspension.

Olaoke was suspended when he failed to return to camp few weeks after he absconded from the team.

The Ilorin based attacker was last seen at the Kwara township stadium venue of the NPFL week 17 encounter between Kwara United and Sharks where he promised to join the team in Port-Harcourt after disappearing from camp 6 weeks earlier.

General Manager of the club, Okey Kpaluku, who handed down the suspension, said Olaoke would have been given a lighter punishment, if he had returned to camp as promised.

According to Kpaluku, some players disappeared from camp two weeks ago but while others have returned, Olaoke has

G

OALKEEPER Daniel Akpeyi's exploits in a friendly for Nigeria against South African in March earned him the deal with PSL side Chippa United, AfricanFootball.com has learnt.

A close confidant of the goalkeeper told Africanfootball.com the South African club

26 24 24

-9 18 13

Sharks suspend Yomi Olaoke indefinitely

By Taofeek Babalola

l a e d a p p i h Akpeyi C

chosen to stay away from his job.

"How can Yomi abscond from camp without any reason?,” Kpaliku asked “When officials of the team saw him in Ilorin, he promised to join the team back to Port Harcourt and as am talking to you, nobody has set eyes on Yomi".

"This is not the first time we have complained about Olaoke's lackadaisical attitude to work, so we were left with no option than to suspend him indefinitely." Kpaluku added.

H

the first stanza of the ongoing season against no mean side, Wikki Tourists.

“We resolved prior to the encounter to end the first stanza on high and thank God it worked out perfectly well.

“Ordinarily, the result may create a wrong impression that the opponents were weak, they played well, the early goals unsettled them or perhaps yesterday (Sunday) was their bad day.

“I think Wikki Tourists were unlucky, they created scoring chances but could not convert any one while we maximised our own chances.

“Our strategy worked 100% and we ably deserved our biggest win of the season,” said Orji to supersport.com.

The win against Wikki Tourists has upped Heartland total earnings to 32 from possible 57 as well as happy ending to the first stanza of the 2014/15 NPFL season.

approach him and gave him a two-year deal."

Akpeyi was part of the U-20 team to Holland 2005 where he won silver medal.

He also won silver medal at Beijing 2008 Olympics. He helped Heartland win Nigeria Federation Cup back-to-back in 2011 and 2012.

FIFA to ban Sunshine's Akinsola

over Etoile du Sahel cash

F

IFA have warned former Nigeria U-17 striker Kabiru Akinsola to pay a total sum of 400 Swiss Francs within the next nine months to Tunisian club Etoile du Sahel or he will be slapped a ban of three months.

This was the decision of the FIFA disciplinary committee that entertained a hearing on the failure of the player to comply with a decision passed by the Dispute Resolution Chamber Single Judge of the FIFA Players’ Status Committee on 17th January, 2014.

The decision concerned an employment –related dispute arisen between Etoile Sportive du Sahel and the player.

In the decision taken after a meeting of the FIFA Disciplinary Committee of May 12, 2015 and signed by Alejandra Salmeron Garcia, deputy secretary, it was stated that “the player Kabiru Akinsola Olanrewaju is granted a final period of grace of 9 months as from notification of the present decision in which to settle his

Heartland feast on Wikki Tourists

EARTLAND chief coach, Bethel Orji is unarguably the happiest man on earth following his side massive victory against Wikki Tourists.

The Naze Millionaires defeated the Bauchi-based side 4-0 in yesterday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 19 clash at the Rojenny Stadium in Oba. A brace from attacking midfielder, Julius Ubido and goal each from the duo, Bright Ejike and Emeka Ogbugh proved adequate to hand the Owerri outfit the three maximum points at stake.

Orji said the massive win is the outcome of his side determination and resolution to end the first stanza of the ongoing season on high.

“I’m quite happy with our biggest home victory in

decided to sign him after the game and he was approached.

"I can tell you that Chippa United signed Daniel Akpeyi after watching him in the friendly match against South Africa,” he said.

“He was outstanding in the game as he made several saves and even saved a penalty. The club wasted no time to

debt to the creditor, the club Etoile Sportive du Sahel.

“If the payment is not made by this deadline, the creditor may demand in writing from the secretariat to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee than a ban on any football –related activity be imposed on the player, Kabiru Akinsola Olanrewaju, for a period of three months. Once the creditor has filed this request, the ban on taking part in any kind of football-related activity will be imposed automatically without a further formal

decision having to be taken by the FIFA Disciplinary Committee.”

The decision went further: “If payment is not made by the end of the 3 months ban, the creditor may demand in writing from the secretariat to the FIFA Disciplinary Committee, which may decide on further disciplinary measures such as extending the ban on taking part in any kind of football –related activity.”

Akinsola is presently at Nigeria premier league club Sunshine Stars.

UNSHINE Stars survived a scare from bottom club FC Taraba on Sunday to claim a 2-1 home win in a Week 19 match and end the first round of the Nigeria league as the leaders.

Sunshine thus lead the 20team table with 36 points from 19 matches.

Taraba stunned the league leaders when they took the lead in the 12th minute through Stephen Adah's header.

The man of the moment Tunde Adeniji equalised for the hosts Sunshine Stars with a minute left to play in the first half.

In the 50th minute, Adeniji gave Sunshine Stars the lead for the first time in the game to complete his brace.

In the early minutes of the game, Sunshine duo of Adeniji and Dele Olorundare missed scoring chances.

Sunshine are Nigeria’s league mid-season champions S

In the 40th minute, Adeniji shot from edge of box was saved by Kawawa in Taraba goal.

Wolves pip Sharks , get date for outstanding matches

By Taofeek Babalola

MATCH DAY 19 RESULTS Lobi Stars 3-3 Kano Pillars Heartland 4-0 Wikki Tourists Shooting Stars 2-1 El-Kanemi Nasarawa Utd 1-0 Dolphins Kwara Utd 3-1 Giwa FC Abia Warriors 1-0 FC Ifeanyi Ubah Warri Wolves 2-1 Sharks Sunshine Stars 2-1 FC Taraba Rangers 1-2 Enyimba Akwa Utd 1-0 Bayelsa Utd

W

ARRI Wolves defeated Sharks FC of Port-Harcourt 2-1 in the week 19 Glo Premier League clash at the Warri Township Stadium.

Sikiru Alimi shot Warri Wolves into the lead as early as 4th minute before Azeez Abu scored the second goal for the home side in the 59th minute.

Pygbara Omonukari put one back for Sharks FC in the 76th minute but his efforts was not enough to get something out of

the game.

Warri Wolves media officer, Moses Etu said Sharks FC were very lucky not to have conceded more goals in the match, stressing that fatigue affected his boys during the game.

Warri Wolves secured a vital away victory over FC Taraba in the week 18 clash last Thursday in Makurdi and the team returned to Warri on Friday night.

“Fatigue affected our boys having arrived from Makurdi on Friday night. However, we

are happy for the three points. Sharks have also improved but Gbolahan Salami missed so many scoring chances,” Etu told SportingLife.

Etu also informed SportingLife that the League Management Company (LMC) has fixed the outstanding home match against El-kanemi Warriors for Sunday while the game against Kwara United would now be played on Wednesday in Ilorin.

61

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

NEWS EID-EL-FITRI

•Chief imam of Lagos State, Alhaji Garba Akinola Ibrahim (left) leading other faithful at Obalende ground, Lagos...at the weekend

•Aare Kamorudeen Ajao Danjuma (right) and Tajudeen Olugbode at Obalende Ground, Lagos...at the weekend

•Nigerian pilgrims with Chief Imam of Masjid Rawdhah after Eid prayer in Amman, Jordan

•President,Isolo Lion Club Dare Oseni flanked by Vice President,Moses Ayantunji (left), Region, Chairperson, Edwin Abubokha distributing food items to Isolo Cummunity during the Sallah celebration in Lagos

•From left: Major-General Tajudeen Olarewaju, Abe Ibrahim and Bayo Adeleke, at Obalende Ground, Lagos... at the weekend

•Lagos State House of Assembly Speaker Mudashiru Obasa (middle); lawmaker representing Ifako Ijaye State Constituency 2, Rasheed Makinde(right) and other worshippers at the Oyewole Primary School, Agege praying ground...at the weekend

•Muslim faithful praying at the Lagos State Secretariat Park, Alausa, Ikeja...yesterday PHOTOS: MUYIWA HASSANRAHMAN SANUSI

62

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

SPORT EXTRA OTHER SPORTS

Armstrong sympathises with Tour leader Chris Froome

• Armstrong

L

ANCE Armstrong expressed sympathy for Chris Froome and admitted that he's partly responsible for the doping allegations that continue to plague the current Tour de France leader.

A spectator threw a cup or urine and shouted "doper" at the Team Sky rider during Saturday's 14th stage of the race.

Armstrong then appeared to

muddy the water further by issuing an apparently ambiguous Tweet that read, "Clearly Froome/Porte/Sky are very strong. Too strong to be clean?

Don’t ask me, I have no clue."

Yet the American, who was famously stripped of his seven Tour titles after being found guilty of doping, insisted that he in no way intended to suggest that Froome — who has never failed a doping test — was not riding clean.

"I guess anything I have to say regarding a bike race is going to be closely scrutinized," he told Sky Sports News. "I get those questions all the time – can this be believed? Are these guys clean? I was simply answering the question. I put it out there as don't ask me that question because I don't know the answer.

"I tried to clarify it later by saying that I don't have any credibility on that issue. I know that and I don't really care. It's not my role to opine about that. By throwing it out there that I don't know, so don't ask me, it's somehow translated as these guys are dirty.

Omeruo close to Turkey switch K

ENNETH Omeruo is on his way to agreeing a season-long loan deal with Kasimpasa from EPL champions Chelsea.

Omeruo is even expected later in Istanbul to discuss personal terms with the former club of another Nigeria international Uche Kalu.

M

O Farah has said he may only defend one of his two World Championship titles next month after finishing fourth in the Diamond League 1500m in Monaco.

Farah ran well in his second race back since doping claims against his coach Alberto Salazar but said he might not compete over 5,000m in Beijing.

"I will do the 10,000m for sure and then we will see about the 5,000m," said the double Olympic champion.

In the women's 1500m, Genzebe Dibaba set a new world record of 3:50.08.

The 24-year-old Ethiopian took four seconds off her personal best to break Yunxia Qu's record of 3:50.46, which had stood since September 1993.

Britain's Laura Muir finished fifth, breaking her own Scottish record in 3:58.66. Only 2004 Olympic champion Dame Kelly Holmes has run faster among Britons.

On a night of fast races, Asbel Kiprop's winning time in the men's 1500m was the fifth fastest ever.

• Insists sponsorship of Badminton Classics will be sustained

L

• Omeruo

O

T

minute goal.

Barely four minutes after Ighalo’s was subbed on, he put Watford 2 - 0 up , firing home a deflected shot after Deeney fluffed the chance.

Odion Ighalo scored in pre - season fixtures against St Albans City, AFC Wimbledon, Verl and Paderborn,whichhastakenhistally to six goals in a space of 11 days.

Watford’s next friendly comes up against Dundee United on Saturday, July 25.

• Farah

Arm Wrestling Open Trials fixed for Aug 19

HE first edition of the Nigeria Arm Wrestling Open Championship has been fixed for the National Stadium, Lagos from August 19 to 21.

The president of the Nigeria Arm Wrestling Federation, Engineer Samuel Jackson, disclosed that, the event which has been sanctioned by the Africa Arm Wrestling Federation, would be used to select Nigeria’s representatives to the 37th edition of the World Arm Wrestling Championship which has been slated for Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, at the Berjaya Times Square Hotel, from September 26 to October 4.

Jackson, who will attend the WAF Congress following the approval of the Nigerian federation by the world federation, noted that, at the end of the trials, a total of 30 athletes would be selected in the Seniors and

AGOS State Governor, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode on Saturday reiterated his administration’s commitment to develop grassroot sports in the State, just as he assured that sports in general will get adequate attention in the next four years of his administration.

The Governor who made the commitment at the finals and closing ceremony of the 2nd Lagos International Badminton Classics, which took place at the Row Park Sports Centre, Yaba, said the state government will

Ighalo extends scoring run to four games DION Ighalo extended his goalscoring streak to four games after finding the back of the net on Sunday in Watford’s 2 - 0 victory against SC Paderborn 07 at their training camp in Germany.

The Hornets manager, Quique Sanchez Flores, decided to omit the Nigeria international from the starting lineup but he was later introduced in the 57th minute, with the English team leading 1 0 thanks to Matej Vydra’s 12th

The 26-year-old Kenyan won in a time of three minutes 26.69 seconds, making him the third fastest athlete over the distance.

Farah clocked 3:28.93 - just a tenth of a second outside his personal best.

The Briton said: "It was good to be in that company. I just could not close that gap on Asbel. Coming here I wanted to run hard, not just a race and it

Masters categories who would be put in a training camp where the final 10 athletes for the World Championship proper would emerge.

The final 10 athletes would be made up of five male and five female arm wrestlers who will compete in specific events in the Left and Right Hand competitions in the 55kg, 60kg, 70kg, 80kg, 90kg and the 110kg.

The selected athletes would be prepared for the World Championship by the federation’s chief coach, Femi Akinsanya, a former Nigerian armwrestler who competed several times at the World Championship.

The federation president stated that, athletes’ registration for the Open Championship would be coordinated by the federation Secretary General, Mr. Idris Ibikunle, at the Mobolaji Johnson Sports Complex, Rowe Park, Yaba.

fender does not have a future Chelsea and was not included on ‘The Blues’ preseason training tour of Canada.

He has been variously linked with French club Lille, Granada and Glasgow Celtic.

Last season, he played for English Championship side Middlesbrough also on loan.

Ambode restates commitment to grassroots sports development

WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS

Farah may only defend one title

“Omeruo is due in Istanbul any moment from now. He will have a look around the club and discuss personal terms,” one of the Turkish agents told AfricanFootball.com.

Last season, Kasimpasa placed 13th on the 18-team Turkish Super League.

The 21-year-old central de-

• Ighalo

improve grassroot sports association as a means to ensure that it becomes a veritable tool for employment.

He said his administration will continue to sponsor the International Badminton Classics, assuring that the gains recorded by past administrations the state will be improved upon.

“I want to also commit that the next four years Lagos state will continue to sponsor this particular international tournament, in addition to other sports that the government has been sponsoring. We are excited that the past administrations have always focused on sports development. One of the things I had promised Lagosians is that we would continue in the path of past administrations to take sports to the next level”, the Governor said.

He said efforts will be made to expand the next edition to enable more countries participate, while the prize money will also be increased.

“Our administration is committed and we are signing on with other sports lovers and sponsors, that the next edition is better than this. My understanding is that we have over 24 nations here present in this tournament and I know next year, we are going to expand it and then we would also increase the prize money and also ensure that the best of Badminton comes to Lagos”, he said.

The Governor also said that his administration will focus on sports, tourism, entertainment, arts and hospitality sector as a single project to engage youths so as to keep them away from social vices.

“What I’ve earlier promised in the course of the campaign is that we are going to take sports in addition to tourism, entertainment and arts and hospitality, we would take them together and actually focus on them as

• Ambode

• Yakmut

one single project”. ”We on our side in Lagos state have also decided to establish the Lagos State Sports Commission in line with the National Sports Commission. So, in essence, all sports associations, we would give them the necessary support that they need”, he said.

Some of the dignitaries present at the event include the Director General, National Sports Commission, Alhaji Alhassan Yakmut, Vice President, Badminton Federation of Nigeria and Chairman, Lagos State Badminton Association, Barrister Francis Orbih, Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Sports, Mr. Oluseyi Whenu and other sports enthusiasts.

Heartland ‘feasts’ on Wikki Tourists

H

EARTLAND chief coach Bethel Orji is is a very happy man right now following his side's massive victory against Wikki Tourists.

The Naze Millionaires defeated the Bauchi-based side 4-0 in Sunday’s Nigeria Professional Football League (NPFL) match day 19 clash at the Rojenny Stadium in Oba. A brace from attacking midfielder Julius Ubido and a goal each from the duo, Bright Ejike and Emeka Ogbugh, proved adequate to hand the Owerri outfit the three maximum points at stake.

Orji said the massive win is the outcome of his side's sheer determination and resolution to end the first stanza of the ongoing season on a high.

“I’m quite happy with our

biggest home victory in the first stanza of the ongoing season against no mean side, Wikki Tourists.

“We resolved prior to the encounter to end the first stanza on a high and thank God it worked out perfectly

• Tamarakuro Debekeme of Bayelsa United against Fred Okwara of Heartland

well.

“Ordinarily, the result may create a wrong impression that the opponents were weak, no, they played well, too maybe the early goals unsettled them or perhaps today (Sunday) was their bad day.

“I think Wikki Tourists were unlucky. They created scoring chances but could not convert any one while we maximised our own chances.

“Our strategy worked 100 per cent and we ably deserved our biggest win of the season,” said Orji to supersport.com.

The win against Wikki Tourists has upped Heartland's total earnings to 32 from a possible 57 as well as being a happy ending to the first stanza of the 2014/ 15 NPFL season.

63

THE NATION MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

NIGERIA 2-1 CONGO

Game still open — Siasia T

HE Chief Coach of Dream Team VI Samson Siasia has confessed that the qualification chances of Nigeria and Congo for African Championship for the 2016 Olympics tickets is still open until the second leg is played in Congo.

In his assessment of yesterday’s qualifying match between the Dream Team VI

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja and Congo that ended in 2-1 victory in Nigeria’s favour, Siasia said that his team despite playing very well in the match decided at the Adokiye Amesimaka Stadium, Port Harcourt yesterday, there is still much work to be done to seal the African tournament ticket.

“We thank God and everybody that have supported this team since we began this qualifier. My boys worked hard on the pitch and every one played very well. But sincerely speaking I think the game is still open.

So we need to work hard before the second leg and go to Congo in search of victory.

“It was an explosive match from both sides and the visit-

•Dream Team VI in training session on Saturday ahead of yesterday’s encounter at Adokiye Amiesimaka stadium in Port Hacourt

RESULTS Globacom League Heartland 4-0 Wikki Kwara United 3-1 Giwa FC Warri Wolves 2-1 Sharks Shooting Stars 2-1 ElKanemi Warriors Rangers 1-2 Enyimba A.Warriors 1-0 IfeanyiUbah Nasarawa 1-0 Dolphins Sunshine 2-1 FC Taraba Akwa United 1-0 Bayelsa Lobi Stars 3-3 Kano Pillars Int’l - Club Friendlies Sacramento 0 - 1 Newcastle Aalen 0 - 1 Stuttgart Genk 1 - 0 Nantes Boreham 0 - 3 Brentford Paderborn 0 - 2 Watford Atalanta 7 - 0 Val Seriana Nuernberg 2 - 2 Celta Vigo Torino 8 - 0 Sondrio Calcio Chievo 6 - 1 Virtus Freiburg 0 - 1 Malaga Sudtirol 0 - 3 Hellas Verona Anderlecht 3 - 1 Lazio Angers 3 - 2 Niort Osnabrueck 2 - 3 Schalke 04 Saint-Etienne 1 - 1 Mainz 05 Metz 0 - 1 Ajaccio Sevilla 1 - 1Alcorcon Montelupo 0 - 5 Empoli Euro U-19 Spain 2 - 0 Russia Denmark - Superliga OB 3 - 0 Hobro AGF 2 - 1 Broendby IF Sweden - Allsvenskan N’koeping 2 - 2 Gothenburg Helsingborg 3 - 1 AIK Sweden - Superettan Assyriska 7 - 1 Utsiktens BK Finland - Veikkausliiga FC Lahti 3 - 1 Ilves Mariehamn 4 - 3 FF Jaro KuPS 1 - 1 FC Inter Seinaejoen 4 - 1 HIFK VPS 1 - 1 RoPS Switzerland - Super League Basel 2 - 0 FC Vaduz Thun 3 - 5 Grasshoppers St.Gallen 2 - 0 Lugano Russia - Premier League Zenit 2 - 1 Dinamo Mordovya 0 - 1 Lokomotiv Anzhi 0 - 1 Krylya Sovetov Switzerland - League Le Mont 1 - 1 Chiasso

ing team played well too. But my boys put in their best and played very well. As usual we created chances and the only chance the Congo team had was converted by them.

“The Port Harcourt fans did very well to support the team.

They came out in large numbers and their presence boosted the team and we are most grateful to the Governor of the state and the people of Rivers State for their massive support to the team.

“We will go back home and enjoy this victory and focus on the next game.

“As regards the second leg match in Congo, we know the Congo team now unlike before. They came to defend. So when we play in Congo we will defend too and wait for our chances to score too because we are a side that creates lots of chances in every match we played.

“We will go there and create these chances and try to convert them too. You know that they need to score too so it won’t be the same way they play here that they will play at their home. Since they will come out to attack, we will attack as well as defend too. I am confident of getting the needed result to move ahead and qualify (for the African Championship)”, Siasia assured.

• Ejike

• Adeniji

Ejike, Adeniji joint leading scorers

H

EARTLAND striker Bright Ejike and Tunde Adeniji of Sunshine Stars on 11 goals each are the joint leading scorers in the Nigeria Professional Football League after the first round.

On Sunday, Adeniji netted a brace to help Sunshine Stars see off stubborn FC Taraba 21 in a eek 19 game for the Akure club to remain top of the table.

Ejike, on his own part, scored one of the goals as Heartland went on rampage to turn Wikki to mere tourists on the pitch with a 4-0 bashing.

They are followed by Shuaibu Ibrahim (Giwa) and

Ndifreke Effiong (Abia Warriors) with eight goals apiece.

Ndifreke Effiong scored the only goal to earn Abia Warriors a 1-0 win over FC IfeanyiUbah.

Chisom Chikatara (Abia Warriors), Ocheme Edoh (Giwa FC), Gbolahan Salami (Warri Wolves) and Ibrahim Mustapha (El Kanemi) have scored seven goals each.

Enyimba forward, Christian Obiozor has scored six goals so far, while the following players have scored five goals so far this season – Esosa Igbinoba (Nasarawa United), Adamu Mohammed (Pillars), Mubarak Umar, Godwin Obaje (Wikki) and Yusuf Jaiyeola (Sharks).

Nigerian team was better — Leroy

Lobi fights back against Pillars in six-goal thriller

• My boys lost concentration, says Siasia

L

T

HE Head Coach of Congo Under 23 Team, Claude Leroy yesterday gave kudos to the Dream Team IV despite losing 2-1at 40,000 capacity Adokiye Amiesemaka stadium .

Leroy said his has never contemplated beating the Nigeria team at home, saying "that his playing are still dreaming to be like dream Team of Nigeria ."

"I never said I will surprise Nigeria, football is about humility , Nigeria is big champion , I have always said that one day , one African country will win the World Cup , that country is Nigeria .

"Congo population is about 4 million and Nigeria is about 180 million, today we lost 2-1, the Nigeria team created alot of chances.

"Nigeria have players everywhere , my players are not

From, Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin known players , many of them have not played any league , some are playing small clubs in Brazzaville .

"Nigerian team was better, they play better than us. 2-1 is not too bad for my players.

"We need to win 2-0 at home to qualify after Ghana match or 1-0 . To qualify is not an easy thing.

We are still dreaming to be like Dream Team.

"We need to make alot of preparation against this team."

On his part , Coach Samson Siasia said his players were carried away by goals, hence they lost concentration .

"We were carried away instead of concentrating on the match . " These are the areas we are going to look at . This team is still young , we have alot of things to

• Leroy

OBI Stars staged a remarkable comeback from 0-3 down against champions Kano Pillars to draw 3-3 at home on Sunday in a Nigeria league fixture.

Pillars now have 27 points from 19 games, while Lobi have 21 points.

Adamu Hassan was the hero for Pillars as he scored a brace. He broke the deadlock in the 36th minute. He completed his brace with an assist from Isaac Hele.

Anthony Agbaji made it 30 for the visitors when he turned Ezekiel Mbah's cross into his own net for an own

goal in the 50th minute.

Two minutes later, Akleche Enokela pulled one back for Lobi Stars following a mix-up in the Pillars defence.

Pillars were cruising home to their second away win of the season, when Tony Okpotu made it 3-3 for Lobi.

Pillars only away win of the season was a 1-0 victory at Abia Warriors in Week 9.

In the 76th minute, Pillars goalkeeper John Lawrence saved a penalty taken by Lobi Stars goalkeeper Terkaa Melai after Okpotu was fouled inside the 18yard.

put in place, we created a lot of chances we couldn't convert.

"Alot of work to do before 2nd leg in Congo . Am comfortable with the scoreline , who know what will happen in Congo."

Aaron Samuel on target in Guangzhou R&F loss

G

UANGZHOU R&F striker Aaron Samuel was unhappy with the 4 - 2 defeat suffered at the hands of Shandong Luneng in the Chinese Super League on Sunday afternoon.

And the scoreline would have been more flattering to the visitors if the Nigeria international had not converted a spot kick in the 76th minute.

“I am the designated penalty taker for my team and I was happy to score,” said Aaron Samuel to allnigeriasoccer.com.

“We thought we could earn at

least a point from the game but our defense lost concentration towards the end of the game.

“We have played two games in a space of three days and this contributed to our tiredness.”

The 21 - year - old Aaron Samuel has averaged exactly 0.5 goals per game since the start of this season.

• Enyimba against Rangers in Enugu on Sunday

Moses James 3SC match winner against El Kanemi

M • Samuel

ONDAY James was Shooting Stars, hero as they beat El Kanemi Warriors 2-1 in a Week 19 game of the Nigeria League in Ibadan on Sunday.

Shooting Stars now have 26 points from 19 games, while El Kanemi have 24 points from 18 games.

The visiting team took the

lead in the 62nd minute through Ibrahim Mustapha following a mix-up in ‘The Oluyole Warriors’ defence.

Three minutes later, Ajani Ibrahim restored parity for Shooting Stars when he headed home a free kick.

Moses James' superb volley in the 77th minute off a rebound sealed the victory for the hosts.

In the sixth minute, Tope Orelope had the first shot at goal which was dealt with by George Michael in goal for El Kanemi.

In the 13th minute, Orelope delivered a superb free kick, but the El Kanemi goalkeeper was there to deny him again.

El Kanemi shot stopper was again on hand to stop Wasiu Jiimoh in the 18th minute.

In the 39th minute, it was Suleiman Dori who made a timely clearance off Wasiu Jimoh’s cr o s s before Orelope could head home.

Holidaying 3SC goalkeeper Abubakar Adamu was involved in the action for the first time in the game in the 56th minute, when he rushed out to cut a counter attack by El Kanemi.

With eight minutes to the end, Muyiwa Lawal hit the cross bar for 3SC.

TODAY IN THE NATION

MONDAY, JULY 20, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘Had Obasanjo and his henchmen allowed that freedom of choice which is the lynchpin on which democracy revolves, those thrown up through popular will may have turned out better. Perhaps also, the country could have been saved all the distractions these past years that nearly dismembered it’

VOL 10 NO 3281

EMEKA OMEIHE

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

I

recall my first flight out of the country on our national carrier in the early 1990’s.

I had just won a prestigious professional fellowship in Canada, but I had to spend a few days in London. I had what was then an OK ticket. Technically, it implied I could walk right into the aircraft and to my seat.

The reality was, however, a nightmare.

More persons than available seats had Ok tickets. All wanted to fly out that Sunday morning. A melee was inevitable. In spite of our formal – some had flamboyant - dressings and the retinue of family and friends on hand to say goodbye, we knew the journey had no guarantee. Some people would return that morning to their homes. Families and friends reined in their farewells.

Rather they joined the travellers in the many queues to secure boarding passes. The lines formed and collapsed repeatedly as though a human parody of the pack of cards.

I was lucky to secure one, thanks to a relative who quickly sensed the formation of a new line and took her place in the front.

Needless to say, after securing my ticket, the line tumbled over.

That was the story of the Nigeria Airways.

It was also that way in local travels. Travellers waxed into sprinters, and if your flight was called and you warbled, it was hard luck.

Wait another time.

The Nigeria Airways was a failure and a sad reminder about how government can ruin a great product. Nigeria Airways also blossomed in an age state-run enterprises when the current thought was government monopoly. Socialism was the bride of theorists and idealists.

But the experience was one of corruption.

Government bigwigs subverted protocol and obtained OK tickets. Business moguls also waded in and, of course, staff took advantage to make a killing. Nepotism, of course, had its pride of place.

The nightmare seems to be coming back, it seems. The Ahmed Joda committee has recommended a return to the Nigeria Airways model, according to news reports. It will imply merging the existing airlines, and bring them under a national carrier. It is a return to the past of failure.

“To stumble twice over a stone,” warned Cicero, “is a proverbial disgrace.” It is like taking the Titanic back to the Ice field, and expecting a miracle. This is the age of free enterprise, and it calls for competition. It does not call for control.

We have never done it right in this country. Even our refineries, in spite of the good it did in the past, are wilting under what everyone knows as government fiat and corruption. NEPA went through similar rut and wrapped us around with a web of darkness.

To resolve it, we have had to go through a ponderous rigmarole of dismantling. We are seeing what that is causing us today with

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchnation@gmail.com 08054501081(sms only) Twitter: @samomatseye

•Winner, Informed Commentary (DAME)

Blood in the sky

‘

The world has leapt past the range of the man, and his recommendation of merger may be a reflection of his ancient train of thought. I hope he redeems that perception by more sophisticated recommendations to the Buhari administration •Joda

the fingers of government corruption writ large in the GENCOs and DISCOs. Ahmed Joda is a familiar name in Nigerian bureaucracy. He was a permanent secretary when that position had the force of a bullet. Like Allison Ayida, he was called a super permanent secretary. So it was expected that he knew about the Nigerian civil service as much as anyone. But he worked in a different generation, in what I would call an antediluvian time of our government. His choice by PMB to head the transition committee was informed by experience but not imagination.

The world has leapt past the range of the man, and his recommendation of merger may be a reflection of his ancient train of thought.

I hope he redeems that perception by more sophisticated recommendations to the Buhari administration. This is a world of free enter-

RIPPLES

PDP ‘LL BOUNCE BACK, says ex-minister Moro

...AND THAT’LL BE THE 8TH WONDER OF THE WORLD

’

prise, not of monopolistic domination.

Instead of calling for a single carrier, it should call for an enabling environment for the carriers to operate. One of the drawbacks for the airline industry is the financial predation of the banks. Airlines everywhere are heavy investments, and banks should not be made to impose interest rates at such high levels. In fact, this is not restricted to the airlines. It is the hobgoblin of Nigerian business. Small businesses have been suffocated while large ones lumber along.

To ask them to collapse under a new sort of Nigeria Airways will attract tremendous taxpayer’s money and it will be a gamble.

This is no time for gamble. Another thing: governments should realise that airlines, like many international businesses, groan under the present foreign exchange rate. It now goes for a dollar to about N240. This calls for caution.

HARDBALL

I

F only the handlers of former President Olusegun Obasanjo could have him hold his peace on matters that are better forgotten, then he would probably earn his hero status in a country that has few heroes. But for a man who made the famous remarks that he advised his advisers and not the other way round, then one can imagine that he (man) handles his handlers if he ever had any.

Age ought to mellow and mature, wizen and make wiser and most important, makes a man come to terms with himself, his people and his maker.

As a man sitting in the departure lounge of life, to borrow from Chief E.K Clark, one expects Chief Obasanjo to travel light, shed all excess baggage and be at peace with his world.

But that is not the case with the Owu deity who enjoyed the rare privilege of ruling Nigeria for about 13 years, first as a military head of state and then as an elected president for two terms of eight years. But Obasanjo comes across as a man in prolonged and un-assuaged agony. Like all agonists, he is always seeking to be seen, to be heard and to be

If the airlines are to merge, they should do it on their own terms. Forcing the marriage as they did with the banks is the wrong way to go. The bank mergers have eventually worked at tremendous costs. But it is a market that also offers variety. A single carrier would create a government misnomer.

That is, a government will be held responsible for monopolistic practices. The United States president Theodore Roosevelt fought this against big business men like John D. Rockefeller because he knew the government had no stain on its shirt. He even fought with the financiers of his candidacy. He was a Republican and his main opponents were in his party. He risked their alienation to uphold a just cause. This was about a hundred years ago.

The Nigerian government should not be seen to pursue such anomaly when the world, through laws and conventions, are backing away because of its moral wrong. Marriages, however, should be by consent.

“A marriage is not a word,” crooned Oscar Wilde. “It is a sentence.” A forced one will be a death sentence for the airline industry again.

The Daily Times is an opposite of the Nigeria Airways narrative. It prospered without government interference until the Owu chief came. As military head of state, Gen. Olusegun Obasanjo clipped the wings of the great newspaper, and its decline and fall became inevitable.

The British Airways is the model for Nigeria’s peacock class today. But it used to be a conglomerate of sorts under government control. The owners knew it was not sustainable, so they privatised it. That unleashed its mammoth potential for profit. Nigeria is one of their great customers although they give us the least of their fleet.

We need to open the door for our airlines to bloom, and not clip the wings as we did that of the Daily Times and the Nigeria Airways.

We don’t want our airline industry to fulfill the myth of Daedalus and Icarus. The story of Daedalus, the father, and Icarus, the son, have become classics about misplaced ambition. Daedalus warned his son Icarus not to fly too close to the sun in the wings he made for him. It was made of wax. But Icarus disobeyed, and flew too high. He crashed because the sun melted the wax.

Metaphorically, our planes are flying in bad weather, with clouds of hard finance and suffocating winds of official interference.

Right now they would like to fulfil the famous quote from John Webster’s play, The Duchess of Malfi, where a character says, “Black birds fatten in hard weather.” But they are failing up there. The second coming of the Nigeria Airways may smear the clouds.

We do not want blood in our skies.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Obj’s catharsis courted. He seems to covet and cherish the high table of relevance all the time.

When he is not in the limelight, he creates his own lime and light and bask in it.

Such was the case last week when the former president granted an interview to Channels Television explaining why he chose his late successor, Alhaji Umaru Musa Yar’Adua. For a classic Obasanjo mala fide that happened eight years ago and for which the nation had agonised and moved on, why Obj had to be scratching the scar of our wound cannot be fathomed.

The underhand event happened before our eyes: Obasanjo the incumbent wanted a soft and weak successor and he found his best bet in the late Yar’Adua, a visibly ailing man. He paired him with a yodeling yeoman straight from the creeks of Otuoke. The Yar’Adua/ Jonathan ticket for the 2007 presidential race must rank among the most debilitated and puerile pairing to be found in modern democracy.

At the end of that era on May 29, 2015, a cycle of a debacle that was total and comprehensive had been completed.

Anarchy was almost loosed upon the land. The nation still roils from it till this moment. A slew of mind-boggling corruption, abandoned projects, misery and poverty for the populace were what Obasanjo’s singular succession perfidy earned Nigeria.

Yet he would not let us be.

Unprompted last week, Obasanjo told us that choosing a terminally ill man to preside over this vast country was the right thing to do. All the other seekers of the job were corrupt, he said.

If only Baba Obasanjo would hold his peace, if only he would keep quiet and allow time to heal the wounds he has inflicted on us. But Hardball knows he won’t; he can’t until he has achieved catharsis. But there lies the dilemma; Obasanjo is not likely to achieve such a redeeming state of self-purification. What a pity.

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