The Nation Mar 12, 2014

Oil minister’s, bankers’ role in my ouster, by Sanusi NEWS

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Gunmen attack governor’s convoy

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ENUE State Governor Gabriel Suswam came under gun attack from suspected Fulani herdsmen yesterday.

The herdsmen – carrying sophisticated guns – have been attacking Tiv indigenes, killing and maiming villagers.

Suswam was on his way from the state capital,

By Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

Makurdi to a displaced persons’ camp in Guma Local Government, when he was attacked at Tse Akenyi.

An eye witness said the governor’s trip was smooth until the convoy got to Tse Akenyi junction that leads to Torkula village. The herdsmen, on sighting the governor’s con-

voy, reportedly came out from the bush and fired at the vehicles.

The governor’s security detail repelled the attackers, who were said to be carrying sophisticated weapons.

In spite of the attack, a visibly shaken Suswam continued his journey and visited Gbajimba, the administrative headquarters of Guma Local

Government where he addressed the displaced persons.

Suswam told people to take their destiny in their hands.

He said: “I salute each and every one of you for your courage and steadfastness throughout this period. This is beyond the herdsmen; this is real war.

Continued on page 4

•CUSTOMS INTERCEPTS 30,000 LIVE CARTRIDGES IN OYO P8 •US: EKITI, OSUN POLLS CRITICALP8

Military captures Boko Haram fighters in forest House mourns slain Yobe pupils From Yusuf Alli and Gbade Ogunwale, Abuja

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ANY injured Boko Haram fighters have been captured in some parts of Borno State and on the fringes of Lake Chad, military authorities said yesterday.

Besides, weapons have been recovered by troops in collaboration with the Multi-National Joint Task Force.

The captives, who were described by a military source as “famished”, were said to be begging troops to spare their lives.

But air raids on Boko Haram camps continued yesterday. Besides, security has been tightened in borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic to prevent the insurgents from fleeing.

According to a statement by Defence Headquarters (DHQ) spokesman Maj.-Gen. Chris Olukolade, some of those arrested have made vital disclosures.

The statement said: “Scores of wounded terrorists who escaped from various camps under the fire of security forces have been captured in the fringes of Lake Chad.

“The captured terrorists, some of whom are fatally wounded, are already making useful statements to interrogators of the Multi-National Joint Task Force.

“Others were captured by troops in locations around Dikwa, Cross Kauwa, Kukawa and Alargarmo.

“In their confessions, it was revealed that some of the camps have been disbanded following the directive of their clerics who declared that the operation of the sect had come to an end as the mission could no longer be sustained.”

The DHQ also claimed that some of those being interrogated pleaded with troops not to kill them.

The statement added: “The terrorists, who gave useful information as to the locations of their remnant forces, were full of apologies and Continued on page 4

•Captured insurgents being watched over by soldiers

‘ •A vehicle seized from the insurgents

There can be no reason, no justification and no acceptable excuse for this act of mindless brutality.

Whatever message the terrorists set out to send to the Nigerian government has been drowned out by the cries for justice by the blood of these innocent martyrs

’

•LIFE P15 •SPORTS P23 •MONEY P26 •INVESTORS P28 •POLITICS P43

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

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NEWS

Oil minister’s, ba

• A retired Professor from the Chemical Engineering Department of the University of Benin, Prof. Robert Ebewele (right) discusiing with Mr Alex Nenyin of Gacmork Nigeria Ltd at the PTDF 2nd Annual Oil and Gas Research Grant Competition Close-out Seminar 2014 in Abuja ...yesterday. With them is Dr Elizabetl Eterigho of the Federal University of Technology, Minna.

PHOTO: NAN

Suspended Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, in a New York Times’ report, gives an insight into his hurried exit from the apex bank

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•From left: President, Ekiti Chamber of Commerce Industry, Mines and Agriculture (ECCIMA), Chief Kola Akosile, President of Odu’a ACCIMA, Iyalode Alaba Lawson, 1st Deputy President, Odu’a ACCIMA, Senator Remi Okumboye and Chairman, Renewal Engry Ltd., Mrs Stella Okunbido During the Media Briefing on Odu, ACCIMA proposed workshop on Alaternative Sources of Energyin Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS

•From left: President, National Postgraduate Medical College of Nigeria, Prof. Rasheed Arogundade, immediate past President, Prof. Victor Wakwe, Vice-President, Prof. Ademola Olaitan and Treasurer, Prof. Benedict da-Lilly Tariah, during the investiture of Prof Arogundade as the college’s 18th president inLagos.

PHOTO: ADEOLA SOLOMON

•From left: Chief Executive, Stanbic IBTC Trustees Ltd, Mrs. Binta Max-Gbinije, Head, Marketing & Communications, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs. Nkiru Olumide-Ojo, Chief Executive Officer, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs. Sola David-Borha and Head, Human Capital, Stanbic IBTC Holdings, Mrs. Olufunke Amobi at a seminar organised by Stanbic IBTC to mark this year’s International Women’s Day in lagos.

PHOTO: BOLA OMILABU

VEN in a country where untold oil wealth disappears into the pockets of the elite, the oil corruption scheme he was investigating seemed outsize — and he threatened to lay it bare at a meeting with Nigeria’s top bankers.

The rabble-rouser was none other than the governor of the country’s central bank. Weeks later, however, he was out, fired by Nigeria’s president in an episode that has shaken the Nigerian economy, filled newspapers and airwaves here, and even inspired a rare street demonstration.

The bankers were going to have to open their books, the governor, Lamido Sanusi, warned them at the recent meeting. He wanted to see where the money was going — $20 billion from oil sales that, mysteriously, was not making its way to the treasury, in a country that could soon be declared Africa’s biggest economy and already attracts the most direct foreign investment on the continent, according to the United Nations.

But his suspicions were cutting too close, Mr. Sanusi said — too close to an oil-politics nexus that both feeds the political establishment in Nigeria, in his view and that of analysts, and deprives the country of vital revenue.

The charge of missing oil money is not new in Nigeria. In recent years, government commissions, parliamentary inquiries and civil society groups have all pointed to serious shortfalls in the disbursement of oil revenues. Their findings have been ignored.

This time, the accusations appear not to be going away: Never before has an official at Mr. Sanusi’s level made them.

In interviews here, Mr. Sanusi gave a detailed account of the events that he said led to his ouster on Feb. 20, a dismissal that continues to depress the country’s currency and frighten investors. He said his warning to the bankers had been reported straight back to the threatened seat of power in the country’s capital, Abuja.

It was too much, he said. With his accusations, which outside analysts consider credible, the soft-spoken, bow-tied central banker appeared to have penetrated to the heart of the country’s entrenched corruption problem.

In 2009, Mr. Sanusi took aim at Nigeria’s failing banking sector, shutting down fraudulent banks, uncovering theft that led to an unprecedented conviction, and earning trust in international financial markets. He was named central bank governor of the year by The Banker magazine in 2011, and is a suited-up member of his country’s establishment, as an heir to the position of emir in the ancient northern city of Kano, one of Nigeria’s highest-status designations.

•Sanusi: I threatened to open banks’ books

But then he began taking on the government oil agency, which determines whether oil-dependent Nigeria rises or falls. Specifically, he accused the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation — the agency that buys, sells, regulates and produces the country’s oil — of not turning over earnings to the country’s central bank.

The country is Africa’s largest oil exporter, oil prices were steady or rising, yet Nigeria’s financial reserves were falling. It was a mystery. The money was missing. Mr. Sanusi said he feared an eventual collapse of Nigeria’s currency.

Backed by calculations, he presented his findings to a Nigerian Senate committee early in February. “A substantial amount of money has gone,” Mr. Sanusi said in an interview at the mansion reserved for the country’s central banker, which he will soon have to leave. “I wasn’t just talking about numbers. I showed it was a scam.”

At a time when political energy in Africa’s most populous country is focused on next year’s elections — and staying in power is costly for a governing party that functions as a patronage machine — Mr. Sanusi knew exactly which interests he had menaced, he said. He had been warned to “cool down.

“By making N.N.P.C. an issue now, the source of money for financing elections is threatened,” Mr. Sanusi said, referring to the petroleum corporation. “If this is stopped, there will be no money to finance the elections.”

On the other hand, if it was not stopped, the risk to Nigeria’s economy was grave, the central banker suggested. “It was critical that we stop this hemorrhage,” he said.

“Otherwise, we can’t maintain stability. Reserves had gone way down. We would watch the naira collapse,” he said of the nation’s currency.

Alarmed, Mr. Sanusi said, he went in front of Nigeria’s top banking heads for a semimonthly meeting on Feb. 11 and “threatened to open the books of the bankers, to trace the money.” He suspected some were laundering stolen oil money.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

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r’s, bankers’ role in Sanusi’s ouster ‘ •Dr Jonathan: Sanusi not the victim

nks’ books

•Alison-Madueke: Ran to the President?

By making NNPC an issue now, the source of money for financing elections is threatened. If this is stopped, there will be no money to finance the elections…It was critical that we stop this hemorrhage.

Otherwise, we can’t maintain stability. Reserves had gone way down. We would watch the naira collapse… (I) threatened to open the books of the bankers to trace the money. Some of them were not giving information about their accounts. I told them I would order a special examination

‘

•NNPC chief Yakubu: no money missing •Bakare: we can’t wish this matter away

“Some of them were not giving information about their accounts,” the central banker said. “I told them I would order a special examination.”

One of the bankers at the meeting said, referring to the Central Bank of Nigeria, “He made it clear to them that the C.B.N. would need to unravel what was going on, and they should cooperate.”

Many of the bankers became angry.

“One of us said, ‘What next?’ “ a second banker said. “There was a general heaviness. He spoke tough.” Both bankers requested anonymity.

Panicked, several of the bankers went straight to the government, Mr. Sanusi said. Two of the bankers — he would not identify them — “went and reported to the petroleum minister,” he said. And at that moment, his

days were numbered.

“The strategy of the government was to discredit the messenger,” he said. The Nigerian president “doesn’t want me to bring out any more information that would get them into trouble.”

Mr. Sanusi’s account is “untrue,” a spokesman for President Goodluck Jonathan said.

“Mr. Sanusi has been making all kinds of claims to project himself as a victim,” the spokesman, Reuben Abati, said in an email, accusing the former bank governor of “financial recklessness, abuse of mandate, incompetence and criminal acts of negligence.”

Mr. Sanusi has not been charged with any crimes, and the most Mr. Jonathan held him responsible for in

a series of counteraccusations that emerged after the bank governor raised an alarm over the oil money was having perhaps “sidestepped civil-service rules.”

Outside analysts appear to be in large agreement that Mr. Sanusi’s claim of vast missing oil revenues is plausible.

Nigeria’s state oil sales “feature undue complexity, extensive discretion and well-documented flaws,” Revenue Watch, a group focused on natural-resource management, wrote in an examination of the central banker’s declarations. “In such a system, the line between mismanagement and corruption is difficult to draw, as shortcomings in process often benefit specific private interests.”

One such “shortcoming” was laid

bare by Mr. Sanusi last month to the parliamentary committee: a phony subsidy on kerosene that he determined to be a racket, costing the Nigerian treasury billions of dollars and greatly benefiting what he called a “syndicate” of marketers and unknown others. Mr. Sanusi showed that any official subsidy on kerosene had long since been abolished, that the petroleum corporation was nonetheless selling kerosene to marketers at less than a third of its purchase price on the international market and that the Nigerian marketers were then selling kerosene to the public at prices 300 to 500 percent above what they had paid for it.

“It’s just a big scam,” Mr. Sanusi said in the interview. “The amount is shared by a cabal.”

Though his official term would have ended in June anyway, Mr. Sanusi said, he is challenging his removal in court. In a judiciary that is only lightly insulated from political pressure, the outcome is uncertain, though perhaps not with the wider public. One of the bankers at the Feb. 11 meeting said: “For me personally, I don’t think there’s anything wrong with the position he has taken. We are Nigerians. We owe it to this country that things are run properly.”

One of Nigeria’s leading activists, Tunde Bakare, a founder of the prodemocracy organisation Save Nigeria Group, said: “This is going to be tried in the court of public opinion. We can’t wish this matter away. Twenty billion dollars is not going to go away overnight.”

UNHCR concerned as hundreds flee from Boko Haram

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HE UN refugee agency yesterday said it was increasingly alarmed at the humanitarian impact of continuing violence in north-eastern Nigeria and stressed the importance of protecting civilians.

Newly arrived refugees interviewed by UNHCR staff in Niger have spoken of atrocities on the islands and shores of Lake Chad in north-east Nigeria’s Borno State.

“One woman described corpses strewn through houses and floating in the water. She said people feared staying even to bury their dead or find missing relatives. Others recounted fleeing a village shooting incident and said women and children were being kidnapped and taken away by unidentified assailants,” UNHCR spokesman Adrian Edwards, in Geneva, told reporters yesterday.

The latest attacks are reported to have begun in mid-February and were continuing five days ago, Edwards said. “In all some 2,000 people have crossed into south-east Niger’s Diffa region over the past four weeks according to our partner, the International Rescue Committee,” he added. In addition to the attacks on Lake Chad, some of the new arrivals have come from conflicted areas near Borno’s state capital, Maiduguri.

“UNHCR reiterates to all parties to the conflict in north-eastern Nigeria the vital importance of protecting civilians from harm,”

Fed Govt to deploy air patrol borders to Northeast

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INISTER of Interior Abba Moro yesterday said theFederal Government has concluded plans for air border patrol in the Northeast.

Moro spoke when he received in his office a delegation from DANA Airline, led by its managing director, Mr. Mark Snoxell Dornier.

He said the step became necessary to takecontrol of the country’s borders, especially in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states, where the security challenge was high.

Moro said most of the perpetrators of mayhems were foreigners who have illegally come

From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

in through the porous borders.

He sai:d “This visit has been long in waiting, especially against the backdrop that I have paid a similar visit to your organisation almost immediately I assumed office as the Minister of Interior. I felt then and I still feel that air border surveillance is a very critical component of our overall desire to take proper control of our borders. As you aware, we have a serious internal security now; as you are equally aware, some of the perpetrators of mayhems in the country have been identified as foreigners who have illegally

Edwards stressed. The insurgency in the three north-eastern Nigerian states of Yobe, Adamawa and Borno has displaced more than 470,000 people inside Nigeria. Refugees arriving in neighbouring Cameroon, Chad, and Niger are in addition to this.

come in through our borders to Nigeria.

“You are equally aware, especially on the northern part, that our borders are very porous and so the three attributes that we try to develop to control our borders were vehicular border patrol, the construction of border plaza, the deployment of high technology equipment to be able to survey our borders and of course and the air patrol that we are talking about.

“Since my visit to your office and inspection of our facilities, we have taken some other steps to see how we can resuscitate our air border patrol. I have to set up

Since President Goodluck Jonathan declared a state of emergency in the three states in May last year, more than 57,000 people have fled to Cameroon, Chad and Niger. Some 17,000 of these are registered Nigerian refugees. The rest are nationals of

a committee to examine our existing preparedness to undertake border patrol against the backdrop of our existing aircraft; some that are serviceable and some that are not serviceable and the report have been submitted.”

Dornier said the airline was ready to partner the ministry to provide the necessary training for the immigration personnel expected to man the aircraft for the border patrol.

He told the minister that his company has two aircraft capable of delivering the service, adding that the age of an aircraft has nothing to do with its efficiency.

the surrounding countries who had been living in Nigeria for decades.

Niger , said the agency, has received the majority - some 40,000 concentrated in the Diffa region, a desert in the country’s eastern edge.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

NEWS Gunmen attack governor’s convoy Continued from page 1

•Southwest governors (from left) Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun), Babatunde Fashola (Lagos) and Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) before a meeting with President Goodluck Jonathan at the State House in Abuja…yesterday.

PHOTO AKIN OLADOKUN

Jonathan asks Appeal Court to dismiss suit against second term bid

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has asked the Court of Appeal to strike out a suit challenging his eligibility to seek a second term.

He raised a technical point on why the appeal by a member of his party - the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) - Mr. Cyriacus Njoku, should not be entertained.

Dr. Jonathan said the appeal filed against him did not comply with Order 18 Rule 2, of the Court of Appeal Rules.

He asked the court to dismiss the appeal because the time within which Njoku ought to file his brief of argument had elapsed.

In 2012, the appellant, through his counsel, Osuagwu Ugochukwu, approached the High Court of the Federal Capital Territory to declare that President Goodluck Jonathan was spending his second term in office as the nation’s leader.

He said Jonathan ran for president in his first term in office on a single and inseparable ticket with the late President Umaru Yar’Adua.

He said the 1999 Constitution

H

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

does not make provisions for separate elections for the office of the president and vice-president adding that the ticket with the late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua in 2007, made it Jonathan’s first term in office.

But on March 1, 2013, Justice Mudashiru Oniyangi said Jonathan could contest in 2015.

Dissatisfied with the judgment, Njoku headed for the Court of Appeal, Abuja Division.

He sought two issues for determination. These are; • Whether Section 135(2) of the Constitution which specifies a period of four years in office for the President is only available or applicable to a person elected on the basis of an actual election or includes one in which a person assumes the position of President by operation of law as in the case of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan.

• Whether Section 137(1) (b) of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 1999, which provides that a person shall not be qualified for election to the office of President if he has

been elected to such office at any two previous elections applies to the 1st Defendant who first took an Oath of Office as substantive President on May 6, 2010 and took a second Oath of Office as President on May 29, 2011.

But in response to the Motion on Notice, the President through his counsel, Ade Okeaya-Inneh and K. M. Nomeh, sought for an order “dismissing the appeal for want of diligent prosecution and for such other order(s) as this Honourable Court may deem fit to make in the circumstance.

The President based his application on the following grounds: “The judgment of the lower court was delivered on the 1st of March 2013 by Honourable Justice M. N. Oniyangi of the High Court of Federal Capital Territory, Abuja.

“The Appellant filed his Notice of Appeal on the 16th of April, 2013 against the said judgment of the lower court.

“The First Respondent was served with the Appellant’s Record of Appeal in July 2013.

By the provisions of Order 18 Rule 2 of the Court of Appeal Rules 2011, the Appellant is

“On my way to this place, they exchanged gun shots with us for over one hour before we were able to come here.

“My people are being killed, butchered and their homes destroyed. So, if the security agents, especially the military, cannot provide security for us, we will defend ourselves.

“I cannot abandon you people at this point in time to die.

You voted me to provide security for you and I must do that for you.

“These Fulani are not like the real Fulani we used to know.

“Please return to your homes and defend your land, do not allow anybody to make you slaves in your home land,’’ he said.

Local Government Chairman Frank Adi condemned

the continuous killings of his people and destruction of their homes by the herdsmen.

Adi, who was represented by his deputy, Mr Godwin Viashima, appealed to the government to provide them with security operatives to safe guard the citizens.

Suswam assured the people that government would do everything possible to restore normalcy to various homes. He said the government would not allow invaders to take over their ancestral homes.

At Ukpam village, virtually all the houses were razed while decomposed bodies littered the farming community. The governor ordered the evacuation o f six bodies to Makurdi, the state capital, for burial.

The governor went round other affected communities. The worst hit villages are Ukpam, Waku, Torkula, and Kaseyo.

Amaechi urges action against corruption •Straw: opposition vital in democracy

A •Dr. Jonathan

mandated to file his brief of argument within 45 days of the receipt of the record of appeal from the court below.

“The time within which the Appellant shall file his brief of argument under the rules has elapsed.

“By Order 18 Rule 10 of the rules of this Honourable Court, this Court is empowered to dismiss the Appellant’s Appeal for want of prosecution. That it will be in the interest of justice if this application is granted.”

The counsel to the appellant, Osuagwu however said: “We wrote a letter to the Court of Appeal two months ago for a date to hear our motion for extension of time to compile and serve Record of Appeal but the court refused to give date.”

FORMER British Foreign Secretary, Jack Straw, said yesterday that it is stupid to marginalise political opponents. He insisted that a strong opposition is essential in a democracy.

Straw noted that widespread corruption and democracy were incompatible, saying with the All Progressives Congress (APC), Nigeria would be better administered. Leaders of the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) will be put on their toes, he added.

Straw reiterated that there is apprehension in Nigeria over the 2015 elections, declaring that there is a long way to go in the country, to conduct free, fair and credible elections.

A former Prime Minister of Ireland, John Bruton, also stated that there must be no preferential treatment or favouritism in the fight against corruption.

To him, every country in the world is searching for good governance, which he described as a process.

Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Forum (NGF), maintained that Nigeria is a bit helpless and slightly hopeless, with corruption being celebrated. Citizens’ action is needed, he added.

A frontline human rights lawyer, Femi Falana, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria (SAN), said Nigeria was not more corrupt than many Western countries, while accusing Britain and the United States as causing part of the problem of terrorism.

The eminent personalities and others spoke yesterday at the Banquet Hall of the Government House, Port Harcourt at an International Conference on Democracy and Good Governance.

Prof. Steve Chan of the University of London was the moderator.

Bruton spoke on “The Dynamics of Contention Within the Realities of State Building: Debasing their Essence and Limitation,” while Straw’s paper was titled: “Democracy, Nationhood and Citizenship Rights, Freedoms and Responsibilities in the Continued on page 60

House declares day of mourning for slain Yobe pupils

OUSE of Representatives members rose yesterday in unison to declare that the government (not executive alone) has run out of excuses reining in the violent Islamic sect, Boko Haram.

The lawmakers noted that the most affected states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa were under state of emergency , yet the killings have not abated, despite efforts made to strengthen military and intelligence apparatus deployed there.

The lawmakers agreed that the recent killings made it imperative for the government to come up with fresh ideas to tackle the problem.

Among others, they suggested a need to look in the direction of community policing and neighborhood watch, in addition to strengthening intelligence gathering capabilities of security agencies.

The resolution of the House followed the adoption of a speech

by Speaker Aminu Tambuwal at a special session on the killings.

The Speaker, while welcoming his colleagues from the short budget consideration break, expressed sadness that a day of mourning had to be observed as a result of the pains the sect had been inflicting on Nigerians.

He opened the plenary with his speech titled, “One massacre too many” but while throwing open the debate to his colleagues for

Military captures Boko Haram fighters in forest Continued from page 1

pleas for their lives to be spared, promising to cooperate.

“They confirmed that starvation was a major problem, in addition to ceaseless bombardments on the camp locations even when they kept relocating.

“They also confirmed that several members of the group have been wounded and no treatment was forthcoming. Troops have continued their assault on other locations across the states covered by the state of emergency.”

The DHQ however warned members of the public against visiting captured camps of Boko Haram for “sight-seeing.”

It said: “Meanwhile, members of the public who have started visiting to engage in sight seeing in some dislodged camps and fringes of forests, such as Sambisa From Victor Oluwaegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

contributions on the way forward, other lawmakers could not add to what the Speaker had said.

The speech was adopted as a resolution of the House by the entire floor and a day of mourning was observed with the suspension of plenary for the day.

Tambuwal said it was to remember the innocent children and other victims of violence that the House declared yesterday “a day of mourning to express our collective outrage on these kill-

and others have been warned to desist from doing so as the tendency will no more be condoned where operations are still ongoing.

“The general area still remains a theatre and movement remains restricted as the environment has to be cleared for safety of citizens. The public will be informed when the locations are safe enough.”

A top military officer said air raids and surveillance in borders with Cameroon, Chad and Niger Republic were heightened yesterday to prevent the insurgents from fleeing.

The source said: “You see, continuous air raids and water-tight security along our borders with neighbouring countries have helped in our campaign against the insurgents.

“We are determined not to relax air as-

ings that have gone on for far too long”.

He said: “Our reunion at times like this has always been one of joy for accomplishment of a civic responsibility. However on this day, it is with the greatest sense of anguish that I welcome you back.

“On February 25, 2014, the very day the House adjourned plenary, Nigeria suffered a horrendous terrorist attack that struck a fatal blow at the heart and soul of the Nigerian nation and desecrated values that decent peoples of all nations hold dear. On that night,

saults and stoppage of movement along the borders until the insurgents surrender.

“The troops are really taking the battle to the insurgents instead of being on the defensive.”

Responding to a question, the source said: “Preliminary findings confirmed that Boko Haram manages rag-tag fighters similar to those in Mali, Pakistan and Afghanistan.

“No matter how long they pretend to be organised, the battle continues as our troops will not give up.”

On the outcome of the search for some missing pupils of the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, the source said: “The Yobe State Government set up a committee on this and the state will be able to talk appropriately on this.”

about 59 students of Federal Government College, Buni Yadi, Yobe State were killed in the most heinous manner.

“Some of our future national leaders were mowed down in gruesome circumstances in their sleep. Some were shot dead while many were burnt beyond recognition. That day was a day that will live in infamy in the history of this nation.

“When innocent, harmless and defenceless women and children become the targets of these heartless murderous bandits; when the lives of sleeping children are

so callously snuffed out, it becomes clear that these agents of terror have murdered sleep and they henceforth deserve none.”

Besides, Tambuwal noted that whatever grievances the terrorists harbour against the government, Nigeria’s innocent children have nothing to do with them.

Nigeria’s children bear no responsibility for either policy making or policy implementation, he said.

“It is, therefore an act of cowardice worthy of ringing condemnation to target the children, to strike at those who are not only

innocent but are also unable to strike back or defend themselves.

“There can be no reason, no justification and no acceptable excuse for this act of mindless brutality. Whatever message the terrorists set out to send to the Nigerian government has been drowned out by the cries for justice by the blood of these innocent martyrs,” he added.

In the emotion-laden speech, Tambuwal empathised with the families of the victims, urging his colleagues to, please travel with him on an imaginary journey to the Federal Government College, Buni Yadi to drive home the effect of the massacre.

He said: “Picture the scene as the terrorists creep into the hostels and the children begin to wake up one after the other, with their eyes heavy with sleep, each of them convinced that this is some nightmare.

“Picture the chaos in the rooms and the terror on the faces of the children as they watch the murContinued on page 60

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NEWS

Why North is in crisis, by Ribadu

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•General Manager, West Africa, British Airways, Mr. Kola Olayinka ( middle) speaking at a news conference on the British Airways ‘Leaders of Tomorrow’ in Lagos... yesterday. With him are Manager, Trade Sales, Mr. Ademola Sanya (left) and Legal Adviser, Nigeria College of Aviation Technology (NCAT), Zaria, Afolake St. Matthew Daniel.

PHOTO: NIYI ADENIRAN

ORMER Economi and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) Chairman, Mallam Nuhu Ribadu, has said the security and socio-economic challenges bedeviling the North are a reflection of the dire condition of Nigeria.

Speaking yesterday at a forum of Northern elders and leaders in Kano, Ribadu blamed failure of leadership, unity and strategic planning as some of the issues responsible for the failure of the region and Nigeria to rise behind their current status.

Ribadu said: “The story of the North’s deterioration is a replica of Nigeria’s story. Searching solutions to these challenges also means groping for the ropes to a better future for our dear country. I am a believer in the unity and

APC accuses Fed Govt of secret moves to hike fuel price

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)-led Federal Government of acting out a clandestine script to increase fuel prices.

It said the nation-wide fuel scarcity may have been induced to make higher fuel prices a fait accompli for Nigerians.

In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the fact that the scarcity has persisted despite the claims and counter-claims by the government and the oil markers, and the measures purportedly taken by the government to ameliorate the situation, is the clearest indication of official deception.

“The more fuel trucks the government claims to have sent to major cities to ease the scarcity, the more difficult it is for Nigerians to obtain the product. This is an old trick and Nigerians should not be hoodwinked into believing there will be no increase in fuel prices.

The only deterrent is to let the government know Nigerians will resist any price hike.

“The truth is that with the elections approaching, the PDP-led Federal Government is desperately seeking all possible avenues to raise funds for its usual electoral shenanigans, and increasing fuel prices has always been an attractive option to the government, not minding what the impact will be on the same people it has impoverished since 1999,’’ it said.

APC said the lingering scarcity has already forced many Nigerians to pay as much as 120 Naira per litre of fuel, which is exactly as the FG wants it to be.

•Fed Govt insincere with fuel scarcity, says NUPENG Alison-Madueke: no plan to hike fuel price

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HE Federal Government has no intention of increasing the pump price of Premium Motor Sprit (PMS), the Minister of Petroleuem Resources, Diezani AlisonMadueke, has said.

The minister spoke yesterday while defending the 2014 budget proposal of her ministry before the House of Representatives Committee on Petroleum Resources (Downstream).

She added that the fuel scarcity being experienced across the country would abate within two weeks.

She said: “There was also some strange rumor that the Ministry of Petroleum Resources was going to announce an increase in the pump price of petrol which also helped to instigate some of the hoarding and some of the diversion.

“And I have said categorically over, and get that, we have no plans to increase the pump price of petrol anytime in the near future.

“The issues of supplies, more and more PMS is being brought in and over the next week or two we would flood the country with the product.

“And in terms of the diversions we would try and ensure that whichever stations we find to have actually diverted or hoarded the produce, we will take them up and implement punitive measures no matter which stations they are, whether they are NNPC stations or any other stations, independent or otherwise we will take them up to face the full extent of the law.”

Besides, the ministry has begun an inquiry into the fuel scarcity, she told the lawmakers, saying: “It was quite obvious that it could be caused by a number of things that we are looking into.

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

“The next refrain from the government will be that only higher prices will guarantee the availability of the product, and that many marketers are unwilling to import the product because of low profit margin. We urge Nigerians not to swallow this bait,’’ the

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

“There is some supply hitch which we are looking into, there is also diversion which was quite clear. There was an element of hoarding as well.

“While we are trying to get to the bottom of who diverted what at the same time in terms of supply, we are trying to ensure that over the next week we flood the country with petroleum products”.

According to her, the ministry proposed to spend N6.221b on capital projects across its agencies and departments in contrast to N8b appropriated for the Ministry and its agencies in 2013.

N53.8b was proposed for personnel cost while N1.85b was allocated to overhead.

The break down showed an increase in the personnel cost from the 2013 budget’s of N50.483b to N53.8b in 2014 budget provision, while the overhead cost maintains same figure of N1.85b for the two years.

“We will work to overcome challenges particularly on the revenues accruing to the Federation Account,” she assured the Committee.

A member of the Committee, Bala Yusuf (APC, Kaduna), however, walked out of the session for not being given enough time to scrutinise the budget document.

It was gathered that the lawmaker complained that enough time was not given to properly scrutinise the document that was submitted to the Committee on the day of the defence against the norm.

He walked out of the session, when it became apparent that the Committee was willing to go on with the session.

party said.

It commended the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) for its timely warning against any plan to hike fuel prices, saying the Jonathan Administration’s assurances that fuel prices would not be increased are not worth anything because the government is credibility-deficient.

“The big deception of 2012, when the government slammed a massive price hike on Nigerians on New Year’s day despite assurances to the contrary, is still too fresh in the memories of Nigerians.

The same people who inflicted that pain on Nigerians are still in charge, so no one should trust them,” APC

warned.

The Deputy National Chairman of the Petrol Tankers Drivers (PTD) Branch of the Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers (NUPENG), NNPC, Apata, Ibadan, Comrade Salimon Oladiti, has accused the Federal Government of insincerity on the reason for the fuel scarcity.

Oladiti said it was a method by the government to increase fuel pump prices.

The NUPENG spoke yesterday at the Oyo State House of Assembly complex, Secretariat, Ibadan.

“We in the Labour have been trying our possible best to mount pressure on the Federal Government. Now if you want to buy petrol in Lagos now from private depot, it is N100, whereas they are just sending little quantity to NNPC depot. That is why we are experiencing all this things. What the Minister of Petroleum said about marketers diverting of fuel was a total lie. ”How many times will they continue to say that we are the cause of this crisis?

When the product is available, did you experience or hear from them that somebody is diverting the fuel, or that somebody is going on leave and all that? All her excuses are nonsense. If someone is not productive, then the President of the day should replace him with somebody that is ready to do the job, rather than playing politics with issues every time.”

He urged all Nigerians to mount pressure on the Federal Government to give a reasonable explanation on the fuel scarcity.

IPMAN urges Fed Govt to pay subsidy claims to marketers

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ATIONAL President of the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN) Aminu Abdulkardir yesterday attributed the fuel scarcity to the failure of the Federal Government to pay petroleum marketers nine months’ outstanding subsidy claims.

He urged to the Ministry of Finance to pay the mar-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

keters.

Aminu spoke in Abuja during the expanded national executive and zonal coordinators’ meeting.

The National President said: “The non-payment is partly, quarterly, Quarter 4 completely not paid and we are quarter 1. Our national

consumption today is being supplied by the NNPC. And it is only that 50 per cent of NNPC product that is in circulation.

“They have stepped up their supply trying to do what every stakeholder is supposed to be doing, but it is evidently clear that they alone cannot do it.

“I, therefore, use this medium to appeal the Ministry

of Finance, as a matter of urgency, to intervene and pay marketers accordingly, so that the argumentation of this shortfall can be achieved in a short while so that this scarcity will be a thing of the past.”

He added: “We are being owed Q3 subsidy payment, which is last year, another Q4 and Q1 pilling up to about nine months unpaid

subsidy to marketers. We need to be paid this money because we are in business.”

Asked to comment on the allegations of products’ diversion by marketers, the IPMAN president noted that “the diversion is not illegal”.

Aminu explained that the products were not diverted to another country but still being sold to Nigerians within Nigeria.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

indivisibility of Nigeria, under which we are a federating unit with 72 percent of the total landmass and more than half of the population, according to the 2006 headcount.”

“As such, we have to first situate ourselves within the larger prism of the country.

As part of a federal system, the North can legitimately articulate its own philosophy and tools for development as some people within the nation have done,” he said.

Ribadu noted that “to achieve whatever agenda is for the North, we must first integrate ourselves fully into the Nigerian entity and the world as it is in this 21st century. In this journey we are making, we have to continue to evaluate and from time to time, shake up or shake off practices, norms and dogmas that hinder our progress.”

The former EFCC chairman added: “Putting this house in order means getting our acts together; it means cleaning ourselves of the quicklime that keep us in a standing position without any movement.”

Emir to Jonathan: revive NIREC From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

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HE Emir of Zazzau, Alhaji Shehu Idris, has urged President Goodluck Jonathan to do everything possible to resuscitate the Nigerian Inter-religious Council (NIREC) to promote peace, unity and progress in the country.

The Emir, who led traditional rulers from the Northwest to receive President Goodluck Jonathan at the Hassan Katsina House in Kaduna, said the unity of the country could best be promoted if more attention is given to the security of lives and property.

The Emir said: “I want to make a passionate appeal to the government to resurcitate the Nigerian InterReligious Council at the national level. After this, there should be the establishment of branches of NIREC in all the 36 states of the Federation.”

Jonathan told the traditional rulers that the unity rally embarked upon by the PDP was not a campaign rally, but efforts aimed at reconciling aggrieved members of the party.

Also speaking, Vice-President Namadi Sambo said the President has delivered on his promise to the people of the zone, adding that an additional 215 megawwats power project would be completed and commissioned in November by the government as a way of boasting power supply to the zone.

The Vice President also announced that N10 billion was approved by the Federal Government for the Great Green Wall to address the challenges of erosion, adding that the rail line from Abuja to Kaduna was 70 per cent completed and the Kaduna to Kano project was in progress.

6

THE NATION WEDNESDAY MARCH 12, 2014

NEWS How ex-directors allegedly looted police pension funds, by witness From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

AN Abuja High Court yesterday heard how former directors in the Police Pension Office (PPO) allegedly withdrew billions of pensioners’ funds, using 400 cheques, which they cashed in one day.

A prosecution witness, Mustapha Sani, was testifying at the resumed trial of seven persons accused of complicity in the multibillion naira police pension fraud.

“Over 400 cheques were withdrawn and we got this information from the bank statement furnished by First Bank Plc,” Sani said.

Led in evidence by prosecution lawyer, Rotimi Jacobs (SAN), he told the court that he obtained and analysed the certified true copy of instruments used in making withdrawals in the name of Veronica Onyegbula and the Directors of the PPO - Esai Dangaba, Atiku Kigo Abubakar and Inuwa Wada.

“We discovered that the three directors are signatories to the fraudulent cheques. We also discovered that Mrs. Uzoma Cyril Attang, John Yusuf, Gabriel Ikpe, Mike Okoro and Mrs. Amu (at large), are among those who signed the cheques,” Sani said.

The witness also told the court that the directors carried out the cheque transactions without any letter of exemption from compliance with the epayment circular from the Office of the AccountantGeneral.

Sagay advises INEC to change 2015 election timetable

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HUMAN rights lawyer, Prof. Itse Sagay, yesterday told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to change the order of elections for the 2015 poll.

He spoke in Lagos at a lecture on Public Policy, organised by the Lagos State chapter of the Alumni Association of the National Institute for Policy and Strategic Studies.

In the 2015 election timetable released by INEC on January 24, INEC fixed the Presidential and National Assembly elections on February 14 and the State Assembly and Governorship Elections on February 28.

Speaking on the theme titled: “Building Credible Elec-

toral Process for Democratic Sustainability”, Sagay said there was need for the Presidential Election to come last, to avoid a bandwagon effect.

He argued that the Presidential Elections came last in 1973 and 2001, but that in 1979 when it came first, there was crisis.

“Holding the Presidential Election first can affect minds and change the trend in the psychology of voting,” Sagay said.

“It is dangerous to have the Presidential Election first.”

He decried what he described as the ongoing electoral propaganda, insisting that a cursory analysis showed continued anoma-

lies in the process.

Sagay said Nigeria must struggle to ensure that it achieved political equality.

The INEC Chairman, Prof.

Attahiru Jega, said next year’s poll would be more remarkable than that of 2011.

He, however, acknowledged INEC’s past mistakes, saying the commission was determined to lift the bar on election credibility.

“INEC is mindful of the fact that a badly conducted election may lead to destabilisation. The bar for credibility will be raised next year,” Jega said.

He urged the parties interested in participating in the 2015 elections to provide credible agents.

Ex-NIMASA DG’s trial: I didn’t see contract file, says witness

By Precious Igbonwelundu

A

•Sagay

“Agents, who are not credible, may affect the final results of their parties from the polling centres.”

The chairman of the Lagos chapter of ANNI, Mr. Victor Banjo, said the group started a public policy lecture series to address serious national issues.

•Former Head of State Gen. Yakubu Gowon flanked by Chairman, Senator Committee on Privatisation Senator Gbenga Obadara (right) and Senator Gwan Pwajok, after observing Commonwealth Day with Queen Elizabeth at Westminster Abbey, London.

Gang up against PDP will fail, says Jonathan

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan said yesterday that the efforts of the opposition parties to wrest power from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) next year would not succeed.

He spoke at the Northwest zonal rally of the PDP tagged: “Unity Rally”, held at the Murtala Mohammed Square, Kaduna.

The President advised the party supporters not to be troubled by the merger of opposition parties, stressing that since they failed in the past, they would also fail in future elections.

He said: “We are told that some people are ganging up in different names. We can assure you that do not be bothered about any gang up.

“In 1999, there was a gang up. Two to three parties came together. Presidential candidate came from one, Vice Presidential candidate came from one, Secretary to the Government came from one, all from different parties, but they did not succeed.

“They ganged up before, they failed and they will continue to fail. The gang up will go just like when you mix acidic contents in a container. Do not be worried, it is not a new thing, they will continue to gang up, but they will continue to fail.”

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja and Tony Akowe, Kaduna

President Jonathan noted that the Northwest geopolitical zone, comprising seven states- Kaduna, Kano, Katsina, Kebbi, Jigawa, Zamfara and Sokoto, has always belonged to the PDP. He said PDP in 2015 would not only retain the four states it controlled, but would also take over the other three- Zamfara, Kano and Sokoto, controlled by the opposition parties.

Stressing that the rally was designed to re-unite members and welcome new ones, he said: “The Northwest is a special zone. This is the only zone that we have seven states and the zone, which has the highest population in this country.

“We are here for a unity rally and to re-assure all of you that the PDP is the only party, which can lead this country to the next level.”

The President noted that in the history of great parties in the globe, “they do not change everyday like a rock passing through metamorphosis.”

He cited the African National Congress (ANC) of South Africa, which he said is over 103 years old and has remained ANC from inception.

“If a party keeps changing colours and names, you should know that such party has nowhere to go. Be committed to PDP, you are in PDP, you are in the right place to be.

“PDP is the only party, which can lead us to where we want to go. PDP is the only democratic party where anybody can rise to the highest level.

“Other parties will not give me and you the opportunity to be where we want to be. So, continue to support the PDP and continue to be in the PDP.” President Jonathan assured that the PDP would be stable and committed to the development of the country.

He said his administration would tackle insecurity.

Vice President Namadi Sambo thanked the President for addressing the power and educational needs as well as the agricultural requirements of the Northwest.

He said the zone would remain with the President and the PDP. Sambo urged the people to ensure the party’s success at next year’s poll.

Jigawa Governor Sule Lamido said the unity rally should be used to resolve and prevent crisis, which had engulfed the party in

the last six months.

Lamido, one of the aggrieved governors, who threatened to leave the party, said the process of reconciliation must be total and inclusive.

He enjoined the party’s National Chairman, Ahmad Adamu Muazu, to ensure that he reached out to the aggrieved governors for reconciliation before the next elections.

“We are trying to unite the party because of the events of the last six months.

We have to be tolerant. Unity and reconciliation are very important for us in the party before we face 2015,” Lamido said.

The Minister of Information Labaran Maku listed the achievements of the Jonathan administration in the zone.

He urged members to support the party in delivering the dividends of democracy.

Muazu said the party’s records speak for it, adding that it will remain the party to beat in future elections.

Said he: “We remain the only national party. The party to beat. Our records speak for us. We have dished out dividends of democracy in every nook and cranny.

“We have reached every ward, zone, council, state

and region and every person in the country.”

Muazu thanked the party hierarchy for electing him as chairman and also for naming him a “game changer”.

Former Sokoto State governor, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa, who recently defected to the party, urged APC chieftain, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to join the party.

He said PDP was the wish of the people in Sokoto State and the zone.

At the rally were Governors Mukhtar Ramalan Yero (Kaduna), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Ibrahim Shehu Shema (Katsina), Ibrahim Hassan Dankwambo (Gombe), Sa’idu Nasamu Dakingari (Kebbi), Theodore Orji (Abia), Godswill Akpabio (Akwa Ibom), Henry Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa) and the Deputy Governor of Sokoto, Mukhtar Shehu Shagari.

Muazu, the Chairman of the Board of Trustee (BoT), Chief Tony Anenih, Secretary, Walid Jibrin, former Chief of Staff to the President, Chief Mike Oghiadome, former chairman, Ahmadu Ali, former governor of Kaduna, Ahmed Makarfi, Kano, Ibrahim Ahmed Shekarau, Sokoto, Attahiru Dalhatu Bafarawa and Mohammed Abacha were also at the rally.

PROSECUTION witness in the ongoing trial of former Director-General, Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA), Raymond Omatseye, yesterday told a Federal High Court in Lagos that he did not see any file for the award of contract.

The witness, Aliyu Aliyu, on Monday told the court presided over by Justice Rita Ofile-Ajumogobia that Omatseye inflated the contract from N100million budgeted to N129million.

He also told the court that the accused awarded the contract to a firm, Daniel Nigeria Ltd, which was not pre-qualified for the contract.

But led in cross-examination by Omatseye’s lawyer, Olusina Sofola (SAN), Aliyu told the court that although he was an employee at the Bureau of Public Procurement (BPP), he never had the privilege of perusing the contract files, and so, could not safely conclude that advertisement by NIMASA were in or not in the file.

He told the court that the exhibits shown to him by the prosecutor included PD 16, 17 and 18 series, which showed the supply of Blackberry phones and generators to NIMASA, which he only came in contact with in February when he was invited to testify.

Aliyu also testified that from the documents he saw, there was nothing to suggest that Omatseye conspired to award the inflated contract to a particular company.

When asked why there were missing pages in the exhibit before the court, the witness said he would not know since he was not the one who prepared or tendered the documents.

Justice Ajumogobia at that juncture adjourned the case till April 22 and 23 for continuation of trial.

Omatseye is standing trial on an amended 27count charge of alleged contract scam brought against him by the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

He was re-arraigned on January 21 last year, pleaded not guilty and was granted bail.

According to the charge sheet, the accused was said to have engaged in contract splitting and bid rigging estimated at over N1.5billion.

The alleged offence was said to have contravened Section 14(a) of the Money Laundering (Prohibition) Act, 2004, as well as Section 58(4)(d) of the Public Procurement Act 2007.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY MARCH 12, 2014

CITYBEATS ‘We’re committed to child protection’ P T HE Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Ayotunde Phillips, yesterday day expressed her commitment to the protection of the Nigerian child.

She spoke at the inauguration of children’s lounge for the Family Courts, which was held at the Commercial Division of the Lagos High Court, National Assembly Complex, Lagos,.

She said the lounge would remove the children from the psychological influence they would have suffered if they heard the divorce story of their parents.

The lounge was equipped with children’s story/toy books, exotic toys and games of different kinds, couches and other electronic items, such as television, water dispenser, cookies and candies. She said the lounge

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By Adebisi Onanuga

would assist in quick dispensation of cases in the family courts.

The chief judge, who was represented by the Head Judge, Justice Funmilayo Atilade, warned staff of the judiciary against bringing their children to the lounge, otherwise called crèche, insisting that it was essentially meant for children of litigants in family courts.

She described the lounge established by virtue of section 150 of the Child’s Right Law, as the first of its kind in all the 19 states that have adopted the law so far.

The Head of the Family Courts, Justice Yetunde Idowu, praised the chief judge for the gesture and for making all resources readily available for the take-off of the centre.

‘Women are change agents’

HE President of the National Council of Women’s Societies, Mrs Iyabo Osifeso, has described women as agents of change in the society.

She spoke at the celebration of the International Women’s Day in Lagos, explaining that the responsibility of a woman as a change agent begins at home through proper mentoring of her children.

“We should ensure that our children are well educated; we should know that if we educate a child, we will be educating the nation,” she added.

The chairperson on the occasion, Hon Lola Akande, said it was high time more women started taking active part in politics.

“We should try to inspire change because we don’t like most of the things going on. We don’t want sexual harassment; we hate rape and we want to be in positions of authority,” she

said.

She called for the right tutelage of women in the society, saying: “If you train a woman, you train a nation. I say without any apology that if a woman is in a position, you will see a lot of changes. We want change in all ramifications - educationally and economically - because most of us live below poverty line.”

Wife of Lagos State Governor, Dame Abimbola Fashola, who was represented by the wife of the Chairman of Ikeja Local Government, Mrs Folashade Odunlami, assured that the state government would continue to do its best as it had been doing through by training women on various skills. ,The guest lecturer, Mrs Marie Fatai-Williams who spoke on inspiring change through women said women should not be discriminated against and sought financial independence for them.

OLICE authorities in Ghana are working round the clock to apprehend the killers of a 19-year-old Nigerian student at the University of Cape Coast, Ghana, Godwin Chukwudi Ayogu.

Godwin was killed penultimate week by persons believed to have links with his Ghanaian roommate, Abotsi Gweus, a.k.a Enay.

A 300-level Economics student, he was stabbed to death by his attackers after tying his hands and feet. They disemboweled him and later dropped his body in front of his hostel.

Godwin’s father, Mr Fred Ayogu, a Lagos-based businessman, said he had returned to school for the second semester in September last year with $5,000 meant for his tuition and sundry fees. However, the money was allegedly collected from him for “safe keeping” by Gweus, a 400-level Music student. But, up until the night of his murder, Godwin had not paid his school fees because he could not recover the money.

CITYBEATS LINE: 08078425391

Nigerian student ‘murdered’ in Ghana

When the police asked Gweus why he refused to return the money to Godwin, he reportedly said since Godwin had collected $600 from the $5,000, the balance of $4,400 “is not enough to pay his school fees.” However, the vice chancellor promptly confirmed that the balance - $4,400 – was the late Godwin’s exact fee.

Then, Gweus reportedly changed his story, claiming that Godwin later removed the whole money from where he kept it.

The Cape Coast police are working on the theory that Godwin was killed by his attackers to prevent him from reporting them either to his parents or the school’s authorities.

Ayogu said the Ghanaian police had assured him that his son’s killers would be found and

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USTICE Adeniyi Adebajo of the Lagos High Court, Igbosere, yesterday turned down an application by the

• The late Ayogu

has ordered the police to leaving no stone unturned in unmask Godwin’s killers.

Also, the House of Representatives’ Committee on the Diaspora will soon raise the matter on the floor of the House, its Chairman, Hon. Abike DabiriErewa, said yesterday.

Funsho Williams: court adjourns case

By Precious Igbonwelundu

•The late Williams

By Jude Isiguzo

punished. He thanked the Nigerian High Commission in Accra for the “expeditious manner in which they have been handling the case.”

“My son just lost his life so carelessly. He was kind to a fault; he lent his own school fees to another person to pay his own school fees and their gratitude was to murder him. It’s most unfair, a very callous thing to do to a fellow human being.”

Senator Ayogu Eze, who represents Enugu North District, where the slain student hailed from, The Nation learnt, has briefed the Senate and the Presidency on the development. The Presidency has reportedly taken it up with the Ghanaian authorities. The latter, it was gathered,

state government for an order permitting it to collect fresh blood samples from the alleged killers of Funsho Williams.

The late Williams, an engineer and frontline politician, was killed by yet unknown gunmen on July 27, 2006 in his Lagos home.

The state government in April, last year, told the court that the exhibits for forensic evidence collected from the defendants at the commencement of the case in 2006, including Williams’ eyes, were damaged due to epileptic power supply. Thus, it urged the court to allow it obtain fresh blood samples from the defendants for forensic investigation.

Defence lawyer Okezie Agbara, objecting to the prosecution’s prayer, urged the court not to grant the prayer.

“Since the prosecution said the initial samples were destroyed by lack of electricity, which samples will they match them with?”

Agbara asked.

He argued that the prosecution’s prayer should be disregarded on grounds that an attached exhibit marked “A-ruling from a Magistrates’ Court” was not signed by the magistrate and only contained the stamp and endorsement of the court registrar, which cannot be relied on.

Justice Adebajo held that all the legal authorities cited by the prosecution had no relevance to the case. To allow the prosecu-

tion go on another voyage of carrying out another forensic investigation, he said, would further delay the trial, adding: “There must be an end to litigation. ’In view of the foregoing, the application, in my own opinion, lacks merit and it is hereby dismissed.’’

He ordered the Director of Public Prosecution (DPP) to serve on the defendants, the report of the earlier blood samples taken on the order of a Magistrate’s Court. He adjourned the hearing till April 15 and 16 for continuation.

The suspects, Musa Maina, Bulama Kolo, David Cassidy, Tunani Sonani, Mustapha Kayode and Okponwasa Imariabie, have remained in prison custody since 2006 after their first arraignment.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

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NEWS

Customs intercepts 30,000 live cartridges in Oyo

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HE Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has intercepted 30,000 live cartridges at the border town of Saki in Oyo State.

The cartridges were being transported to Ibadan from Benin Republic.

They were concealed under tubers of yam, cassava and yam flour.

Men of the Customs Service stopped the white Toyota Hiace bus conveying the items at Oje-Owode on the Saki/Ago-Are road.

The bus driver, Abdulraheem Adegoke (45), was arrested.

Oyo/Osun Customs Area Commander Richard Oteri told reporters yesterday in Ibadan that the items were packed in 20 cartons.

He said a team, led by S.C. Okoli, arrested the bus: KW 286 SHH, on Monday.

On May 18, last year, the command seized 56,750 rounds of live cartridges on the same route.

Oteri said the seizure was commendable, considering

From Oseheye Okwuofu, Ibadan

the country’s security challenges, adding: “We are determined to make Oyo/ Osun Command a no-hiding place for their nefarious activities and promise trade facilitation to legitimate businessmen and women.

“We will continue to partner security agencies to make the command and the country a safe place.”

Adegoke said he did not know that live cartridges were hidden in the vehicle, adding that he was hired to transport the goods to Ibadan.

Oteri handed the items and Adegoke over to the police.

Deputy Commissioner of Police Musa Kimo hailed the Customs officers, describing them as “go-getters and highly patriotic.”

He assured them that the matter would be investigated and the culprits prosecuted.

•Customs officers gathered around the cartons of live cartridges.

Ekiti, Osun polls critical for 2015, says U.S. envoy

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HE United States Consular-General in Nigeria, Mr. Jeffrey Hawkins, has said the Ekiti and Osun states elections are critical to the success of the 2015 elections.

Hawkins, who spoke with reporters in Ado-Ekiti, urged the Prof. Attahiru Jega-led Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to ensure hitchfree polls.

He condemned the killing of pupils in Yobe and others in the North by the Boko Haram sect, adding that the sect’s activities “may mar the conduct of the 2015 elections, if not checkmated.”

Hawkins said the United .States government gave 15 million dollars to the Nigeria to strengthen the electoral process.

He hoped the 2015 elections would be credible.

Hawkins said free, fair and transparent elections were sine qua non to the attainment of genuine democracy and warned politicians against violence as the June 21 election in Ekiti State approaches.

He said the latest deployment of military forces to quell the insurgents was normal, adding that terrorism must be confronted with every force of the state.

The consular-general said: “As a parent, I cannot imagine that pupils could be killed in that manner. The US has listed Boko Haram as a terrorist group and we are not folding our arms. We are working not only with the government, but with civil society organisations on the need to sensitise the people and rid the country of terror-

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

ists.

“Nigeria is a great country and it is strategic on the African continent. We are not only providing fund to help the country, but we are going to help in the technical aspects for the 2015 elections to be a success.

“We have a strong relationship with the Prof. Jegaled INEC. We do not only have a diplomatic relationship with the Nigeria; we are also partnering in good governance and good electoral system.”

Hawkins said the U.S. was ready to commit more to ensure the success of the 2015 polls, adding that Jega would not want a repeat of the Anambra and Edo states’ mistakes.

•Adegoke offloading the yams from the bus.

PHOTOS: FEMI ILESANMI, IBADAN

Osun bomb blast: Police fail to produce ‘recovered diary’

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HE police in Osun State have failed to produce the red diary allegedly recovered in the wreckage of the Peugeot 505 car that exploded at the Ministry of Water Resources on June 14, 2007.

At the trial of the suspect, Abayomi Adesanmi, on Monday, the Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice Wale Afolabi, leading the prosecution, asked the Investigating Police Officer, Inspector Danlandi Audu, to produce the diary, which was mentioned in paragraphs 19 and 20 of the affidavit sworn to by Adesanmi, but Audu said it was nowhere to be found.

The case is before Justice Adeyinka Aderibigbe of a State High Court, sitting in Osogbo.

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

Audu said the police recovered the red diary under the driver’s seat of the wrecked car but he did not know its whereabout.

He testified that the diary was never shown to Adesanmi, adding that the suspect was not with the police when the diary was recovered.

Audu said: “I was with the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), Osogbo, when the accused was brought to our office at Oke-Baale, Osogbo, with a sworn affidavit by Deputy Superintendent of Police Ayuba Adekunle (now late.)

“I asked the accused to write a statement on the affidavit and he did. The suspect

was arraigned in court.

Based on the affidavit, some members of the defunct Action Congress (AC) were arrested and charged to court.

“In the affidavit, the accused mentioned a red diary.

The police found the diary under the driver’s seat of the wrecked vehicle.”

Audu said the diary was given to the then Commissioner for Police, John Moronike, who transferred it to his successor, Mr. Olusegun Solomon (now retired AIG).

He said he did not know what happened to the diary between Adekunle Ayuba, who was in charge of Legal Matters and Olusegun, adding that Adekunle was the prosecutor before he was transferred.

Audu said: “I do not know what happened to the diary between the OC Legal and Solomon. I did not know where the diary is now.”

The attorney-general told the court that the suspect never saw the diary and lamented its ‘disappearance.’

The Chairman of the defunct AC, now Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Moshood Adeoti; AC Secretary Prince Gboyega Famodun and AC Director of Publicity, Research and Strategy Sunday Akere, now Commissioner for Information and Strategy; Elder Sunday Laoye and the Assistant Director, Bureau of Communication and Strategy, Mr. Gbenga Fayemiwo, were arrested, arraigned

and remanded in prison over the bomb blast.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola (then a governorship aspirant) was harassed based on the content of the diary.

When cross-examined by the defence counsel, Chief Wilson Atirene, Audu said the suspect’s affidavit did not contain the names of the AC leaders.

Other witnesses called by the prosecution are: Alhaji Fatai Adeleke, who was with the Ministry of Water Resources, and a Principal Registrar, Mr. Taiwo Jacob, who was the commissioner for Oath for the suspect’s affidavit.

Adeleke claimed that he was looking through the window of his office when the Peugeot 505 exploded.

The case was adjourned till March 21.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

NEWS

Group disowns Oyo PDP committees From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

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EADERS of a group known as G-22 in the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Oyo State have dissociated themselves from the committees inaugurated by the party’s state executive.

In a statement, the leaders – Prof. Olaifa Julius, Chief Sola Animasaun, Chief Mustapha Lawal, Chief Adigun Irawo, Chief Akinkumi Akinkunmi, Chief Adetoro and Pa Elisha Olanrewaju, said the absence of some leaders at the inauguration was a clear indication of the true picture of things in Oyo PDP. They said: “We cannot pretend and say there is no faction in Oyo PDP. Some people are trying to position themselves as leaders of the party and are excluding others.

Chief Richard Akinjide and his daughter, Oloye Jumoke, were absent from the last meeting, which is a pointer to this fact.

“No faction can claim that it will ensure victory for President Goodluck Jonathan and the party in the state. Chief Akinjide’s absence was a minus to the meeting. We are leaders in 22 local government areas. How come we were not carried along in the scheme of things?”

Ekiti, Osun residents urged to verify names on voter register T HE Transition Monitoring Group (TMG) has urged eligible voters in Ekiti and Osun states to check if their names are on the voter register.

It urged those who have just turned 18 to register for a voter card.

The verification of names in the voter register begins today and will end next Wednesday.

In a statement in Abuja yesterday by its Chairman, Comrade Ibrahim Zikirullahi, TMG said: “As a critical component of the electoral process, the importance of the Continuous Voter Registration (CVR) cannot be overemphasised. A compre-

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

hensive, user-friendly and credible voter register is fundamental to the conduct of free, fair and transparent elections.

“The Ekiti and Osun governorship elections have been scheduled to hold on June 21 and August 9. Majority of people in these states who are now qualified to register for a voter card should as a matter of urgent civic duty explore the current opportunity which will lapse on March 19 to crosscheck and register their names.

“The 2010 Electoral Act (as Amended) mandates the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to carry out CVR of all persons qualified to be registered voters.

Preparatory to the Ekiti and Osun governorship elections, INEC has, by this scheduled exercise, fulfilled that responsibility.

“It now behooves on residents of both states to go out and exercise this important civic responsibility. Each potential applicant should go in person to a functional, active and existing registration cen-

tre with any of the following documents - birth or baptismal certificate, national passport, identity card or driver’s license, or any other document that will prove the identity, age and nationality of the applicant.

It is to be noted that failure to participate will deprive one from casting one’s vote during the June and August elections.”

TMG hailed INEC for providing a simplified on-line means for intending voters to check their names on the commission’s website.

‘Aregbesola’s work speaks for him’

THE maiden convocation of the Ogun State College of Health Technology, Ilese-Ijebu, will hold tomorrow.

In a statement, the Chairman of the Academic Ceremonies Committee, Dr. Olusegun Ogunyanwo, said activities marking the ceremony began yesterday with a novelty football match.

A convocation lecture will be delivered at 2pm today at the college auditorium by the Chief Medical Director (CMD) of the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, Prof. Akin Oshibogun.

It is titled: “Improving the state of health service delivery at the primary level of care through quality education and training”.

The convocation and award giving ceremony holds tomorrow at the college’s convocation ground.

Governor Ibikunle Amosun will chair the occasion.

UNILAG alumni holds dinner

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

By Tajudeen Adebanjo

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SUN State Governor Rauf Aregbesola will win over 90 per cent of the votes, if the August 9 election is free and fair, an Ondo State All Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain, Prince Solagbade Amodeni, said yesterday.

He said the unprecedented achievements of the Aregbesola administration speak for the governor.

Amodeni, who is a member of the Aregbesola Campaign Team and a former Commissioner for Natural Resources in Ondo State, said Osun has never witnessed such rapid infrastructural development since its creation in 1991.

Speaking with reporters in Akure, the APC chieftain said apart from physical development, the peace that eluded the state in the seven years of the Peoples Democratic Party’s (PDP’s) tyrannical rule has been restored through Aregbesola’s “wisdom”.

He said: “If the PDP believes in rigging as is customary to its members, it will not work in Osun State. You can only rig where you are popular.”

Amodeni recalled the 1983 “rigging perpetrated against the late Chief Adekunle Ajasin in the old Ondo State by the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN)”, noting that the “electoral fraud” did not go unchallenged.

He said the effect of that action was still fresh in the minds of the people.

Amodeni said: “In a nutshell, PDP members have so many questions to answer on what qualifies them to rule Osun State again, when the question of who killed Chief Bola Ige, Olajokun and several others remains unanswered. The distribution of five litres of kerosene by a PDP aspirant to seek the electorate’s support is a mockery of democracy.”

College holds convocation

•From left: Senator Akin Odunsi; Managing Director, Juli Pharmacy, Prince Julius Adeluyi and Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega chatting at the inaugural public lecture of the Alumni Association of the Nigeria Institute of Policy and Strategic Studies in Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

Osun Assembly disturbed by state of nation

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S the Federal Government celebrates the centenary of Nigeria’s amalgamation, the Osun State House of Assembly has expressed worry over the state of the nation.

The House lamented that the action and inaction of the political class are daily threatening the country’s de-

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

mocracy.

Addressing the parliament, the Speaker, Najeem Salaam, described the celebration in the face of terrorism and insecurity that claim lives and property daily as “insensitive and un-

called for”.

He said the nation’s leadership has demonstrated the highest level of contempt to the citizenry, who are daily confronted with the horror of insecurity and poverty.

The Speaker said: “What are we celebrating? Is it the slaughtering of pupils in their dormitories or the de-

Ewi disowns Ekiti monarchs’ compendium

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HE Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adeyemo Adejugbe, has disowned a compendium of historical facts issued by monarchs across the state’s 16 local governments.

Speaking at a meeting with chiefs and community heads, the Ewi said traditional rulers should not improvise stories to “distort historical facts”.

According to Oba Adejugbe, the publication of fallacies and outright lies could cause disaffection among the people.

He said the records had to be set straight in respect of claims made by another monarch in the state, noting that “should the fallacies and issues remain unchallenged and uncorrected, they may, by default, become reference

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

to posterity”.

Oba Adejugbe said: “Some of the notable questionable claims that I found in many releases, memoirs and publications had found their way into the Ekiti Historical and Royal Compendium launched in December 2013 and soon to be released to the public.”

The monarch said traditional rulers should not, either willingly or by mistake, distort issues that have “to do with life, creation and with Ife as the cradle of mankind”, adding that “there is nowhere in Ife or Yoruba poetry where there is a mention of Ife Oore but Ife Ooye/Ife Oodaye”.

He said: “The Oore cannot

and must not claim to be coexistent, co-substantial or coequal with Oduduwa. This may be a brazen assault and indeed an abomination, which can only be contemplated by an outsider who has no Yoruba Royal blood in him”.

Oba Adejugbe urged monarchs to give more attention to activities and engagements that border on the development of their communities, saying spurious claims by one monarch about other monarchs would not yield any good result.

He said: “In this advanced age, when the world has moved to the stage of aggressive democracy, when even in the Commonwealth of Nations, the Queen of England is no longer the Head, it is unfortunate that his ambitious

featist economy that has sentenced millions to poverty? Our nation demands a sober reflection that will engender a clear way out on the challenges facing us, not a jamboree called a national conference, where half of the participants are selected by the President.”

•Oba Adejugbe

claim of being the number one Oba in Ekiti State is now gradually disturbing the existing happy relations amongst the people and Obas of our peaceful state.”

THE 1983 set of graduands of the Faculty of Law, University of Lagos (UNILAG), will on Friday celebrate its seventh Annual Reunion.

The event tagged Abuja 2014. It will be held at the Chida International Hotels, Abuja, will kick off with a reunion Cocktail.

On Saturday, there will be a Business Session, followed by a Dinner/Dance at 7pm.

The two day reunion will be rounded off on Sunday with an interdenominational service.

A statement by the Chairman, Local Organising Committee, Justice Baba Yusuf, said the event will attract former lecturers such as Prof. I.O Agbede, Prof.

Taiwo Osipitan, Prof.

P.K. Fogam, Prof.

Momodu Kassim Momodu, former Edo State Governor Osarieme Osunbor, and their classmates based at home and abroad.

The Dean of the Faculty of Law, UNILAG, Prof. Imran Wole Smith (SAN) is among the special guests.

Justice Yusuf said the essence of the reunion to bond with fellow classmates and their families, network and render assistance and support, not only to one another, but more importantly, to the Faculty of Law, UNILAG

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

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NEWS Anti-Amaechi protest in Rivers

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•Akwa Ibom State Governor Godswill Akpabio (middle); Speaker of the House of Assembly Sam Ikon (second right); Secretary to the State Government Udom Emmanuel (left); Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) State Chairman Obong Paul Ekpo and Akpabio’s wife, Unoma, at the inauguration of classroom blocks at Community Secondary School, Mbioto 2, Etinan Local Government.

Dickson’s aide’s sister abducted

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IDNAPPERS have laid siege to Ogbia Local Government Area of Bayelsa State.

They struck at Oloibiri, the community where oil was first found in commercial quantity in 1956, and abducted Joyce Ebua, a sister of the commissioner for Sports, Maitama Obodo.

Security officials are still battling to locate the President’s kidnapped cousin, Inengite Nitabai.

Nitabai was abducted on February 23 by 10 gunmen from his home in Otuoke, President Goodluck Jonathan’s hometown.

It was gathered that five gunmen stormed Ebua’s home at 8.55 p.m. on Monday and whisked her away.

The incident, it was learnt, angered the Commander of the Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, Maj.Gen. Emmanuel Atewe.

Gen. Atewe was said to have summoned the officers and men to the headquarters in Yenagoa at 2.30 a.m.

The commander ensured that nobody in the command slept after the incident, a JTF source said.

The source, who attended

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Police arrest six suspected robbers

HE police in Bayelsa State have arrested six suspects, who allegedly robbed a home in Southern Ijaw Local Government Area, and escaped with the owner of the house.

It was gathered that marine police officers intercepted the bandits on the Southern Ijaw waterways and freed their victim, a woman.

A police source said the suspects robbed a home at Diabu and escaped with some valuables, taking the woman with them.

“They were armed with AK47 rifles. They stormed a home, stole valuables. Curiously,

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

they took a woman along with them.

“But they ran out of luck when some marine policemen intercepted them on the Southern Ijaw waterway. They are being detained at the headquarters of the command in Yenagoa,” he said.

The Commissioner of Police, Hilary Opara, said three AK47 rifles were recovered from the hoodlums.

He said the command was ready to tackle criminality.

•JTF commander summons meeting From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

the meeting, said the commander was angry.

The source, who pleaded for anonymity, said Gen. Atewe wanted the soldiers to move to the crime scene immediately.

But he was said to have later ordered the Commander, 5 Battalion at Otakeme in Ogbia to lead troops to the scene.

“We were jolted by the action of the new commander.

He summoned us in the night and mandated us to rescue

the victim. We did not sleep.

“He said we cannot be here and people are being kidnapped. He said he would not allow kidnapping during his reign. He hit the table several times as he spoke to us,” he said.

It was gathered that the JTF commander led troops to the crime scene yesterday morning.

The gunmen were said to have shot sporadically into the air before taking their victim away.

One of the kidnappers was reportedly dressed in a mobile police uniform.

An eyewitness said: “They were five and one of them was wearing MOPOL uniform. They put the victim in a waiting speedboat at the waterfront behind her house,” he said.

JTF’s Media Coordinator Col. Onyema Nwachukwu said: “The command has activated the security network on both land and waterways in conjunction with other security agencies to track down the kidnappers.”

Commissioner of Police Hilary Opara said the police had begun investigation into the incident.

Teachers take Edo govt to industrial court

HE Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) and the Secondary School Tutors in Edo State have taken the state government to the National Industrial Court.

In separate suits, both bodies are suing the government over the teachers’ assessment test to hold on March 22 in Benin.

Four teachers (Okoekpen Emmanuel, Ebare Sunday, Bola Sunday and Osayande Samuel), on behalf of Secondary School Tutors, are seeking to establish that by virtue of the Teachers Registration Council of Nigeria (TRCN) Act Cap T3, only TRCN can determine the standard and skill to be attained by teachers.

Edo State government, attorney general and commissioner for Justice; TRCN; Chairman, Assessment Committee Prof. Dennis Agbonlahor ; Mrs. Yemi Keri (head of Information Technology Agency); head of Service, Ministry of Basic Education and Ministry of

•Assessment test to hold March 22 From Osagie Otabor, Benin

Higher Education are listed as defendants.

The teachers are seeking an order restraining the defendants, excluding the TRCN, their agents or privy from conducting the test, pending the determination of the substantive suit.

They are also asking the

court to restrain the defendants from withholding their salaries or entitlements and terminating their appointments, pending the hearing and determination of the substantive suit.

In the suit by the NUT, the teachers contend that as employees, their employment cannot be determined by the government on the basis of

a competency test without recourse to the Civil Service Rules.

Their counsel, James Ode Abah, seeks an order restraining the defendants, their agents, servants, officers or privies from terminating their employment, except in accordance with a procedure in compliance with the Edo State of Nigeria Civil Service Rules (revised to January 1, 2006).

Edo House: Court to rule on jurisdiction

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LAGOS High Court, Igbosere, will on April 15 decide whether it has jurisdiction to hear a suit, which seeks to stop the Edo State government from selling the Edo House in Lagos.

An estate agent, Albert Elaiho, approached the court to stop Governor Adams Oshiomhole from selling the property at 1225, Ahmadu Bello Way, Victoria Island.

Last year, Oshiomhole announced plans to sell the building and use the proceeds to build a five-star hotel and shopping plaza in Benin City.

Elaiho, through his lawyer, Segun Oladimeji, urged the court to stop the government from carrying out the sale.

Joined as defendants with the governor

By Precious Igbonwelundu

(first defendant) are Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice (second defendant) as well as an estate agent, Segun Asaju (third defendant).

Justice Samuel Candide-Johnson restrained the government and its agents from the planned sale, pending the hearing and determination of the motion on notice filed by Elaiho.

But at the resumed hearing yesterday, counsel to Edo State Fabian Ajogwu (SAN) argued that the court lacks jurisdiction to interpret Edo State Procurement Law ( 2012).

He added that the claimant has no right or interest over the said property.

Ajogwu urged the court to strike out the suit for lack of jurisdiction.

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

CORES of youths marched on the streets of Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday to protest against Governor Rotimi Amaechi and his administra-

tion.

The protesters carried placards bearing messages, such as “Ameachi be bold to resign;” “Amaechi abuses court order;” “No CJ, No good governance;” “Amaechi stop insulting traditional rulers”; “Government House Assembly is illegal”; “Amaechi 2014 Budget is Fake” and Amaechi lied on Soku oil wells.”

The protest caused a traffic snarl on UTC Junction-Azikiwe road and other adjoining roads for more than six hours, prompting motorists to seek alternative routes.

Leader of the protesters Onari Awo Tariah said: “The choice of UTC Junction is deliberate and strategic because it is the terminal point of the administration’s multibillion monorail project.”

Tariah apologised to motorists and residents of Port Harcourt for the inconveniences.

“The temporary suffering is a delayed gratification for a better future,”he said.

Tariah said the protesters would have stormed the Government House but chose the UTC Junction to draw attention to the monorail project.

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Old Boys hold reunion

HE Old Boys Association of St. Malachy’s Grammar School, Sapele (SMOBA), Delta State, Lagos Chapter, will hold its 2014 New Year Party, tagged: Reunion Bash, at 12 noon on Saturday, March 22, at Mr William Daibo’s home, 24/26 Salvation Road, off Opebi Road, Ikeja Lagos.

Be politically alert, group urges Osun residents

•Holds symposium on education policy

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SOCIO-CULTURAL organisation in Osun State, Osun Movement for Peace, has urged residents to resist attempts by “unscrupulous persons” to disrupt the peace, unity and progress.

Speaking with reporters yesterday in Ede on a symposium organised by the group on the state’s education policy, the Coordinator, Comrade Temidayo Bankole, said some “politically-advantaged elite” have perfected plans to wage a media war against the government and “bastardise its laudable people-oriented projects and initiatives.”

The symposium holds today in Osogbo.

Bankole said: “We are worried about the misrepresentations and tension being created around important but delicate issues, such as education, religion and unity in our state by a tiny but vocal segment of the political elite, who seem to have mastered the art of infiltrating and recruiting allies in the media to drum up war beats in Osun, where religious and cultural tolerance is a desirable bedrock of the unfolding new rebranding and developmental order.”

He said it was unfortunate that a unique and rich policy as the Education Policy, which could have translated into a national strategy for the bail-

out of the “shambolic” public school sector, has assumed religious and political colouration, fuelled largely by mischief and partisanship.

Bankole said: “With what one could note from the trend of discussions relating to the Osun School system in circles expected to churn out informed opinions, there are obvious politically-motivated effort to play down the beneficial impact of the components of policies, such as the O’Uniform, O’Meal and Opon Imo, which have been adjudged as revolutionary concepts in public school management.

“We see attempts to get the media to focus solely on the reclassification of schools (even this is clearly misrepresented) and undermine the wider public spirit and mission of the policy that the ordinary Osun people are describing as the best intervention in the education system since the era of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo’s free education policy.”

He said the symposium, themed: “Osun education policy in perspective: Issues, challenges and imperatives”, is the group’s contribution towards garnering support for the policy, “which is a sure strategy for the state’s socioeconomic development.”

The media, civil society groups, religious groups, academia and rulers are expected at the symposium.

Ex-Edo SSG hospitalised

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From Osagie Otabor, Benin

ORMER Secretary to Edo State Government (SSG) Dr. Simon Imuekheme has been hospitalised.

Imuekheme and three former officials of the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB) were remanded in prison custody by a Benin High Court on Monday.

They were arraigned on an eight-count of alleged diversion of N113 million SUBEB funds.

Prison sources said Imuekheme was taken to the unnamed hospital for an unknown ailment.

Spokesman of the Nigerian Prisons Service (NPS) Aminu Suleiman said Imuekemhe was received by prisons officials on Monday afternoon.

Aminu said Imuekheme took ill hours after he was brought in and requested for medical treatment outside the prisons complex.

Imuekemhe’s request was granted yesterday by the prison authorities.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

Jaywon plans secret wedding

•Buys car for lover

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ENNIS Music signee, Jaywon, is about to prove critics, who insinuated he could be gay, wrong. The hip hop singer, who has managed to keep his private life secret, is in a sizzling romance with a Benue State-based singer, Imelda J. The Nation gathered exclusively that not only are the two singers head-overheels in love, they are about to tie the knot secretly.

So serious is the relationship that, Jaywon, who was

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signed on as PZ ambassador, we gathered, bought a Chrysler automobile for his lady, at the last Yuletide. He has also recorded a single with her, the video of which he personally financed.

Imelda J, who is popular for her hit single, Bum Bum, we gathered, is an acquaintance of star singer, 2face Idibia, who also hails from Benue State.

Those who have spotted 2face and Jaywon together would attest that the former has always addressed the latter as inlaw.

•Jaywon and Imelda

Amstel Malta signs Genevieve, Mikel as ambassadors

ITH the sensational unveiling of a new Amstel Malta commercial (TVC), featuring football star, Mikel Obi and screen diva Genevieve Nnaji, at the AfricaMagic Viewers’

Choice Awards (AMVCA), at the Eko Hotel and Suites, last Saturday, the lid is finally off the leaked photos of the two celebs and their upcoming

•Genevieve and OC Ukeje, ... on Saturday

movie, The Journey.

Genevieve, who was signed to telecommunications company, Etisalat, has confirmed another romance with the acclaimed low sugar malt drink.

Although there is no word yet on how much the stars were paid, or the duration of the contract, the deal, we gathered, was sealed earlier this year, with the initial campaign themed around inspirational journey to success stories.

The commercial, which was aired at the star-studded AMVCAs, highlights the individual career journeys of both stars, ending at a point of triumph.

Mikel was not present at the awards but Genevieve, who presented an award with OC Ukeje, spoke with Amstel Malta red carpet host Vixen on her own journey to success and how she hopes this project would help young Nigerians make the best of their own journeys.

“It’s been a fantastic night and I’m delighted with Amstel Malta’s efforts in celebrating our own with the world,”says Genevieve, who is the first Nigerian actress to be profiled on the popular Oprah Winfrey Show.

“I am very excited about the

opportunity this platform gives me to inspire youths, and I will definitely do my best to support this noble cause,” she stated.

Mikel, who was captured in a video, emphasised how glad he was to be a part of the project. “I’m very happy to have an opportunity like this to inspire young Nigerians to be the best they can be. Life is not always a bed of roses, so we all have to learn to make the most of it even in the midst of the struggles that we might face,” he said.

The film follows Amstel Malta’s new campaign weaved around inspiration, using the iconic stars as models. The flick portrays the odyssey of their rise to national and global acclaim - the humble beginnings, the struggles through uncertainty, initial breaks and major breakthroughs.

“It’s a message to young Nigerians,” says Amstel Malta Brand Manager, Hannatu Ageni-Yusuf.

“We all have to prepare and plot our journeys to success and Amstel Malta is committed to empower our consumers all the way.

That’s why we have constantly supported MultiChoice in rewarding the best of Nollywood, through the AMVCAs,” she said.

International Women’s Day: Mo Abudu wins Entrepreneur of the Year

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T was celebration galore, at the International Women’s Day forum, in Manhattan, New York, United States, last Saturday, as notable women leaders, including the CEO of EbonyLife TV, Mo Abudu, were decorated with tiaras, befitting of their contributions in different spheres of life.

Tagged; ‘The Century of The African Woman’, the event was a leadership forum, organised by WomenWerk, a body cofounded by the alumni of Columbia University in commemoration of the International Women’s Day on March 8.

Abudu, who won the Entrepreneur of the Year diadem, joined other awardees, like Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala; former U.S President, Bill Clinton, and Dr. Mehriet Mandefo, president of Truth Aid and win-

ner of a 2014 Sundance Film Festival Award.

Reports said the Leadership Forum, being the first part of the event, brought together transformational women with global perspectives to modern issues. The list include renowned author Taiye Selasi; CEO and inventor, Jessica O. Matthews; fashion mogul, Adiat Disu of Adiree; and Africa Fashion Week professor, Abena Busia.

It was at the Gala, that positive and excellent virtues of some African women across the globe were celebrated. Those at the event said it was a highly inspiring opportunity for learning, investing, and networking.

“This, indeed, is the century of the African woman,” said Abudu, while receiving her award.

“It’s so uplifting to see the number of African women who are doing amazing things, and who are being

celebrated all over the world today. When I look at Moments with Mo for instance and I consider the number of women that we have celebrated on that platform for various groundbreaking achievements, it makes me feel very proud as a woman,” said the Ebonylife TV boss.

“Thank you so much for honouring me with the award of Entrepreneur of the Year,” she continued. “I love being an entrepreneur.

It’s what I am. I love taking risks. I feel so proud to be an African woman and to be recognised in this award. For me it is humbling and challenging. I celebrate my team at Ebonylife TV, whose commitment to excellence consistently pushes the frontiers in media on the African continent.”

The WomenWerk’s recognition, is the latest for Abudu, whose sterling contributions to the media and

•Mo Abudo

entertainment industry in Nigeria hs fetched her plaudits, including Forbes award for first woman in Africa to own a Pan-African TV channel; Hollywood Reporter’s recognition as one of the 25 Most Powerful Women in Global TV; and New African Magazine’s recognition as one of the 100 most influential Africans.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

Life

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

The Midweek Magazine E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Text only: 08023058761

• Winner of the Nigeria Prize for Literature 2013 Ipadeola receiving his award from Prof Banjo and MD NLNG Mr Omotowa with Prof Clark.

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

‘I will build a library for Awoonor’ ‘IwillbuildalibraryforAwoonor’ ‘I would love to build a library for poetry in memory of Awoonor. Fifty per cent of the content of that library will totally be African and the other 50 will be world literature. It will be a library for young Africans who want to experience the world through poetry. I am glad to say the dream is gathering substance daily and becoming a reality, with the help of an architect, Tiwa Fadeyibi’ – SEE STORY ON PAGE 14

ITB Berlin 2014: Nigeria eyes European option – Page 17

Celebrating unsung heroines – Page 50

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

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The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

He was the toast of the event. It is not every day that one bags a prize worth over N16 million and is celebrated by those whom he had once idolised. This was the feeling Tade Ipadeola, winner of the NLNG Prize for Literature for 2013, hadwhen the sponsor of the event presented him to the world during which he announced he would build a library to immortalise the late Ghanaian poet, Kofi Awoonor . EVELYN OSAGIE reports.

•Ipadeola (third left), his wife, Moyofade and children in native attire; flanked by Prof Banjo; Omotowa; Elechi; Agada and students

‘I will build a library for Awoonor’

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IKE one named and blessed by the gods, Tade Ipadeola is living his name. ‘Ipadeola’ suggests he met with providence and it smiled on him when he won the jackpot at the last edition of the NLNG Prize for Literature.

Months after smiling home with the $100, 000 (over N16 million) prize money, Ipadeola said he feels the same way he felt when he first got the news – “surreal”.

“It is like experiencing dawn somewhere on the peak of the Atlas Mountains,” Ipadeola told guests who gathered to celebrate him in Lagos.

Now that he has won, he is set to fulfill what had once been a far-fetched dream. As part of his social responsibility, he intends to build a library to immoralise one of his mentors in the world of poetry - the late Ghanaian poet Kofi Awoonor who died in the Kenyan Mall attack last year.

Ipadeola was addressing to the guests when the sponsor of the prize, NLNG, held a presentation in his honour at the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), Lagos.

In his words: “I would love to build a library for poetry in memory of Awoonor.

Fifty per cent of the content of that library will totally be African and the other 50 will be world literature. It will be a library for young Africans who want to experience the world through poetry. I am glad to say the dream is gathering substance daily and becoming a reality, with the help of an architect, Tiwa Fadeyibi,” he said.

Born in Fiditi, Oyo State, Ipadeola was greatly inspired by the rustic ambiance of his birthplace and a long list of literary minds, such as Awoonor, Wole Soyinka, Christopher Okigbo, his literature teacher and his father, Chief Ayantade Ipadeola.

Ipadeola’s voyage into the limelight be-

AWARD

‘Congratulations! It is a work any of us before you would have loved to have written’ - JP Clark ‘Today is not about Nigeria LNG Limited. It is about Tade Ipadeola. It is about The Sahara Testaments. It is about poetry and the poets who write them...Congratulations, Tade’ - Omotowa gan over eight years ago when he first set out to write the winning collection. After listening to accounts from friends, he braved the heat and the dryness…to the Sahara Desert, he went. And from that venture came a poetic masterpiece entitled: The Sahara Testaments, which has been described as an “epic”.

In the collection, Ipadeola uses the Sahara as a metaphor for the problems of Africa, and humanity at large. He has since become an environmental advocate, calling attention to desertification. “As we speak, the world’s deserts are on a militant march. The preventable tragedy of deforestation to human greed and ignorance is the prime fuel in the desert’s infantry,” he says.

•From: Elechi and Ofeimun

The presentation of the poet laureate drew dignitaries from all walks of life. They poured encomiums on the literary effort and intellectual rigour of Ipadeola in writing the collection.

Among the guests were literary and intellectual heavyweights, such as Emeritus Prof John Pepper Clark-Bekederemo; Chief Elechi Amadi; Prof Emeritus Ayo Banjo; President of Nigeria Academy of Science, Prof Oyewale Tomori; Odia Ofeimun; Dr Jerry Agada; Jahman Anikulapo; Tolu Agoi; Toni Kan; Dagga Tolar; Sefi Attah; Akeem Lasisi and Adebisi Adeyemi, among others.

While shaking Ipadeola’s hand, Clark said: “Congratulations! It is a work any of us before you would have loved to have written.”

Clark said further: “When I see and read what is coming out of Nigeria, I get worse goose pimples, especially by teachers. But when I saw Tade’s collection, I said at last! …At last Poetry has come out of this exer-

cise. Not just imagination expressed, but the discipline of practising the quatrain form.

Something has come and we hope more of it will come, but not eight years…some of us will not be around by then.”

And like most literary events, guests witnessed a short, but shocking debate between two literary giants. That debate, which came as an “icing on the cake, was between Clark and Ofeimun, who is said to be the first publisher of the collection. The argument was whether or not “poetry or literature makes things happen?”

While Ofeimun agrees it does, Clark says it does not, noting that politicians who have the political might to bring about change don’t read or care about what the poets or writers are saying.

Oh his part, Amadi reiterated Ofeimun’s stand that “Indeed, poetry makes things hap•Continued on page 49

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

ITB Berlin 2014: Nigeria eyes European option As leading world tourism companies from 189 countries converged on Mesee Berlin, Germany for this year's ITB Berlin to promote tourism, Nigeria's delegation to the global travel fair thought outside the box for effective private sectordriven participation in tourism events, Assistant Editor (Arts), OZOLUA UHAKHEME, who was in Berlin, reports.

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OP world's tour operators, travel agencies, exhibitors and trade visitors numbering over 4,500 that gathered at the opening of the five-day world's leading travel trade fair, made the iconic International Congress Centre, Messe Berlin, a must visit.

The convention, which exhibited different segments of tourism business, also provided platform for countries and individual participants to explore new opportunities and open new channels.

Expectedly, Nigeria's delegation to the global exhibition led by Director-General Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs Sally Mbanefo keyed into the organiser's agenda of bringing creative, forward-looking tourism ideas and concepts to the market.

In company of her team (four staff of NTDC and a board member), Mrs Mbanefo, who wore Nigeria's Super Eagles jersey with a green-white-green head gear to match, went from one stand to another interacting with private operators and exhibitors from some European countries. They shared Nigeria's flag and other gift items to the operators and exhibitors, while promoting "fascinating Nigeria".

She was also at the Turkish stand where owners of Turkey's biggest hotels were in attendance. She interacted with them on the need to expand their businesses to Nigeria.

Unlike other African countries, such as South Africa, Kenya, Rwanda, Morocco, Tanzania, Ghana and Egypt that had stands, Nigeria opted not to have a stand at the ITB Berlin. NTDC DG said it is a deliberate effort not to hold a stand because such "platform has no mileage for Nigeria and should not be monopolised

by NTDC but be private sector-driven", adding that the decision was also informed by the corporation's financial position noting that exhibition for exhibition sake will not be part of the corporation's programmes.

"Though we did not exhibit, but we carry everything Nigeria to the fair for the world to appreciate. In fact, you don't need a stand to make the necessary impact and for Nigeria, we need a pavilion that can house a large private tour operators and exhibitors, especially when we are working on wooing Europe to Nigeria," she said.

Mrs Mbanefo added that her first lesson at the Berlin fair was that apart from African countries, all stands by the European nations were manned by private operators and not the government agencies in charge of tourism. "It means that we

•Belgium based Nigerian artist, Richard Babalola (3rd right) presenting Mbanefo a portrait. With them from left are Ayo Olumokun, Eboka Chukwueku, Mallam Kabir Mohammed, Otu-Umondak Patience and Mrs Ikilama Apaji.

EXHIBITION have not been it right. Travel fair such as this should not be ego-tripping for some people but to showcase Nigeria's tourism.

As such, it is a wake-up call for private operators in the sector."

She noted that future participation of Nigeria in similar foreign travel fairs would be informed by the mileage the nation gets from such platform. Such platform "would be analyse in terms of mileage we will get before we attend. In fact, that was what we did in London as it gave us the opportunity to partner with East African region that has brand in tourism."

The DG said that though private sector operators in Nigeria are self-sufficient but pledged to convince them on the need to embrace the new opportunities in tourism business. She observed that most private operators have not been adequate reached for collaboration as such must be reached on the new strategy of promoting Nigeria's tourism.

According to her, the task will be an aggressive campaign that may take longer

time to realise. As part of efforts to empower tour operators, she disclosed that the corporation is considering opening the tourism development fund for access by the operators.

She also disclosed that NTDC is partnering the Nigerian Immigration in order to have a desk that will facilitate the issuance of tourist visa on arrival to visitors to the country. Other similar partnerships include the Nigerian Petroleum Development Corporation's project on Oloibiri community that will involve the construction of conference centre and hotels near the first oil well in the country.

Also in the planning stage is the domestic tourism TV game show that will among others educate Nigerians on tourism, reward winners earn income NTDC and unifies Nigerians.

On the allegation that some tour operators paid the corporation some fees to exhibit at its stand in Berlin, Mrs Mbanefo said initially some operators showed interest but that such arrangements were later cancelled.

Malaysia, the official convention and culture partner of ITB Berlin 2014, pro-

‘Such platform would be analysed in terms of mileage we will get before we attend. In fact, that was what we did in London as it gave us the opportunity to partner with East African region that has brand in tourism’

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moted destinations, experiences, events and festivals around the country. Interestingly, this year's ITB Berlin reported a four per cent rise in trade visitors and an increase in business volume, which Messe Berlin estimates reached 6.5 billion Euro.

The focus of the world's leading travel trade fair, which came to an end on Sunday, was on travel bookings via smartphones and tablets and on sustainable practices in the travel industry.

The Chief Executive of Messe Berlin, Christian Göke, said: "Never before was there such an emphasis on innovation as at this year's ITB Berlin. The mood among exhibitors and visitors at this year's show was one of euphoria, which over the last five days could be felt everywhere on the Berlin Exhibition Grounds. The world's leading travel trade show had an even more positive impact on trade buyers and holidaymakers than in previous years."

Among the countries on the Mediterranean Greece and Spain reported particularly high growth. At this year's ITB Berlin numerous hotels and holiday resorts not only exhibited on the stands of the various countries and regions but also hosted their own displays in the halls.

In its role as a think tank, the ITB Berlin Convention has become a firm fixture for trend scouts operating within the international travel industry. Luxury travel •Continued on page 48

A call for change in National Migration Policy

EY governmental actors in migration issues met in Abuja to deliberate on better ways of managing migration matters for national development.

At the event, participants touched on the key challenges and opportunities in migration management in Nigeria. They called for a speedy endorsement of the draft of the National Migration Policy, while urging that the MDAs proactively brief their ministers on the policy to facilitate endorsement.

The event, which was funded by the European Union (UN) under the auspices of an ongoing project tagged: Promoting Better Management of Migration in Nigeria, is being implemented by the United Nations Office on Drugs and Crime (UNODC) and the International Organisation for Migration (IOM).

The presentations of the UNODC and IOM highlighted key achievements of the project

over the last two and a half years, which included improved coordination and dialogue amongst key actors in the migration sector, expanded capacities of national government institutions, and increased knowledge and awareness of Trafficking in Persons (TIP) and Smuggling of Migrants (SOM).

Supervising Minister for National Planning, Ambassador Bashir Yuguda, who chaired the meeting, said migration contributes significantly to national development but needs to be managed within the framework of law in order to prevent human rights abuses.

“Migration is a very important aspect of any country’s development, but the challenge is how to manage both migration and development. The EU has been very helpful in offering support to better manage our migration,” he said.

While thanking the EU for providing sup-

port for better management of migration in Nigeria, Yuguda called on all key government ministries to work together ensure that migration contributes to the transformation agenda and attainment of national Vision 20:20:20 of the Federal Government.

The Head of the European Union Delegation in Nigeria, Ambassador Michel Arrion, said the European Union and Nigeria are regularly engaged in a comprehensive, balanced and deep dialogue on migration and mobility, leading to commitments on both sides.

He said: “Nigeria could well be the first country in the world with which the European Union concludes a Common Agenda on Migration and Mobility. Recommendations from this meeting would help identify gaps in the management of migration in Nigeria as well as identify opportunities for further support.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

18

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

‘Sex work is work…we need our rights’ The day commercial sex workers took to the streets of Lagos would not be forgotten in a hurry. It was an unusual kind of rally. Women (young and old) in white t-shirts with diverse inscriptions, red umbrellas in-hand, marched through the streets, demanding that their rights be met. EVELYN OSAGIE AND BLESSING OLISA report.

Prostitution is blight on the human race...for if you men did not impose chastity on women as a necessary virtue while refusing to practice it yourselves, they would not be rejected by society for yielding to the sentiments of their hearts, nor would seduced, deceived and abandoned girls be forced into prostitution. (Flora Tristan, 1803-1844)

Protest from the bus stop

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HEY came from all corners. As women (young and old) gathered in front of a building at Aladiye Bus-stop in Somolu that hot afternoon.

Their action left visitors and residents of the area guessing what was brewing.

People stopped to see what the gathering was all about.

“Who are these women?” many asked aloud.

And when they started changing their blouses and tops into custom-made t-shirts with the inscription: “sex workers rights=human rights”, it was evident that they meant business. It was not a rainy day. But, as if to protect themselves from the “prying eyes” of everyone, they each held, in one hand, a red umbrella and a banner bearing words of their clamour.

They were commercial sex workers. It was their day penultimate Monday and they came out in masse to mark it.

Like the umbrella they were carrying, which, they said, “symbolised their resistance against all forms of discrimination”, they came, clamouring for better treatment from all.

Hearing them speak and taking a closer look revealed that many among them have had some form of education and were parents.

•The protesting women.

Protest on the streets And as they marched from their meeting point through the streets of Somolu to the Local Government Secretariat, residents and passers-by could not but stop and stare in utter bewilderment.

Their loud and passionate chants of “sex work is work; we need our rights” pulled residents out of their houses.

Undaunted, the protesters hollered in songs and chants: “Condoms are many, waiting for users, condoms are many, waiting for your turn” and “Me I no go suffer, I no go die for AIDS…gold circle condom na my papa.”

Under the auspices of Safe Haven Development Initiative and Women of Power Initiative (WOPI), they came clamouring for legislation ensuring their protection, better treatment as humans and the undisputed access to fundamental human rights and amenities such as health care, health insurance, among others.

“We have become objects of baseless remarks by those who even patronise us,” they alleged. “They call us “prostitutes”, “call girls” or “ladies of the red light district”, but we are women working like every other citizen of this country for their daily bread,” the protesters said.

“Abeg make una help us beg the police people to leave us alone.

Dem too dey down grade us. I am a mother and I have three children.

Na situation make me dey there, no be say I dey happy say I dey there today,” came the ardent protest from Favour.

Like Favour, each had interesting stories to tell on why the trade became their source of livelihood; and together they emphasised that: “We are not beggars.” Many said they were not happy being in the trade, but for the president of the sex workers community, Pat Udoh that was not the case.

In her words, “Everywoman is a sex worker; So far say she makes love. I am proud to be a sex worker because with this I put food on my table, I can take care of my family and children like any other worker. As I am, I don’t think I can work for any other person. I can only work on my own.”

As a mother, Udoh said she discourages young people from selling sex, but added that: “If the child comes of age, every person has the freedom to do whatever they want,” noting that it is, however, important to give a child sex education.

She recounted: “When I entered sex work, none of my family members knew until later. Now that my children are not here, they are in the East; I don’t know what they are doing there. Even if they don’t sell sex, when they come of age, they will have sex. The only thing to do is to tell them to do it in the right way. If my son says he wants to get married to a sex worker now...? I will allow him 100 per cent.”

Drama in the council On arrival at the council’s secretariat, staff of the secretariat, who seemed flabbergasted at the scene at first, immediately started taking pictures and videos with chaotic excitement.

•Udoh

ADVOCACY After the protesters settled into the council’s multipurpose hall, sex workers’ rights advocate, who is also the Executive Director of Safe Haven Development Initiative, Margaret Onah, spoke on the history and purpose of the celebration, saying it is meant to promote the welfare, integration and empowerment of commercial sex workers. The rally, Onah said, was sponsored by Red Umbrella Fund.

While enumerating her constituency’s concerns, Udoh, who is also the coordinator of Women of Power Initiative (WOPI), Lagos State Chapter, called for legislation that would protect them from harassment and molestation, while urging the government to look into their plights.

She named “harsh treatment by the police”, “molestations and harassments by ‘area boys’ and the public”, “denial of proper medical care which has led to many untimely deaths and inaccessibility to good health care due to bias opinion towards their profession” and “lack of economic empowerment” as some of the challenges they are facing.

Ayinke Stephen, a sex worker and a person living with HIV, reiterated Udoh’s statement, adding that sex workers are contributing immensely to the fight against HIV and AIDS. To back up her claims, the group sang: “Me I no go suffer, I no go die for AIDS…Gold Circle condom na my protection, Gold Circle

‘Abeg make una help us beg the police people to leave us alone. Dem too dey down grade us. I am a mother and I have three children. Na situation make me dey there, no be say I dey happy say I dey there today’

•

PHOTOS: BLESSING OLISA

condom na my protection.”

Ayinke protested molestation from police, saying: “When we are out there, the police people come to raid us, they disgrace us; we are mothers with children in the universities.

Sometimes they will come to raid, collect money from some of us and even sleep with us. I am a PLWHA; we counsel the men that come to us on the importance of using condom because we don’t want a situation whereby because of oneminute enjoyment, they infect others. By educating our customers on sexual matters and advising them to employ the use of condoms we are adding value to society.”

On why she became a sex worker, she said: “I got into sex work because I didn’t have luck with getting married, although I wish I could. I always had disappointments. So I decided to stay alone and look for something to do to take care of my children and I got into prostitution to manage myself. It is not that I am enjoying this, but getting a job in Nigeria is not easy and I am not too educated. I can do business if I get money.

When asked if she is given N10, 000 to start a business by a reporter, Ayinke responded abruptly: “I don’t see what N10,000 can do o, even if it is to start selling pure water because when you put table or cooler along the road, Governor Fashola will still tell his men to come and pack people and take them to their task force office; from there to Kirikiri.”

Forced into the trade of flesh by the vicissitude of life, Evelyn said she is tired of the line of business. Hear her: “E don reach five years wey I dey do this work. No be say I like am, but na condition make crayfish bend. Before, na market I dey sell but I come lost my business and even because of the warri crises. My children dey warri, but dem no know wetin I dey do for Lagos. No be say this work na better work, but as Nigeria take tight so, how person go do? But e good make person do am sharp sharp make im find wetin im go do make im commot for there. For me, the work don even tire me sef. If I better opportunity, I go leave am o.” she said in Pidgin English with deep emotion in her voice.

As each tabled her concerns, the Vice Chairman Somolu Local Government Area, Abiodun Orekoya, who represented the Chairman, Hon. Ggolahan Gbagbo, listened with rasp attention. He praised them for taking the initiative to air their views. While urging them to patronise the government health facilities in the area and across the state, he said they won’t be discriminated upon. On their grievance regarding legislation, urged the sex workers to seek redress from the National Assembly.

He said: “You want a reform of the laws to give you more protection: that can only be done by the National Assembly as lawmakers. So I encourage you to go to them and let them know you want the laws amended to protect you. The little we can do as a local government is to ensure that you are not discriminated against, especially when it comes to health issues.

“Because of your profession, you are vulnerable to sexually transmitted diseases. Feel free to walk into health centres and tell them your problems. I am aware that you have not been patronising the health centres. Health is wealth. Go for HIV test and regular medical examination to ascertain your state of health. It is only when you are alive that you can spend the money you make.”

With the words of former House of Assembly Deputy Speaker, Hon. Ike Ekweremadu in 2011 in mind, “I did not sponsor any bill on prostitution...I condemn all forms of human trafficking, including prostitution. As a Knight of the Church, definitely, I must condemn any act that is immoral, including prostitution, for this is not the way to live”, seeking redress for sex workers as Orekoya advised would be a hard nut to crack, some of the protesters observed.

However, the protesters said they are undaunted, adding that they would continue to clamour for their rights and legislations that would better protect them until their voices are heard.

• See video: “Sex work is work” at www. thenationonlineng.net

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

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COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

APC’s roadmap

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•This is a wake-up call to other political parties to let Nigerians into their plans

AST Thursday, the All Progressives Congress (APC) launched with fanfare a road map by which it intends to place issues at the centre of its forthcoming electioneering campaign. As leaders gathered in Abuja, the party affirmed that the programme would lead to the creation of a new and prosperous nation.

The 10-point agenda, as expected, was placed in the public domain to showcase the party’s determination to change the face of the country. The 10 issues presented were: job creation; war against corruption; free, relevant quality education; restoration of agriculture; housing, improved healthcare; social welfare plan for the less privileged; greater attention to roads, power and infrastructure; better management of natural resources and strengthening peace, security and foreign policy.

The agenda was accompanied with an explanation that it stemmed from a scientific poll conducted across the 36 states and the federal capital. The APC said three sectors identified by the poll would command special attention. They are job creation, war against corruption as well as security.

We welcome the bold step taken by the party as we move closer to the next election. Nigerians have for long lamented the absence of issuebased politicking. Now that the APC has put something forward, there is a basis to debate the suitability of the plans as well as the road it hopes to take if installed in power next year.

A breakdown of some of the highlights of the plan include immediate creation of 20,000 jobs in each state of the federation for youths who agree to participate in vocational training. In addition, a Federal Government controlled by the party would pay N5,000 to 25 million poorest Nigerians. Discharged, but unemployed youth corps members are also to be paid allowances for 12 months while they seek jobs and acquire skills. Technology and industrial estates are to be established to promote smallscale industries and entrepreneurship.

The party’s elaborate job creation scheme is an acknowledgement of the unemployment crisis confronting the country.

Quoting an unnamed international organisation, the party says Nigeria has one of the highest levels of corruption in the world. Its plan to tackle the menace include placing the burden of proving innocence on people deemed to have inexplicable wealth, reviewing the law to cut down legal technicalities that tend to delay trials of suspects and guaranteeing the independence of anti-graft agencies.

These are laudable plans as they have formed the crux of suggestions over the years. Perhaps, more commendable is the mission statement that the party would

embark on reforms that would restore credibility to the electoral process. This is in recognition that political corruption is the fountain that sustains other forms of corrupt practices.

As the roadmap correctly points out, no development can take place in a society where peace and stability are elusive.

This has been the lot of Nigeria in the past two or three years in the main. In the three states of the North East where the Boko Haram insurgents have been dishing out sorrow, tears and spilling the blood of the innocent, the nation has been unable to find solution to the menace. In other parts of the country, kidnapping is rampant, armed robbers operate largely unchecked and cyber crime is on the increase. To

Is the party suggesting that the courses in the arts and social sciences are irrelevant for national development? In our view, what the government should do is to support scholarship across board and make funding available for brilliant indigent students in tertiary institutions. Basic and secondary education are already free in public schools in most states of the federation.

It is however curious that a progressive party like the APC has no plan for restructuring the country. What is the position of the party on the clamour for true federalism and quest for fiscal federalism? What does it intend to do with regard to the 68 items on the exclusive legislative list? This is at the heart of the national question and the bold push for development. It could be inferred from the roadmap that the party still intends to keep the Federal Government financially dominant since it is being invested with the power to create so many jobs and provide free education even at the tertiary level.

In all, we agree that the issues raised largely represent the main challenges confronting the country. But then, the party would require a huge financial outlay to meet these programmes and projects.

We would have loved to see, for example, the quantum of resources needed to achieve at least some of these ambitious plans.

How much, for example, would the plan to immediately create 740,000 jobs gulp?

What kind of jobs and how much would the new employees be paid, because there are jobs and there are jobs? Perhaps these are gaps that would be filled by the time more inputs are received from Nigerians before the party prepares the final document – a pact with the people - in order to convince Nigerians that the plan is not designed merely to win votes in the coming general elections.

Whilst it may be preposterous to ask the APC to give details of how it intends to go about financing or executing these programmes and projects, we can only hope that the party did its homework well, especially with regard to funding. Other parties should respond by coming up with improved roadmaps or manifestoes.

When political parties publicise their intentions ahead of elections, it makes it easier for the people to hold them accountable. Let ideas contend in the coming elections to enable Nigerians make informed decisions.

A NEW PARTY FOR A NEW NIGERIA check these, the APC intends to take the revolutionary step of encouraging each state to establish its own Police Force that would reflect the local culture and traditions of the people. It also intends to establish a well-equipped serious crime squad. These are laudable ideas.

And, outside the three areas of concentration, education is also to receive special attention. The party has pledged to introduce an ambitious free, relevant, quality education. At the primary and secondary levels, education would be free all over the country, while tertiary education for students of science, technology, engineering and mathematics would be free, too. This however requires more insight.

Would the plan apply to federal universities only? Would it be implemented by the states controlled by the party only, or would the Federal Government fund the scheme in all institutions in the country?

Besides, the scheme appears discriminatory against students in the humanities.

‘Whilst it may be preposterous to ask the APC to give details of how it intends to go about financing or executing these programmes and projects, we can only hope that the party did its homework well, especially with regard to funding. Other parties should respond by coming up with improved roadmaps or manifestoes. When political parties publicise their intentions ahead of elections as the APC has done, it makes it easier for the people to hold them accountable’

Waiting for the Black Box

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AYS after the disappearance of Malaysia Airlines Flight MH370 shortly after midnight on Saturday, investigators considering a range of possible causes — mechanical failure, pilot error and terrorism — have yet to turn up solid clues. They don’t even know where the plane disappeared, which suggests that for grieving families this misfortune could remain a mystery until the recovery of the plane’s “black box.”

Black boxes, which in fact are usually painted bright orange, contain digital flight data and are indispensable in accident investigations. But it’s worth asking why, in this era of instant wireless communication, investigators must hunt down a physical object that stays on board the plane. Why isn’t black-box data transmitted in real time?

Such technology exists. According to The Wall Street Journal, a few hundred airplanes around the world have already been outfitted to stream live data via satellite, shortening the agonizing wait for answers in the event of disaster. These waits can be significant. When Air France Flight 447 crashed into the Atlantic in 2009, it took nearly two years for a search team to retrieve the aircraft’s black box and piece together what happened.

Carriers haven’t adopted streaming technology for two basic reasons: the rarity of in-flight disasters, as well as the expense associated with equipment upgrades and more satellite connections. Black boxes may be limited and antiquated, but they’re capable of storing an enormous amount of data cheaply.

Yet even from a purely financial perspective — and setting aside the very reasonable public desire for clarity within a short time frame — improvements seem desirable. If it’s too expensive to stream all black-box data continuously, then perhaps a wellchosen subset of data would do.

Moreover, there is always a cost to doing nothing — like, for example, the cost of dispatching search teams to find a box in the middle of the ocean.

– New York Times TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

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

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

20

CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: The immaterial controls the material; a people’s circumstance is largely influenced by their philosophy. Other continents of the world have advanced so farther than Africa that it is often wondered if the African is less endowed (intellectually and otherwise) than the rest of humanity. Experience, however, shows the contrary for we see individual Africans across the globe proving that they are equally as good. The pitiable state of the continent and Nigeria in particular is therefore largely a consequence of defective philosophies of the people.

One of these wrong orientations is in our concept of development.

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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

Politics of Second Niger Bridge While in most other parts of the world development (especially as it pertains to basic amenities) is largely seen as a matter of necessity, here, politicians see them as luxuries, as favours to be bestowed as they wished. Sometimes due to malice or ethnicity, infrastructure

which would benefit not just the host community/part of the country but also contribute to the overall growth of the country is left undone. A community/part of the country is subtly given crude conditions under which necessary amenities will be provided for

them. Generally, politicians still play politics with matters of development, provision of basic amenities.

One necessary project that has been the subject of so much politicking is the second Niger Bridge.

Former President Obasanjo used it

country. I regret to admit that there may be no hope in sight until we clear the Augean stable in Abuja.

For the avoidance of doubt and for record purposes, it is a taboo in Igboland to cast aspersions to the dead because the person is no longer alive to defend himself. There is no need to fight a man who is down and not alive to respond to anything. When Abacha died in 1998 I broke that tradition. This is because the late Abacha committed abominations.

Here below is what I wrote about the late General Abacha in my book: Heroes of Democracy published in 1999. “Much has been written about this error of history in Nigeria and many more are still going to be written by historians. I am yet to see how General Abacha’s legendary bad records can be beaten by any other leader in Nigeria dead or alive. Such a wicked dictator like General Abacha can never be left alone in Nigeria. Never in the history of Nigeria has one man so hijacked and traumatized the national psyche for his own selfish purposes. General Abacha jailed General Obasanjo who narrowly escaped death in prison. His former deputy, General Shehu Yar’Adua jailed with General Obasanjo could not survive as he died in Abakiliki prison, the worst gulag in Nigeria. General Abacha dethroned the much revered Sultan of Sokoto, Alhaji Ibrahim Dasuki and banished him from Sokoto. General Abacha murdered an International writer and environmentalist, Ken Saro-Wiwa and eight other prominent Ogoni sons. General Abacha attempted to blow up the presi-

dential jet of his deputy, General Oladipo Diya and when that attempt failed, after the bomb had exploded and killed those who were detailed to carry out the operation, General Abacha arrested his deputy and other top officers, paraded them before the national television in handcuffs and leg irons, charged them for plotting coup and sentenced them to death...

Abacha ordered killings of Alhaja Kudirat Abiola, chief Alfred Rewane, Rear Admiral Olu Omotehinwa, Dr. Omatshola, Alhaja Suliat Adedeji, Toyin Onagoruwa and others....”

Gumsu and Sadiq Abacha know

nothing about Nigeria’s chequered history and the colossal damage their father inflicted on Nigeria. I feel sorry for this burden of history they have to carry for the rest of their lives. Actions carry consequences.

Deploying unwarranted anger on a well respected person of Professor Wole Soyinka will not help Abacha family. Silence would have been golden for them.

Abacha: History is our witness

IR: I have followed with a keen interest the controversies and debates that followed Professor Wole Soyinka’s piece titled; I regret my share of this National insult after President Jonathan honoured the late General Abacha during the Centenary celebration few days back. I have read the ripostes from Gumsu and Sadiq Abacha, the late dictators two children. I have also followed reactions from commentators and those who witnessed the days of the locusts. Regrettably, I ran away with the tragic conclusion that history has shown that men never learnt anything from history.

One clear answer as to why a President of Nigeria in the 21st century will include the name of Nigeria’s dictators, particularly the ruthless General Sani Abacha as one of the honorees at the Centenary celebration is that President Jonathan may not have known what Nigeria suffered in the hands of Abacha from 1993 to 1998. The conclusion is that those who did not know how we got the democracy we are rubbishing today have been the ones ruling Nigeria since 1999.

This is the simple reason why Nigerians have been suffering for almost 16 years now. Men and women put lives on the line, walked a long road, scaled many walls, drilled the deepest wells, faced many challenges and chewed bullets to chase away the military dictators but lily-livered and impostors seized our hardearned victory and have continued since 1999 to make a mess of our

S

• Joe Igbokwe Lagos

to canvass for Igbo vote, so did Yar’Adua. President Jonathan during his 2011 election campaign promised Ndigbo that he will construct the bridge during his first tenure if elected. Well, the tenure is almost up and the bridge is nowhere to be seen. This did not come as a surprise. I knew the same bridge would be used to woo Ndigbo ahead of the 2015 election; it was all too predictable.

On March 10, the president performed the ground-breaking ceremony of the construction of the bridge. Only the hopelessly naïve will not see the politics behind the ceremony and its timing. It holds both promise and threat –vote me in and you get the bridge, fail to vote me and forget the bridge. It is so unfortunate that we cultivated such deplorable culture of politicizing development.

The ground-breaking ceremony has come and gone, yet that is no guarantee that the project would be done –we still have a culture of abandoning projects. In fact some ‘smart devils’ would still prefer to have the project delayed for future political purposes. That would be very unfortunate indeed. I sincerely hope this is the last time a politician will ask Ndigbo for votes using the second Niger Bridge.

• Nnoli Chidiebere Aba, Abia State.

Give South-west youths a voice

IR: I wish to observe on the Yoruba leaders of thoughts meeting held in Ibadan in Thursday February 27, on the issue of the agenda to be pursued by the Yoruba at the conference. While I have no doubt that the people at the meeting were eminent Nigerians of Yoruba stock, majority of who have distinguished themselves in public and private concerns and qualified to represent Yoruba at such conference, the absence of youths or failure to give the youths prominent role to play at that Yoruba leaders of thoughts meeting was disappointing. This is because issues to be discussed at the constitutional conference are issues for the future which have telling effects on the youths and fewer effects on the elders.

Are our elders telling us that there are no youths in the Southwest who can represent the region at the constitutional conference or they do not trust them? The irony is that most of the elders at the meeting were at some of the constitutional conference convoked to usher in Nigeria’s independence as youths probably under 30s. Not only that, many of them came into public offices in their 30s and early 40s. If the Yoruba leaders of those days could breed them as successors, why is it difficult for them to breed those who will succeed them and nurture them in their life times?

I don’t need to belabour myself in showing the ages of the governors in the South-south, South-east and northern parts of the country

to drive my point home. The failure on the part of South-west elders to replicate this is acceptance of failure on their part as parents.

It is high time South-west youths wake up from their deep slumbers and take their rightful place in the affairs of the land. Obviously, fear of the future has forced them to run away from politics and seek for civil service and other professional jobs. The irony is that those who direct political affairs would continue to lord it over them in spite of the lucrative nature of their various vocations. They would have themselves to blame if they refuse to go into politics with their sound education which the South-west is reputed.

• Adewuyi Adegbite Apake, Ogbomoso.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

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COMMENTS

W

Too many geriatrics, too few 30-50s; Don’t be silent about true Federalism

E come to the crunch with the 2014 Non-Sovereign National Conference. It may have national spread. However the conference delegations from state and fedTony eral are uncomfortably Marinho and disproportionately filled to overflowing with geriatrics, 70-80 year olds veterans of too many political and military battles. Many were participants and perpetrators of Nigeria’s ‘unity’ problems when they were 3050years old. Nobody called them youth then. Now, as ‘elders’, they fill the seats of Nigeria’s current 30-45 years olds who have been demoted from often grey haired ‘adults’ to ‘Youth Leaders’- dancing in Abuja Stadium-mumu. The old should have stepped aside.

Why, 100 years on, are we still talking about the need not to talk about unity or worry about domination? I am doctor and when patients complain one makes a diagnosis of disease. Nigerians complain of ‘Unhappiness’ at Nigeria’s political, administrative and fiscal systems without equity, justice and the non-recognition and welfare their family and ethnic group. The diagnosis is ‘Malicious False Fiscal and Administrative Federalism’. The international not local prescribed cure is ‘True Federalism’. When and where did the meetings take place that institutionalised these aberrations?

Not in Lagos or Enugu. Certainly the widely known ethnic military decisions of yesterday to ruin the South for 40 years are still in the mind-set of politicians yearning to recreate the wicked past after Jonathan leaves. Many have military background and seem still to take orders from military dinosaurs with ethnic agendas. Hence the unhappiness of the people with Nigeria.

In all sincerity Nigeria’s political and retired military classes must understand that Nigerians are very easy to make happy but no one has tried. No one can force Nigerian to be happy. Happiness comes from love, equity and justice. Nigerians demand those from this conference.

I

GOT the unfortunate news about mid-day last Wednesday when my phone rang. The person at the other end, a senior Journalist with one of the nation’s frontline newspapers, simply broke the unexpected news to me without much fuss: “The President has removed Bolaji Abdullahi as Minister.” Although that piece of news jolted me, it was not quite unexpected given the current political trend in the country. I managed to ask an incoherent question: “Why will the President do so at this time when the 2014 FIFA World Cup tournament in Brazil is just three months away?”

The events leading to the Minister’s removal were, to me, some cock and bull stories or what is tantamount to giving the Minister a bad name in order to hang him. However, the case against the former Minister was put in the public domain by many of the newspapers the following day, in different banal headlines. One of the papers wrote on its front page: “The case against Abdullahi…did not identify with PDP’s plan to dislodge APC in Kwara; refusal to speak at PDP’s Ilorin rally; seen in company of Saraki and Goje, who are APC Chiefs; failure to fund PDP’s activities in Kwara State; and late arrival at the Emir’s Palace where Jonathan visited.

Let us take these accusations one by one. It is alleged that the former Minister did not identify with the ruling party’s plan to dislodge the All Progressives Congress, APC, in Kwara State. Yes, the Minister hails from Kwara State in the North-central geo-political zone of the country. Before his appointment as a minister of the Federal Republic, he was a commissioner in his state. If I am correct, he started as a Special Ad-

Pray, what are the issues that unite us and why threaten murder and stoning for those who loudly proclaim that they are unsatisfied by that unity. Perhaps Nigerians are not mere robots but have sensitivities, like human beings and have feelings of oppression, discrimination, truncated achievement, being uncomfortable and uncared for, feel neglected, question the wicked implementation and mal-practice and mis-practice of our ‘unity’ causing disaffection and also administrative and fiscal rape of many different groups? If such boasted ‘unity’ is achieved by a master-servant relationship, who will be happy with such forced unity? If it appears to be a shackling with the iron chains of a militarist constitution questioned by the citizenry what is that unity?

Nigeria did not invent unity or federalism.

It is time to listen carefully to ‘the other’, unhappy citizens crying for simple rules and rights in a normal society and country and nation -equity and justice. What really unites us? Shamefully most will answer ‘football’ If we have to stoop as low as football in our search for uniting factors and the mere fact of amalgamarriage, then we have a clearly recognisable problem –political, administrative, fiscal and social, and not just sports. Amalgamarriage conferred responsibilities to care and share, not rights to overlord-ship of one over the other as has happened. Over the last 50 years who is first at the table of governance? This is the test of unity.

Surely ‘True Federalism’ would unite not divide us. ‘Allowing’ a Southerner to head the Federal Capital Territory is symbolic unity but the person should have power. Returning the LGA system to the states to create, administer and fund would unite us. Regionalisation, reducing central power would unite us. A fairer revenue sharing formula would unite us, though some say it is a ‘no go’ area. Why? Nigerians would love to love Nigeria but Nigeria through malicious secret policies slaps Nigerians in return.

The clamour for ‘True Federalism’ urgently requires your immediate full and personal ‘shout out’ attention. If this opportunity is abandoned on the altar of compromise or slips by, our children will curse us as we cursed our parents for allowing ‘false federalism’ to spread like a cankerworm.

Tell the Nigerian world your opinion. Do you feel cheated as a Nigerian by the Nigerian state? Does Abuja belong to

all Nigerians? Is Abuja ‘ruled’ in rotation by Nigerians from all ethnic and religious groups in the spirit of ‘True Federalism or a fiefdom? On your expressed opinion depends the future suffering as a slave or the feeling of belonging of your family within Nigeria. Be fully aware that ‘True Federalism’ is life and ‘False Federalism’ is death for the 2014 Non-Sovereign National Conference outcome. Those who strangle us must relinquish their hold now or it will be death for all of us by government ‘False Federalism’ strangulation. Do you hear ‘The Silence’ coming from some quarters of power on the question of ‘True Federalism’? Put the areas that are silent of the clamour for ‘True Federalism’ on a map of Nigeria to see at a glance those ‘False Federalism’ has benefited. The silence is a sign of unfair benefit at the expense of others. We only want to be equal, not better. The permanent practitioners of ‘False Federalism, Fiscal and Administrative have for 50 years enjoyed ‘stolen goods’, eating other peoples share, and leaving them deprived. This conference must address these issues so that all may leave ‘Happy’ with the rights and responsibilities of being a Nigerian in Nigeria!

‘Do you hear ‘The Silence’ coming from some quarters of power on the question of ‘True Federalism’? Put the areas that are silent of the clamour for ‘True Federalism’ on a map of Nigeria to see at a glance those ‘False Federalism’ has benefited. The silence is a sign of unfair benefit at the expense of others. We only want to be equal, not better. The permanent practitioners of ‘False Federalism, Fiscal and Administrative have for 50 years enjoyed ‘stolen goods’, eating other peoples share, and leaving them deprived’

The price of loyalty viser to the erstwhile Governor of the state, Bukola Saraki, who is now a Senator of the Federal Republic.

And it follows that it was Saraki who nominated Abdullahi as Minister.

Now that the Senator has pitted his political camp with the APC, an opposition party that is pulling all the stunts to seize power from the ruling PDP, it would be absurd for Abdullahi to work against his political godfather. This is enough reason to put him under the prying binoculars of his pay masters. And to think that Abdullahi would fully participate in the antics of the ruling PDP to dislodge the APC from Kwara State would be daydreaming, more so, when the former Minister is adjudged to be apolitical in nature.

It was, therefore, not surprising that Abdullahi avoided speaking at the Ilorin rally which was held some three days before he was shuffled out of the cabinet. Those who appointed him as a Minister should have known that all the while, he has never played politics with his job. Even those who knew him when he was a Commissioner have attested to that fact. So also is his political godfather, who said the young man was too married to his job than politicking all over the place. It is on record that Abdullahi was one Commissioner who never got himself involved in the revelry and jamboree of going to do ‘breakdancing’ at the airport each time Saraki, his boss at that time, was flying into Ilorin by air during his tenure as governor.

Now, people expected this type of

‘…Abdullahi’s gargantuan achievements will live after him in the annals of competent administration and good governance in the country’

fellow who has cut out his own unique lifestyle among the multitudes of flotsams and jesters who daily flock around politicians looking for a mess of porridge to feast on to distance himself from the company of those with whom he has found comfort all this while. I mean the accusation that he was seen at innocuous hours in the company of his former boss, Saraki, and Danjuma Goje, the former Governor of Gombe State, who is also a Senator. Apparently, both Saraki and Goje are among the 11 senators who have changed camp from PDP to APC. Are these people now saying that one of the requirements of being a Minister in this country today is that once you are a minister, you do not have the right to choose those to associate with? Therefore, if seeing Saraki and Goje amounts to a crime, then it sounds as ridiculous as it is unthinkable.

The same people have accused Abdullahi of failing to fund PDP’s activities in his state. If I may ask: Is there any evidence that the former minister was funding or had at any time funded the APC either? This question is necessary because right from the onset, he had been known to be apolitical. If this is so, why should anybody think he should dissipate energy and resources over any political party for that matter?

At any rate, where will the money to fund the party come from? Is it from statutory allocations to his ministry, personal emoluments or inflated contracts? It would have been a different story if his accusers had said that he embezzled money that was given to him for onward delivery to the PDP in his state. If that did not happen, then it means that the former minister was expected to deep his hands into the public till to satisfy the financial want of some greedy, gluttonous and godforsaken politicians.

It was also reported that the former minister was reluctant to attend the jamboree in Ilorin because he had an assignment to do outside the shores of the country but he was prevailed upon to stay behind and attend the President’s campaign visit to Ilorin. Even at that, a mischievous party chieftain who was in the same vehicle with the former minister was said to have quoted the former minister as saying: “If not that I am from this place, I would not have been on this entourage.” That statement means that the former minister had to work against his wish in order to satisfy the wolves that had encircled him and were hunting and hounding him ever since his political godfather jumped ship. It is a pity.

I had a chance meeting with Bolaji Abdullahi on January 26, 2012, in London. At that time, he was Minister for Youth Development having been appointed a minister in 2011. He was later saddled with the task of supervising the Ministry of Sports before he was appointed substantive Sports Minister in March 2012. The venue of that meeting was at the Heathrow Airport in London.

I had spotted him at the check-in queue on arrival at the airport that chilly winter morning. Although we were meeting for the first time, he instantly recognised me.

As we exchanged banters, I was overwhelmed by his humble disposition. We soon got talking. I told him I was in London for the annual Presidents’ meeting of the EMEA Region (Europe, Middle-East and Africa) of the global Entrepreneurs’ Organisation, EO. He said he was also in London for a series of meetings for the Paralympics games and other games coming up in London that year. He told me about his determination to overhaul the National Youth Service Scheme to make it more relevant to the needs

Dele Agekameh of contemporary Nigeria and other issues bordering on his vision for his ministry. Two months after, he was moved to the Sports Ministry.

As we departed that day, the impression he gave me was that of a quiet, unassuming young man. He struck me as a person who knows his onions and could go places if given the opportunity to excel.

Since that meeting, I have followed his performance and meteoric rise as a public servant and I must confess that he has been wonderful with what he had done as a minister. It is a pity that his zeal to excel has now been scuttled. The wolves may have succeeded in getting Abdullahi, their prime target, out of the way. By doing this, they have unwittingly caused the country a great harm; they have sacrificed merit for sycophancy.

Above all, Abdullahi’s gargantuan achievements will live after him in the annals of competent administration and good governance in the country. No wonder, his achievements are already reverberating in the public domain and will remain permanently etched in national consciousness for a long time to come.

He has done well for journalism, his profession and his generation.

Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

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COMMENTS ‘Jonathan decided to go ahead with his socalled centenary celebrations despite the aversion of majority of Nigerians to it. What’s more? It even came at a time tens of children were murdered in their deep sleep in a boarding schoolroom (some of whom might become leaders who will not only contribute to the growth of their country, but play vital roles in reshaping the world for good). The question for Jonathan is: would the Queen he honoured and all those foreign dignitaries he invited have continued with the celebrations if that incident had taken place in their countries? So sad, our kind of leaders! Anonymous’

•Jonathan

For Olatunji Dare The loathsome awards were Jonathan’s, given with an eye on 2015 elections. The award is not worth more than the paper on which it was written and the exercise a self-serving jamboree. From Ekwurumadu Veekay, Owerri Administration is what Nigerians need not spending millions. According to history, notable Nigerians laid down their lives fighting for justice. Those who died are supposed to be icons. What happened to our soldiers, policemen and Navy personnel who died for Nigeria without benèfits. The money being misused is or was supposed to be used in appreciating our past heros, whose families are still tormented because of uncleared or unpaid benefits. Nigerians are always on the receiving side. I would be happy if we wake up from our slumber, courtesy the late Sonny Okosun. From Benbosi, Abuja.

In the advert announcing the recipients, Chioma Ajunwa was listed. The Chioma Ajunwa we know cheated with performance enhancing drugs and was banned from Olympics for two years. She went on to win a gold medal in long jump. Shortly after, she was caught doping again and banned from Olympics. In Nigeria, honesty is a good policy, winning is better or even best. If you can’t win honestly, cheat. She still gets feted in some sport competitions. A role model? From Dayo Adeleke Dare, does the fact that Nigeria is gravitating towards dissolution deny that she has been recognised as a nation by the entire world for a 100 years? Is it not worth celeberating that Nigeria’s horrendous differences in human components, which many countries cannot manage for half a century before disintegrating, Nigerians reasonably handled for a century? I could not imagine that you would condemn the centennial celeberations. You agreed that “No List Can Do Justice To All The Deserving” and yet you unleashed discordant condemnation over the skipping of some names in your “preferred” list. One should remember that an athlete wins a race after breasting the tape. Success of a journalist depends on his end-point wins; for his past is judged by his present. From Lai Ashadele.

Your write-up is fine. That amalgam was not necessary. From emperical science, an amalgam is a very loose association between unidentical compounds. It is characterised by a very weak bond with almost no bond energy. We have simply been managing what is hard to manage. The experiment of 1904 by Britain has remained the cause of every Nigeria’s problem. We missed the opportunity to correct it before independence when the North refused to join in the sovereignty with the South. The opportunity of Aburi peaceful mediation to avert the civil war was yet the second chance lost. Now, the third chance (National Conference) is here. We should now be wiser, particularly with the obvious implications of what Boko Haram and its menace stand for. If the former USSR, Sudan and others could move apart for peace, why can’t we learn from that instead of depending on outside manipulations? From Engr. R. C. Akanaga That the Federal Government chose to honour every looter who has ever sat over our collective wealth, I don’t see an end to corruption in our country.GOD rescue Nigeria. I have not seen any commitment from the president and the military to combating the dangerous situation in the North, as the president who took an oath to protect the lives and properties of his people was busy givi ng awards while children were being slaughtered in Yobe State.

Was the president celebrating terror or he felt unconcerned? Nigerians should beware. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa Lagos.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan and the centenary awardees are blind-fellows on the plethora of implications,and endorsement of Nigeria’s fraudulent amalgamation. Nigeria’s failure is in sync with the calibre of past leaders who had nothing to offer than satisfy a kleptocratic aim via oligopolistic ethno-rivalry. From Offor Ubangha The list of those who deserve honour can never be complete. What of Prof. H. Nwosu? I think someone should draw up a list of dishonourable Nigerians ( leaders) as a contrast.

Anonymous For Gbenga Omotoso He should go. How can you bite the finger that is feeding you? He is not diplomatic. I support Jonathan for his action. From Ernest Amanambu Re:“Bolaji Abdullahi: Politics floors service” One of the few who represented over 80 million non-partisan or card-carrying members of a political party in the Federal Republic of Peoples Democratic Party has been sacrificed for President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan’s 2015 presidential ambition. It is obvious that good service delivery or merit has no place in this administration. Anonymous.

President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan was in Kano and the hurricane took Lamido Sanusi.

He was in Kwara and the windstorm swept away Bolaji Abdullahi. Who knows where his eagle is heading next and which traditional leader he is going to consult before the next sack. It is sad! How long would we continue to lose it all; values, and no one is talking. Is there anyone worthy left in his cabinet? The breath of fresh air gone horribly stale. From Francis, Abuja.

For as long as we maintain the status quo (ante) of unitarism, corruption, nepotism, hypocrisy, godfatherism, ethnicity, regionalism, lip-service, eye-service, federal character, quota system, injustice, inequity, pretence and others, for that long would we remain the same and far from greatness and egalitarianism. The Nigerian problem is not of leadership or followership, but mental. Let us examine our mental, not the mind, not the heart, not the will, not the body or soul, but the head. Anonymous Cynics are like the ostrich that buries its head in the sand believing no one can see it. Anonymous Certainly not, the President prefers those milking and sucking the country dry. Its unfortunate but the Nigerian electorate and not sycophants will have a day to decide Jonathan’s fate come February. Anonymous Sack who? Dr Jonathan is gradually descending to the basement of bad leadership. Who knows who or what he will sacrifice next to the all powerful gods of the Peoples Democratic Party? Perhaps the First Lady, for a new more westernised version! History is awash with records of men whose cold calculations in the win-at-all-cost game and longevity in power have ended woefully. God bless Nigeria. Anonymous Please leave Mr President, alone.You people are distracting him. Is he not the person that appointed Bolaji Abdullahi in the first place? His reason for sacking him may not be as you opined. I’ve not seen any administration that is transforming Nigeria like President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. Please, comment on it. He has revived Rail Transport to avoid over-wearing our roads. He is reviving the aviation, agriculture, power, health and sports sectors. He is building roads in all states; are you not seeing them? All you’ll comment on is anything you know that will portray the President in bad light. Change. We love Nigeria! We love our President. From Comrade Oni

Re: “Bolaji AbdullahiI: Politics floors service.” Those who think they are apolitical should desist from accepting political appointments in Nigeria or, better still, let’s keep mute when they are given the boot. From Ralphael J. Makurdi.

Only cowards will attribute the Nations Cup victory to the Sports Minister. While wellmeaning Nigerians will always give it to the President, again and again. From:Ehi Re: “Bolaji Abdullahi: Politics floors service: You spoke exactly my mind on the Minister’s sack. The man was a performer with results all over. He brought significant peace to sports which gave birth to growth and development.

Nigerians should better forget any World Cup hope they harbour because the door has been opened for a jamboree in Brazil. From Dahunsi Cornelius, Lagos.

Our president did not know or understand that governance is different from politics? His ambition to come back the second time as president is dearer to him than any individual performances or achievements. Let him continue playing to the gallery; we are not morons. Nigerians are watching! From Tobi Omo Oloopa,Akaka, Remo.

If All Progrssives Congress like, let them register all Nigerians as their members. President Goodluck Jonathan will shock them come 2015: Annoymous Sacking a performer because he doesn’t belong to your party... Why did you appoint him in the first place? To get results? Everybody knows his track record, how can you justify it.

Go ahead and appoint a mediocre as his replacement and see how we will be disgraced in this sporting year. From Abdul Zakari. Abuja.

As for the sports minister, he cannot eat his cake and have it. Hence, he has refused to be a man. Anonymous.

The sack of Bolaji Abdullahi is another stigma on the leadership style of President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan. There are so many corrupt, inept and non-performing ministers in the President’s cabinent. That the President can sack a minister who has performed creditably shows that he has a penchant for recognising petty politics and deceit instead of performance. I congratulate Mallam Abdullahi and he should not be deterred. At least, he left with his head unbowed. I am not suprised that the Nigerian State is in this parlous state . The country is vested with a leader who does not know how to tackle the numerous challenges facing it.

And to make things worse, he is surrounded by corrupt and sycophantic ministers and aides, who are only out to fill their pockets. The President still believes that Nigerians are having the best of times. The centennary celebration and the National Conference are a sham. This President cannot deliver period! From Ojo A Ayodele, Emure Ekiti Sir, your tabloid is always biased. What is the big deal about Bolaji Abdullahi being relieved of his post? Other ministers were dropped and new ones appointed. So, Mallam’s sack cannot make Nigeria cease to exist. You can comment on a more important issue, please.Anonymous The President will use his own hand and politics of vengeance to scatter his government.

Maturity counts a lot in politics; that a hard workig minister of sports was romancing with another party chieftain does not warrant his removal. Politics is about persuasion not vengeance. The earlier the President understands the meaning of politics very well the better for him. From Hamza Ozi Momoh Apapa Lagos.

For Tunji Adegboyega Dear Tunji, your ‘Of threats and Boko Haram’ was beautiful. But you called the emergency areas northwest instead of northeast. I believe this was inadvertent, though. Well done. From Temitope Vincent, Akure.

The military cannot wipe out the sect. It is only the Sultan and Northern Muslim elders that will stop them. But it is getting late. From

• Bolaji Abdullahi Solomon U.C. Okezie.

Jonathan decided to go ahead with his socalled centenary celebrations despite the aversion of majority of Nigerians to it. What’s more? It even came at a time tens of children were murdered in their deep sleep in a boarding schoolroom (some of whom might become leaders who will not only contribute to the growth of their country, but play vital roles in reshaping the world for good). The question for Jonathan is: would the Queen he honoured and all those foreign dignitaries he invited have continued with the celebrations if that incident had taken place in their countries? So sad, our kind of leaders!

Anonymous.

Thanks for your write-up. I’m already weeping. Do we really have a government in place? One day we shall know who those criminals are and their mentors. Anonymous.

In seeking a solution to the Boko Haram crisis, campaign against the politicisation of the issue is long overdue. This is where conscientious journalists of your type are especially called to duty. From Kuteyi, R.R.,Ondo.

Re: Of threats and Boko Haram: As of now, no one had pin-pointed what Boko Haramists want. No matter what they want, their attacks and violent destructions at will should be treated as a war situation before it spreads to more than the three states of Borno, Yobe and Adamawa! At least it once skeletally spread to Bauchi, Kaduna, Jos and Kano and were not as constant and ferocious as the three earlier mentioned states. Perhaps those states pumped part of their security votes into it in addition to the Federal Government’s. Why is that axis of Yobe, Borno and Adamawa not abating? Now, it’s not ethnic and it’s not government-seeking to rule the country (otherwise killing children could not have been an ingredient to achieve). Then, by inference, past governments in those three states might have reneged on some pledges made to the insurgents as hired election thugs.

Secondly, they have hiding places at the borders. From Lanre.

How many soldiers do we have in the country? How many policemen do we have?

How many Air Force men do we have? How many Naval men do we have? Nigeria’s total population is 167million. If the total military we have is about 600,000, then a military man defends 300 Nigerians. Secondly, how many personalities/traditional rulers, heads of the military, Aso Rock, politicians get preference?

So, in actual terms, ordinary Nigerians have a 1:500 defence support. Where will you get the adequate military to comb the nooks and crannies of Adamawa, Yobe and Borno axis?

Thirdly, are we, as at today, not supposed to have installed circuit cameras in the towns, villages and bushes of Nigeria? Finally, can’t government recruit a total of two million soldiers, three million policemen, one million Air Force men and 500,000 naval men for Nigerians? The resources are there but no leader ants to reduce his status. From Lanre Oseni.

I have not seen any commitment from the president or the military to combat this dangerous situation in the north. The president that swore an oath to protect the lives and property of his people was busy giving awards while children were being slaughtered in Yobe State. Was the president celebrating terror? Or he felt unconcerned?

Nigerians should beware … From Hamza Ozi, Momoh, Apapa, Lagos.

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•Osaze

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net Stories by Taofik Salako

Forecasts Niger Insurance Gross Premium - N2.73b Profit after tax - N212.95m Mutual Benefits Gross Premium - N2b Profit - N885.633m Regency Alliance Gross Premium – N812.596m Profit after tax – N256.437m Learn Africa Turnover - N1.06b Profit after tax - N58.336m Total Nigeria Turnover - N46.676 b Profit after tax - N942.1m MRS Oil Nigeria Turnover - N51.20b Profit after tax - N712 m Eterna Turnover - N27.64b Profit after tax - N563.834m Okomu Oil Palm Turnover - N2.667b Profit after tax - N1.044b Stanbic/IBTC Bank Net operating income N16.805b Profit after tax - N2.737b ASL Turnover - N1.084b Profit after tax - N101.355m GT Assurance Gross Premium - N3.892b Profit after tax - N710.62m Cornerstone Insurance Gross Premium - N1.223b Profit after tax - N80.01m Oasis Insurance Gross Premium N562.500m Profit after tax - N79.868m African Alliance INS Gross Premium - N1.215b Profit after tax - N107.213m Berger Paints Turnover - N976.303m Profit after tax - N88.258m SCOA Nigeria Turnover - N835.0m Profit after tax - N18.200m Dangote Sugar Refinery Turnover - N38.251b Profit after tax - N3.49b Studio Press Nig. Turnover - N3.375b Profit after tax - N20.422m Julius Berger Nig. Turnover - N80.125b Profit after tax - N2.55b Intercontinental Wapic Ins Gross Premium - N1.41b Profit after tax - N250.450m Equity Assurance Gross Premium - N2.45b Profit after tax - N287.283m Standard Alliance Insurance Gross Premium - N2.142b Profit after tax - N475.964m Continental Reinsurance Gross Premium - N6.917b Profit after tax - N805m PRESCO Turnover - N2.60b Profit after tax - N800.9m RT Briscoe Turnover - N4.553b

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25 NLNG is one of the biggest success stories in our country. From what I am told, the company has invested $13 billion so far since inception, and has become a pacesetter in terms of revenue generation for the government.

-Minister of Trade and Investment, Dr Olusegun Aganga

CBN may depreciate naira, tighten CRR, says Rewane

HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) may adopt a mixed bag of depreciation of the naira and further tightening of the Cash Reserve Requirement (CRR) on public deposits at its March 17 meeting to stabilise the monetary system, Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Mr Bismarck Rewane has said.

In a preview of the financial and economic outlook in the weeks ahead, Rewane said the CBN is in between a rock and a hard place as the options for the Acting CBN Governor, Mrs Sarah Alade are narrow and hard.

He indicated that the correction at the stock market

By Taofik Salako

would continue in the weeks ahead. The Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is trailing with a year-to-date return of -5.22 per cent.

According to him, the Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) of the CBN will have to adopt a mixed bag this month, including allowing the naira to slide by three per cent and pushing up the CRR on public deposits from 75 per cent to 100 per cent.

Rewane noted that the apex bank is faced with two

scenarios for stable naira and external reserves, adding that all options would remain unattainable if the oil revenue leakages continue.

Under the first scenario, the MPC could increase the Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) from 12 per cent to 13 per cent, increase the private sector CRR from 12 per cent to 15 per cent, increase the public sector CRR to 100 per cent and then leave an option to increase liquidity ratio in May. Under the second option, which Rewane singled out

as possible, the apex bank will allow the naira to depreciate by N5 or three per cent to N162 while increasing public sector CRR to 100 per cent.

“She may have to depreciate the currency by approximately five per cent at the March 17 meeting,” Rewane said referring to acting CBN Governor.

According to him, with external reserves at $39 billion and likely to decline further, options are narrow and choices are hard.

Rewane described the suspension of the CBN Governor, Mallam Sanusi Lamido

•From left: Head, Group Corporate Strategy, Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) Plc, Lola Cardoso; Executive Director, Business Development, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Haruna Jalo-Waziri; Business Development Corporate Solutions, Sub Saharan Africa, NASDAQ OMX Group, Abishek Singh and Head, Listings Sales and Retention, NSE, Taba Peterside at the Investor Relations Breakfast Forum at the NSE in Lagos.

CBN tackles govt revenue leakages via e-payment

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HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has initiated processes aimed at blocking revenue leakage s i n g o v e r n m e n t and private sector.

The apex bank has mandated banks to dishonour payment instructions for salaries, pensions, suppliers and tax payments not transmitted through the electronic or e-payment channels.

According to a guideline on e-payment of salaries, pensions, suppliers and taxes, released by the CBN, the policy applies to organisations with over 50 employees.

This, it said, means that instructions and associated schedules are no longer to be routed to Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) by public and private sector organisations through unsecured chan-

CBN cuts loans to banks by 75 per cent to N1.44tr - P 26

By Collins Nweze

nels, such as paper-based mandates, flash drives, compact discs (CD), email attachments, among others.

The CBN said the process would reduce time and costs, minimise and provide reliable audit systems, thereby making the payments system to comply with global payment standards.

It said the action was also taken to promote transparency and accountability in governance and increase internally generated revenue (IGR).

The policy is also expected to ensure confidentiality of information of epayment of taxes, salary, pension and suppliers.

It said henceforth, payment instructions and associated schedules are no longer to be transmitted

to banks by all public and private sector organisations through unsecured channels such as paper-based mandates, flash drives, compact discs, email attachments, among others.

The transactions must be routed through bank approved electronic platform which transmits the instruction to debit a payer’s account and credit a beneficiary’s bank account, mobile account, electronic wallet or any other electronic channels.

It also entails the ability of a payer to independently monitor and obtain electronic feedback on the status of any payment, at any time without depending on any third party, manual or semimanual means.

The CBN had earlier sent a draft guidelines on the

Global debts hit $100tr on new debt issues

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policy to commercial banks and payment service providers for ratification. The exercise is in line with its powers as provided in the CBN Act, 2007, Section 47, sub section 2(2d).

It said the policy aligns with the objectives of the National Payment Systems of Vision 20: 2020 (NPSV), which ensures the availability of safe and effective mechanisms for making and receiving all payments from any location through multiple channels.

The CBN said public and private sector organisations, which maintain relationship with employees, pensioners, suppliers and taxpayers and other entities, are considered as relevant stakeholders required to work for the success of the policy.

Sanusi as a “bizarre move” and a pyrrhic victory with such “devastating cost that it is tantamount to defeat”.

He said the suspension was politically motivated and was “designed to send a signal of political machoism to opponents”.

‘Power firms’ bonds prospects high’

By Akinola Ajibade

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NY plan by power investors to issue bonds in the future would be supported by the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs).

According to PFAs, bonds from the power firms will have better yields compared to other sectors.

A Business Development Manager, Pension Fund Department, AIICO Insurance, Lekan Martins, said the sector has huge potential, despite its challenges.

He said the PFAs will be disposed to investing in the power sector when the need arises. He said when the firms issue bonds in the future, they would make money for themselves and the investors.

He said PFAs are seeking a review of the 2004 Pension Reform Act to expand their investment windows, adding that power sector bonds is one of their targets.

Martins said the pension fund assets under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) are expected to increase from N3.8trillion to N4.5trillion by December, adding that the assets would be bigger when there are bonds from power firms. The development, he said, would benefit the power firms and the PFAs. “The PFAs are eyeing investment in power by way of buying bonds issued by the utilities firms in the future. However, they are handicapped . To enable them invest in power and other sectors, they have taken up the issue of reviewing the Act with Pension Commission (PenCom). Proposals have been sent to PenCom on the issue. Stakeholders have held series of meeting.

“In the course of our discussions with the firms, we realised that they need money. And bonds would be a better option. In the future, when the companies issue bonds, the PFAs would be interested in buying them.”

However, an official of Stanbic/IBTC Pension Fund Department, Mrs Idu Okwuosa, said it was not true that pension fund administrators were planning to invest in power firms through buying shares.

PHCN pensioners demand over N16b arrears, benefits

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

26

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

CBN cuts loans to banks by 75 per T cent to N1.44tr HE Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) reduced its loans to banks by 74.9 per cent to N1.44 trillion in the fourth quarter of last year.

This was part of its belt-tightening policy.

The loans came as Standing Lending Facility (SLF), representing a daily average credit of N24.09 billion to the lenders, while interest paid on SLF stood at N0.87 billion.

The CBN loaned banks N5.75 trillion in the preceding quarter, which ended on September 30.

The drastic cut in the loans, The Nation learnt, was not only meant to support the naira, but also to secure the declining foreign reserves which have lost over $3 billion in the last one month.

The SLF, given at 14 per cent, is an overnight CBN credit available on banking days between 2 pm and 3.30 pm, with settlement done on same day value.

The CBN explained that money market rates were influenced by the liquidity condition in the banking system arising from the introduction of the 75 per cent Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) on all public sector deposits, coupled with the delay in the release of fiscal allocation.

The CRR on all public sector funds was raised further to 75 per cent at

Stories by Collins Nweze

the January 21 Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting of the CBN. The CBN had during the MPC meeting maintained the monetary policy rate (MPR) at 12 per cent, and kept the symmetric corridor of plus two per cent around the MPR for SLF. However, the SLFs are available only to banks and discount houses that have executed the Nigerian Master Repurchase Agreement (NMRA) with the regulator. The NMRA covers the operations of the SLF and addresses issues relating to pricing, duration, custodian as well as default resolution in lending.

Furthermore, the CBN Economic Report for the fourth quarter, showed that the total assets and liabilities of the Deposit Money Banks (DMBs) stood at N24.3 trillion.

The figure, the report said, represents an increase of 4.4 per cent over the level at the end of the preceding quarter. The funds, it said, were sourced largely from increased mobilisation of demand deposit and

Federal Government deposit were used for accretion to reserves and to purchase government’s securities.

The CBN said banks’ credit to the domestic economy rose by 8.6 per cent to N12.2 trillion, when compared with the date from the preceding quarter. The development, it said, was attributed largely to the 346.9 per cent increase in claims on the Federal Government.

Also, the liquidity ratio rose by 1.8 percentage points above the level in the preceding quarter, and was 9.5 percentage points above the stipulated minimum ratio of 30 per cent. The loans-to-deposit ratio stood at 36.3 per cent, and was 2.9 percentage points above the level at the end of the preceding quarter, but was 43.7 percentage points below the prescribed maximum ratio of 80 per cent.

The quarterly report also said gross domestic product (GDP) was estimated to have grown by 7.7 per cent, compared with 6.8 per cent in the preceding quarter. The development, it said, was driven, largely, by the growth in the non-oil sector.

Broad money supply, (M2), grew

• From left: Immediate past president, Chartered Institute of Bankers of Nigeria (CIBN), Mr ‘Laoye Jaiyeola; Registrar/CEO, Dr. ‘Uju Ogubunka and Executive Director, Keystone Bank Ltd/Chairman, Screening & Selection Sub-Committee, CIBN Board of Mentors, Mrs. Yvonne Isichei at the launch of CIBN’s mentoring programme in Lagos.

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‘Only 12% of Nigerians is aware of mobile money’

NLY 12 per cent of Nigerians aged 15 and above is aware of mobile money, while less than one per cent of them use the platform, a group has said.

The group, Financial Innovation & Access (EFInA), at a workshop on mobile money, said this was the outcome of its survey did with InterMedia.

It said mobile money awareness and use was slightly higher in “Cash-less Phase II” states, such as Abia, Anambra, Kano, Ogun and Rivers states, and the Federal Capital Territory.

According to the research, as at October, last year, only four per cent of adults use mobile money, while in the aforementioned

states, debit, credit and pre-paid cards were the most widely known and used electronic payment instruments.

Also, men used e-payments channels more than women.

The experts said low customer awareness, lack of trust in mobile money, and unreliable cellphone networks remain barriers to the business.

However, respondents in both studies also shared positive impressions of mobile money, saying they perceived mobile money to be fast, convenient, and safer than carrying cash.

The Chief Executive Officer of EFInA, Modupe Ladipo said: “The financial services industry can

drive uptake of mobile money by educating customers, providing reasonably priced products that meet customer needs, and creating the right incentives for both customers and mobile money agents.”

Vice President, InterMedia, Peter Goldstein, said Nigeria has a higher percentage of bank account holders, but a lower percentage of mobile money users compared with other countries, such as Uganda and Kenya.

Mr. Goldstein emphasised the need to educate potential customers about mobile money services, particularly regarding security measures that have been implemented to protect against theft and fraud.

by 9.1 per cent, in contrast to the 7.9 per cent decline recorded at the end of the preceding quarter.

The CBN said the development reflected, largely, the 14.9 per cent increase in domestic credit (net) of the banking system. Similarly, narrow money supply, (M1), rose by 11.4 per cent, in contrast to the 9.3 per cent decline at the end of the preceding quarter.

Over the level at end-December 2012, broad money supply (M2) grew by 1.2 per cent, owing largely to the 18.5 per cent increase in net domestic credit, which more than offset the 26.0 and 5.9 per cent decline in other assets (net) and foreign assets (net) of the banking system, respectively. Reserve money (RM) rose at the end of the fourth quarter of 2013.

Available data indicated that banks’ deposit and lending rates generally trended upward, while the weighted average inter-bank call rate fell by 3.23 percentage points to 11.02 per cent, reflecting the liquidity condition in the interbank funds market.

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• Acting CBN Governor Sarah Alade

Provisional data indicated that the value of money market assets outstanding increased by 4.1 per cent to N6.8 trillion, compared with the increase of 5.7 per cent at the end of the preceding quarter. The development was attributed to the 4.7 and 3.9 per cent increase in Federal Government of Nigeria Bonds and Ni-

Banks to decide limits, frequencies for naira cards

HE issuance of cards and guidelines for the naira, un der review will, henceforth, be defined by each bank.

The Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) Director, Banking and Payment System, ‘Dipo Fatokun, said the limits would not exceed the total combined amount of foreign currency that each individual bank can access through Business Travel Allowance and Personal Travel Allowance, which is pegged at $150,000 per annum.

In a circular to all deposit money banks, mobile money operators, switches and payment services providers, Fatokun said card users shall render monthly returns to the CBN on the volume of transactions and gross amount of transactions done internationally using their cards for inclusion in the national statistics on payments.

He said power to issue the guideline was derived from Section 47 (3) of the CBN Act 2007, adding that all stakeholders who process, transmit, and or store cardholder information, should ensure that their termi-

nals, applications and processing infrastructure comply with the minimum requirements for the sector.

Fatokun said all terminals, applications and processing infrastructure should also comply with the standards specified by the various card schemes.

He said only licensed banks with clearing capacity shall issue payment cards to consumers and corporations in the country, adding that banks without clearing capacity can issue in conjunction with those with clearing capacity. He said all banks should seek approval from the CBN for each card brand they wish to issue.

The guidelines also stipulated that the cards issued can be ‘pay now’ such as debit and prepaid, or ‘pay later’ such as credit. He said the use channels, limits, and frequencies shall be defined by the issuing banks.

It said an issuer should have risk management framework in place that enables it identify, measure, monitor, and manage the range of risks that arise or are borne by its operations.

We saw CRR hike coming, says Fidelity Bank CEO

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HE Managing Director/CEO, Fidelity Bank Plc, Nnamdi Okonkwo, has said the lender took steps ahead of the Cash Reserve Ratio (CRR) hikes by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to ensure it was not caught unawares.

He said the challenges were not new, adding that a similar policy was implemented over 24 years ago.

He said in 1990, the Federal Government withdrew public sector funds and moved it to the apex bank.

“That created some serious liquidity challenges. It’s just that this time around, it’s been long we had that level,” he said,” maintaining that in terms of liquidity, the CBN did not mince words over the years on what their focus was.

In a statement, Okonkwo said: “At Fidelity Bank, we saw the hand- writing on the wall. We have

been strong in commercial banking, retail and Small and Medium Enterprises over the years.That gave us some kind of stable liquidity, and if you notice, we are present in key commercial centres like Onitsha, Kano, Aba, and Port Harcourt.”

He said the lender had decided to decongest its banking halls, taking advantage of the e-channels. ”Our electronic migration, which actually tried to measure if 100 people came to withdraw in our banking halls, what percentage of that is using electronic channels, and what percentage are using physical cash.

“As at over a year ago, we are somewhere around 45 per cent, but today, we are 83 per cent and that means that for every N100 that is withdrawn through our system, 83 per cent is done through electronic channels,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

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MONEY Power, consumer and industrial goods, and the oil and gas sectors need substantial investments to thrive and galvanise activities in the economy. Investment inflows, banks’ asset-mix are creating hope for renewed economic growth. Analysts spoke during the launch of Meritrade, an on-line stock trading platform by Meristem Securities Limited, in Lagos.

COLLINS NWEZE reports.

Investment flows shaping economic growth

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EFORMS in the power sector are expected to trigger an influx of investments both locally and internationally, Managing Director, Meristem Securities, Oluwole Abegunde has said.

He said the World Bank has indicated its interest to invest $1 billion in the power sector. International Finance Corporation, a member of the World Bank, is set to mobilise funds for one of the power generation firms and to support about three power distribution firms.

In addition, the Federal Government has signed an agreement with Chinese firms to build $1.3 billion power plants in the country. Also, General Electric (GE) okayed a $1 billion deal with the Federal Government, starting with $250 million with the balance spread over five years in a multi-model service and manufacturing facility in Rivers State, thus making Nigeria a hub for servicing GE turbine generating machines in Africa.

MTN Nigeria has also obtained $3 billion syndicated loan deal involving 17 Nigerian and seven foreign banks, as part of efforts to enhance its infrastructure and service delivery across the country.

Abegunde said with the quantum of investments coming into the country, the impact on GDP from last year will be sizeable and should contribute to shifting the growth curve outwards.

Abegunde said government remains the biggest spender in almost all global economies, and Nigeria is not an exception. For him, the level of spending recorded during the 2011 election would be repeated in the 2015 election year.

He said such spending creates huge impact on the money and capital markets, which discerning investors can leverage on.

He explained that from government spending, equities market activities, banking transactions and naira positions are critical in raising the level of activities in the economy.

Govt spending will keep rising Analysts said government spending would rise ahead of the election year. For instance, the Federal Government consumption expenditure accounted for 26.8 per cent while private consumption expenditure and other components accounted for 50.5 per cent and 22.7 per cent in 2012.

Also, government capital expenditure contributed 2.16 per cent to GDP while the recurrent expenditure contributed 8.2 per cent.

The level of the government expenditure has grown by 6.87 per cent over the past five years (2008 to 2012) as against GDP growth of 6.27 per cent over the same period.

“Assessing expenditure figures in 2010 and 2011 (pre-election and election years), we noted increased contribution of government’s expenditure to GDP. In second quarter of 2010, the government’s expenditure contribution to GDP increased by 30.29 per cent on a quarter on quarter basis and 22.55 per cent year-on year,” Abegunde said.

Also, the fourth quarter of 2010 and first quarter of 2011 witnessed

significant year-on-year increase of 31.74 per cent and 24.14 per cent as against the usual average year-onyear rise of 0.21 per cent (pre-election period from first quarter of 2009 to first quarter of 2010) and an average year-on-year decrease of 11 per cent (post-election period from fourth quarter of 2011 to fourth quarter of 2012), he said.

Explaining further, he said in second quarter of 2010 and second quarter of 2011, the government expenditure contributed 35.88 per cent and 36.76 per cent to GDP quarterly was 31.48 per cent in pre-election period, 33.03 per cent in election period and 28.09 per cent in post-election period.

He explained that with the imminent 2015 presidential and gubernatorial elections, the same impact will play out in the year as pre-election fiscal releases emerge.

“In proposing a ‘winning’ strategy that delivers alpha, our strategy considers the potential risk inherent within the economic and financial landscape in Nigeria in years ahead owing to the uncertainties around the polity amongst other headwinds,” he said.

Equities market expectations He said the equities market posted 47.19 per cent, which is the second highest returns in Africa, after Ghana’s 78.9 per cent. Major thrusts of this robust return include strong, though moderate corporate earnings and benefits, strengthened outlook on emerging and global economies as well as news flow on the United States quantitative easing tapering.

He said the sector, consumer goods, industrial goods and oil and gas retained dominance in terms of returns and activities.

He said with recovery in the global economy in sight, attractiveness of the domestic economy and expectation for sustained foreign portfolio investment inflow, with pockets of domestic political concerns and modest equities valuation, “we expect 6.56 per cent return for equities in 2014”.

Abegunde also said myriad of factors, including reduced interest income and increasing operating costs last year, saw the sector record slower earnings growth which stood at 18 per cent as at September, last year, compared to the previous year when earnings growth averaged 100 per cent.

“In our view, we expect banks’ asset-mix to tilt towards treasuries with the burgeoning infrastructure and power sector,” he said.

Abegunde said last year was bad for the agricultural sector when compared with its 2012 performance, as declining commodities’ prices and insecurity in the north

• Onyema

• Abegunde

• Sokunbi

• Nwosu

affected revenues.

However, he said firms in the sector have made significant strides in cost efficiency projects, which are expected to yield in the year, even as commodities prices are expected to remain moderate. Also, the increased capacity by firms has led to new business lines which should also drive business performance in the year.

able and convenient mode of trading on equities.

He described it as an innovation, noting that it will encourage people from all walks of life, particularly the youth, including students, first- time employees and civil servants to invest in stocks.

Onyema said: “In June 2013, while discussing technology and some of the NSE’s pillar for growth, I mentioned Mobile and Online trading as part of the next wave in our business development efforts. This position is rooted on the NSE’s realisation that the securities industry is largely driven by technology.

“Speed, accessibility and robustness of technology systems are critical success factors of modern trading and the Meritrade platform has been demonstrated as one that provides the aforementioned.”

Presenting the product’s overview, Mrs Gbadunola Sokunbi, the Divisional Head, Stockbroking, Meristem Securities, said the app will allow investors trade in shares and bonds from as low as N50,000.

She explained that “to be eligible, interested people should have access to internet, e-mail address, an operational bank account, a moderate understanding of the stock market and a stockbroking account with Meristem Securities.’

Coordinator, Independent Shareholders Association of Nigeria (ISAN) Sir Sunny Nwosu said investors were glad about the seamless nature of the portal. He said steps taken by Meritem Securities Limited will make it possible for investors to take quick investment decisions and earn better returns on their investments.

Meritrade trading platform The Meritrade on-line platform with mobile apps will serve as a virtual stockbroking platform, helping users to trade on stocks on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) from anywhere.

Abegunde said the innovation will offer investors control and convenience over their investments.

According to him, “the Meritrade app will give users a unique experience, convenience and control over their investments. Our customers can n trade and manage their investments 24 hours daily, with their mobile devices without having to come to our office.’

Abegunde explained that the portal is a do-it-yourself module that allows investors fill and submit account opening forms online and fund their accounts through their internet banking model or designated banks.

He said the investors will monitor their investments online and can invest in shares and fixed income (bonds) even as they can also make withdrawal requests from their stock broking account online.

At the launch, Mr. Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, NSE endorsed the Meritrade app as a reli-

‘A myriad of factors, including reduced interest income and increasing operating costs in 2013 saw the banking sector record slower earnings growth which stood at 18 per cent as at September 2013, compared to 2012 when earnings growth averaged 100 per cent’

Demography-backed growth Report by Meristem said wholesale and retail trade in Nigeria have been majorly driven by operations in the retail sector, which consists of packaged foods, mobile phones, clothing items, and other consumer goods. The sector is one of the major beneficiaries of the changing demography in Nigeria. It said Nigeria’s 170 million population is mainly composed of young people with median age estimated at 19.2 years.

“With the introduction of the Structural Adjustment Programme in 1980 came the significant shrinking of the middle class as well as major supermarkets. However, since 2011, Nigeria has witnessed an expanding middle income population with channels for wholesale and retail distribution simultaneously rising to cater for their needs,” it said.

Macro indicators The investment and research firm said key global and domestic macro indicators are set to be the pillars of our growth outlook for the year and in the medium-term.

“While major indicators suggest a positive investment environment in 2014, we note the likely impacts of political tensions in the country as the 2015 elections draw closer.

Notwithstanding, these macro factors support our optimistic case for Nigeria as a choice investment destination in 2014,” it said.

Naira role in investment drive The report said given the sustained commitment of the CBN to defend the naira, the naira/dollar maintained a relatively stable rate of N156 at the official market for most part of 2013. The interbank and parallel markets opened the year at 0.3 per cent and two per cent premiums respectively to the official rate but closed at wider premiums of four per cent and 12 per cent.

“Given pockets of observable inefficiencies in the system in 2013, CBN met most of these with stern policy actions. However, given the outlook on the global economy, the possible flow reversal and fiscal environment, the CBN is expected to maintain the current monetary stance for most of June -2014, but there are possible indications that exchange rate will trend up by December 2014,” it said.

MPR was retained at 12 per cent last year as the CBN maintained its tight policy stance, given the political and fiscal environment. The apex bank has restated its intention to further tighten MPR. Based on the above and impact of policy action in the economy, MPR is expected to be retained for most of the year, or raised. However, uncertainties surrounding the successor of the acting CBN governor remain a concern.

“Also, domestic output in 2014 is expected to expand by 6.65±0.2 per cent. This GDP growth is to be driven by increased consumer spending buoyed by higher urbanisation rate as well as rising middle class; increased government expenditure from pre-election fiscal spending; and increased FDI as well as local investment arising from favourable economic conditions in the country,” it said.

Continuing, it said: “The political environment in the country is getting tenser by the day. Continued internal rancour within the ruling party coupled with the strengthening of the main opposition and the continued re-shuffling of the political game cards makes judgment about the political terrain in 2014 a premature and weighty one.”

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

THE NATION INVESTORS

Private trading floor to link Nigeria to New York, G London Exchanges TI Securities Limited, the owner of Nigeria’s first private trading floor, is con-

cluding arrangements to provide stockbrokers with direct trading access to world-leading Exchanges including the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE) and the London Stock Exchange (LSE).

Reputed as the first private trading floor in Sub-Saharan Africa, the GTI Securities’ trading floor is a 150-seat multi-purpose trading floor. This implies that at full installed capacity, some 150 brokers and dealers can trade simultaneously. It, however, has adjoining areas for future expansion. Already, the private floor is linked to the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and NASD OTC Plc for on-line, real time trading. GTI Securities Limited, a member of the GTI Capital Group, is a broker-dealer member of the NSE.

By Taofik Salako

Capital Market Editor

Group Managing Director, GTI Capital Group, Mr. Abubakar Lawal, told The Nation that the GTI’s private trading floor is designed to interface with the most modern trading engines around the world, providingNigeria-based stockbrokers with direct trading opportunity from its location on Tinubu Street, in the Marina axis of Lagos’s main Central Business District.

He said arrangements were ongoing to conclude trading protocols and procedures that would enable Nigeria-based stockbrokers to trade on the NYSE and LSE. According to him, the private

trading floor will open up the global markets to the Nigerian investors and further entrench the potential of the Nigerian capital market as a catalyst for national development.

He said the GTI’s trading floor was built as a demonstration of the GTI Group’s commitment and belief in the vast potential of the Nigerian economy and the importance of capital market as a key to unlocking such potential.

He noted that stockbrokers need to rally together and work in unison to develop the economy, pointing out that the GTI’s trading floor is not about GTI alone but as a monument to the stockbroking industry, Nigerian capital market and the economy generally.

Managing Director, GTI Securities Limited, Mr. Tunde Oyekunle, said the trading floor’s state-of-the-art trading infrastructure-FIX, allows a broker to trade on any global exchange from the GTI’s floor.

According to him, the trading floor is already embedded with adequate risk management frameworks to mitigate risks that could come with global trading.

He said the company has already started discussions with capital market operators in the West African region to use the GTI’s floor as a platform for trading on the planned integrated West African capital market.

Capital market regulators and other stakeholders have commended the visionary leadership and foresight of GTI Capital Group in building the Nigeria’s first private trading floor.

Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh, had during a visit to the floor, said the visionary leadership shown by GTI in the development of the pioneer private trading floor is illustrative of the excellent and illustrious nature of Nigeria and what the future holds for the capital market.

According to her, the quality of the trading floor shows that the capital market operators can compete effectively with other operators in the global financial centres of London, New York and Tokyo among others.

Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema, also commended the trading floor, promising the support of the Exchange towards the realisation of the full potential of the floor.

•Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE), Mr. Oscar Onyema (third left) and visiting students during the kick-off of activities to commemorate the Global Money Week at the NSE ... on Monday.

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‘Entrepreneurs among happiest people in the World’

HE Global Entrepreneurship Monitor (GEM) 2013 report has identified entrepreneurs as among the happiest individuals in terms of well-being and satisfaction with their work.

The report is the 15th annual survey of entrepreneurship worldwide and the largest single study of entrepreneurship. Last year, more than 197,000 individuals were surveyed and about 3,800 national experts on entrepreneurship participated in the GEM study across 70 economies, including Nigeria.

The GEM Nigerian team is hosted

by Tomeb Foundation for Youth Development and Entrepreneurship.

The samples in the GEM 2013 Global report represent an estimated 75 per cent of the world’s population and 90 per cent of the world’s total GDP. In addition to its annual measures of entrepreneurship dynamics, GEM analysed well-being as a special topic in 2013.

The report finds entrepreneurship a satisfying career choice worldwide - especially for women within innovation-driven economies.

The GEM report entitled: “Entrepreneurship and well-being,” also found that women entrepreneurs from innovation-driven economies showed, on average, higher degrees of personal well-being than their male counterparts.

Entrepreneurs, both at the established and early-stage phases, exhibited higher ratings on subjective well-being compared to populations not involved in entrepreneurship activities.

This, the report noted, suggested that entrepreneurship could be a good career choice for most.

A co-author, José Ernesto Amorós said: “Our idea is to contribute to a better understanding about what in-

•Nigeria ranks fifth on Africa list fluences a population’s perceptions about well-being and how that consequently shapes entrepreneurship indicators’’.

The report revealed that in all regions, entrepreneurs exhibit higher rates of subjective well-being in comparison to individuals who are not involved in the process of starting a business or owning-managing a business.

Another relevant result in the report showed that female entrepreneurs in innovation-driven economies exhibited on average a higher degree of subjective well-being than males.

“This initial assessment opens up possibilities for exploring the role of women and men entrepreneurs

beyond the traditional notion of development generally associated with economic indicators”, Amorós said.

The report was co-witten by José Ernesto Amorós, Universidad del Desarrollo in Chile and Global Entrepreneurship Research Association (GERA); and Niels Bosma, Utrecht University in the Netherlands.

The GEM report also grouped the economies into three development levels based primarily on GDP/capital and share of exports comprising primary goods: factordriven, efficiency-driven, and innovation-driven.

Factor-driven economies, such as Nigeria, are dominated by sub-

sistence agriculture and extraction businesses, with a heavy reliance on (unskilled) labour and natural resources.

The report indicates that efficiency-driven economies are more competitive with further development accompanied by industrialisation, economies of scale, and dominant capital-intensive large organisations.

It added that innovation-driven economies are more knowledge-intensive with a fully developed and dominant service sector.

The primary measure of GEM is the Total Entrepreneurial Activity (TEA) rate, which consists of the percentage of individuals aged 18 – 64 in an economy who are in the process of starting (start-ups) or are already running new businesses (new firms).

The 2013 survey reveals that Nige-

ria and Zambia has a TEA rate of 39 per cent, indicating that 39 out of every 100 Nigerians are engaged in some kind of entrepreneurial activity. Nigeria placed fifth behind Zambia (41 per cent), Ghana (36 per cent), Uganda (36 per cent), and Malawi (35 per cent).

The report indicates Nigeria’s position as an entrepreneurial nation where most adults see opportunities in entrepreneurship, believe in their own entrepreneurial capacities and declare themselves ready to start and run a business.

The survey result provides ample opportunity for policy makers, at all levels of government, to use the promotion of business as a strategy for poverty eradication, wealth creation, employment generation and sustainable development.

according to Branimir Gruic, an analyst, and Andreas Schrimpf, an economist at the BIS. Marketable US government debt outstanding has surged to a record $12 trillion, up from $4.5 trillion at the end of 2007, according to US Treasury data compiled by Bloomberg.

Corporate bond sales globally jumped during the period, with issuance totalling more than $21 trillion, Bloomberg data show.

Concerned that high debt loads would cause international investors to avoid their markets, many nations resorted to austerity measures of reduced spending and increased taxes, reining in their economies in the process as they tried to restore the fiscal order they abandoned to fight the worldwide recession.

Adjusting budgets to ignore interest payments, the International Monetary

Fund (IMF) said late last year that the so-called primary deficit in the Group of Seven countries reached an average 5.1 per cent in 2010 when also smoothed to ignore large economic swings. The measure will fall to 1.2 per cent this year, the IMF predicted.

The unprecedented retrenchments between 2010 and 2013 amounted to 3.5 per cent of US gross domestic product and 3.3 per cent of euro-area GDP, according to Julian Callow, chief international economist at Barclays Plc in London.

The riskiest to the most-creditworthy bonds have returned more than 31 per cent since 2007, according to Bank of America Merrill Lynch index data. Treasury and agency debt handed investors gains of 27 per cent in the period, while corporate bonds worldwide returned more than 40 per cent, the indexes show.

Global debts rise to $100tr on new debt issues

T

HE amount of debt globally has soared more than 40 per cent to $100 trillion since the first signs of the financial crisis as governments borrowed to pull their economies out of recession and companies took advantage of record low interest rates, according to the Bank for International Settlements (BIS).

BIS is owned by 60 central banks and hosts the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, a group of regulators and central bankers that sets global capital standards.

The $30 trillion increase from $70 trillion between mid-2007 and mid2013 compares with a $3.86 trillion decline in the value of equities to $53.8 trillion in the same period, according to data compiled by Bloomberg.

The jump in debt as measured by the Basel, Switzerland-based BIS in

its quarterly review is almost twice the United States’ (US) gross domestic product.

Borrowing has soared as central banks suppress benchmark interest rates to spur growth after the US subprime mortgage market collapsed and Lehman Brothers Holdings Inc’s bankruptcy sent the world into its worst financial crisis since the Great Depression.

Yields on all types of bonds, from governments to corporates and mortgages, average about two per cent, down from more than 4.8 per cent in 2007, according to the Bank of America Merrill Lynch Global Broad Market Index.

“Given the significant expansion in government spending in recent years, governments (including central, state and local governments) have been the largest debt issuers,”

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

On the trail of Oke-Ogun kid tobacco farmers

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

PAGE 29

An interest-free loan of N282million by British America Tobacco Nigeria (BATN) to over 800 tobacco farmers in Oke-Ogun, Oyo State, promises to boost the economy of the area, but the drawback, as SINA FADARE finds out, is that children of school age labour on these farms for their parents to meet the tobacco giant’s target

INSIDE

•Continued on Page 30

Seen the campus?

Let’s go to the farm •PAGE 32

Ekiti: The journey to ‘welfare state’

Behold! The first woman traditional ruler in Ijaw land

•PAGE 34

•PAGE 36

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

30

SOUTHWEST REPORT

On the trail of Oke-Ogun kid tobacco farmers

•A tobacco farm

T

HE time was 6.30am. In saner climes, these children, with the oldest being 14 years, would either still be in bed or just waking up. But not these ones, who every weekends must be at their fathers’ farms to tend tobacco leaves. They have become so proficient that they can tell you from afar if a tobacco farm will produce a good yield or not. It is their job, their life and they are proud of it. They feel great helping their parents who are managing to send them to school.

Welcome to the world of the child labourers on the tobacco farms in Isehin, Ado-Awaye, Ago-Are, Kishi, Igboho, Irawo and other towns in the OkeOgun, Oyo State where tobacco farming is the mainstay of the economy.

Tobacco farming, unlike most other types of farming, requires delicate skills. There are various stages of job to be done. Immediately the tractor ploughs the land, the first task is the transfer of the tobacco leaves from the nursery to the farm.

An average farmer lacks what it takes to cultivate this crop. So, the British American Tobacco, through its subsidiary, British American Tobacco Iseyin Agronomy (BATIA), which indirectly owns the tobacco farms in yearly support the farmers with what it calls interest-free loans.

This year, over 800 members of the Nigeria Independent Tobacco Association (NITA) in the area are benefitting from a N282 million loans. This is N20 million higher than the N262 million given out to the farmers last year.

This is in addition to the provision of seedlings, herbicides, insecticides, fertilisers and technical support to the farmers by BATIA Head of Leaf, BATIA, Thomas Omotoye, said the company targets 96 per cent loan recovery this year.

Omofoye said the company has

been transparent through fair pricing with government, independent representatives in attendance during yearly pricing negotiations with the farmers.

Despite all the assistance of the BATIA, the farmers cannot afford to hire enough labourers to work on their farms. So, they resort to using their children. These children work in the nursery and it is their first port of call every morning and afternoon. Here they wet the nurseries so that the yield can be of good grade.

The Nation was in Oke-Ogun recently and met some of these children working on their parents’ tobacco farms. Adebisi Oladiti, 10, was all smiles when The Nation met him at Irawo village. A primary six pupil in one of the elementary schools in the village, he was happy as he discussed the process of planting tobacco with our correspondent. When asked why he was happy going to the farm on Saturday morning instead of playing around like his mates, Adebisi smiled a bit and asked: “Who did you think will help my father on the farm? When everybody is going to the farm on Saturday, including my other brothers, what excuses will l give not to follow them?”

He added: “It is not easy to work on a tobacco farm because we wake up early in the morning, especially on Saturday and Sunday because these are the two days we have to assist our father on the farm, aside during the (school) holiday.

“During vacation, we practically move to the farm for days, depending on the type of job that is available. Tobacco planting and hoeing are not as difficult as when the leaves are being dried up in the local way. If one is not vigilant and very careful, fire can consume the entire production.”

Two of his elder brothers, Oladele and Olalekan, said they had to assist their father on the farm on weekends and during the

holiday because “we cannot abandon him alone on the farm and still expect him to pay our school fees. We are six in number going to various schools. How do you think he can do it alone?”

Olalekan, the eldest argued that if there was free education for every child of school age, “nobody will like to spend all its useful time tendering only tobacco.”

The situation was similar at Ago-Are, where Kola Karimu and his other siblings were on the farm to assist their parents.

Speaking to The Nation, Alhaji Karimu said he had no choice than use his children as labourers on weekends.

He said: “To get the needed labour today is very expensive and if you do not manage what you have, one may run the tobacco farm at a loss. That does not mean that labourers are not engaged. You can see that l have about three, including my kids.

During the week, it is only the labourers that will be on the farm, the kids only join them during the holidays and weekends.”

Speaking to The Nation at the nursery session of the farm, Modinat Karimu, 13, explained that it was her duty to wet the tobacco twice a day. She did not see it as a child labour, although she could have preferred to go and study at a quiet place because she would like to be a banker, “but l have no choice. l just have to assist my parents so that they can have enough money to pay my school fees”.

Combing the nooks and crannies of the villages, the story remains the same and the kids tobacco farmers were forced to dance to the tunes of their parents. Speaking to The Nation, Yemisi Onifade, a native of Isehin, said his first twenty years was spent tendering tobacco in his father’s farm.

‘

To get the needed labour today is very expensive and if you do not manage what you have, one may run the tobacco farm at a loss.

That does not mean that labourers are not engaged. You can see that l have about three, including my kids. During the week, it is only the labourers that will be on the farm, the kids only join them during the holidays and weekends

‘

He said: “As a teenager, the only business our father was doing was tobacco. At all the various stages, we were involved to the extent that during vacations, we would not be able to leave the farm. Nobody had the audacity or any boldness to tell our father that you would not go to the farm.

The only time we were free was after our secondary education when other educational challenges took us away from home.”

According to him, everybody in the family then was familiar with an official of the British America Tobacco (BAT), “who often visited our home because my father was one of their dependable farmers.”

He explained that in the past some parents never bothered sending their wards to school as the children spent their youthful years assisting their parents on tobacco farms before deciding to either venture into the tobacco business or learn one trade or the other.

The situation was slightly different when The Nation visited Igboho. Some of the tobacco farmers, who spoke on the issue, pointed out that the presence of BAT in the area has boosted the economic capacity of the community.

Alani Adewuni, who was one of the big tobacco farmers in the area, said tobacco business was no longer as it used to be, adding that “children are no longer used as labour on the tobacco field anymore. We are equally aware of the child rights and its abuses.

Therefore, our children are going to school now, and they are no longer engaged as kid farmers on tobacco farms anymore.”

He said farmers are now denied benefits by BATN as a form of punishment for violating child labour. “In Igboho, BATN denied some farmers from receiving benefits for engaging children in their farms. They frown against this practice,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

31

SOUTHWEST REPORT

•Tenagers engaged in tobacco business

He lamented that “if government had made its presence felt in the community, may be tobacco farming might have been a secondary issue, but for many years, there was no government assisted programmes on agriculture in this place despite the fact that this area is known as the food basket of Oyo State.”

Speaking in the same vein, Alhaji Azeez Oloyoyo, pointed out that the tobacco farmers in the community would always be grateful to BATN for assisting them to be relevant in terms of tobacco business, when government turned their back on them.

He explained that the farmers were now wiser and no longer engage their children as labourers on the farm.

He said: “I want my children to also go to the university and be an important person in the future.

Therefore, I will not encourage them to be toiling on the tobacco farm.”

Another tobacco farmer, Adewumi Basiru Balogun, explained that the business of tobacco has bailed most of the youths in the community from poverty and penury. According to him, only those people who mismanaged the loans given to them by BATN would castigate the tobacco giant.

“On the issue of child labour on tobacco farm, the BATN authority organised a workshop for us on the need not to allow our chil-

dren to slave away on tobacco farms. That is what we are doing now.”

He challenged The Nation to revisit the community during the planting season to compare with what happened in the past and the latest trend, adding that most of the young tobacco farmers in the community were educated and would not want their children to be slaves on tobacco farms.

The Chairman of Tobacco As-

sociation of Nigeria, Oyo State branch, Rasheed Bakare, said though the association understood the step government was taking to control the use of tobacco among the youths, he said such step should not jeopardise the economy of the communities whose main economic survival was tobacco farming.

He stated that while aspects of the law prohibits the use of children on the farms, the farmers under the rules and regulations

‘

They are unable to hire adult farm workers because they can’t afford to pay them, hence the children have become farmhand substitutes. Since they are indebted to the tobacco companies, they can no longer afford to even send their children to school

‘

of the association have been mandated to desist from using their children in the farm.

“We have about 800 members in this association and we ensure that none of them allow their children to work in the tobacco farm and the tobacco firm also frowns at this, hence, we obey the child labour law,” he said.

Perhaps the issue of child labour is germane in the sense that about 10 million children of school age in the country are not in school, according to the Minister of Finance, Mrs Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala. This might have informed why the Coalition Against Tobacco (CAT) frowned against child labour on tobacco farms. The co-ordinator of the group, Olatoyosi Onaolapo, noted that child labour was slavery and a crime against humanity.

“It’s unfortunate that because parents (the tobacco farmers) are indebted to the tobacco companies and are therefore impoverished, have extended their tentacles to the children, who unfortunately are withdrawn from schooling to work on these farms.

The children, aside from the value they lose from the lack of education and knowledge, are also at risk, due to exposure to very strong and dangerous chemicals and pesticides, used to treat tobacco leaves,” she said Onaolapo added that: “Lack of education for these children

leads to the preponderance of illiteracy in the society, which definitely will not augur well for the nation. Child labour is also an abuse of the Child’s Rights Law, which stipulates how criminal it is to use these children on the farms; the tobacco companies encourage this impunity and are direct beneficiaries of the dividends of child labour.”

She explained that children were engaged in this kind of labour because their parents have no choice, as they require additional hands on the tobacco farm lands to enable them till the lands, while trying to meet the unreasonable demands of the tobacco companies, to provide tobacco leaves at paltry sums.

She said: “They are unable to hire adult farm workers because they can’t afford to pay them hence the children have become farmhand substitutes. Since they are indebted to the tobacco companies, they can no longer afford to even send their children to school.” The anti-tobacco crusader urged the government to make laws prohibiting child labour on tobacco and other farms, in accordance with the provisions of the child’s rights laws. And to also salvage the farmers from the impoverished situations they have found themselves, she said the government could provide alternative cash and food crops, which are easier to manage and quicker to harvest and therefore more profitable.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, M

32

SOUTHWEST REPORT He is known globally as a lawyer of repute and a philanthropist. Four years ago, he founded a university which, in a short time, has re-defined tertiary education in Nigeria.

But few people know about his passion for farming. SEUN AKIOYE went on a tour of Aare Afe Babalola’s farms and reports.

H

E has maintained for over 30 years a rigid work routine, which many youths may find difficult to emulate. By 8:00am, you are likely to find him behind his desk, attending to many issues of law and jurisprudence.

Since 2010, he has added another item to his already crowded schedule – that of administering and building “a world-class educational centre of excellence in academics, character, sports and vocational development.” That was the vision of the baby he birthed four years ago and which he continues to develop everyday: The Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD).

On Saturday, March 1, 2014, at 9:00am, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) was already at his desk at the expansive ABUAD administrative block. There were files and books on the table and behind his swivel chair were two baskets filled with fruits. The Chief surrounded himself with little airs. There were aides who responded to his wishes but he had little use for them as he was up and about.

“I work at least 18 hours everyday,” Afe Babalola said with a smile that suggested he attached little importance to such matters.

At close to 85, he looked at least 20 years younger and had the energy of a 50-year old man. The Aare was clean shaven and looked “boyish” in his black Gants jeans and plaited shirt. He had a blue silk scarf stylishly tied in the Boy’s Scout fashion around his neck A brown straw hat completed his attire.

Afe Babalola’s story is likened to one served as legends. From a rural background, with no positive chance to get education, he rose above his roots to become one of the most respected legal minds in Nigeria. He is courted by the high and mighty and revered by Presidents; he is an institution, ranking among the greatest legal practitioners Nigeria has ever produced.

Looking at him, one may be tempted to believe that he was one who had his palm kernels cracked for him by the benevolent spirits, but nothing could be further from the truth. At 10, Babalola unwillingly left the farms for a school.

His elementary education dragged because “I really didn’t have much interest in it” and after he managed to complete his Primary 6 examinations, he bid farewell to formal schooling.

He studied privately and passed his Cambridge School Certificate, GCE O’Level; passed his Advance Level Certificate of University of London and B.SC Economics at the same school. He later registered for the external Law Degree and was called to the Bar in England in 1963.

That was not all; he is a member of the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn and the Bar of England and Wales. He has since added several academic laurels to his name, making him one of the most respected voices in local and international law practice.

The Aare said about his background: “I went to school by accident because I grew up on the farm.

In our compound, I was the only one who went to school. There was nobody to look up to in that respect; no one ever went to school.

So there was no successful example for me to follow. We had all the food we wanted and in school they even beat you so why should I go?

I was ten before I started primary

Seen the campus? Le

school,” he said.

The lawyer and the farmer One may be forgiven to think that law is Afe Babalola’s only passion, but four years ago, he founded ABUAD, where he has invested much of his resources and time into building that institution into a world class facility within the shortest time. “I invested my life into this school,” he once told a visitor.

He has successfully combined his passion to impact knowledge and his love for agriculture. At the university where he spends most of his time now, agriculture has been given a pride of place. He is never tired of telling his visitors to go “see his farms” and then the “massive Faculty of Law” which has been described as the best in Africa.

The Aare has always been a farmer. Since he was discouraged from taking farming as his only profession; he has remained a farmer through other means, always maintaining acres of farmlands and many livestock. Two years ago, he began to develop the ABUAD farms. His goal is to develop it into one of the biggest farms with the capacity to feed the nation in the future. ABUAD’s farms sit on several hectares of land and have a staff strength of about 85 workers. “There was a day we tried to go round all the boundaries and it took us three hours to accomplish,” Femi Adamo, the livestock manager said.

So the Aare brought his personal touch to the cultivation of his acres of land and because science must meet farming, he is always experimenting at his farms and bringing out innovations. That was the idea behind the Moringa processing facility.

“Moringa is super food which contains all the nutrients our body needs. We have already developed several products from the moringa leaf which we plant here. We have the leaf, seed, moringa tea, capsules, hair cream, soap and body butter,” Ajiboye Omoniyi, who is the manager of the facility, said.

Though the products are yet to be marketed at full commercial capacity, ABUAD may well be the first to fully utilise the moringa leaf into several products. Afe Babalola has also invested heavily in the feed mill, which, according to Adamo, will service about four South western states when fully optimised.

The feed mill currently makes food for quails, pigs, geese, snails and the poultry.

There is a bee farm containing thousands of bees which produce over 30 litres of undiluted honey daily. In the extraction room, a freshly harvested honey comb stood in a bucket with a couple of bees still struggling inside. The manager said a single sting from a bee has fantastic medicinal value.

One after the other, the visitors received a sting. At first, one felt nothing, until the poison started to travel down the blood stream, causing a stinging sensation.

“Throughout this month, you should forget about sickness,” the manager assured us.

But one of the main revolutions of the farm is the ongoing construction of a fruit storage barn, which can store fruits for about six months. It is a massive construction with solid concrete base to prevent the entrance of rodents and other animals. According to the consultant, Ian Bennett of The Harvest Protection Network, Pennsylvania,

•Trees of Tom Atkinson specie of mango

‘ Afe Babalola’s story is likened to one served as legends. From a rural background, with no positive chance to get education, he rose above his roots to become one of the most respected legal minds in Nigeria. Afe Babalola is the walking example of the law, courted by the high and mighty and revered by Presidents; he became an institution which ranked him among the greatest legal practitioners Nigeria has ever produced. Currently, he is viewed as the father of law in Nigeria

•Aare Babalola United States, the storage will have three air drying turbine ventilators and will be able to refrigerate, using solar power.

Bennett decried the culture of wastage in the country, which was caused by lack of storage facilities.

“When I drove from Abuja to Makurdi, I saw women throwing out large quantities of tomatoes by the road side. Nigeria loses about 40 percent of its agricultural products because of this problem; that is why this barn makes economic sense,” he said.

But the barn is not coming cheap and it is in line with the philosophy of the Aare not to spare any expense at achieving excellence.

“This is a massive structure and it is very expensive, with all the materials that has gone into it, this is the first of our buildings in Nigeria, I can tell you this university is extra-ordinary,” Bennett said.

There are over 600 fish ponds, each having a minimum of 5,000 fishes, and massive artificial lakes scattered all over the farms. There is also the mango plantation. There are over 110,000 trees of Tom Atkinson specie of mango, which produces several thousands of fruits yearly. The teek plantation has over 500,000 trees.

But the farms are not the only massive structures the Aare is putting up; a new administrative building will face directly the school’s massive gates. “As you are coming in, I want people to see the administrative building,” he said. There is also the sports complex and the massive Talent Discovering Centre, which will contain 26 sports on the ground floor and music, press rooms and other skills on the upper floor.

The Faculty of Law has received generous accolades all over the

‘

world. The uniqueness of the Law programme and faculty prompted the Council of Legal Education to grant the university an increase in the students’ intake from 80 to 180.

“We are number three in Africa, with the largest number of Law students. The Nigerian Law School says we are a model and they do send universities here to come and learn,” Afe Babalola said.

But is law the beautiful bride of ABUAD? The founder laughed.

Turned around in his swivel chair, pulled open a drawer and took out a letter written by a parent whose child insisted on ABUAD and began to read. The letter indicated the school has an encompassing excellence in all the faculties. When he was done, he put down the letter and turned to his visitors.

Afe Babalola disagreed with a small frown on his face. “That question has been asked by some

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

32

33

SOUTHWEST REPORT He is known globally as a lawyer of repute and a philanthropist. Four years ago, he founded a university which, in a short time, has re-defined tertiary education in Nigeria.

But few people know about his passion for farming. SEUN AKIOYE went on a tour of Aare Afe Babalola’s farms and reports.

H

E has maintained for over 30 years a rigid work routine, which many youths may find difficult to emulate. By 8:00am, you are likely to find him behind his desk, attending to many issues of law and jurisprudence.

Since 2010, he has added another item to his already crowded schedule – that of administering and building “a world-class educational centre of excellence in academics, character, sports and vocational development.” That was the vision of the baby he birthed four years ago and which he continues to develop everyday: The Afe Babalola University Ado Ekiti (ABUAD).

On Saturday, March 1, 2014, at 9:00am, Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) was already at his desk at the expansive ABUAD administrative block. There were files and books on the table and behind his swivel chair were two baskets filled with fruits. The Chief surrounded himself with little airs. There were aides who responded to his wishes but he had little use for them as he was up and about.

“I work at least 18 hours everyday,” Afe Babalola said with a smile that suggested he attached little importance to such matters.

At close to 85, he looked at least 20 years younger and had the energy of a 50-year old man. The Aare was clean shaven and looked “boyish” in his black Gants jeans and plaited shirt. He had a blue silk scarf stylishly tied in the Boy’s Scout fashion around his neck A brown straw hat completed his attire.

Afe Babalola’s story is likened to one served as legends. From a rural background, with no positive chance to get education, he rose above his roots to become one of the most respected legal minds in Nigeria. He is courted by the high and mighty and revered by Presidents; he is an institution, ranking among the greatest legal practitioners Nigeria has ever produced.

Looking at him, one may be tempted to believe that he was one who had his palm kernels cracked for him by the benevolent spirits, but nothing could be further from the truth. At 10, Babalola unwillingly left the farms for a school.

His elementary education dragged because “I really didn’t have much interest in it” and after he managed to complete his Primary 6 examinations, he bid farewell to formal schooling.

He studied privately and passed his Cambridge School Certificate, GCE O’Level; passed his Advance Level Certificate of University of London and B.SC Economics at the same school. He later registered for the external Law Degree and was called to the Bar in England in 1963.

That was not all; he is a member of the prestigious Lincoln’s Inn and the Bar of England and Wales. He has since added several academic laurels to his name, making him one of the most respected voices in local and international law practice.

The Aare said about his background: “I went to school by accident because I grew up on the farm.

In our compound, I was the only one who went to school. There was nobody to look up to in that respect; no one ever went to school.

So there was no successful example for me to follow. We had all the food we wanted and in school they even beat you so why should I go?

I was ten before I started primary

Seen the campus? Let’s go to the farm

“N

school,” he said.

The lawyer and the farmer One may be forgiven to think that law is Afe Babalola’s only passion, but four years ago, he founded ABUAD, where he has invested much of his resources and time into building that institution into a world class facility within the shortest time. “I invested my life into this school,” he once told a visitor.

He has successfully combined his passion to impact knowledge and his love for agriculture. At the university where he spends most of his time now, agriculture has been given a pride of place. He is never tired of telling his visitors to go “see his farms” and then the “massive Faculty of Law” which has been described as the best in Africa.

The Aare has always been a farmer. Since he was discouraged from taking farming as his only profession; he has remained a farmer through other means, always maintaining acres of farmlands and many livestock. Two years ago, he began to develop the ABUAD farms. His goal is to develop it into one of the biggest farms with the capacity to feed the nation in the future. ABUAD’s farms sit on several hectares of land and have a staff strength of about 85 workers. “There was a day we tried to go round all the boundaries and it took us three hours to accomplish,” Femi Adamo, the livestock manager said.

So the Aare brought his personal touch to the cultivation of his acres of land and because science must meet farming, he is always experimenting at his farms and bringing out innovations. That was the idea behind the Moringa processing facility.

“Moringa is super food which contains all the nutrients our body needs. We have already developed several products from the moringa leaf which we plant here. We have the leaf, seed, moringa tea, capsules, hair cream, soap and body butter,” Ajiboye Omoniyi, who is the manager of the facility, said.

Though the products are yet to be marketed at full commercial capacity, ABUAD may well be the first to fully utilise the moringa leaf into several products. Afe Babalola has also invested heavily in the feed mill, which, according to Adamo, will service about four South western states when fully optimised.

The feed mill currently makes food for quails, pigs, geese, snails and the poultry.

There is a bee farm containing thousands of bees which produce over 30 litres of undiluted honey daily. In the extraction room, a freshly harvested honey comb stood in a bucket with a couple of bees still struggling inside. The manager said a single sting from a bee has fantastic medicinal value.

One after the other, the visitors received a sting. At first, one felt nothing, until the poison started to travel down the blood stream, causing a stinging sensation.

“Throughout this month, you should forget about sickness,” the manager assured us.

But one of the main revolutions of the farm is the ongoing construction of a fruit storage barn, which can store fruits for about six months. It is a massive construction with solid concrete base to prevent the entrance of rodents and other animals. According to the consultant, Ian Bennett of The Harvest Pro-

Again, Olanipekun lifts his cradle

‘

•Trees of Tom Atkinson specie of mango

•Piggery

Afe Babalola’s story is likened to one served as legends. From a rural background, with no positive chance to get education, he rose above his roots to become one of the most respected legal minds in Nigeria. Afe Babalola is the walking example of the law, courted by the high and mighty and revered by Presidents; he became an institution which ranked him among the greatest legal practitioners Nigeria has ever produced. Currently, he is viewed as the father of law in Nigeria •Aare Babalola tection Network, Pennsylvania, United States, the storage will have three air drying turbine ventilators and will be able to refrigerate, using solar power.

Bennett decried the culture of wastage in the country, which was caused by lack of storage facilities.

“When I drove from Abuja to Makurdi, I saw women throwing out large quantities of tomatoes by the road side. Nigeria loses about 40 percent of its agricultural products because of this problem; that is why this barn makes economic sense,” he said.

But the barn is not coming cheap and it is in line with the philosophy of the Aare not to spare any expense at achieving excellence.

“This is a massive structure and it is very expensive, with all the materials that has gone into it, this is the first of our buildings in Nigeria, I can tell you this university is

extra-ordinary,” Bennett said.

There are over 600 fish ponds, each having a minimum of 5,000 fishes, and massive artificial lakes scattered all over the farms. There is also the mango plantation. There are over 110,000 trees of Tom Atkinson specie of mango, which produces several thousands of fruits yearly. The teek plantation has over 500,000 trees.

But the farms are not the only massive structures the Aare is putting up; a new administrative building will face directly the school’s massive gates. “As you are coming in, I want people to see the administrative building,” he said. There is also the sports complex and the massive Talent Discovering Centre, which will contain 26 sports on the ground floor and music, press rooms and other skills on the upper floor.

The Faculty of Law has received

‘

generous accolades all over the world. The uniqueness of the Law programme and faculty prompted the Council of Legal Education to grant the university an increase in the students’ intake from 80 to 180.

“We are number three in Africa, with the largest number of Law students. The Nigerian Law School says we are a model and they do send universities here to come and learn,” Afe Babalola said.

But is law the beautiful bride of ABUAD? The founder laughed.

Turned around in his swivel chair, pulled open a drawer and took out a letter written by a parent whose child insisted on ABUAD and began to read. The letter indicated the school has an encompassing excellence in all the faculties. When he was done, he put down the letter and turned to his visitors.

Afe Babalola disagreed with a small frown on his face. “That ques-

•Fish pond tion has been asked by some people, but as you take a tour round, you will see there are many big faculties too. Our Engineering faculty is one of those,” he said.

A generous farmer and administrator It will not be incorrect to say Afe Babalola has invested billions of naira in building ABUAD and making it what it is today. But the investment has paid off - not in cash but in the enormous goodwill it enjoys internationally. It is ranked as the second best private university in Nigeria and number 16 of all Nigerian universities by the World Universities Webometric ranking, after just three years.

There is also the affiliation with various foreign organisations and schools. This gives the students internship opportunities at foreign universities. The university has also

garnered more than 10 awards and recognitions in various fields. Visitors to the university had words of praise for what Afe Babalola has done.

“The gesture is notably one of the most outstanding individual contributions towards the realisation of the Federal Government’s educational projection, under the Vision 2020-20,” President Goodluck Jonathan said and counselled other “financially endowed compatriots to rise to the occasion and aim at least to match the excellent standards of which we are, today, privileged witnesses.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said: “Happy to be able to see at first hand a unique sample of private university, with finesse, purpose, commitment and self-sacrifice by the proprietor. More like this will change the panorama of tertiary institution and education in Nigeria.”

Others said they were simply

overwhelmed, “I came, I saw, I am overwhelmed. ABUAD is a miracle, the facilities are splendid,” Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, the power minister, said.

But large heartedness has been a lifestyle of Chief Babalola. Usually, there is always a long line of people seeking his assistance and he makes it a point of duty to meet their needs as much as he is able. In his office, even at weekends, he receives visitors and, irrespective of their mission, “Baba”, as he is fondly called, ensures they leave bearing gifts. A woman walked in, paid her obeisance and as she was about to leave, Baba reached for the baskets of fruits behind his chair and handed them over to her. “ No, take more and have this again,” he said.

The woman was still expressing her gratitude and saying heartfelt prayers as she was led out of the door.

OBODY is remembered for the amount of money he left in the banks. No one is ever remembered for the amount of wealth he accumulated.

Nobody is remembered for the amount of money he stole. But one is ever remembered for the positive impacts one made on humanity.”

These words by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), perhaps put to rest, the minds that had for long, remained hungry for why the courtroom firebrand had remained inseparably wedded to philanthropy.

It was at the premises of the High Court situated in Ikere-Ekiti, the legal giant’s home town. And the outing was the formal commissioning of the multi-million-naira Wole Olanipekun Bar Centre the frontline lawyer built for the Ikere Branch of the NBA. Oyo State-born building expert Yusuf Adeoye, an engineer, who handled the project, told The Nation that he executed the project in five months. “We reclaimed the site because it was waterlogged. Last October, when I started the project, Chief Olanipekun briefed me that he wanted a befitting Bar Centre for Ikere Branch and I set out for it. It has seven toilet facilities, six air-conditioners, plasma televisions and a water borehole. Built with qualitative materials, its premises will easily accommodate 50 vehicles,” he said.

An architectural masterpiece, the 400-seater structure pleasantly tortured guests’ eyes and lips for moments while the event lasted last Friday.

On hand to witness the event were notable names in the Bar and the Bench from across the country. They were led the President, NBA, Chief Okey Wali, Senior Advocates including Chief Yusuf Alli, Chief Mike Ozekhome, Funke Adekoya, Niyi Akintola and Dele Adesina stepped out to be counted. They were received by the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adegoke Adegboye, accompanied by his chiefs, and Mr Funminiyi Afuye, the state Commissioner for Civic Orientation and Inter-Governmental Cooperation.

Residents of the ancient town were not left out. They stood in groups around the sprawling premises to behold another index of the trademark magnanimity of their own ‘SAN’ as they fondly address the legal icon. With a groundswell of prayers, they gleefully recalled how he had proved a treasure to the town; how he had been empowering unemployed youths and the elderly. They did not forget his annual Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme for students from across the state and the multimillion-naira vicarage he built for his church, St. Peters Anglican Church, Oke-Kere, which was commissioned last year.

Before the kick-off of the event, the Chairman, Ikere Branch of the NBA, Olubunmi Olugbade, knew no rest in sheer excitement. He paced up and down pumping hands with visitors as they arrived. “This is my day and Chief Olanipekun made it,” he tacitly told himself. And to him, the donor is a major pillar of the association who, by the gesture, has written his name in gold in its annals.

Cutting the tape to commission the edifice, Alli was profuse in praises for the donor. He added: “I was there when Chief Olanipekun made the promise to donate this to the association. Now, he has delivered on the promise. The monument will surely produce more SANs and leaders of our noble profession.”

Adesina, who said he was not surprised in the least by the gesture, said

•Olanipekun

By Dada Aladelokun

he had known for long that it is in Olanipekun’s character to share his wealth among the needy. “He has continued to express his love for the profession; for this, he remains an inspiration to us,” he added.

Ozekhome, who recently got off the hook of kidnappers who seized him on his way back to Lagos from his Agenebode, Edo State home, praised Olanipekun for his “uncommon love for his people and home town.”

With kind words for Olanipekun and the contractor for its enthralling finesse, everyone admired the beauty of the structure as they filed in to inspect it. “This is a wonderful gesture that will be of immense benefit to the branch and its members. It is worthy of emulation,” remarked Chief Benjamin Ogunsemi, a member.

Afuye described it as “another addition to the long list of value creation to the profession, the community and his family by Chief Olanipekun. The monument will be there for posterity.”

Another son of the town, an Ibadanbased legal practitioner, Ola Alonge, said: “We can only continue to pray for him (Olanipekun) for all the wonderful things he has been doing for our dear town and its people. He is an asset to humanity and a cheerful giver of no mean order. To us, he is a model.”

Swell refreshment later took place at Olanipekun’s palatial Iyaniwura House on Moshood Road, GRA. His delectable wife, Princess Omolara was personally in charge, serving the dignitaries. Residents who thronged the place ate and drank without let.

It was a good outing for a local band that was on stand-by. Though uninvited, its members ate and drank to satisfaction before entertaining all. It was another opportunity for Osekhome to thank God for his safe journey from ‘Golgotha.’ He was the cynosure of eyes as he danced spiritedly, ‘spraying’ the band’s leader with naira notes.

In his characteristic fashion, Olanipekun did not disappoint the boys. Beaming with toothy smiles, he dipped his hand into his pocket and blessed them with N1000 notes.

Explaining his passion for the town, Olanipekun said: “I hold the concept of nativity very dear to my heart. I have travelled far and wide, but there is no place like home. Ikere is my cradle; the onus is on me to use my God-given endowments to leave it better than I met it. Nothing is too much for one to sacrifice for one’s cradle. It is my avowed commitment.”

The town, The Nation learnt, might soon receive another “blessing” from the accomplished lawyer as he is making arrangements to secure a land at its General Hospital to erect a monument in memory of his late mother.

ON WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

33

SOUTHWEST REPORT

? Let’s go to the farm

Again, Olanipekun lifts his cradle

“N

•Piggery

tory is rved as rural o positive on, he rose come one ed legal e Babalola ple of the high and red by ame an nked him st legal a has ever ntly, he father eria •Fish pond people, but as you take a tour round, you will see there are many big faculties too. Our Engineering faculty is one of those,” he said.

A generous farmer and administrator It will not be incorrect to say Afe Babalola has invested billions of naira in building ABUAD and making it what it is today. But the investment has paid off - not in cash but in the enormous goodwill it enjoys internationally. It is ranked as the second best private university in Nigeria and number 16 of all Nigerian universities by the World Universities Webometric ranking, after just three years.

There is also the affiliation with various foreign organisations and schools. This gives the students internship opportunities at foreign universities. The university has also garnered more than 10 awards and

recognitions in various fields. Visitors to the university had words of praise for what Afe Babalola has done.

“The gesture is notably one of the most outstanding individual contributions towards the realisation of the Federal Government’s educational projection, under the Vision 2020-20,” President Goodluck Jonathan said and counselled other “financially endowed compatriots to rise to the occasion and aim at least to match the excellent standards of which we are, today, privileged witnesses.”

Former President Olusegun Obasanjo said: “Happy to be able to see at first hand a unique sample of private university, with finesse, purpose, commitment and self-sacrifice by the proprietor. More like this will change the panorama of tertiary institution and education in Nigeria.”

Others said they were simply overwhelmed, “I came, I saw, I am

overwhelmed. ABUAD is a miracle, the facilities are splendid,” Prof.

Chinedu Nebo, the power minister, said.

But large heartedness has been a lifestyle of Chief Babalola. Usually, there is always a long line of people seeking his assistance and he makes it a point of duty to meet their needs as much as he is able. In his office, even at weekends, he receives visitors and, irrespective of their mission, “Baba”, as he is fondly called, ensures they leave bearing gifts. A woman walked in, paid her obeisance and as she was about to leave, Baba reached for the baskets of fruits behind his chair and handed them over to her. “ No, take more and have this again,” he said.

The woman was still expressing her gratitude and saying heartfelt prayers as she was led out of the door.

OBODY is remembered for the amount of money he left in the banks. No one is ever remembered for the amount of wealth he accumulated.

Nobody is remembered for the amount of money he stole. But one is ever remembered for the positive impacts one made on humanity.”

These words by Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN), a former President of the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), perhaps put to rest, the minds that had for long, remained hungry for why the courtroom firebrand had remained inseparably wedded to philanthropy.

It was at the premises of the High Court situated in Ikere-Ekiti, the legal giant’s home town. And the outing was the formal commissioning of the multi-million-naira Wole Olanipekun Bar Centre the frontline lawyer built for the Ikere Branch of the NBA. Oyo State-born building expert Yusuf Adeoye, an engineer, who handled the project, told The Nation that he executed the project in five months. “We reclaimed the site because it was waterlogged. Last October, when I started the project, Chief Olanipekun briefed me that he wanted a befitting Bar Centre for Ikere Branch and I set out for it. It has seven toilet facilities, six air-conditioners, plasma televisions and a water borehole. Built with qualitative materials, its premises will easily accommodate 50 vehicles,” he said.

An architectural masterpiece, the 400-seater structure pleasantly tortured guests’ eyes and lips for moments while the event lasted last Friday.

On hand to witness the event were notable names in the Bar and the Bench from across the country. They were led the President, NBA, Chief Okey Wali, Senior Advocates including Chief Yusuf Alli, Chief Mike Ozekhome, Funke Adekoya, Niyi Akintola and Dele Adesina stepped out to be counted. They were received by the Ogoga of Ikere, Oba Adegoke Adegboye, accompanied by his chiefs, and Mr Funminiyi Afuye, the state Commissioner for Civic Orientation and Inter-Governmental Cooperation.

Residents of the ancient town were not left out. They stood in groups around the sprawling premises to behold another index of the trademark magnanimity of their own ‘SAN’ as they fondly address the legal icon. With a groundswell of prayers, they gleefully recalled how he had proved a treasure to the town; how he had been empowering unemployed youths and the elderly. They did not forget his annual Wole Olanipekun Scholarship Scheme for students from across the state and the multimillion-naira vicarage he built for his church, St. Peters Anglican Church, Oke-Kere, which was commissioned last year.

Before the kick-off of the event, the Chairman, Ikere Branch of the NBA, Olubunmi Olugbade, knew no rest in sheer excitement. He paced up and down pumping hands with visitors as they arrived. “This is my day and Chief Olanipekun made it,” he tacitly told himself. And to him, the donor is a major pillar of the association who, by the gesture, has written his name in gold in its annals.

Cutting the tape to commission the edifice, Alli was profuse in praises for the donor. He added: “I was there when Chief Olanipekun made the promise to donate this to the association. Now, he has delivered on the promise. The monument will surely produce more SANs and leaders of our noble profession.”

Adesina, who said he was not surprised in the least by the gesture, said

•Olanipekun

By Dada Aladelokun

he had known for long that it is in Olanipekun’s character to share his wealth among the needy. “He has continued to express his love for the profession; for this, he remains an inspiration to us,” he added.

Ozekhome, who recently got off the hook of kidnappers who seized him on his way back to Lagos from his Agenebode, Edo State home, praised Olanipekun for his “uncommon love for his people and home town.”

With kind words for Olanipekun and the contractor for its enthralling finesse, everyone admired the beauty of the structure as they filed in to inspect it. “This is a wonderful gesture that will be of immense benefit to the branch and its members. It is worthy of emulation,” remarked Chief Benjamin Ogunsemi, a member.

Afuye described it as “another addition to the long list of value creation to the profession, the community and his family by Chief Olanipekun. The monument will be there for posterity.”

Another son of the town, an Ibadanbased legal practitioner, Ola Alonge, said: “We can only continue to pray for him (Olanipekun) for all the wonderful things he has been doing for our dear town and its people. He is an asset to humanity and a cheerful giver of no mean order. To us, he is a model.”

Swell refreshment later took place at Olanipekun’s palatial Iyaniwura House on Moshood Road, GRA. His delectable wife, Princess Omolara was personally in charge, serving the dignitaries. Residents who thronged the place ate and drank without let.

It was a good outing for a local band that was on stand-by. Though uninvited, its members ate and drank to satisfaction before entertaining all. It was another opportunity for Osekhome to thank God for his safe journey from ‘Golgotha.’ He was the cynosure of eyes as he danced spiritedly, ‘spraying’ the band’s leader with naira notes.

In his characteristic fashion, Olanipekun did not disappoint the boys. Beaming with toothy smiles, he dipped his hand into his pocket and blessed them with N1000 notes.

Explaining his passion for the town, Olanipekun said: “I hold the concept of nativity very dear to my heart. I have travelled far and wide, but there is no place like home. Ikere is my cradle; the onus is on me to use my God-given endowments to leave it better than I met it. Nothing is too much for one to sacrifice for one’s cradle. It is my avowed commitment.”

The town, The Nation learnt, might soon receive another “blessing” from the accomplished lawyer as he is making arrangements to secure a land at its General Hospital to erect a monument in memory of his late mother.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

34

SOUTHWEST REPORT

W

HEN former Attorney General and Minister of Justice Prince Bola Ajibola led a delegation from the Senior Citizens Care Foundation to Ado-Ekiti penultimate week to honour the state Governor, Kayode Fayemi with the Foundation’s Excellence Award for 2013, not a few were convinced that it was an honour well deserved.

The Foundation whose interest lies in the welfare of the aged and elderly says the social security programme of the Fayemi administration for old people in the state is commendable hence its decision to honour the governor.

In particular, the Award, according to Ajibola was in recognition of the governor’s “pioneering and impressing concern for the welfare of the aged in our communities.” It followed a similar one conferred on Fayemi in 2012 by the Leadership Newspaper which named him its Man of the year on account of his care for the welfare of the elderly.

Prince Ajibola who came to AdoEkiti in company with some directors and members of the Foundation to confer the award on Fayemi said, “I have come to do justice to our vision at the Senior Citizens Care Foundation. We notice that certain things kept happening in Ekiti which are unique and historical, and we resolved that such things must not go down in history without particular recognition.”

The event attended by the Governor and his wife, Erelu Bisi, was witnessed by ranking functionaries of the state, including the Speaker of the State Assembly, Dr. Adewale Omirin, Secretary to the State Government, Alhaji Ganiyu Owolabi, the Head of Service (HOS), Mr. Olubunmi Famosaya (MNI), the Director-General, Broadcasting Service of Ekiti State (BSES), Alhaji Mojeed Jamiu and other members of the Executive Council.

Speaking further at the occasion, Ajibola said: “Chief Awolowo became the heir of Western Region and we still remember his many welfare programmes today. We now have someone for the first time in the history of our country aside Awolowo who we can call a Welfarist. This is not politics. This can only come from the heart of someone who has the people at heart. I think Fayemi deserves this recognition.”

Disclosing that the day was his happiest, Fayemi in his response noted that he chose to accept the Award consequent upon the proven integrity of the individuals behind it, particularly that of Prince Ajibola.

The governor, who opined that the scheme (for the elderly) was an idea which time had come, described same as a crucial part of his administration’s objective to banish poverty, recalling the Yoruba culture of social justice which “prescribes that the strong in the society must cater for the weak and the elderly in the great cycle of life.”

He recalled that the programme which started in 2011 had initially registered 20,000 elderly individuals who were certified to be unsupported in any way and were therefore seen as vulnerable to the many consequences of poverty. He said an addition of 5,000 was made to the list last year based on updates of critical necessity.

He explained that other programmes like the free health missions, free healthcare for the elderly people, for children up to age five, pregnant women up to delivery and the indigent physically impaired individuals were meant to ameliorate extreme wants among the citizenry.

All these, according to him, were aside the training programmes and loan packages for teachers in schools, farmers in private concerns, for traders and artisans across the state.

Welfare and Ekiti Development Foundation (EDF) The description by Ajibola of Governor Fayemi as a reincarnate of the revered Chief Awolowo so to speak

Ekiti: The journey to ‘welfare The various welfare programmes of the Kayode Fayemi administration in Ekiti State have earned the government commendations from across the state and beyond including an Award of Excellence from the Senior Citizen’s Care Foundation led by Prince Bola Ajibola, a retired Judge of the International Court of Justice at The Hague who commended the Governor for making Ekiti ‘a Welfare State’. SULAIMAN SALAWUDEEN examines Governor Fayemi’s many ‘welfarist’ programmes in the state

•From left: Former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN); Ekiti State Governor, Dr Kayode Fayemi and a beneficiary of the Social Security Scheme, Madam Ejide Rachael Awi, receiving her N5,000 monthly (February) stipend, in Ikere-Ekiti

•From left: Chairman, Board of Directors, Senior Citizens Care Foundation (SCCF), Prince Adesumbo Ajibola; Former Attorney General and Minister for Justice, Prince Bola Ajibola (SAN); Excellence Award Recipient/Ekiti State Governor, Dr. Kayode Fayemi and his wife, Erelu Bisi Fayemi at the event must have struck a chord in the gov- week and also access raw food items. liveable for needy individuals in the In this regard, we have signed into ernor who used the occasion to He mentioned other support state. law the Social Security law 2012, equally brief the visiting team on the programmes of the EDF for parents Fayemi added: “We have however which makes it compulsory for govwelfare programmes through the ini- of multiple births through the Mul- taken appropriate measures to ernment to sustain the programme tiatives of his wife’s Ekiti Develop- tiple Birth Trust Fund and female vic- institutionalise all the initiatives regardless of the political affiliation”. ment Foundation (EDF), including the tims of domestic abuses which all of- with appropriate legislations with The day after the Award Ajibola Food Bank and Soup Kitchen by fer complementary supports to the the support of our State Assembly so and his team were in Ikere-Ekiti to which indigent individuals are fed existing regime of freebies by the that administrations coming after us witness the February payment of the with prepared meals three days in the state government to make life more would not be able to undo our legacy. N5,000 Social Security stipend to the

s

e

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

35

SOUTHWEST REPORT

state’ nearly 2,000 elderly individuals who benefit from the scheme in the town.

Healthcare delivery as welfare programmes Health care remains central to the administration’s whole package of welfare programmes and the government has executed eight free health missions across the state, benefitting a minimum of 1.5 million people and gulping well in excess of N1 billion.

It would be recalled that the first Free Health Mission which went round the entire 16 local government areas benefitting every category of individuals, was held in December 2010, just few months after Governor Fayemi’s assumption of office.

Since then, other similar Free Health Missions had been held across the three senatorial zones of the state, aside many other gender specific ones which were held for certain categories of individuals.

The Nation findings revealed that a special fund had also been domiciled in the Health Ministry to take care of the treatment of individuals who needed other specific and elaborate surgeries/care aside those offered at the health missions. Over a thousand individuals had been assisted through the fund to undergo surgeries both within and outside the state for various ailments.

Explaining the reason for the Health Missions in a recent programme, the state Commissioner for Health, Professor Olusola Fasubaa maintained that “It serves as practical demonstration of the strong belief of the Governor Fayemi administration that health indeed is wealth and that a healthy populace is a genuinely empowered populace.”

Prof. Fasubaa added that another reason was to make people take more interest in their health, noting that “experience has shown that once people need to spend money to access care in any way, they become discouraged. This is understandable given the prevalence of poverty among the people.

“Government then decided to encourage them to care better for themselves by sponsoring the Missions.

Today, more people visit the hospitals than it used to be before the commencement of the progra-mme,” Fasubaa said.

In addition to the wholesale, renovation of the Ekiti State University Teaching Hospital (EKSUTH) and the upgrading of its Emergency Care Unit, the state government has lately included a N542.5 million Public Private Partnership (PPP) arrangements with international investors for the upgrading of medical diagnosis services at the tertiary health institution.

Fasubaa said: “On completion and when the arrangement comes into force, elaborate medical investigations across all branches of healthcare and specialties of medicine shall be carried out and unearthed at timely turns at the EKSUTH without having to refer critically needy patients to outside health establishments.”

Receiving the investors regarding the PPP arrangement in his office, Governor Fayemi stated the overall aim was to improve the quality of healthcare services in the state. According to him, the administration’s vision was to establish “a one-stop referral centre that would be a reference in the country.”

In an interaction with journalists, the EKSUTH Acting Chief Medical Director, Dr. Kolawole Ogundipe noted the task for the improvement in diagnostic services of the hospital arose principally from the urgency to join the trends in latest diagnostic services as a precondition to appropriate and wholesome care for the needy at the hospital, adding “currently, some of our tests are run

manually which affect not only speed of delivery but the amount of care we can cope with on daily basis as investigation remains primary to necessary care.”

The state also recently completed the overhaul of the entire 18 secondary health facilities in the state, expending over N1billion on their upgrading, renovation and expansion.

Employment generation as welfare One of the key welfare programmes of the administration is employment generation. On assumption of office in October 2012, the administration set for itself a target of employing no fewer than 20,000 individuals, graduates and non-graduates alike. Investigation

by The Nation revealed that the number had been surpassed by the end of the administration’s third year in office with several successful initiatives across the Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs).

It would be recalled that soon after the swearing-in, the state government employed 5,000 individuals under the Ekiti State Volunteer Aids Corps with various qualifications who underwent training before they were deployed in government offices and those of private concerns in agreement with the state.

Thereafter, additions had been made to the figure with the drives of the State Employment Agency in concert with or separately from the Ekiti Enterprise Development Agency and the Ministry of Agriculture through the Youth in Commercial Agriculture (YCAD) programme. This is aside quite a large number of unemployed graduates engaged in paid employments through the Ekiti State Traffic Management Agency (EKSTMA) and the Ekiti Peace Corps.

Currently, graduates of YCAD who had since gone into their independent fields of agricultural practice have started employing others and training them equally while their products have begun to flood markets within and outside the state.

The state government has also supported artisans, individuals in various private agriculture based initiatives in parts of the state as well as commercial vehicle and motorcycle operators with funds at zero interest rates.

Education initiatives as welfare The state government has also renovated all the 183 secondary schools, a move considered as unprecedented as the wholesale reversal of the 18 secondary and one tertiary health institutions in the state.

In the area of education and equally considered an indirect empowerment drive was the distribution of solar-powered, netbook, laptop computers free to a minimum of 40,000 secondary school students while the teachers were also given the laptops at affordable rates.

While findings have shown that quite a large number of the students who had since concluded their secondary education have taken to vocations which bear direct links with computer and its multiple applications, even the teachers, most of whom were interacting with computers for the first time upon the state intervention now engage in businesses related to the computer.

A male teacher in one of the secondary schools in Ado-Ekiti, who pleaded for anonymity, explained that teaching has been enhanced with the computer for all Teachers initiative.

Equally, noteworthy was the move by the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) office of the state last year to empower women through the Conditional Cash Transfer Scheme (CCTS). The ini•Continued on Page 36

‘Give to support the less-privileged’ For a septuagenarian APC chieftain, Alhaji Abiodun Sunmola shows no sign of slowing down soon. He has found a past time in developing the future generation by investing in their education. To achieve greater mileage, he is calling on people of great means to support worthy causes, writes KOFOWOROLA BELO-OSAGIE

A

PHILANTHROPIST and Interim Deputy State Chairman, All Progressives Congress (APC), Alhaji Abiodun Sunmola, has a mission dear to his heart: to distribute two million exercise books to primary school pupils in Lagos State.

This mission is part of a bigger intervention programme that encompasses creating a conducive environment for teaching and learning in schools in his Kosofe Local Government constituency and beyond; providing financial support to those in need to start businesses, and supporting grassroots politicians, among others.

However, education has a special place in his heart, given his antecedents in supporting schools, teachers and pupils. In the past, he has constructed and rehabilitated classrooms, donated school furniture, uniforms and school sandals, distributed writing materials and mid-day meals, and given gifts to retiring teachers.

Among all these, the school feeding programme stands out. In Gbagada area, Araromi Primary School has been enjoying the initiative for five years now. Mrs Abosede Ottun, Special Adviser to Governor Babatunde Fashola on Primary Education, said every school day, pupils of the school are fed nutritious meals at the unit cost of N25.00 per plate.

To date, she said the project has gulped over N20 million, and has been extended to three other schools where pupils are given biscuits and water daily.

Mrs Ottun, who once served as Head Teacher of Araromi Primary School, testifies to the retention effect of the mid-day meals. Not only did enrolment more than tripled from 300 to 1,000, the meals helped to check truancy and made the pupils more attentive in class.

Since the launch of the two million

•Alhaji Sunmola exercise books project on January 24, Pa Sunmola has been moving round the 20 Local Government Areas and 37 Local Council Development Areas of the state to share the books, five per pupil, in addition to pencils and rulers.

At the distribution of the writing materials to schools in Oke-Odo, Alimosho Local Government Area, last week, the septuagenarian revealed the reason for his passion to help the less privileged get quality education and move up the social ladder.

Sunmola also said the affluent in the society must complement government’s efforts by being more generous with their wealth. He flayed the wanton waste of wealth by many rich people on flashy cars and other worldly pleasures which he said would ultimately come to nought.

He said: “If we all spare some of our resources towards solving problems in our society, the system will be better and there will be improvement in the quality of life. Some of these children we ignore, by not providing opportunities for them to have good education, often turn out to be drop

outs to the detriment of the society. ”I know a lot of rich people in this country that waste money. If a man sits down and counts 10 Jeeps in his garage, and each one costs N10 million, you know that is a lot of money that is being wasted. I want you to know that it is good to do good. Take care of your children and those of others,” he said.

Making a case for support to the government, Sunmola said the problems of the society are overwhelming and herculean for the government to adequately address. He said poverty undermines government’s intervention and urged people to give to worthy causes.

Explaining the motive behind the exercise books project, Sunmola said even after providing structures, furniture and textbooks, pupils cannot learn if they do not take notes. He recalled his experience in a school he visited, where a teacher taught pupils who wrote no notes. When he asked the teacher, she told him: “What can I do? They are meant to bring exercise books from home and biros and pencils. But they did not, I have done my part; I have taught them.”

The APC chieftain said with the five books distributed to the pupils, they would have a start in solidifying their education. He urged other well meaning Nigerians to join in the campaign to ensure each pupil has 12 notebooks – which is said is the ideal number they need for school.

“We have given them five exercise books; they are supposed to use 12. If people can contribute books, it will be good,” he said.

In their speeches, the Commissioner for Information, Mr Lateef Ibirogba; Education Secretary, Alimosho Local Education Authority, Mr Isaac Omoregie; Chairman, Agbado OkeOdo LCDA, Mr Augustine Adeoye Arogundade, and Mrs Ottun all lauded Sunmola’s contribution to education and other areas.

WEMABOD urges staff to tackle change in property tastes M EMBERS of staff of Wemabod Estates Limited have been told to prepare for the challenges confronting property business globally, as a result of continuous change in taste.

The advice was given by the company’s Managing Director, Mr. Olumide Ologun, at the 2014 retreat organised for members of staff held at the Lagos Airport Hotel, Ikeja.

In a speech titled: “What got us here won’t get us there”, Ologun remarked that the face of property and real estate business was changing all over the world, and as such, new ideas, concepts, touch, designs, and taste had also emerged.

He insisted that the only way any company that knew its onions in real estate business such as Wemabod Es-

N

OTHING is left to chance. Any time he wants something done well, Chairman of Alimosho Local Government Area, Lagos State, Hon. Israel Adekunle plays a leading role. He knows he has competent staff, yet he steps up to ensure everything is in order. At the flag-off of polio vaccination at the council, he slipped on the campaign gear and led a team of vaccinators to every part of the council, even personally dropping the life-saving liquids into the mouths of the kids.

The chairman was practically everywhere. He visited churches, mosques, markets, schools, among others, just to sink in the vaccination message.

By Okwy lroegbu-Chikezie

tates Limited could take advantage of such changing ‘face’ was to prepare itself with new ideas and techniques that would not just make it to be ready for such changes, but to also revolutionalise the entire housing sector.

“The market is changing, the consumers are changing, tastes and social behaviours are also changing and if we must remain in business, we must continue to invent new ideas with the aim of delighting our customers,” he noted.

“Real estate business has gone be-

yond rents collection, we must continue to think outside the box, be proactive and always connect ourselves to the needs and demand of the market,” said Ologun.

But he was quick to point out that the theme for the retreat: “Breaking New Grounds: a strategy for sustainable growth” was carefully chosen because it was in line with the company’s strategy of rebranding, repositioning, diversifying and growing of its business operations outside the normal property management in which rents collection was major, and which, according to him, had made property owners slaves to their tenants.

An eye on council health He harped on cooperation between parents and vaccinators in order for the campaign to succeed.

A country as vast as China, he told residents, successfully kicked out polio because there was synergy between the people and the determined government. At Alimosho, he continued, his administration is determined to eliminate polio but he requires the support of everyone.

That policy of cooperation and determination has come to typify the Adekunle administration. Recently, the chairman rallied all his staff at a

retreat, demanding the best efforts from them in order to fruitfully implement the council’s over N2 billion budgets for the year. He asked that every officer will ensure that all revenue platforms are effectively monitored so the council will generate the funds it needs to drive growth.

At the polio campaign, council manager, Mrs A.K Bello stressed that the administration will do all it can to ensure that the health of the people is given priority.

“The health of the citizenry is the wealth of the nation,” she said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

36

SOUTHWEST REPORT woman ascending the Journey to Athrone as an oba in some parts of Yorubaland, ‘welfare especially Ondo State, is not new, but among the state’ •Continued from Page 35 tiative which the state governor himself described as “intergovernmental collaboration to tackle poverty in Nigeria” saw a total of 2,250 women earning N5,000 every month.

Concerning other moves by the MDGs office, the Special Adviser to the Governor on MDGs, Mrs Bunmi Dipo-Salami said the strategy was to fast-track development by addressing a whole range of areas including health and economic wellbeing, education, water/sanitation, and other issues.

Dipo-Salami stressed that the focus of the administration was to eliminate poverty from the society, make education a right and not a privilege, stating that in spite of the smallness of finances, the state government had consistently paid its own counterpart share of all programmes meant to cushion hardships on the populace.

‘Focus’ and ‘fidelity’ as explanations of performance But the state government has had to battle, and had since been battling, not only a smallness of available funds but equally the desires for personal comfort. The governor who spoke at a gathering had noted: “Good governance which ranks first on the administration’s list of deliverables in the state has been at the centre of all that my administration has achieved.”

Fayemi spoke further: “Immense faith in possibilities and extreme, even if seemingly abnormal, prudence in managing state resources, have not just explained but have underscored what many still see as magic. Of course, it is no secret that the state borrowed N25 billion from the capital market to finance infrastructure, but what we have given our people today from that borrowing is exactly what most people still don’t believe possible.

“I tell them it is possible as my lieutenants have accepted the austerity measures that must be in place as a precondition for performance. I believe, as I often tell them, that personal/individual infrastructure must yield way for an enduring social/physical infrastructure. We would have no excuse to fail in our avowals.

“I started by subjecting myself to the same condition. Despite my frequent overseas travels, they know I don’t finance my journeys with state money. There is nothing the administration has achieved today which had not been promised the people as far as the 8-Point agenda is concerned. Ours is just a promise kept,” the governor said.

Clarifying the governor’s position at an inter-religious gathering, his wife, Erelu Bisi, disclosed that anywhere she went, questions regarding how the governor had been able to turn fortunes round for the state despite cash limitations had inundated her.

She noted: “But I have discovered that the only useful explanation for performance or otherwise of any administration depends on the extent of understanding of the reality of governance as a ‘social contract’.

“Social contract”, in her opinion, “explains the connection between the electorate and the elected. The bond which came from being elected by the people makes it bounden on the occupant of the office to do what he promised and pledged.”

Most recently at a gathering in Ikogosi-Ekiti, she explained that only a political will among the leadership could assure needed socioeconomic development.

Ijaw people of the Niger Delta, such has never happened. That has now changed with the installation of Princess Joyce Ibimidun Adesola Oladiran-Ebiseni as the Regent of the throne of Kalasuwe of Apoi land.

DAMISI OJO was at the palace in Sabomi, the traditional headquarters of IjawApoi in the Ese-Odo Local Government Area of Ondo State and spoke with the Regent

Behold the first woman traditional ruler in Ijaw land

‘

Apoiland and people are more united, nationally celebrated and developed; that the Irele – Sabomi – Igbotu Road which is a gateway to Apoiland and presently abandoned by the NDDC is done.

Above all, that I do not disappoint my creator, body of Christ, my kingdom, my lineage and family, that I may discharge my royal assignment with due honour and integrity and leave with the dignity for which Apoi people are known

K

ABIYESI, Give us an insight into the history of the Apoi?

Apoi is an ancient African civilis-ation which consists of nine clans of Kiribo, Sabomi, Oboro, Igbobini, Inikorogha, Ojuala, Igbekebo and Ipoke spreading contiguously from the Apoi Creek in Bayelsa State through Delta State, Okomu in Edo State and the Ese Odo Local Government of Ondo State. The largest concentration of the Apoi is in Ondo State, the seat of the ancient throne of its paramount ruler – the Kalasuwe which in Ijaw-Apoi means “God among humans.’’ It’s a first class traditional institution in Ondo State.

Oborowei, the strongest of the Ijaw deities is in Igbobini in Apoiland.

Contacts between Apoi and the Europeans particularly the Portuguese dated back to the 15th century. Next to Badagry and Lagos, Christianity took root in Apoiland in the 19th century. The Igbobini Archdiocese of the Methodist Church covers Ondo, Delta and Edo States. Lord Luggard visited Oba Jubo, the Kalasuwe in the year of Nigerian amalgamation in 1914.

Igbekebo had a provincial court in 1915.

Apoiland is oil producing. Apoi are hard working people with integrity and honour. It is a taboo to associate an Apoi person with social vices. It is unthinkable that an Apoi will be a beggar. ‘Iku ya ju esin lo’. (He will rather die).

What is the relationship between the Apoi and its neighbours?

Very cordial. Our neighbours are the Arogbo-Ijaw with whom we share the same Ese Odo Local Government, the Ilaje and Ikale both of which are Yoruba. We are Ijaw evidenced by several aspects of our culture, tradition, deity and festivals and no less deeply rooted in Yoruba tradition and culture so much that the language we speak is Yoruba. You may be correct if you say Apoi are Yoruba speaking Ijaws. We are the only Ijaw whose traditional rulers are called Oba. Thus, in 1924, when colonial authorities first gazzetted traditional rulers in Nigeria, the Kalasuwe was listed as Oba of Ijaws in the Ondo province in the same category with other Obas as Osemawe of Ondo, Amapetu of Mahin, Abodi of Ikale, Ewi of Ado–Ekiti and others.

Kabiyesi, Apoi names, festivals and language appear totally Yoruba.

What is responsible for this total loss of Ijaw language, does it have to do with Apoi’s origin?

Apoi is an interesting nation of cultural hybridism. As earlier said, most of our family names are distinctively Ijaw, our traditional festival songs of Oborowei or Boabo or when we conjure the spirits of our forebears through Ipatagha to discover the truth are clearly Ijaw practices. In equal

•Princess Adesola Oladiran-Ebiseni measures are Umale or Egungun, Ifa and our language which are unmistakably Yoruba. Language is not static, it evolves and is influenced by several factors so I may not buy the idea of loss tongue. Even among the Ijaw, there are several tongues and we hardly understand one another. I have attended several Ijaw meetings, English is the Lingua Franca.

The origin of Apoi like other ancient Africa ethnic nationalities like Yoruba, Igbo, Hausa, Bini etc is shrouded in the bowel of history and in the process of academic reconstruction and discovery. I have read several accounts about Apoi including that of Professor Alagoa which are stories reconstructed, influenced by the prejudices of the authors. We have now assembled Apoi scholars in the continued task of our history and nation building.

Let us know about your father who was the immediate past Kalasuwe.

My father, Oba Samuel Adetimehin Oladiran, Ogele dumu III, was recalled home from his position as a manager at the UAC in Osogbo and crowned the Kalasuwe in 1955 at the age of 35. While on the throne, he was elected member of the Action Group as the first representative of the Ilaje/Ese Odo Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives in the First Republic. In recognition of his paramount position, he was also president of the Ese Odo District Council comprising the present Ese Odo and part of Irele Local Government. He was also president of the Ese Odo Customary Court. He occupied several other positions including membership of the Western State Committee on Local Government Restructuring in 1974, Chairman, Ilaje/Ese Odo Traditional Council among others. Under him, Ese Odo Local Government was created in 1996, more schools were built, Apoi towns connected with roads and electricity. Traditional head of the nine Apoi clans were upgraded and approved as Obas. Apoi produced more prominent national figures like Mrs Mobolaji Osomo as Minister, Chief Zebulon Otokunrin Oboto

of the House of Representatives, Professor Akere at the University of Lagos and later first Vice Chancellor of the Adekunle Ajasin University among several others. He gloriously joined our ancestors in 2007 having reigned for 52 years.

How prepared were you for your present position?

In our culture, only men are deliberately trained for the throne. However, I was born on the throne, here in Sabomi and had my Primary and Secondary Education in Apoiland and Irele around here. We all watched Kabiyesi as he presided over the affairs of the kingdom. I later lived with our eldest son in Lagos from where I gained admission to the Federal Polytechnic, Ado– Ekiti and after my OND went to the University of Lagos, where I had a degree in Political Science. Between 2001–2003, I was appointed Special Adviser on Women Affairs and Special Duties to the Chairman of Ese Odo Local Government. I am the Executive Director of the Centre for the Rehabilitation of Exceptional Persons (CREP), which caters for the lessprivileged in the society. I am a sports lover, matron of special sports in the state and also serving in a committee for talent hunt of the Ondo State Football Agency. I am an Arsenal fan. I was appointed regent in March 2011, four years after my father joined our ancestors. I am the first female traditional ruler in the history of Apoi and the Ijaw nation. I learn a lot also from my husband.

Since you said you are the first female regent, at what point did the culture change?

Culture is dynamic, influenced by several factors and experiences. In his life time, my father as paramount ruler together with other Apoi Obas agreed to introduce the system of female regency to honour the princesses and probably to prevent self perpetuation which may be the case with men. The Regent would be any of the daughters of the immediate past Oba presented by the ruling family to the Apoi Council of Obas. The local and state governments are

‘

thereafter so notified. The practice of female regency occurs in other places especially Ondo, Ekiti and part of Osun state among the Yoruba.

But only a male can be substantive Kalasuwe?

Yes of course. The process of appointing a Kalasuwe is more complex. It is guided by our tradition and the Kalasuwe Chieftaincy Declaration. The crown is rotated between two Ruling Houses – Ogeledumu and Ebelidumu of Sabomi and Oboro respectively. The last Kalasuwe my father was of the Ogeledumu, the next one will be from Ebelidumu. The process would have been concluded but for court cases among the contestants. Prominent sons and daughters of our land are already involved in the process of reconciliation which will produce a new Oba and I will happily rejoin my family.

How do you cope with these large numbers of chiefs, men and women that mill around you?

The relationship is what tradition dictates, even when as a younger person I try to dissuade them from prostrating or kneeling, they insist.

How does your husband relate to you?

My husband is a wonderful person, a lawyer, politician, historian, roundly resourceful. He is my inestimable pillar of support. He gives me all the freedom my new position demands, traveling all over Nigeria particularly the Niger Delta. Whenever I visit our matrimonial home, I still cook for him. He addresses me as Kabiyesi.

At the end of your regency what will you want to be remembered by?

That Apoiland and people are more united, nationally celebrated and developed; that the Irele – Sabomi – Igbotu Road which is a gateway to Apoiland and presently abandoned by the NDDC is done. Above all, that I do not disappoint my creator, body of Christ, my kingdom, my lineage and family, that I may discharge my royal assignment with due honour and integrity and leave with the dignity for which Apoi people are known.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

37

THE NATION INVESTORS Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc is breaking new ground with its first-ever dividend payment.

With 42 per cent growth in turnover and 129 per cent growth in pre-tax profit, the latest audited report and accounts appears to signal a new threshold for the conglomerate. Coming on the heels of the group’s new investments in power and hotel, Capital Market Editor, TAOFIK SALAKO, reports that Transcorp appears to be gaining momentum in operations and investors’ confidence

T

RANSNATIONAL Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc was one of the most active stocks at the stock market last week. With about 11 per cent of aggregate turnover, transactions on the conglomerate underlined the upbeat interplay of demand and supply for its shares. The momentum at the stock market was spurred by the announcement of the conglomerate’s audited report and accounts for the year ended December 31, 2013, including its first-ever dividend recommendation.

Last year marked a new phase for Transcorp, fundamentally and technically. With a fullyear capital appreciation of 314.29 per cent in 2013, its share price trend at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) underscored the optimism as the conglomerate moved from one growth initiative to another. These initiatives, many analysts had posited, should reflect positively on the fundamentals of the conglomerate. The audited report appears to justify the bullishness.

Both profit and loss accounts and balance sheet showed a stronger, more efficient and profitable group with almost a double in average profit on each unit of transaction. Turnover rose by 42 per cent to N18.8 billion in 2013 as against N13.2 billion recorded in 2012.

Gross profit also grew by 47 per cent from N9.77 billion to N14.37 billion. After operating deducting expenses, operating profit jumped by 172.6 per cent to N10.25 billion in 2013 as against N3.76 billion in 2012. Profit before tax doubled by 129 per cent from N3.95 billion to N9.03 billion. After taxes, net profit for 2013 rose by 175 per cent to N6.96 billion compared with N2.53 billion in 2012.

Underlying fundamental indices showed a generally positive outlook. Gross profit margin had increased from about 74 per cent in 2012 to 76.3 per cent in 2013. Operating profit margin almost doubled at 54.4 per cent in 2013 as against 28.4 per cent in 2012. Profit before tax margin, which is globally regarded as a main index for profitability, leapt from 29.8 per cent in 2012 to 47.96 per cent in 2013.

Total assets expanded to N149.46 billion in 2013 compared with N99.56 billion in 2012.

Shareholders’ funds also leapt from N64.1 billion to N86.7 billion. Total liabilities stood at N62.79 billion as against N35.46 billion.

With the empathic top-down profitability, the board of directors of Transcorp has recommended distribution of N1.9 billion as cash dividends to shareholders, the first time the conglomerate will be making such payment since incorporation. The breakdown of the dividend recommendation showed that shareholders would receive a dividend per share of 5.0 kobo. The dividend will be paid on Tuesday, April 1, 2014 to all shareholders in the book of the conglomerate as at Friday, March 7, this year.

Most analysts have commended the performance of the conglomerate. Renaissance Capital said the numbers were impressive and encouraging, waging a stake that Transcorp’s current market consideration is an understatement of its potential. Vice president, Africa equity sales, equities / African equity product distribution, Renaissance Capital, Akinbamidele Akintola said the performance of Transcorp reflected the additional power business acquired in 2013, which would further impact the overall performance going forward.

“We find the numbers very impressive. We are pleasantly surprised that Transcorp decided to pay dividend for the first time at all, especially as they are entering into a growth period. We are optimistic that there would be a dramatic change in their numbers going into 2014 as the transformation process continues,” Akintola stated.

Building the power base

Transcorp’s 2013 results included early gains from the acquisition of the Ughelli Power Plant in 2013. Transcorp, through its subsidiary, Transcorp Ugheli Power Limited (TUPL), had in 2013 acquired Ughelli Power Plant for $300 million from the Federal Government of Nigeria. With installed capacity of 972 megawatts, current generating capacity of 360 megawatts and potential output of 1070 megawatts, the Ugheli power plant thickened the basket of the conglomerate’s businesses in strategic sectors including Transcorp Hilton Hotel, Abuja; Transcorp Hotels, Calabar; Teragro Commodities Limited and

,

2010

2011

2012

2013

Transcorp: A new dawn

•Ufudo

Transcorp Energy Limited, operator of OPL 281. Power, upstream oil, hospitality and agriculture; the combination of businesses and sectors makes for a robust outlook, given the synergies in these fastest growing and dominant sectors of the Nigerian economy. Often cited in relation to the boom in the telecommunications sector, most analysts perceive the power firms as cash cows that would not only generate power but significant returns for investors. The monopolistic nature of the system and centrality of the success of the privatization to government’s transformation agenda confer enormous advantages on the power companies.

Transcorp Ughelli Power Ltd (TUPL) early this year signed a capacity-expansion agreement with General Electric to expand the Ughelli power plant by 1000 megawatts over the next three to five years. Transcorp and GE also signed a separate agreement to rehabilitate the damaged GT 15 turbine at the Ughelli plant, which will add 115 megawatts to the plant’s output. Currently, the Transcorp Ughelli power plant generates 360 megawatts, up from 160 megawatts on November 1, 2013 when Transcorp took ownership of the plant.

With the additional 115 megawatts, as well as other rehabilitation works planned at the plant, the company projects that output at Ughelli will increase to 700 megawatts by December 2014. The Ughelli power plant is Nigeria’s largest gas-fired electricity generation asset.

Both Transcorp and GE believed the partnership would drive new momentum in the power industry. Chairman, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp), Mr. Tony Elumelu and Global Chairman, General Electric, Jeffrey Immelt, who signed the agreements were enthusiastic about the potential of the conglomerate. Elumelu noted that GE would bring its proven global leadership in power technology development to bear on

the Ughelli plant expansion project.

“With this, we’ve taken a bold step in fulfilling our promise to Transcorp’s stakeholders and the people of Nigeria. In a very short period of time, we have achieved significant impact - power production has more than doubled, and with this agreement, we will see increased output before the end of this year. We are confident that this partnership with GE will further accelerate the achievement of our goals in the power sector,” Elumelu said.

Immelt affirmed the readiness of GE to support Nigeria’s power development programme. “GE fully appreciates the confidence expressed by Transcorp. We are happy to bring the considerable resources of GE to support Transcorp’s audacious vision for Nigeria’s Power industry. This partnership with Transcorp underlines GE’s deep commitment to developing the Nigerian power sector,” Immelt said.

More luxury

The Ughelli power plant agreement came on the back similar deal by the conglomerate with Hilton Worldwide to build a new premier hotel in the up-market suburb of Ikoyi, Lagos. The proposed Transcorp Hilton Lagos, a full service, 350-room hotel on Glover Road, Ikoyi, will be the Hilton Group’s second hotel in Nigeria by Transcorp, following the award-winning Transcorp Hilton Hotel Abuja, which is one of the leaders in Hilton’s global network.

The new hotel will be jointly owned by Transnational Hotels and Tourism Services Ltd, the hospitality subsidiary of Transcorp and Heirs Holdings.

Elumelu outlined that the Ikoyi development, along with the extensive refurbishment and upgrade of the group’s existing hotels in Calabar and Abuja, demonstrated the group’s commitment to driving growth in real estate and hospitality, a strategic sector for Nigeria’s economic development.

According to him, the new Transcorp Hilton Lagos will not only present an additional world-class venue for the increasing numbers of investors, businessmen and tourists to Nigeria, but is creating much-needed jobs for citizens, enabling their social and economic development.

Managing Director, Transnational Hotels and Tourism Services Limited, Valentine Ozigbo said the Transcorp Hilton Lagos will grant the many Hilton Honors customers their desire to see a world-class establishment under their preferred brand in the Lagos. He said the hotel will boast of full conference facilities, meeting rooms, gym and spa, and a swimming pool in an iconic design that will certainly add verve to the Lagos landscape.

Besides, Transcorp has recently undertaken several strategic initiatives to enable stable growth. Last year, it raised N12.91 billion through a rights issue of 12.91 bil-

•Elumelu

lion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at N1 per share. The net proceeds of the rights issue estimated at N12.52 billion was scheduled mainly to refinance the loan taken to acquire the Ugheli power plant. About 79 per cent of the net proceeds amounting to N9.84 billion would be used to refinance Ugheli Power. The conglomerate would use N1.63 billion, 13 per cent of net proceeds, for exploration and development of its oil block, Oil Prospecting Licence (OPL) 281. It had revised the terms of partnership in the OPL 281 to fully take responsibility for the operation of the block in its bid to become a leading Nigerian indigenous oil and gas upstream company with production. The balance of N1.05 billion, representing 8.0 per cent of net proceeds, would be used to develop new hotels Port Harcourt and Lagos; in order to boost the conglomerate’s hospitality business in the South-South and SouthWest of Nigeria.

Looking forward

Directors of Transcorp are confident the conglomerate has built a strong foundation to sustain its upwardly performance. President and Group Chief Executive Officer, Transnational Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, Mr. Obinna Ufudo said the 2013 performance reflected the conglomerate’s commitment to its long term strategic plan of strong and sustainable growth.

“We are excited about the achievements we recorded across our businesses within the past year. Our entry into the power sector has been a significant driver and we are already running ahead of our 2014 estimates.

We expect significantly better results this year, as our diversification and growth strategies continue to gain momentum,” Ufudo said.

According to him, the strong balance sheet, substantial liquidity, diversified earnings and robust cash flow and the returns to shareholders are consistent with the group’s priorities and they are important signals of its confidence in the growth plans for a continuing profitable future.

“We expect significantly better results this year as our diversification and growth strategies take firmer roots,” Ufudo said, raising the stakes for the year.

Already hailed as a turnaround manager by several shareholders, Elumelu, whose Heirs Holdings became strategic shareholder in Transcorp last year, said it was pleasing to be recommending a dividend to shareholders for the first time in the company’s history. The modest dividend, according to him, is the beginning of a very bright future for all the patient and loyal shareholders.

“With the tremendous progress we have already recorded in our power business – taking the Ughelli plant’s power output from 160mw when we took over on November 1, 2013 to 360mw within three months, 2014 promises to be a very rewarding year for the company and our 300,000 shareholders,” Elumelu said.

While its troubled past may linger and continue to moderate immediate share consideration, the fundamental outlook and ongoing initiatives suggest a major break for the conglomerate, a more promising future than the past. This is the kernel of demand for the shares of the conglomerate.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

38

THE NATION

BUSINESS PENSION

A

PHCN pensioners demand over N16b arrears, severance benefits

BOUT 20, 000 electricity sector pensioners of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) have given the Federal Government up till midnight today to pay their N16 billion outstanding pension arrears, gratuities, death benefits, among others.

The pensioners under the umbrellabody of the Nigeria Union of Pensioners (NUP), electricity sector, also want the government, through the Nigeria Electricity Liability Management Limited (NELMCO), to pay the monthly pensions of their members for January and last month.

They warned that the failure to pay the outstanding areas would result in a protest.

President, NUP, Comrade Temple Ubani, said they were aware that the government had paid for the same period, other pensioners through the Pension Transitional Administration Department (PTAD).

• May begin nationwide protest today

Stories by OmobolaTolu-Kusimo

He said they were informed by NELMCO that NEPA/PHCN Pension Fund is classified as Capital Budget and domiciled in the Central Bank of Nigeria, where it is released quarterly to make for the monthly payment of pensioners. They criticised the arrangement as cumbersome and unwieldy.

He noted that it is common knowledge that salaries and pensions are overhead expenses normally classified as recurrent budget and released monthly as first-line charge.

“We have repeatedly experienced delays in payments during the first month of each quarter of the year as a result of the uncooperative attitude between the Ministry of Finance, the Budget Office and the AccountantGeneral’s Office, thereby making

payment of our stipends very rigorous and tasking for NELMCO, every month.

“Our union and NELMCO management have sought the intervention of relevant authorities, including the presidency and the National Assembly to redress these anomalies to no avail.

“It is also on record that many NEPA/PHCN retirees have not been paid their outstanding terminal benefits.These include gratuities, arrears of pensions, death benefits to the next of kin of deceased workers and retirees and monetisation arrears.

Others are harmonisation entitlements, electricity rebate benefits, spanning over several years, and different forms of verification exercises conducted by different Federal Government agencies.

“In 2013 the Minister of Power,

No official can steal N4tr pension fund, say PenCom, PeNop T HE N4trillion workers and retirees’ contribution under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS) cannot be stolen by any individual, or organisations owing to its structure, the Acting Director-General of the National Pension Ciomision, Mrs. Chinelo Anohu-Amazu, has said.

This is coming on the heels of claims by the Chairman of Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC), Mr. Ekpo Nta that a junior staff member of the Commission was arrested with 50 bank accounts with others involved in fraud running into billions of naira.

The discovery resulted in a public outcry from Nigerians who could not hide their disappointment following the development which painted all the assurances of safety of pension fund under the contributory pension scheme in bad light.

Part of the setback for CPS is the negative impression of the residual scheme from the Defined Benefits of Non-Contributory Pension Scheme in the country, which is fraud prone. This has continued to pose serious challenge to the nine-year old contributory pension scheme in the country.

PenCom Acting Director-General, Mrs. ChineloAnohu-Amazu told The Nation, that she was miffed by the report, noting that the Commission had been working hard to gain the confidence of Nigerians.

She said the junior officer mentioned by the ICPC is not a PenCom staff member and the ICPC had recanted that the man is a civil servant.

She said there are safeguards protecting the pension funds from misappropriation, with the functions of custody and administration of the funds clearly delineated in the Pension Reform Act, 2004.

Mrs. Anohu-Amazu stressed that while the Pension Fund Custodians (PFCs) are in custody of the funds; the PFAs manage and administer the contributions, adding that the PFAs and PFCs are also mandated by the Commission to maintain high levels of transparency and accountability and to give contributors unfettered access to any information relating to their accumulated pension savings.

She said: “PenCom has in place

• Mrs. Anohu-Amazu

• Yola

strict regimes, which include daily monitoring of the investment activities of PFAs and the institution of strict pay-out authorisation requirements. These ensure that PFAs are not reckless in their investment decisions, while ensuring that only the right beneficiaries would have access to the pension funds “Some other measures include the guarantee to the full sum and value of the pension fund and assets held by Pension Fund Custodians as mandated by the regulator as well as risk rating for instruments that pension funds could be invested in.

“In addition to the engagement of a Compliance Officer (CO) who is saddled with ensuring compliance with the provisions of the law regarding pension matters as well as the internal rules and regulations of any operators, PenCom keeps track of the activities of pension operators. Every PFA is also required to maintain a Statutory Reserve Fund, into which shall be credited annually with 12.5 per cent of the net profit after tax, or as stipulated by PenCom to meet claims.”

Mrs. Anohu-Amazu said the Commission also imposes legal and administrative sanctions for non-compliance with the rules and

regulations as any operator found wanting would be sanctioned in line with the law, among other things.

These checks and balances, she noted, were embedded in the law to give the contributors rest of mind and encourage workers not to be skeptical about the new contributory pension scheme. The pension reform has addressed problems of past pension schemes to a large extent, she stated.

Also, Chairman, Pension Fund Operators Association of Nigeria (PenOp), Mr. MisbauYola, said it would take the collusion of PenCom, PFA and PFC officials to loot the fund.

He assured the six million employees who are listed in the CPS of the safety of their contributions.

He said the law establishing the CPS has an in-built mechanism that guarantees safety of the funds and its availability at the point of retirement of the worker, adding that the funds are protected and would be available to them at their point of retirement.

Yola added that since the coming on board of the Scheme about eight years ago, it has not recorded any form of fund mismanagement, saying, “The system is watertight and no one can have access to the money except the contributor at the point of retirement,” he added.

Prof. Chinedu Nebo informed the whole world that government had set aside over N16billion for the settlement of these liabilities. Unfortunately all targeted payment dates did not materialise and some beneficiaries have since died without getting their benefits,” he said.

Ubani pointed out that they have taken notice of the concerned intervention of some critical stakeholders, like the Chairman, Senate Committee on Power, Senator Phillip Aduda and the Director-General of PTAD, Ms. Nellie Mayshak, who have pleaded through the Managing Director of NELMCO, Dr. Samuel Agbogun, to give them some time.

He said it is expected that their intervention shall facilitate the payment of their January and February Pensions by that date, and address other outstanding and residual mat-

• Ubani

ters.

“Nonetheless, this memo shall serve as due notice to Government and NEPA/PHCN retirees, that in the event that arrears of pensions are not paid by 12 midnight on Wednesday, March 12, 2014, Government should hold its relevant agencies responsible for whatever reactions the pensioners, the widows and orphans of deceased power sector workers may decide to embark on,” he said.

‘Life insurance operators, PFAs help retirees on best retirement option’

L

ICENSED life insurance companies providing Life Annuity and the Pension Fund Administrators (PFAs) providing Programme Withdrawal to retirees as the two retirement options under the Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS), are working to ensure they get the right plan for retirement.

The Managing Director, LASACO Life, Dimeji Olona, who said this, explained that Section 4 of the PRA allows an employee to use the amount accumulated in his Retirement Savings Account (RSA) to buy either programmed withdrawal or life annuity at retirement, or attaining the age of 50 years, whichever is the latter.

Olona said the contributor is also allowed to take a lump sum at age 50, or at retirement whichever is the latter from the RSA balance, provided that the amount left after the withdrawal shall be sufficient to procure Annuity for life, or fund Programme Withdrawals that will provide an amount not less than 50 per cent of his annual remuneration as at the date of his retirement.

He praised the efforts of the regulators, the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) and the National Pension Commission (PenCom), for ensuring that the retirees are well protected.

He said the Lagos State Pension Commission (LASPEC) has, on its part, also ensured that the PFAs and insurers compete in a healthy environment.

He affirmed that both the PFAs and Annuity providers are partners in progress as there cannot be an effective administration of annuity without the involvement of PFAs who are supposed to accumulate the fund to use in purchasing the annuity for life.

Olona explained that annuity is a series of payments made at equal intervals of time in conservation of a lump sum, or a regular contribution made over a predefined period.

He said: “We have different types of annuity, but the type being made popular in Nigeria

through the Pension Reform Act (PRA) 2004, is called Immediate Annuity.

“The Programmed Withdrawal is provided by the PFAs, while the annuity for life is provided by licensed life insurance companies in Nigeria. The Programmed Withdrawal and Annuity are two distinct options available to the retirees. Both options, although have clearly distinct features, have been carefully chosen by the regulators to protect the interest of the retirees.

“The process of selecting the providers of either option is also stringent to ensure that only the companies that are adjudged by the regulators to be capable are licensed.”

Olona said some of the advantages of annuity are: “That the product is used to take care of the basic fear of an intending retiree at risk of outliving his income which is called longevity risk.

This risk is borne by the insurance company if the retiree lives very long. For instance, a retiree that leaves service at the age of 60 and lives up to perhaps 90 years can buy annuity for life which can be used to solve the financial burden at old age.

“Life Annuity authorised under the PRA 2004, is guaranteed for 10 years but if the annuitant dies before 10 years, the balance would be paid to the named beneficiary. If the annuitant survives the guaranteed period, the annuity is payable thereafter as long as the annuitant lives.”

Another advantage, Olona mentioned, is that the investment risk is borne by the annuity provider and not the annuitant, as a guaranteed sum is given to him or her on a regular basis in spite of harsh investment climate that might be experienced by the company.

He said PenCom and NAICOM collaborated in 2006 to jointly regulate Life Annuity and Group Life insurance policy under the CPS. Both regulations have been implemented for six years and three years.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

39

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP With the government’s policy of a 25 per cent reduction in the importation of fish geared towards boosting local fish farming and production, there is a growing opportunity for even small scale fish farmers to make a fortune from the trade, writes DANIEL ESSIET.

Tapping into fish farming

L

IFE has not been the same for Adenuga Adeniyi Adedeji, a 24year-old postgraduate student of the University of Ibadan, Ibadan, since he embraced fish farming. With the savings he made in his National Youth Service Corp (NYSC) year, he bought three plots of land,where he runs a fish farm at Isele-Ijebu, near Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State.

On this land, he built 14 ponds of various sizes, with total capacity of about 15 tonnes table size catfish per cycle, which generates N6 million; a modern hatchery that produces 100,000 fingerlings, which fetches him N1.5 million, and a smoking kiln to package smoked catfish. A kilogramme of catfish sells for N400, while fingerlings sell for N15 each.

Although he studied agriculture, Adenuga’s journey into fish farming began during his industrial attachment at the Felimar Aquaculture Centre, Ijebu-Ode. There, he understudied fish farmers.

Adenuga recalled that the initial start-up and support from his parents where instrumental to his success.

With the expansion in the

trade, capital was made available to him through a loan he obtained from his church’s cooperative society he had earlier joined. He also benefited from the Federal Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Development, whose Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ibikunle Odusote, took special interest in his farm. This was during the farmer registration and enlightenment in Ijebu Ode in which the Ministry trained fish farmers on the right techniques to deploy in running a highly efficient farm which would assist them in having profitable yields. As a support, the Ministry donated three smoking kilns to him.

Adenuga dreams big. “My plan for the project is to convert my site to full scale fingerlings production that will supply my farm and that of other farmers around with good quality fingerlings. I also plan to get about five hectares of land which will contain about 100 earthen ponds, cassava and plantain plantation.

I also plan to also diversify into rearing of livestock. I have Kalahari goats from South Africa which I purchased from FUNAAB and I intend to start a breeding project in upgrading

• Adenuga feeding fishes

indigenous breeds,” Adenuga hopes.

His motivation for agriculture was from his father, who was a staff member of Sunvit Agro Industrial Company, a subsidiary of Leventis Group, in Agenebode, Edo State. He recalled that whenever he travelled to the farm on vacation, he was, particularly, thrilled by the sight of a crop duster airplane used for spraying and planting

Anzisha Prize for entrepreneurs

A

PPLICATIONS for the Anzisha Prize, Africa's premier award for its youngest entrepreneurs, are now open for 2014 and will be accepted until April 1.

The award,according to a statement, is looking for African entrepreneurs between 15 and 22, who have started and are actively running innovative social ventures or for-profit businesses with potential.In addition to over US$75,000 in cash prizes up for grabs, 12 finalists will win an all-expenses paid trip to South Africa to be a part of a week-long entrepreneurship workshop and conference at the prestigious African Leadership Academy in Johannesburg.

TheAnzisha Prize g panel is looking for ventures that demonstrate ingenuity, scale and positive impact. Entries

are now open for the Anzisha Prize - Africa's premier award for the continent's best young entrepreneurs.

Hosted by the African Leadership Academy (ALA) in partnership with The MasterCard Foundation, the Anzisha Prize celebrates initiative and innovation. It identifies exceptional young entrepreneurs who are blazing a trail of startup success and providing shining examples for others follow.

In just three years, the Anzisha Prize has grown into one of the most sought after awards for young entrepreneurs globally.

On top of the significant cash prizes, the 12 Anzisha finalists will join a growing "Anzisha Fellow Network" of the continent's top youth entrepreneurs.

"This year, we're determined to reach far and wide through our youth development partners, schools and the media to

find the very best of Africa's youngest entrepreneurial talent," says Chi Achebe, Anzisha Prize Programme Manager, "We can't wait to see what this year's application process will uncover, and we encourage everyone to help us by nominating amazing young people in their own communities who have started a project or business with potential."

Current Anzisha Fellows include Andrew Mupuya (2012, Uganda), who was recently featured on CNN for his growing paper-bag manufacturing empire; KolawoleOlajide (2013, South Africa/Nigeria), developer of online education platform Funda; rabbit farm owner LaetitiaMukungu (2012, Kenya); and information activist & Morsimeter.com developer AmrSohby (2011, Egypt). Thirty-three Fellows have been selected since the awards were first held in

rice paddies operated by his father. At such times, he was also encouraged to visit neighbouring farms and to have experience in poultry, piggery and aquaculture.

Yet, more convincing for this young fish farmer is the story of a South African entreprenuer, Vincent Mapeta, which he claims, has made him to realise that policy and support from the government could improve lives of farmers, increase food production and create jobs for the teeming youths. This, he said, would make agriculture a profitable venture that would encourage the youth.

Adenuga is convinced that if the transformation agenda of the government can include young people, then the coun-

T

try would be on the path to selfsufficiency in food production.

Adenuga, who employs two staff and casuals during cropping and processing on the farm, added that the business was giving him high returns on investment, adding that with good management of fish farms, about 50 per cent profitability could be assured.

He encouraged youths to embrace agriculture, which he reckons will soon be like the entertainment industry where there are so many youths making waves both within and outside the country.”What they need is just change agents that they can relate to; agriculture is a sure investment but it needs to be done rightly,” he enthused.

He urged his peers to change their perception on agribusiness and take advantage of loans and trainings to start and expand businesses.

Alongside others, he recommends fish farming because it is a business with high potential for success. “Instead of waiting on non existent jobs, and complaining everyday of lack of something productive to do, I encourage youthsto be more of entrepreneur and less of job seekers,” he said.

Certainly, this can only happen through personal initiatives like that taken by Adenuga, one that has seen him looking forward to employing more people in the near future, and which has liberated him from the shackles of poverty.

DACCIMA seeks support for SMEs

HE President, Delta State Association of Chamber of Commerce and Industry, Mines and Agriculture (DACCIMA), Chief Uju Udeme has called on the government to support the development of Small and Medium scale Enterprises (SMEs). Udeme who made the appeal in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria in Asaba, also canvassed the need for the Federal and State governments to identify SMEs that would contribute to the quest of providing employment and economic growth.

He said one way the gov-

ernment could support SMEs was through the provision of adequate infrastructure.

According to him, there is no doubt that SMEs can provide employment for many people , especially those in the rural areas. While stressing the need for government to initiate policies that could move the economy the country forward, the DACCIMA boss reiterated that the clamour for more support for SMEs stems from the sector’s huge potential to check ruralurban migration.

Udeme noted that the growing unemployment rate in the country had made it imperative

for the government and the financial institutions to collaborate and make SMEs a vehicle for economic development, adding that there is the need for the government to formulate policies that would encourage entrepreneurial spirit against the current focus on multinational companies.

“SMEs in other African countries are contributing more than 50 per cent to their Gross Domestic Products (GDP) but unfortunately that is not the scenario in Nigeria; we have to grow in terms of SMEs contributions to the nation’s GDP,’’ he added.

Considered a waste, metal scraps are a source of employment and revenue, even as more entrepreneurs are discovering the market potential in the scrap metal collection and recycling . DANIEL ESSIET reports.

Territory (FCT).

S

HE started as a part-time industrial waste collector as a student in the College of Education, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, in 1986.

Today, Mrs. Titilola Cynthia Saka, is the chief executive officer, T. Cynthia Nigeria Limited, a company she registered in 1987 dealing on plastic waste, in Lagos.

Mrs Saka said she drew inspiration from her mother, also a business woman, when she imbued her to be an entrepreneur rather than an employee.

And with a vision to transform 'waste into wealth', her company has been able to create more than 20 jobs.

Mrs Saka said one waste material had potential is polyester fibre because of its several uses in many industries and also for its use as packaging ma-

From waste to wealth terial for beverages, food products, pharmaceuticals, consumer and industrial products.

Scraps, such as aluminum, steel, copper, brass, and glass, are also some items she deals in, as these have a reliable market. Her clientele cuts across large specialist metal firms, while she also brokers deals on scrap materials. From these transactions, especially the sale of scrap materials, extracted metals and glass, huge revenue returns to the company’s coffers.

As the business expanded, Saka has come to realise the volume of industrial waste firms discard and the need to

process them into other products. Buried among the junk are valuable metals and cotton wastes with high market value, which she hires young men and women as waste collectors to dug up and bring to her factory.

For some time, there has been a surge in metal scrap business, especially following the "waste to wealth" orientation catching up like wild fire among the people. This is more prevalent in the iron and steel sector, where investors as well as merchants encourage idle young men to comb waste dumps sites, mechanic workshops, streets and highways for

the remains of vehicles parts, industrial metal wastes and anything in the form of iron and steel. It is a common sight to see tonnes of scrap metal assembled for onward transportation to privately owned steel mills across the country which are eventually processed and converted to iron rods and metal sheets.

Metal scrap can be classified into two categories, namely HMS (Heavy Melting Scrap) and Used Rails.

The business is said to worth over N50 billion a year. Condemned metal articles and motor parts are in high demand and come from

•Mrs Saka

as far as Lafia, Keffi in Nasarawa State and Abaji, Gwagwalada and other small towns in the Federal Capital

Mrs Saka said the business does not require much capital investment. With as little as N40, 000, a chunk of which came from the bursary the Ogun State government gave her as a student, she was able to start her own business, and a combination of cheap labour, low entry costs and limited regulatory controls, makes the business a money spinner. But the turn around came for her when she got a contract from a big firm to supply plastic and metal waste, needed for the firm’s production.

Abdullahi Abubakar is another person that has found a fortune dealing in metal scrap. Trained as a carpenter, he eventually abandoned the carpentry trade and relocated to Lagos in search of greener pasture.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

40

EMPOWERMENT CLINIC with

Stock investing for dummies BOOK REVIEW Author: Publisher: Reviewer:

GOKE ILESANMI

O

NE of the fastest and easiest (though also risky) routes to achieving financial sufficiency is stock investing. It is, therefore, important for us to X-ray this book christened “Stock Investing for Dummies” to educate people on stock investing. It is written by Paul Mladjenovic, a certified financial planner (CFP), consultant, writer and public speaker.

According to this author, stock investing is a great topic that is fascinating.

Mladjenovic says although the stock market has served millions of investors for nearly a century, recent years have shown that a great investing vehicle such as stocks can be easily misunderstood or even abused. He educates that the great bull market of 1982 to 1999 came to a screeching halt in 2000. This consultant says investors at the tail end of a bull market often think that stock investing is an easy, carefree, mindless way to make a quick fortune.

This text has five parts of 24 chapters. Part one is generically christened “The essentials of stock investing” and contains five chapters. Chapter one is titled: “Exploring the basics”. In the words of Mladjenovic here, “Stock investing became all the rage during the 1990s. Investors watched their

Paul Mladjenovic Wiley Publishing, Inc. Goke Ilesanmi

stock portfolios and mutual funds skyrocket as the stock market experienced an 18-year rising market (or bull market). Investment activity in the United States is a great example of the popularity that stocks experienced during that time period....”

This author adds that the stock market is a market of stocks and a market like any other market. “The stock market is an established market where people (investors) can freely buy and sell stocks because they seek gain in the form of appreciation...or income...or both,” educates Mladjenovic.

Chapter two is based on taking stock of your financial situation and goals. Here, this author says investing in stocks requires balance, but investors sometimes tie up too much money in stocks and therefore put themselves at risk of losing a significant portion of their wealth should the market plunge. He adds that then again, other investors place little or no money in stocks and therefore miss out on excellent opportunities to grow their wealth.

Mladjenovic says a disciplined investor also has money in bank accounts, bonds, mutual funds, etc.

In chapters three to five, Mladjenovic discusses concepts such as defining common approaches to stock investing; recognising the risks and getting a snapshot of the market.

Part two is summarily woven together as “Before you get started” and covers four chapters, that is, chapters six to nine.

Chapter six has the thematic focus of gathering information. Here, this author educates that knowledge and information are two critical factors in stock investing. He expatiates that people who plunge headlong into stocks without sufficient knowl-

edge of the market in general, and current information in particular, quickly learn a negative lesson.

In chapters seven to nine, Mladjenovic analytically X-rays concepts such as going for brokers; investing for growth; and investing for income.

Part three is based on the eclectic subject matter of picking winners, and contains four chapters, that is, chapters ten to 13.

Chapter 10 is titled: “Running the numbers: Using basic accounting to choose winning stocks”. Here, Mladjenovic says stock picking can seem like a combination of art, luck, timing, and science. He stresses that when you turn to the so-called experts, you get all sorts of opinions, which frequently are contradictory. The most tried-and-true method for picking a good stock starts with picking a good company, Mladjenovic advises.

In chapters 11 to 13, this expert discusses concepts such as decoding company documents; analysing industries; and money,

mayhem, and votes.

Part four is generally tagged “Investment strategies and tactics” and covers six chapters, that is, chapters 14 to 19. Chapter 14 is titled: “Taking the bull (or bear) by the horns”. According to Mladjenovic here, understanding the investment environment may even be more important to your wealthbuilding success than choosing the right stock.

Chapters 15 to 19 are based on the subject matters of choosing a strategy that is right for you; stopping in the name of money; getting a handle on DPPs, DRPs and PDQ; looking at what the insiders do; and tax benefits and obligations.

Part five generically focuses on the part of tens and covers five chapters, that is, chapters 20 to 24. Chapter 20 is titled: “Ten things to think about before you invest”. According to Mladjenovic here, before you invest in anything, you must have a strong economic foundation, have complete understanding of the types of investments appropriate for your current situation in life and educate yourself about financial and investment matters, guides Mladjenovic.

In chapters 21 to 24, this expert beams his intellectual searchlight on concepts such as ten things to remember after you invest; ten signals of a stock price increase; ten warning signs of a stock’s decline and ten ways to protect yourself from fraud.

This concepts discussed in this book are well-researched, educative and fantastic.

As regards style, one thing that works for this text is the simplicity of language.

There is the use of graphical embroidery, especially cartoons, to achieve visual reinforcement of readers’ understanding and soften otherwise too much seriousness of the concepts.

However, even though the title is meant to communicate the depth of research and didactic prowess of the text, it somehow sounds derogatory. It should have been something like “Stock Investing Simplified”. Generally, this text is fantastic. It is a must-read for anybody that wants to create wealth through stock investing.

BUSINESS COMMUNICATION

More on literate communication and dictionary abbreviations

a

trib: This abbreviation is the short for Attributive. It is most commonly placed against adjectives to show that such adjectives are to be used before a noun.

Examples of attributive usage are A short woman; The tall boy; A desperate man, etc.

In the above phrases, the adjective used in each phrase comes before the noun that it qualifies.

In other words, we cannot say A man short; neither can we say The boy tall nor A man desperate in normal English usage.

To have any of these adjectival words coming after the word it qualifies, Who is or That is, is placed after the noun phrase, e.g. A woman that is short; The boy that is tall; A man that is desperate, etc.

Addition

By analytical extension, the abbreviation attrib is equally used in the adverbial situation, especially with some adverbs of frequency, to show that any of the adverbs is to come before the verb it modifies, e.g. She seldom comes to my office; He never believes whatever anybody tells him, etc. In these two expressions, the adverb of frequency Seldom comes before the verb Comes, while Never comes before the verbal element Believes.

Predicative

pred: This is the short for Predicative. It is the opposite of Attributive. It is most commonly placed against adjectives to show that such adjectives are to be used after the (pro)noun that they qualify in that situation. Examples of predicative usage are They are happy; Femi is anxious; She is hardworking, etc. Apart from adjectives, some adverbs are equally naturally used after the verb they modify, that is, predicatively used, e.g. He cancel the job outright; She entered unannounced; They arrived

By Goke Ilesanmi

unnoticed; She did the work unaided, etc.

Participial adjective

part adj: This short form implies Participial adjective. In other words, it refers participles used in the adjectival sense.

These participles may be present participles, that is, those ending in –ing or past participles like Known, Written, Assured, etc. As far as participial adjectives of present-participle structure are concerned in contextual usage, we have It is embarrassing; It is frightening; It is frustrating; These are our writing materials, etc. And for participial adjectives of past-participle structure, we have It is a known fact; I saw the torn paper; This is the disgraced boy; I am disappointed about the way everything happened; I have done the written interview; She was depressed at the news she heard yesterday, etc.

More information

Note that grammarians also refer to some of these participial adjectives of past-participle structure, especially Disgraced boy; Torn paper; Known fact and Written interview as passive verbs used as adjectives. This is because they are in passive voice and serve as adjectives. Additionally, what is the grammatical difference between the word Disappointed in the expression I am always disappointed by your brother and I am disappointed about the way everything happened? The answer is that Disappointed in the first sentence is only a passive verb, while that of the second sentence, as already said, can be referred to as a participial adjective.

Compare

cf: This abbreviation means Compare.

When it is placed against any word in the dictionary, what is implied is that the word should be compared with any other one mentioned.

Conjunction.

conj: This is the short for Conjunction.

Conjunctions are words used to joined two or more words together. There are two types of conjunctions, and these are coordinating and subordinating. Basically, coordinating conjunctions can be sub-divided into those of adding, contrast and choice.

The example of the co-ordinating conjunction of adding is And; that of contrast is But; while that of choice is Or. As far as subordinating conjunctions are concerned, we have relative pronouns such as Who, What, Where, That, Which, etc. and others that are not relative pronouns, e.g.

Because, Though, As, etc. They are referred to as Subordinating conjunctions simply because they are employed in complex sentences to join main and subordinate clauses together, e.g. I saw the man who came here yesterday. Here, I saw the man constitutes the main clause, while Who came here yesterday is the subordinate clause, a relative or adjectival clause for that matter, qualifying the nominal phrase The man.

Impersonal

imper: This is the short for Impersonal.

Impersonal usage refers to the usage of a word, phrase or expression without mentioning a person, e.g. The books sold to me are not good. This sentence reflects the feature of an impersonal expression because the seller of the books is not mentioned. This impersonal usage is especially employed in complaint letters to achieve courtesy and sustain goodwill. Grammatically or technically, an impersonal sentence or verb is that in which the subject is represented by a

word such as It, e.g. It is very disturbing.

Infinitive

inf: This is the short for Infinitive. An infinitive refers to the basic form of a verb, such as Be, Run, Move, etc. usually going with the preposition To. There are two types of infinitive, and these are To-infinitive and Bare infinitive. The term To-infinitive refers to the verbs with the preposition To. Examples of these are I want to go; They have decided to move; They are determined to succeed, etc.

As far as the Bare infinitive is concerned, we have examples such as I saw him go; They watched her die; She made them sing, etc. Note that Go, Die and Sing here are Bare infinitives, and as such, they cannot structurally change to the past tense form because they have a silent To at the deepstructure level. But it is common to see some people wrongly changing these Bare infinitives to past tense, e.g., I saw him went; They watched her died; She made them sang, etc PS: For those making inquiries about our Public Speaking, Business Presentation and Professional Writing Skills programme, please visit the website indicated on this page for details. Till we meet on Monday.

•GOKE ILESANMI, Managing Consultant/ CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is an International Platinum Columnist, Certified 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

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POLITICS

43

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

President Goodluck Jonathan has visited some traditional rulers in the Southwest, ostensibly to seek their support for his second term ambition. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN examines the presidential moves, ahead of the 2015 election.

Southwest and Jonathan’s 2015 calculations

P

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan was in the Southwest and Kano recently for consultation with traditional rulers. He held closed door meetings with the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi; the Ooni of Ife, Oba Okunade Sijuwade; the Emir of Kano, Alhaji Ado Bayero; the Oba of Lagos, Oba Rilwan Akiolu; and the Oba of Badagry, De Wheno Aholu Menutoyi, Babatunde Akran.

Jonathan told reporters that the visits were private. What he discussed with the traditional rulers in their inner chambers was not disclosed.

But, analysts said the President’s visit was political. They are of the view that he has embarked on nationwide consultation on his second term ambition. The fact that he held private talks with the traditional rulers in their palaces pointed to the fact that he was seeking royal blessing, ahead of his formal declarations, to run in the 2015 presidential election.

The President lent credence to this position when he told the crowd at the Alaafin’s palace that he came to thank the people of Oyo State and the entire Southwest for the support given to him and the PDP in the 2011 election. He said: “I thank, not only the people of the state, but the entire Southwest for the support we received in 2011. I have come to reciprocate the gesture with the hope that things will continue as well. We are one. I remain your own.”

Besides, President Jonathan addressed PDP supporters in Badagry, shortly after holding private talks with Oba Akran in his palace. He said: “For the PDP members, who have come out to receive us, we thank you most sincerely. I want to thank you for this warm reception and assure you that the glorious days of Badagry will be returned.”

Observers believe that President Jonathan owes the people of Southwest appreciation for the votes he got from the zone in the 2011 presidential election. But, they queried the timing of his visit because he had waited for almost three years to express his appreciation. They said Jonathan was going round the Southwest to solicit the support of the royal fathers and canvass for Yoruba votes, ahead of 2015.

In the 2011 presidential election, Jonathan polled 2,786,410 votes from the Southwest, the stronghold of the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), which has transformed into the All Progressives Party (APC).

Despite the fact that the ACN fielded a presidential candidate, Jonathan came first in all the Southwest states, except Osun. A breakdown of the figure shows that he polled the highest vote of 1,281,688 in Lagos State, Oyo 484, 758; Ogun 309,170; Ekiti 135,009; Ondo 387,376 and Osun 188,409.

The question is: can Jonathan perform this feat in 2015 in the Southwest, which is APC’s stronghold? Can he penetrate the Southwest through the traditional rulers? Can the royal fathers influence their subjects to vote Jonathan?

Analysts said that it will be impossible for Jonathan to win in the Southwest, except Ondo State where he enjoys the support of

•President Jonathan (left) and Oba Adeyemi during the visit.

Governor Olusegun Mimiko of the Labour Party. They argued that the emergence of the APC would make it difficult for Jonathan to make an impact in the zone.

Former Senate Minority Leader, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora described Jonathan’s visits to Yoruba traditional rulers as a diplomatic shuttle. According to him, the President came to prepare the ground for his formal declaration for the presidency in 2015. He noted that his visit is already causing a row among the Obas, as the Olubadan Oba Samuel Odulana, had kicked against President Jonathan passing through his domain without stopping over at in his palace.

On whether the President and his party, the PDP, can penetrate the Southwest through the royal fathers, Mamora said: “It is most unlikely because the Southwest is comfortable in the hands of the APC. We are not going to rest on our oars. We will double our efforts to ensure victory for the APC in 2015, not only in the Southwest, but throughout Nigeria. I am not against Jonathan’s diplomatic shuttle; he has the right to do that, but it will not make any difference.”

The Co-ordinator of the Coalition for Democratic Reform (CODER), Ayo Opadokun, said the political setting that made people to vote for Jonathan in 2011; irrespective of political affiliation, have changed. He said the political leadership of Southwest as at that time interacted with their colleague in government to give him solid votes in 2011, but that situation does not exist today.

Opadokun explained that the Southwest political leadership and those in government today are not

on the same page with the President.

According to him, in any partisan setting, it is expected that the party in power at regional or state level would mobilise the people to vote for its candidate.

Except things change later, political leaders in the Southwest and the President are not together.

They have different political agenda. So, what happened in 2011 would not play out this time around,” Opadokun said.

Public Affairs analyst Bernard Briggs is of the opinion that President Jonathan has chosen a wrong place to kick off his consultation on his re-election bid. Briggs said one million visits to Yoruba traditional rulers would not make Jonathan and his party to win more votes than they deserve.

He described the Southwest as the traditional home of the progressives. He added: “I don’t see a situation whereby the Yoruba would for any reason this time around abandon the APC, which was co-founded by their leaders and other like minds across the country.”

Besides, Briggs noted that the politics of the Southwest is based on principle and people’s interest, adding: “That explains why the leaders have been consistent, pitching their tents with progressives. I am also aware that traditional rulers in Yorubaland have no influence as regards the political direction of the people.”

Briggs wondered why the President decided to pay a thank you visit to the region, three years after the Southwest voted for him.

“To me, it is belated. The visit was politically motivated. The President should know that the Yoruba

voted for him in 2011, not because of his personality or that his party manifesto was better. They probably voted for him because of where he comes from- the Southsouth - the region that had never produced the President,” he said.

A lawyer, Ajibola Bashir, queried: “Despite the goodwill the people of Southwest accorded him in 2011, what did they benefit from his government?” He said Jonathan’s approach to governance is negative.

Bashiru lamented that Jonathan had squandered the opportunities that came his way.

Bashiru warned the President against polarising the Southwest by sponsoring “dead woods” and promising to bring them to political limelight because, according to him, such a plan will fail.

One issue that is working against Jonathan’s interest in the Southwest is the marginalisation of the region under his administration.

The allegation emanated from the Yoruba elders who are known to be sympathetic towards Jonathan Administration.

Chief Olu Falae alleged that the President’s pattern of appointments with no consideration for the Yoruba suggested that he does not appreciate their contribution to his emergence as the President.

Falae said the Yoruba were sidelined in appointments and control of political offices. He listed the topmost positions as that of the President, Senate President, Vice President, Speaker, House of Representatives, Chief Justice of the Federation, Deputy Senate President, Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, President, Court of Appeal, Secretary to the Govern-

‘A situation where the total appointments for the entire Southwest fall short of those of certain individual states suggests either a deliberate effort to ignite ethnic resentment or a glaring outcome of total collapse of co-ordination in the machinery and records of government’

ment of the Federtion, National Security Adviser, and Head of Service of the Federation.

Falae said none of these offices was being occupied by a Yoruba, stressing that the absence of Yoruba in the power hierarchy had adversely affected the zone. He also cited the sack of eight General Managers of the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria, six of whom were Yoruba, by the former Minister of Aviation, Mrs Stella Oduah.

Another Yoruba elder said that the relegation of the Yoruba is not just in higher hierarchy of government, but also in agencies, parastatals and corporations. He said: “A situation where the total appointments for the entire Southwest fall short of those of certain individual states suggests either a deliberate effort to ignite ethnic resentment or a glaring outcome of total collapse of co-ordination in the machinery and records of government.”

According to him, “available data indicate that the Yoruba have lost more than half of their appointive positions since demise of President Yar’Adua.

He observer listed areas where the Yoruba were marginalised as follows: the Head of the Civil Service of the Federation, Chairman, Federal Civil Commission, Chairman Police Service Commission and National Security Adviser Also there is Yoruba among the entire 10 executive chairmen of the Federal Executive bodies such as Federal Character Commission, Federal Civil Service Commiasion, Federal Judicial Service Commission, Independent National Electoral Commission, National Population Commission, Revenue Mobilisation Allocation and Fiscal Commission.

Out of 12 top government agencies, none is being headed by Yoruba. The top Corporations and Heavy Budget Agencies include Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), Petroleum Trust Development Fund (PTDF), Tertiary Education Trust Fund, Universal Basic Education Commission (UBEC), Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), National Health Insurance Health Scheme, and Millenium Development Goals (MDGs).

There is no Yoruba heading any of the Revenue Related Agencies like Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS), Nigerian Customs Service and Auditor General of the Federation.

The story is similar in security and anti-corruption Agencies which include the Police, Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences (ICPC) and Code of Conduct Bureau (CCB).

When the Southwest leaders of PDP met the President over the lopsided appointments in the Federal Service, he promised that his administration would rectify the anomalies in 2015 when he would commence another term in office.

How Jonathan would convince the Yoruba that his pattern of appointment with no consideration for the most educated and enlightened group in the country was not deliberate is known to him.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

POLITICS On June 21, the governorship election will hold in Ekiti State. Governor Kayode Fayemi and his challengers in the opposition parties will test their popularity. Since 1999, no governor has been elected twice in the ‘Fountain of Knowledge’. But, Fayemi believes that this myth will be destroyed on poll day because he has lived up to expectation and justified the confidence reposed in him by the people across the 16 local governments. The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is pushing for power shift. But, Fayemi insists that Ekiti will vote for continuity, based on the achievements of his administration in the last three and half years. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU reports.

Fayemi: Ekiti ’ll vote for continuity

I

N 2007, he did not aspire to rule Ekiti State.

But, fate entrusted the heavy responsibility on his shoulders. Twenty people were competing for the governorship ticket on the platform of the defunct Action Congress (AC). The pro-democracy activist was persuaded to put his hat in the ring. Like the biblical David, the son of Jesse, John Kayode Folorunso Fayemi got the ticket, beating other aspirants, including Prince Dayo Adeyeye, Navy Capt. Caleb Olubolade, Otunba Ayo Arise and Dare Babarinsa, at the primaries. He also won the election, although the crown was initially delivered to the loser, Mr. Segun Oni of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

After the mandate was retrieved from the interloper, the “accidental governor” began the rescue mission in the far flung state. All the sectors were in their knees. Under his leadership, governance has not been a tea party. The successes recorded in education, health, agriculture, job creation, social security and women empowerment attest to Fayemi’s vision and sense of mission. The impact of the administration is felt in the 130 towns and villages. In October, he will complete his first term.

In the last six months, there has been a gale of endorsement. Party members, the aged, who are beneficiaries of the novel security scheme, women groups, youths and traditional rulers have requested the governor to seek for a second term. Although the governor acknowledged these gestures, he delayed his response to avoid distraction from his official responsibilities. But, Fayemi has now picked up the gauntlet. The war scholar and pro-democracy crusader is now on the firing line.” I am running on the strength of my own conviction that I want to be governor in Ekiti State”, he told reporters in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

Seven years ago, Fayemi’s campaign train rolled into the rustic Ekiti towns. He met a state in distress. Then, associates expressed concern over his safety. “The question among many of my friends in the academia and the civil society was: ‘do you have a death wish?’ ‘Why would I want to go and do this in a place as dangerous as Ekiti?’ That was the general feeling,” he recalled.

Why is the governor now seeking a second term? His answer: “I have an unfinished task.

The task is not complete. We have restored Ekiti back to its pride of place. But, restoration does not necessarily equate to transformation. Restoration brings Ekiti to a point of stability. I do not delude myself that we have achieved all that we set out to achieve”.Ekiti indigenes believe that Fayemi has made a difference. The state is reclaiming its glory as a land of honour and integrity. Unlike in the past, the hilly state is now peaceful and congenial to investment.

Gone were the days of fear. The culture of political tolerance has also been restored. Basking in the euphoria of these achievements, the governor said that many Ekiti people are no more ashamed that they are from the state. “The fact that my word is my bond has enabled me to say that I promised this on October 16, 2010 when I delivered my inaugural address, and this is where we are now on that agenda. We have gone way beyond the 70 per cent mark, but it is still unfinished business because poverty has not been totally eradicated”, the governor added.

Since Fayemi unfolded his legitimate ambition for a second term, there has been a revival of political activities. He has no opposition to his aspiration in the ruling All Progressives Congress (APC). Outside the fold, it is a different ball game. For the governor, the asporation is more of a duty than an ambition. Some people have described second term in Ekiti as a myth.

The same fear had been expressed in Kano and Ondo states before until Mallam Ibrahim Shekarau and Dr. Olusegun Mimiko changed the tide. Seven people have been on the driver’s seat in the state. Apart from the first governor, Adeniyi Adebayo, no other governor had the privilege of completing his first term. Even, Adebayo failed in his second term bid.

Will the myth be destroyed on June 21, when voters exercise their franchise? Fayemi said that Ekiti will choose wisely. The governor also said that the people will prefer continuity. “This a

‘After the mandate was retrieved from the interloper, the “accidental governor” began the rescue mission in the far-flung state. All the sectors were in their knees. Under his leadership, governance has not been a tea party. The successes recorded in education, health, agriculture, job creation, social security and women empowerment attest to Fayemi’s vision and sense of mission. The impact of the administration is felt in the 130 towns and villages’ • Dr Fayemi

state where the prominent parties have both had a go at it. The PDP had been in charge of this state for seven and half years. Place the two governments of the PDP and ours side by side and do a dispassionate analysis of what we both contributed to governance. Every asset that is standing on ground in this state, happened under the progressive wing. Whether you are talking of Ekiti House in Abuja, Ikogosi Water Springs that many people are visiting now, or the revived bricks factory among others, you will realise they all happened under the watch of the progressives.

“That is in terms of physical infrastructure. If you talk in terms of human development, which involves social security, youth volunteer scheme, peace corps, we have also done much.

In agriculture, the story is clear. If you talk of health care in terms of the state of hospitals, access to healthcare, health insurance, it is only under us that these things occurred.

“If you talk of education, the statistics are very clear. You only need to go to the merged Ekiti State University and see a focused government that has an agenda for educational reform. If you don’t want to go as far as the university, check out what is happening at the secondary school level. The statistics are also clear. The evidence before us suggests that, if you don’t want to arrest development, then, continuity is very critical to growth, especially in an environment where every time government has been sidetracked or affected by the term of office, you also almost automatically have abandonment of key initiatives”.

The high turnover of civilian administrators has taken its tolls on the poor state. Successive administrations have often abandoned the projects they inherited from previous governments. However, Fayemi has maintained a clean break from the past. “This is the only government in Ekiti State that did not abandon projects of previous governments. The projects that Governor Adebayo did that were abandoned, the residences of our House of Assembly members that Fayose never touched, are there. The Governor’s Office is a hotel built by Governor Adebayo and somebody came and said this is more befitting for me as an office, but we would have been making more money if it had remained in its original state that Governor Adebayo put it.

“I came and said I was not going to abandon any project. People thought I was stupid. ‘How could you be doing the road to your enemy’s hometown?’ they asked. But, I said Governor Oni is not my enemy. I only challenged him because I was convinced that I won an election.

The money that was being used to construct the road to Ifaki was not Governor Oni’s personal money.

“It is Ekiti money, it is our commonwealth.

So, why would I abandon it simply because it

goes to Oni’s village? When I came, the road to Governor Fayose’s home town was the worst road in the state. I was the one who did it. Virtually all the roads leading to the supposed enemies’ home towns, I did them because I felt it was right the thing to do”.

Fayemi allayed the fear that any project embarked upon by his government will be stalled.

He said the urban renewal project in Ado Ekiti will be completed. Many indigenes have compalined about the slow pace of work at the site. “Work has not stopped. If you go to Ikole or Ikere, you will see that those local roads are being constructed. In Ado, we have had a peculiar challenge with the contractor handling the beautification and the contract has been revoked. And there is a process to that. We cannot get a new person to do it until we legally remove those who were in charge of the original contract, that is the reason for that. I know that the new contractors are about to start work on the beautification of Ado Ekiti,” he stressed.

The governor also promised to intensify work on the community development projects across the state. “We have spent so far about N614 million on the various projects. The way we went about it was that we had a philosophy that the people are the best monitors and implementers of projects that are dear to their hearts”, he said.

The projects underscore the essence of participatory democracy at the grassroots. Fayemi explained that they were dictated by community preference. After the various communities conducted their need assessment, the presidents and secretaries of the town unions will list the projects, their plains and costs. “We will then send people from our Ministry of Rural Development to assess and evaluate projects and we then give them money in phases. 50 per cent to start, then, 30 per cent and 20 per cent subsequently”, Fayemi said.

The governor is happy that, in virtually all the communities where these projects were sited, 80 per cent completion has been achieved.

In many towns, they have been completed on time and at minimal cost. Fayemi acknowledged that these communities have done much better than the government that awards contracts to people outside. “From the assessment I have done, it simply shows that people take ownership of what they implement and it is difficult to steal community money. If it is government, nobody is government. Government money is money for everybody and whoever can grab. I have an unfinished task at the Government House.

That is the notion that has been engraved in people’s mind. But, for communities, you need to see the kind of accounting records that they keep. It is one of the most successful project initiatives we have come up with”, he added.

In spite of these strides, there are challenges,

constraints and impediments to effective performance. For example, the governor has been challenged for introducing the competitive test for teachers. Although it was designed to boost their efficiency, it was misinterpreted by the opposition, which alleged that its results would be used to either retain or sack them because he hates teachers. Fayemi denied the allegation, saying: “Anyone who asks you to improve cannot hate you. If somebody is interested in you becoming better and much more qualitative in what you do, then the person loves you. I think I must admit that there are times when good initiatives may be communicated in a way that it does not achieve the objective that you set out to achieve. I don’t think there is any teacher in this state that believes that I hate teachers”.

“First, I am a product of a teacher and secondly, I am a teacher by training. Thirdly, free education is an obsession for me and at every opportunity. I also want to improve myself and I want people around me to also be improved.

Fourthly, I am a product of public school education in this state, not in Lagos or Abuja. You can walk to my school in ten minutes from the Governor’s Office. So, I grew up here and I knew what solid public education was when I was growing up, and I really wanted to rekindle that when I became governor here. I can tell you that teachers in Ekiti have never had it so good,” he explained.

Fayemi said that, if he hated teachers, his government would not have introduced the “core subject allowance” as an incentive for good teaching. “If you teach English, Mathematics or you teach basic science in Ekiti, on top of your normal salary, you get 20 per cent as an incentive. This is an addition to the general teachers’ peculiar allowance. In fact, other workers of government are complaining that teachers in Ekiti are too well treated to their own detriment. For the first time in the history of this state, primary school teachers are getting car loans. We gave car loans to secondary schools and civil servants in. the state. But the previous government did not even give loans to anybody, whether you are primary or secondary teachers. This is the government that has pioneered all these things” he said.

Fayemi listed his achievements in education.

These include the renovation and construction of 183 secondary schools and 856 primary schools, some of which had not been touched since the time of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. Now that the schools are funded adequately, pupils are leaving private schools for public schools in Ekiti. “We received the good news from Abuja of having the best primary school in the country. The Stock Exchange did a competition just late last year and our College of Education Demonstration School in Ikere-Ekiti came first. The state university made the best result in the Law School this year. For the first time in 34years, Ekiti State University has all its courses accredited by National Universities Commission (NUC),” he added.

The governor said that his higher education reforms have also yielded good dividends. He pointed out that the Ekiti State University, which was in the doldrums when he became the became the governor has been repositioned, following the merger of three glorified secondary schools masquerading as universities.

Apart from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), Fayemi is also battling opposition from an unusual quarter. In June, his compatriot, Hon. Opeyemi Bamidele of the House of Representatives, may be contesting against him on the platform of the Labour Party (LP). The crack on the wall was not envisaged. Many members of the political family believe that reconciliation is still possible between the two disciples of Asiwaju Bola Tinubu.

The governor has not made any adverse comments about the Iyin-Ekiti-born politician and former Lagos State Commissioner for Information and Strategy. He also denied the allegation that the federal legislator was edged out of the party. “Opeyemi is my friend. He will remain my friend for as long as I live. I consider him more than a friend. I consider him a brother and that is why he could do all of what he is •Continued on page 39

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

POLITICS Apart from the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the main opposition party, the All Progressives Congress (APC), there are over 25 parties on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) register. But, do they have prospects in 2015? MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE examines the fate of the parties on the fringe as the country prepares for the general elections.

2015: Can small parties escape INEC’s hammer?

T

HE 2015 elections will be a straight fight between the two dominant parties - the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the All Progressives Congress (APC). The minor parties may become spectators during the presidential election.

The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has over 25 political parties on its register.

The small parties include the Liberal Democratic Party of Nigeria (LDPN), the Masses Movement of Nigeria (MMN), the Movement for Democracy and Justice (MDJ), and the National Conscience Party (NCP). Others are the National Democratic Party(NDP), the National Solidarity Democratic Party (NSDP), the National Movement of Progressive Party (NMPP), the New Nigeria Peoples Party (NNPP), the Peoples Progressives Party (PPP), the United Democratic Party (UDP), and the Mega Progress Peoples Party (MPPP).

The relevance of these parties will depend on their alliance with the two dominant parties. For the PDP and the APC, it is not going to be business as usual. The defections in the political camps point to the fact that a tough contest is imminent.

The PDP and APC are consolidating their strongholds, ahead of 2015. But, the minor parties are diminishing in strength. Thus, would - be voters are raising eyebrows over the extension of subvention to them by the electoral commission.

The Labour Party, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the Accord Party (AP) fielded candidates in the 2011 polls and won some seats in the state and federal parliaments. For instance, the LP won the governorship election in Ondo State and seats in the House of Assembly. APGA has maintained its hold on Anambra State. The Accord Party is struggling for survival in Oyo State. It has some seats in the House of Assemly.

As the polity prepares for the next elections, are the minor parties in the reckoning? Can they make any difference in 2015? Will they form alliance with major parties?

The MPPP, which held its national convention in February, has said that it would spring surprise. Its new chairman, Mr. Dare Falade, said the party will fly, despite the resignation of its national chairman, Hon. Rasheed Shitta-Bey, who has defected to the APC. He did not rule out the possibility of going into alliance with any of the major political parties.

However, the National Chairman of the Conference of Nigeria •Continued from page 39

doing without my batting an eyelid.

But, I also said to you, in times past, that there is nothing wrong in having an ambition; it is legitimate. The only objection I had was the notion that he was hounded out of the party because there was no space for him to contest. I will give you specific examples and evidence that Opeyemi never approached the party that he wanted to run for any office, not at the ward level, not at the local government level and not at the state level.

So, nobody could have denied him the right to run”, he clarified.

Fayemi noted Opeyemo’s objection to the decision of some political leaders in the APC to endorse him for a

• Musa

•Umeh

•Ladoja

• Nwayanwu

• Ogboru

•Falase

‘Any credible Nigerian, who finds it difficult to contest elections on the platforms of big parties, can organise and contest on the platforms of the relatively smaller parties and, with proper mobilisation, they can win’ Political Parties (CNPP), Alhaji Balarabe Musa, expressed misgivings about the two major political parties. He said the minor political parties have rejected them and would have nothing to do with them. This position contradicted the views of Falade, a member of the forum.

Musa said that, if the country is to achieve a breakthrough, the solution does not lie with the APC and the PDP. He urged the minor parties to rise up to the occasion to save the country. He said

the manifestoes of the two leading parties have failed to address poverty, insecurity and infrastructural deficiency.

Musa said: “All the other political parties have rejected any merger with either the APC or the PDP. Therefore, the most logical thing they should do for their own survival and relevance is to form democratic alliance with the strongest among the minor parties.

“They should forge ahead and prepare against the PDP and the APC. They have to be led by one of

the political parties that have structures on ground. The party should control, at least, one state government. If this is done, they will be in a position to give the PDP or the APC a fight during the 2015 election.

“The political situation in the country today clearly needs such an alliance that will save the country because, if this is not done, the country will not move forward. It is clearly in the body language of the dominant parties that they want to either perpetuate them-

Fayemi: Why I deserve second term second term. He said that nobody can legislate against endorsement because endorsement is neither an election or primaries. “Chief Obafemi Awolowo endorsed a gentleman named J.S Olawoyin as the candidate for the UPN in Kwara State. That primary held thrice. A university lecturer named C.O Adebayo defeated the giant of Kwara politics. Chief Awolowo had no choice than to accept the result, even though his own colleague and friend, whom he wanted, was the victim of that race. Nobody said Opeyemi could not run. Opeyemi, in his own estima-

tion, looked at the terrain and felt that, if this man has been endorsed by some leaders of the party, if I run against him, it may be a futile effort. Why don’t I go to another party? And he is right in doing that. I don’t think that should make enemies of us,” he added.

As the poll day draws near, fears are being expressed about the competence of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The umpire had bungled the Anambra State governorship poll. The candidates are now in court. Although the INEC Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega,

has assured that there will be a transparent election in Ekiti, his assurance has not doused the fear. “The taste of the pudding is in the eating. The INEC is always good at demonstrating preparedness, but there is always a difference between demonstrating preparedness and implementing preparedness”, Fayemi said.

In the governor’s view, Jega may be genuinely committed to a clean and credible process, judging by his antecedent. But, he quickly added that “when you do things the same way and you expect different results, it does not come across to me as genu-

selves in power to enslave the people or want to take over power for their own selfish interest.”

The Chairman of the Civic Consciousness Initiative, Prof. Idowu Sobowale, said the lukewarm attitude of Nigerians to election must be addressed. He said political apathy is not the solution.

Sobowale said: “It is not a subject of assigning role to minor political parties. It is a question of whether they are coming out with new idea.

It is a question of whether they are coming out with sincere ideas to move the country forward. If they do, the chances are that they could be invited by one of the major groups or they could come together and in turn form a third major party”.

The university don said that minor parties could be encouraged, if the electorate live up to their civic responsibilities.

He added: “The usual attitude that politics is evil and should be left to those people who can play the dirty game has been the bane of the failure of government.”

A chieftain of the PDP in the Southwest, Chief Ishola Filani, said the relevance of the minor political parties depend on their philosophy.

He said that parties will attract votes, based on their manifestos.

“These parties will determine the role they can play in the next electoral dispensation. Under the law, they have the right to contest, except the law says otherwise”, Filani added.

The party chieftain said the gates of alliances are not closed, adding that, if the smaller parties chose to join the PDP, they are free.

“There is no law that bans them from integrating with any of the major political parties of their choice,” he stressed.

The Coordinator of the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER), Mr. Ayo Opadokun, said that it is still too early to reflect on what the smaller parties will do in 2015. He said that the political landscape is still evolving and re-adjusting to reality.

Opadokun said: “The year 2015 will open its space to accommodate the minor parties and we will all see the role they will play”.

A Chieftain of the Pro National Conference Organisation (PRONACO), Linus Okoroji, said available statistics indicate that majority of the eligible voters do not vote, stressing that this vacuum gives opportunity to politicians to enjoy underserved victories at the polls.

“Any credible Nigerian, who finds it difficult to contest elections on the platforms of big parties, can organise and contest on the platforms of the relatively smaller parties and, with proper mobilisation, they can win.” ine preparedness. I will like to be proved wrong that I have not seen that qualitative, objective, independent readiness. Maybe, I don’t know enough of what is in place.”

Fayemi, who has been a victim of rigging in the past, said that Ekiti will insist on one man one vote, adding that the vote must also count. “I sit in my vantage position. I monitor what is going on and I also talk to those who are somewhat involved in the process and I do not get a sense that we have learnt lessons. But then, my reactions maybe extreme because I have been a victim as you know and I am not prepared to give the INEC a benefit of the doubt. My own mantra is to be over prepared for them”.

46

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

47

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Scattered across the ancient town of Iseyin are talents. Aside being known for its mass production of the highly revered hand-woven material, Aso--Oke, and its aluminium pot factory, the town has got lots of untapped talents.

This was the surprise package when residents of the Ebedi Writers Residency held their literary feast, reports EVELYN OSAGIE.

Foundation presents book on insurgency

By Evelyn Osagie

A

‘Iseyin’s got talent’

L

OCATED in the Northern part of Oyo State, the ancient town of Iseyin is laced with interesting tourist sites and untapped talents. This was the observation of guests at a creative feast held in the town.

One of those talents was a 10-year-old bata drummer, Moshood Ayandiran, who thrilled guests with his drumming during the cultural and dramatic performances by children in the town. His drumming came as a welcome accompaniment to the energetic drumming of his elder brother, Saheed who played the Iya–Ilu bata drum. Moshood, who had been playing the Omele metadrums since the age of four, said he intends to make a profession off drumming when he grows up.

Aside Moshood the ‘drummer’, the feast, which was organised by residents and management of the Ebedi International Writers Residency, also featured other talents, such as some young poets (Ibrahim Rasaq, Dorcas Adewunmi and Olusegun Deborah), who took turns to present their own poems to the audience.

Indeed it was festival of talents as children treated their parents and visitors to several dances, musical, poetic and dramatic presentations. Whether it was songs, drama or poetry, the children had words of admonition and message for their guests and the nation at large.

With the growing insurgency, the songs by the choral group came as a welcome flavouring in the feast as they called attention to the need for peace and unity in the polity, while urging the young to discover and use their talents positively.

They sang: “We are the ones to make Nigeria a better place…when peace in our heart; there’ll be peace in our homes…peace in the nation and the world…”

Sixteen year old multitalented Oluwadamila Grace’s inspirational song entitled, Leaning on God reminded the guests of the need to trust in the Divine strength no matter the odds.

The highlight of the event was the dramatic presentations by the drama group of the Iseyin District Grammar School (IDGS) where the event took place. The group thrilled the audience to spirited cultural performances and two drama sketches that highlighted the importance of education (A comedy), home training and parents’ encouragements.

Impressed by the presentations, Former Director, Ministry of Health, Dr Francis Ogundara, urged the children: “Never let anyone talk you down because you carry greatness inside of you. If you are unwavering, your dream will come true. It is good to develop your talent. You can achieve all you want through patience and determination.”

Oyo State Commissioner for Budget and Planning, Hon. Fatai Atanda, who is a native of the town, praised the show of talents by the children, while stating that the government has taken steps to boost development and tourism, especially through the on-going road construction in the town and across the state. “Barely a month ago, we had some visitors from abroad who would be partnering with government. They are working on developing the lake at Ado Awaye in Iseyin to an international standard,” he said.

The display of talents witnessed at the event was linked to the activities of the Ebedi International Writers Residency established by former president of Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA), Dr Wale Okediran, which is popularly called the “White House” in Iseyin.

It has become synonymous to a creative den for visitors and kids in the town, it was learnt.

•From left: Uzoh, Olalere, Funmi, Atanda, Mrs Atunwa, and Kofi Sackey (squatting)

•Cultural performance by the students.

PHOTOS: EVELYN OSAGIE

LITERARY FEAST According to parents, many have often wondered why their wards were passionately attending the regular meetings. “My daughter, Zainab is always saying that she goes to the White House and spends the whole day there.

At first, I didn’t feel comfortable with her going there; but as a teacher, who knows the importance of extra-moral activities and encourages the young to develop their talents by putting their energy on something constructive, I allowed her.

“But on getting here today and seeing what she and her mates have done, I am happy and proud I allowed her. They have done me and their school proud. Engaging in creative and constructive extra-moral activities as they have usually help to expose and boost children’s confidence. Many, who were shy, are now bold. If they are allowed to develop their talents positively, they would be great in the future, especially if they start while they are young,” said IDGS and Vice Principal (Special Duties), Mrs Nimota Bimpe Atunwa, whose child was a participant.

Like Mrs Atunwa, Ogundare Sarafat, mother of Zainab (one of the student-actress), said she was particularly impressed by the efforts of the students. “I didn’t know that my daughter can act until I got here. I am happy and impressed with what I saw. Their drama has taught me many things, especially on the negative effect of swearing on my children.”

IDGS English teacher, Prince Femi Olalere praised the efforts of the organisers, saying: “It is good that parents can now see what their children have been going to the “White House” (as the residence is called) to do.”

After spending six weeks working on their manuscripts and mentoring children in the town, the residents said they were impressed with the numerous talents in the place. They, however, lamented that it is “unfortunate that most of them remain untapped”. It was learnt that the three residents – Funmi Aluko, Gertrude Uzoh and Jumoke Verrisimmo have been involved with working with children before coming for the programme.

Uzoh, who is also a musician and the brain behind the songs the children sang, said that aside offering her the space and time to finish her novel and a smaller book, six weeks in Ebedi gave her the opportunity to meet with

•Moshood the young drummer

other talented children.

She said: “Aside Youth Service, this is another enriching experience. I was working on my album when the opportunity came and I left it to come here. As a writer, serenity is what we seek, and that is what Ebedihas has done for me. I’ve achieved here, what I couldn’t have in six weeks if I had not come. For offering the opportunity and joy of being able to impact the children, thank you Ebedi. No doubt, Iseyin has got great talents! I only hope they would tap the many talents they’ve got.”

Aluko, who gave the children poetry and dram lessons, urged the government and corporate bodies to support the work of the founder of the residence, saying: “We want more of these across the country so that more people will benefit.

BOOK

S the fight against terrorism and insurgency rages on in Nigeria, the involvement or response of young Nigerians has become the focus of a new study commissioned by CLEEN Foundation.

The ground breaking study, now published in a book, which was presented to the public in Abuja last month, comes at a critical point in Nigeria’s history when the activities of violent extremist groups have resulted in different degrees of insecurity across country, particularly in the northern region.

While the solution to the situation has remained overwhelming, the Boko Haram group seems to be expanding on its network through its recruitment of young Nigerians. It is on this basis that CLEEN Foundation, a non-governmental organisation with the mission of promoting public safety, security and accessible justice through the strategies of empirical research, among others, conducted a research to understand why young Nigerians are prone to joining the Boko Haram group.

According to CLEEN’s Senior Programme Officer, Ms Valkhamiya Ahmadu, “The study was aimed at providing an empirical understanding and assessment of the push and pull factors between youths, radicalisation and affiliation with insurgent groups in the northern part of Nigeria”.

She said the study also set out to identify the patterns, prevalence and potential threats of youth radicalisation to the security situation in northern Nigeria and proffer actionable recommendation on how to tackle the root causes of the crisis.

In order to effectively respond to the problem of youth extremism and radicalisation in northern Nigeria, the report calls for better monitoring and regulation of religious preaching; creation of more employment opportunities for youth; design and delivery of robust programme for destitute children; enhanced provision of education and literacy programme; promotion of peace education and promotion of peace education.

According to Research Fellow, Centre for Strategic Research and Studies, National Defence College, Abuja, Dr Freedom Onuoha, the reliance on force to deal with the issue of youth radicalisation and extremism has recorded modest success, but have failed to completely defeat the scourge, noting that any attempt to effectively and sustainably addressing youth extremism and radicalisation in northern Nigeria, therefore, will require better understanding of its underlying drivers.

He praised the initiative of CLEEN Foundation, saying it is only but a modest attempt to uncover such drivers. It does not claim to have covered much ground, however, its utility lies in the fact that it has made the very important first step towards understanding the key drivers of extremism and radicalisation.

“The distance it has not covered should inform further action on the part of government, private sector, civil society groups and academics in our quest to find the drivers of, and solutions to, violent radicalisation and extremism in Nigeria.

“Ignorance of the religious teaching provides the most important source through which youths acquire radical views of religion, often propagated by roaming (independent) preachers.

Furthermore, economic (poverty and unemployment) as well as socio-cultural factors (poor parental upbringing or neglect of children) underpin young people’s vulnerability to engage in violent extremism or getting radicalised by extremist ideologues or groups,” he said.

The programme was attended by experts, security agencies, journalists and civil society organisations across the country.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

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The Midweek Magazine

I

N our past review of the book, Looting Africa: The Economics of Exploitation by the South African political economist, Prof Patrick Bond, we found out how Africa has been the object of the most vicious forms of brutalisation, domination, repression and exploitation, beginning with the slave trade that lasted over 400 years and another century of colonial rule culminating in the present stage of neo-colonialism and globalisation in which the continent continues to remain the foot mat of the rich and powerful actors on the global arena.

Today, we focus attention on another book, which also critically examines the place of Africa in the contemporary global political economy. Entitled New Scramble for Africa, this book published in 2010 by the Nigerian Institute of International Affairs (NIIA), is based on a conference organised by the Ministry of Foreign Affairs in April 2007. Yet, the issues raised by the various contributors remain germane as Africa continues to look for a way out of the quagmire of underdevelopment, retardation and mass misery.

If there is indeed a new scramble for Africa, many of the contributors posit, there must have been an earlier older scramble for the continent. The old scramble for Africa, they aver, began in the 19th century starting with the Berlin conference of 1884 to 1885 – a forum at which the continent was partitioned and arbitrarily divided among the colonial powers. Unlike the old scramble, which was for physical control of specified territories by competing imperial powers, the new scramble refers to the fierce competition by global powers to gain access to Africa’s rich resources including gold, diamonds, timber, oil, uranium, ivory and natural gas among others.

In addition to the old colonial powers that engaged in the first scramble, new emergent powers have joined the race to benefit from Africa’s trove of mineral and natural resources. These include China and India, who desperately need natural resources to fuel the on-going rapid industrialisation of their economies. In his foreword to the book, Professor Osita Eze, identifies two paradoxes of the contemporary African condition.

Firstly, Africa is one of the most richly endowed regions of the world in terms of mineral and natural resources. Yet, the continent is one of the poorest and most backward in the world. Secondly, Africa plays a marginal role in the global economy despite the fact that she supplies the strategic and critical resources necessary for economic growth.

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From Jacob Olu Alabi

CONFERENCE

Segun Ayobolu

sms to 07032777778 segunayobolu2@yahoo.com

Is there a new scramble for Africa?

Distinguished political scientist, Professor Adele Jinadu, in the first chapter of the book, entitled: Conceptual and theoretical issues in the scramble for Africa, contends that there is some continuity between the old and new scrambles for Africa. He posits that the success of the first scramble for Africa in the 19th century was facilitated by the technological superiority of the European powers and “an evangelising, racist and crusading psychology of domination which assured the cultural, moral and racial superiority of Europe over dominated peoples in Africa and Asia”. Like the old globalisation of the 19th century, Jinadu contends that the new one is also predicated on technological superiority of the industrialised world, world trade regimes and the universalisation of borrowed cultural and intellectual institutions.

Arguing that the end of European colonial rule did not imply the termination of empire, Jinadu agrees with the Afrocentric authors who “view contemporary globalisation without forced empire as a continuation of the historical and structural process of capitalist and imperialist domination on a world scale”.

He laments the fact that globalisation has deepened the marginalisation of Africa making it difficult for the continent to achieve ‘auto-centred’ development. To make matters worse, African countries are perceived and treated as ‘follower-societies’ in the image of the globalizaing west. He gives the dire warning that: “The new scramble and new imperialism both pose serious possibilities for the re-colonisation of Africa, for they confer

power without political responsibility and accountability to us”.

Writing on Historical perspectives of the scramble for Africa, Professor Mike Kwanashie, agrees with the view that the present condition of Africa is largely a function of historic injustices and exploitation which continue up till now. In his words: “The world which depended on African raw materials, markets and even slaves to build an economic system in the 19th century, today is unable to create the conditions under which the continent can sustain meaningful development.” According to Kwanashie, the situation of most of Africa today can be traced to the evolution of the African economies from the pre-1894 period to the partition of the continent along western interests in the 19th century to the present stage of capitalist domination of the global economy.

Kwanashie argues that the relationship between Africa and the colonial powers resulted in the gradual destruction of the hitherto noncapitalist economies of Africa and their transformation into dependent capitalist economies. Consequently, the economic crisis of most African states today is only a reflection of the generalised crisis of global capitalism since the economies of the continent were incorporated into the world capitalist economy in the 19th century on an unequal basis.

In his contribution, The new scramble for Africa: A strategic policy framework, Prof C. C Nweke, agrees with the view that the new scramble for Africa is a new phase in the neocolonial exploitation of the critical resources

ITB Berlin 2014: Nigeria eyes European option

POEM

Celebrate Life

By Viola Akhigbe Birthdays are special times in our lives To celebrate the gift of God that is called life Birthdays are special moments in our lives To recount with joy the goodness of this life Not that it’s always been so full of roses Or there’ve not been situations that get up our noses But we’ve by grace sailed through life’s courses And triumphed in glory over contending forces So, we celebrate the fact that we’re alive That we reign and rule, and more than survive We celebrate the love, the care and all things sincere Outpourings of our hearts that we happily share And we celebrate the One who gives us strength For every single day we’re on earth.

Happy Birthday!

•Continued from page17

was a key topic that attracted keen visitor interest.

Since it opened March 5 till 9, about 10,147 exhibitors from 189 countries more than two-thirds of whom came from abroad - were represented in 26 halls which were booked to capacity. Overall, some 114,000 trade visitors travelled to Berlin. Despite the weather for this time of year more than 60,000 members of the general public came to find out about the wide-ranging information on offer from exhibitors and providers of niche market products.

At the close of the fair, Mongolia emerged official partner country of ITB Berlin. Mongolian representatives led by Minister of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Ts.Oyungerel officially opened the Mongolian exhibition and the Governing Mayor of Berlin, Klaus Wowereit, and Chief Executive Officer of Messe Berlin Dr. Christian Goke viewed the Mongolian exhibition.

Minister Ts.Oyungerel formed an agreement with Goke for Mongolia to participate in ITB Berlin as a partner country.

State Secretary of the Ministry of Culture, Sports, and Tourism Mongolia P.Altangerel and Head of ITB Berlin David Ruetz signed a partner country protocol for ITB Berlin - 2015. Following the signing of the agreement, Minister Ts.Oyungerel introduced the theme of the Mongolian exhibition's logo, Mongolia: Nomadic by Nature.

The trade fair also intends to encourage tour operators to sign the "Commitment

and markets of the African continent by European, North American and now non-European powers. He believes that any attempt by African countries to seek benefits from this relationship of exploitation will only deepen the continent’s dependency and slavery in the international division of labour. He articulates policies to win maximum economic policy making space for African countries “to take full control of Africa’s resources and economic activities towards regaining sovereign control of our destinies”.

Among Nweke’s suggestions to thwart the new scramble for Africa and launch the continent on the part of genuine, self -reliant development are the enthronement of national leadership with a sense of mission and who cannot be stooges or collaborators with imperialism; Insistence by African countries on being allowed maximum economic policy-making space in accordance with their sovereign autonomy; placing emphasis on food security and basic needs such as shelter, clothing, access to clean water, sanitation, public transportation, health and education as well as production- based regional integration with emphasis on production rather than trade.

He also advocates a Natural ResourceBased strategic planning for African countries, which will involve more substantial and effective control of the minerals sector

by African countries; processing of natural resources before export; gradual and progressive phasing out of minerals export which are non-renewable energy sources and the establishment of indigenous Technological Research and Development Centres of Excellence. Given the emergence of China as a global economic power and her aggressive incursions into different sectors of African economies in recent years, it is not surprising that three chapters in this book are dedicated to various aspects of Chinese-African relations. Indeed, Professor Ogaba Oche suggests optimistically that: “The Chinese model presents itself as an alternative to the neo-liberal consensus because Chinese aid comes without political strings attached and because China concentrates investment in Infrastructure and human capital rather than primary products, and addressing developmental problems that are not solved by market fundamentalism”. But is China’s engagement with Africa motivated by benevolent altruism or considerations of her own national interest just like the western powers?

Time will tell.

•Rwandans on stage at the fair

to Human Rights in Tourism"which has been prepared by the participants in the Round Table. On Friday at the ITB CSR Day, during the ITB Berlin Convention, Rika Jean-François, CSR appointee of ITB Berlin, signed a corresponding undertaking, which she presented to Antje Monshausen, who was attending the ITB Berlin Convention as Tourism Watch representative for the famine relief organisation Brot für die Welt and also as representative of the Round Table at ITB Berlin.

In the words of the statement: "As a travel

trade fair we take our responsibility for respecting human rights in tourism very seriously. We welcome the 'Commitment to Human Rights in Tourism'and will work towards its implementation." During her attendance at the "Round Table" she was extremely impressed by the high standards of professionalism with which the participants addressed this subject, stated Rika Jean-François. She pointed out that tourism also has its negative side, and drew attention to such problems as child labour, trafficking in human beings and discrimination against the LBGT community.

BRIEF Book on errors of the church Finding a way out of the many errors of the church would be the focus at the public presentation of a book entitled Errors of Today’s Church and the Way Out. The presentation will hold at on Saturday at the Centre for Management Development, CMD Road, Magodo, Lagos.

According to the writer of the book, Evangelist Segun Oluwafemi a journalist and clergy, the event in which Reverend Felix Meduoye, the general overseer of the Foursquare Gospel Church in Nigeria, would be the Special Guest of Honour, would be a roll call of great men of God.

49

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

The Midweek Magazine

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Aesthetic appeals in contemporary Nigerian poetry

A

U S V A IL

AKACHI Adimora-Ezeigbo is a contemporary Nigerian African writer whose fictive oeuvre does not only adumbrate contemporary feminist issues, but also raises a finger of protest in the theory and practice of feminism in Africa and the rest of the world.

Her “accommodationist” ideology which provides an alternative ideological canvas for the criticism of African feminist fiction strikes my critical curiosity; but not in the same way that this collection (Dancing Mask) elicits some sort of curiosity to reveal that which the “dancing mask” conceals. This curiosity could plunge one into some sort of confusion about the nomenclature by which this new poetic voice may be identified in literary discourse; Ezeigbo the Novelist, or the Poet?

This confusion may have been informed

by Nnolim’s (2010) classification of poetic craftsmanship into the “poet qua poet” and “the versifier”. To him, the “poet qua poet” is he who is totally committed to the art of poetry without doing anything that is really significant outside of it. The “versifier” on the other hand is the poet who writes one or two lines when his poetic muse comes visiting occasionally, and afterwards, goes back to his original vocation. Charles Nnolim is one critic of African literature who has, and will continue to inspire the younger generation of African critics that has much respect for the man and his achievements. Notwithstanding, it is not difficult to hold a point of view which suggests that Nnolim’s classification is more of a polemical fiat that is based on analytical convenience and critical preference more than a literary axiom. This point of view is informed by the fact that Ezeigbo currently has four published collections of poetry.

These collections have been equally wellreceived in the same way as the five novels she has so far written.

This observation is important to the review of this collection where Ezeigbo legitimately recommends herself as a poet that cannot be ignored in the criticism and evaluation of modern Nigerian poetry. In Dancing Masks, Ezeigbo reveals her maturity from her first three collections of poetry by presenting a superior socio-political vision for which established poets like Tanure Ojaide,

BOOK REVIEW

Title: Author: Reviewer: Publisher: Pagination:

Dancing Mask Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo John Uwa Kraft Books

140

Odia Ofeimun, Niyi Osundare and Tayo Olafioye have variously received critical reception.

A semiotic analysis of the Dancing Masks renders a spectacle of people, grappling with floods of socio-political aberrations that are masked in hope and humour, signified by two dancing masks on the front cover page of the

When polygamy hurts

I

SIDORE Okpewho's The Victims portrays polygamy as a harbinger of disaster. It tells the story of unhappy women who had the hard luck of getting married to an "irresponsible man".

The story revolves around "Nwabunor" whose husband, "Obanua", marries a second wife after three years of searching for a child with sadness and anxiety tormenting their lives.

Their home had once been peaceful, filled with love and happiness until Obanua gets incited by his mother to marry a second wife since his first has only one son, "Ubaka".

The tragedy begins when Obanua marries Ogogua who already has a set of twins, Ndidi and Ogo for a Portuguese merchant.

Nwabunor sees Ogogua as a threat, determines that none would push her out of her rightful position; she makes her intention known by moving her belongings to Obanua's room before Ogogua's arrival. This leads to more complications. Nwabunor, who has passed the bloom of youth, had more to lose blames everyone for her misfortunes.

On the other hand, in spite of her

BOOK REVIEW

U S V A IL

Title: Author: Reviewer:

Isidore Okpewho

Pages:

200

The Victims Chinasa Ekekwe

beauty and youth, young vibrant Ogogua is seen stealing from her mate and becomes an adulteress.

This rivalry between the women leads to the calamity that ensued.

And as the storm rages on, Obanua realises too late that he has lost total control of his home. Frustrated, he gradually withdraws from his

collection. By this token, the masks become a motif through which greater insight is provided into themes of social relevance in contemporary Nigeria. Ezeigbo presents us with a mask behind which most people live, and “behind which certain human tendencies are disguised”.

The collection is divided into five parts, and each deals with distinct contemporary issues in Nigeria. The first section “Signs of the Times” which contains nineteen poems deals with the themes of nature, woman, sex, prostitution, exploitation, sexual violence, corruption, love etc. In this section, Ezeigbo seems to be moved by a miscellany of poetic muse which allows her to peck on various contemporary issues of our society from environmental pollution to other social aberrations. Like Chielo, the priestess of Agbala in Things Fall Apart, when Ezeigbo is in her creative elements as this collection proves, we see a personality that is paradoxical to her every day gentle and motherly disposition; and with the vigour of a prophetic muse, Ezeigbo reverberates the end-time prediction of Apostle Paul in 1st Timothy 4: 1-5 and 2nd Timothy 3: 1-5. To paraphrase the quote, men whose hearts have been seared with a hot iron will speak lies in hypocrisy. Men shall become lovers of their own selves, covetous, boasters, proud, blasphemers, unthankful, traitors, heady, high-minded, fierce, trucebreakers, incontinent, despisers of those that are good and lovers of pleasure.

In “Weird world” and “Winter whiplash” Ezeigbo exhibits her romantic tendencies in dealing with the changing manifestation of nature; but unlike the “nature” poets who praise the beauty of nature, Ezeigbo goes a step further to question the disaster that is wrought by nature, especially the pollution that “uncoils like deadly snake”. The implication of such vision is that both poems can favourably bow to contemporary literary theory like eco-criticism. At the level of symbolism, Ezeigbo can be said to be confronting agents of exploitations and the “get-richquick” syndrome of contemporary society, where people no longer wait for their turn or legitimate course of earning a living. This is what she implies by “berries fruiting before their time” and “spring flowers blooming before theirs”. (19) The poetic touch of both poems is enhanced by her use of formal elements such as simile, extended metaphor,

unsettled home the solace of palm wine bottles.

The problem in the house climaxes with Nwabunor destroying Ogogua and her children. This she does by procuring a deadly portion from an herbalist which she uses not only to kill her and her childen, but also her own son. The calamity turns her mad, while Obanua continues his friendship with bottles of wine.

Although The Victims, which has also been shot into a film at Ozala in Delta State, is set in a rustic African village with "river" where "Ubaka" goes to fetch water, it also has mixed feel of a town. It is typical of stories in most polygamous homes in African. In it, the author highlights the ills of polygamy, warning that men marry the number of women they can handle.

Aside rivalry and conflict other thematic preoccupations include immorality as seen in Ogugua's promiscuous acts with Gwam Odafe; poverty as seen in Obanua's inability to take care of his family. The family suffered gravely when he lost his job.

Rebellion, frustration and hatred are other themes in the work.

These are in the rivalry between the wives, which subsequently leads Nwabunor to seek to the counsel of "Ese Nwozomudo", a dreadful herbalist in the town, where she collected the poison that wiped out the family, excluding Obanua. The theme of irresponsibility is also seen in Obanua attitude of seeking solace in drinking palours instead of facing the issues staring him on the face.

apposition and allusions. “Skeletal motion” as used in the last stanza of the first poem for instance, is an apposition that is used to clarify the nature of existence on which “life leans”. This is given further clarification by the extended metaphor of the last two lines.

Ezeigbo keeps the steam of her deployment of formal poetic elements in full motion when in “Ways of dying”, she employs elements like oxymoron, personification, apostrophe and simile to raise some existential issues that facilitate the cyclical ironies of human existence. Unlike William Wordsworth whose loss of “visionary gleam” readily connects him to the supernatural realm, Ezeigbo suggests that there are those who will not give in to nature’s hostilities without giving it a fight. To her, these people are like the “legendary cat” and only bow out after they are “done and ready proper” (26).

Using seven irregular verses in conformity with the free verse tradition in “News flash”, this emergent poetic voice takes a poignant look at governance and exploitation. The word “Ajabu” and the words “Ghana-mustgo-bag factory” in the fifth verse are images or symbols which help in creating some sort of imaginative or mental pictures of the high level of financial misappropriation and corruption that is being practised at the Federal Capital Territory, Abuja, by elites and the political class. The poet also indicts those who have embraced the policy of “siddon look”, and the “mutes and mumu”. The corrupt mentality of public service holders that the “public service is not free service” is also presented as a paradox in the second stanza. The painful irony of these paradoxes is that those who ought to stand for truth and justice have kept sealed lips. This is why in “Murderer of conscience”, Ezeigbo makes a defiant appeal to all those who are disposed and predisposed to standing for justice and truth, but have tarried. Using apostrophe in the first four lines, metaphor and extended metaphor in lines 8, 9 and 10 of the first verse, Ezeigbo opines that there are defenceless people who have been permanently placed in exploitative limbo, subjugated and oppressed; people who must be defended by those whose consciences have not yet been seared with a hot iron. By this token, Ezeigbo is exhibiting her Marxian instinct and thus calling for an egalitarian society of fairness and equity.

‘I will build a library for Awoonor’ •Continued from page 16

pen and can effect change: an example is the way Nigerian writings have placed the country on the world map and the achievements of writers over the years.”

Given Ipadeola’s feat after beating 201 entries to bag the prize, NLNG Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Babs Omotowa said it was only fitting that they present their newest poet laureate to the public in Lagos, a “the city of poets; one that has inspired many talents”.

While outlining the company’s track record in contributing to the development of the nation’s energy sector, he reiterated the company’s commitment to the promotion of Literature and Science. “Today is not about Nigeria LNG Limited. It is about Tade Ipadeola. It is about The Sahara Testaments. It is about poetry and the poets who write them. It is about writers and the books they write. It is about recognising and celebrating excellence that the young ones with us today may see the way and follow it to their individual successes.

Congratulations, Tade.”

The Vice Chancellor of his alma mater, Obafemi Awolowo University (OAU), Prof Bamitale Omole, was also there to celebrate the product. He said Ipadeola repre-

sents what the school stands for, which is excellence in knowledge.

The chairman of the prize’s Advisory Board, Banjo, said the prize, which is in its 10th year, is fulfilling the purpose for which it is being established, chief of which is to encourage budding talents like Ipadeola.

In the hall were the poet’s wife, Moyofade and their kids: Petan and Eriife; and Irene Lopez Decastro, the Spanish artist whose artwork was used for the cover of Ipadeola’s work, and with her hubby, John Damanti.

Irene and Ipadeola had met in Jeju, South Korea, where Ipadeola’s poem, Songbird, won the Delphic Laurel in poetry.

Irene was one of those who encouraged Ipadeola while he worked on the book.

“Congratulations! I am happy to be here with you in this day of joy. I am happy you won because of the work you put into the writing of the book,” Irene said.

The whole experience, aspiring writer Samuel Udoetuk, who is a member of Whitesands School Press Club, said has fired up his pen.

“It has strengthened my passion for writing. I have realised it is not just about writing but making a statement with my writing.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

50

The Midweek Magazine

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PHOTO OF THE WEEK

FIGHT OR PLAY...?

Tout and Nighbourhood men fighting over Melodie (money) given out by a politcian at a reception for Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola at Ikeja, Lagos.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Celebrating unsung heroines

T

HE role of women cannot be over emphasised critics have said at the presentation of The 100 Unsung Heroines in Lagos.

The project, which was initiated by a young artist, Bayo Omoboriowo, seeks to celebrate and support women, who are touching lives and effecting change in their homes and the environment.

The star-studded unveiling of project drew dignitaries including the wife of the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mrs Pamela Schmoll; the Senior Economic Advisor, Open Society Foundations, Dr Obiageli Ezekwesili; Former President, Nigerian Traller Operators Association and Chief Executive Officer, Morbod Fisheries Limited, Mrs Margaret Orakwusi; Mrs Olufunmilayo Tejuosho; Osayi Oruene, Modupe Adefeso-Olateju and music sensation, Waje, among others.

Project was launched to commemorate Nigeria's centenary and the 2014 International Women's Day, the organisers said.

Regoe Lovefans Alfredo-Durugo was one of the 100 Unsung Heroines that was celebrated for her input in the education of children in Makoko slum and its environs, Lagos.

Dr Ezekwesili, who gave the keynote address, described women as the "bedrock of economic growth of any given nation which must not be disregarded", adding that their contributions to the development of every society, nation and sector play important roles, although huge, often times go unnoticed and unrewarded.

She said: "Research has proven that in a community where women earn income, more children go to school and fewer children are affected by disservices".

She praised Omoboriowo initiative, saying countries that understand the importance of individuals the wake of developments never ignore the women folk. "That

•From left: Tejuosho, Schmoll, Ezekwesili, Omoboriowo, Oruene, Orakwusi, Alfredo-Durugo.

By Udemma Chukwuma and Blessing Olisa

ADVOCACY is why I am delighted that through this project our women, whether educated or not educated will understand that they have accomplished greatness because women made up of this list of 100Unsung Heroines are amazing women, their accomplishments is not by any stretch of imagination diminished by the accomplishment of any other woman. In celebrating these one hundred women, I want you to know that what you are actually doing is celebrating your mothers. Many of our mothers will never get the opportunity to be seen for what they have done and yet they have done incredible things," she said.

Ezekwesili spoke on the importance of edu-

cating a girl child, observing that it will help not just in transferring them into human capital. "When women are able to make decision effectively, it has a very collateral positive effect."

Omoboriowo said women like AlfredoDurugo, who break their backs everyday for their nation and families in order to provide food and quality good education for their wards, are “the Unsung Heroines”.

"By January this year, our great nation Nigeria became 100 years old. Our women have contributed immensely to the nation's socioeconomic development and have increasingly become vocal and active in initiatives and efforts to influence and shape the formulation of progressive policies. Many of these women have unique stories of their journey to survival and success.

"Using the women of Nigeria in the informal sector as a case study, this project aims

PHOTO: UDEMMA CHUKWUMA

to highlight the unique role the women play in the everyday development of our nation as they go about their daily activities. We are on a trip to project the unparalleled energy and resilient spirit of a select portion of the Nigerian women in the informal sector making a difference in their own way thereby birthing a better nation to the world," Omoboriowo said.

Inspired by a woman at Mushin market, who sells soft drinks by the roadside to educate her children abroad, whom he had met while looking for Nigerian women with intriguing stories, Omoboriowo said: “I was surprised; and more determined to capture the exceptional images of women like her.

Though many negative things are happening in the country and we are not so happy but God has been faithful to give us exceptional Nigerian women who deserve to be seen and celebrated.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

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53

BUSINESS EXTRA

T

• From left: Chairman, Governing Board, CPC, Air Commodore (Retd) Ishaku Gang Mwadkoh; Mrs Johnson; Mrs. Atoki; and Chairman, Senate Committee on Commerce, Senator Odion Ugbesia at the launch of a Compendium of the Rights of Telecom Subscribers in Nigeria by CPC, in Abuja.

2,000Mw American, Korean plant for Ebonyi

HE Federal Govern ment through the Power Ministry is poised to fast track the construction of the proposed 2,000 megawatts (Mw) capacity power plant, which the Ebonyi State is proposing with American and Korean investors.

Speaking at a technical meeting to address grey areas in the project execution, the Minister of State for Power, Mohammed Wakil, who was inaugurated less than a week ago described the project as compliementary to the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President, especially as power is vital to other economic indicators.

Deputy Director (Press), Timothy Oyedeji made this disclosure in a statement yesterday.

According to the statement, the Ministry is ready to do all that is required for the timely

QoS: CPC warns telecoms operators • Compendium of subscribers’ rights presented T

HE Consumer Pro tection Council (CPC) has warned telcos that end has come to the era of exploitative practices in the country.

It has therefore launched a Compendium of the Rights of Telecommunication Subscribers in Nigeria which will become the rference document for all subscribers in the country.

The Minister of Communications Technology, Mrs. Omobola Johnson, who launched the compendium in Abuja at the Consumer Roundtable on Phone Rights organised by the CPC, warned operators to play by the rules in line with CPC’s crusade, saying, “the CPC is an agency that can bark and bite.”

She said there was need

for the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC) to strengthen its collaboration with the CPC to address subscribers’ complaints bordering on quality of service (QoS).

Speaking during the launch, Director-General, CPC, Mrs. Dupe Atoki, said: ”Like most interventions and innovations that have such an immense bearing on the general populace, abuses are prevalent. Such abuses remain unabated if the consumers of these products or services know little or nothing about their rights in this regard. On the other hand, the conglomerates that provide these products or services benefit from

the apathy of the uninformed consumers.

“The Nigerian consumers of telecoms services have been unable to assert their rights due largely to ignorance of these rights and where to complain. Therefore, in celebrating the World Consumer Rights Day, with the theme ‘Fix Our Phone Rights’, the CPC believes that the way forward is to codify the rights of telecommunications subscribers so that they can access, read and understand these rights.

“These rights come under segments such as poor network, unsolicited services, unlawful deductions/nontransparent billing, ex-

ploitative automated services, unauthorised SIM swaps/line disconnection, poor internet services and poor customer service.”

She said ‘The Compendium of the Rights of Telecoms Subscribers in Nigeria’ was developed by the CPC and is being launched as part of the commemoration of the World Consumer Rights Day. She said: “The consumer can take the compendium, which is very simple and concise, to the relevant operators and say this is my right. The initiative is one step for us in our advocacy platform for public enlightenment in Nigeria.”

The DG promised to part-

ner regulatory agencies and telcos to ensure that consumers get value for their money.

“In everything, collaboration brings out the best result. To the extent that the consumer right is put at the forefront, we will collaborate with the NCC. “The NCC has its powers while we have ours. There may be some overlapping functions but we will continue to insist that the consumer is the king and they must get value for their money,” she said.

In his welcome address, the Minister of State for Industry, Trade and Investment, Dr. Samuel Ortom, commended the CPC for its renewed efforts towards protecting consumers’ rights.”

Electricity workers protest non-payment of salary arrears

T

HERE was no work yesterday at the Ondo town Business District (OBD) office of the defunct Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN), now controlled by Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC).

Contract workers in the security department of the organisation were protesting.

The organisation’s main gate was shut by the workers.

Speaking for the angry workers, Mr Oluwole Olowu, who claimed to be

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

the Chief Security Officer (CSO) of the organisation, said they embarked on the protest to demand for the payment of their five months salary.

The workers, numbering about 50, dressed in Nigerian legion uniform, carried placards with various inscriptions, such as “BEDC pay us our salary,”; “Our children are hungry”; “We want to pay our children school fees”; “We want to pay our house rent”and others.

According to Oluwole, the workers wrote the company, informing it of their decision to embark on peaceful demonstration. They wrote also to the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Yaba Police Station in Ondo town about the protest.

He alleged that some top officials of the organisation were behind the delay in payment of their salary arrears.

He vowed that the workers would not return to work except something tangible was done by the zonal district of the company in Benin

city, Edo State Capital.

The Ondo State Public Relations Officer (PRO) of BEDC, Mr. Oghale Eduzaire, said the problem is in-house which affected not only the security officers alone but all casual workers in the company including members of the National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) serving in the company.

He said the manager of the company has been away in Benin-City, Edo State for three days to resolve the problem, assuring the protesters that the problem

Senate committees get ultimatum on budget reports

S

ENATE President, David Mark, yester day gave standing committees of the Senate one week ultimatum to submit their 2014 budget reports to the Appropriation Committee.

The ultimatum followed the failure of most committees to submit their budget reports within two weeks allotted for the submission of the reports.

The Senate had adjourned two weeks ago to allow its

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Asst.

Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

committees to conduct budget defence with ministries, departments and agencies (MDAs) they carry out oversight functions on.

But this was not to be as most of the committees failed to conduct the mandatory budget defence as directed by the Senate leadership while those that did were also said to have failed to submit their reports.

Before the Senate adjourned for another one week yesterday, Mark said the adjournment became necessary in order to give the committees time to work and submit their reports.

He noted that many of the committees have not submitted their budget reports to the Appropriation Committee as agreed.

He said the Senate agreed with the House of Representatives to conclude budget defence with MDAs and reports

submitted to enable the National Assembly pass the 2014 budget as quickly as possible.

He said: “Both Houses agreed to get this done so that we pass the budget as quickly as possible.

“That is why we are adjourning till next Tuesday. I urge committees to ensure that they complete and submit their reports before next Tuesday, March 18th to enable us pass the budget as quickly as possible.”

would be resolve within the next few days.

Orghale reiterated the determination of the company to improve of the welfare of the workers, urging them to always embrace dialogue in resolving any issue with the organisation.

As at press time, senior officials of the company and customers were not allow to enter the premises of the company .

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

delivery of the project, promising that “In no distant future, the project will become a reality”.

The minister directed the officials to avail his office of the monthly progress on the project.

He said already, transmission infrastructure that will guarantee the evacuation of 1,000Mw is already confirmed, the facilities include 2x60MVA, 132KV, sub-station at Amasiri – Afikpo and 2x132Kv line by extension at Abakiliki. There is also the Abakaliki – Amasiri 132Kv DC line, promising that before the project is completed, the Ministry will have put in place facilities to evacuate the balance of 1,000MW of power.

The Ministry through its agencies like Electricity Management Services (EMS), will also have an Area Office in Ebonyi, just as the Minister informed his guest, that 40 other on-going Rural Electrification projects are at various locations of the State.

The Ministry of Power, he said will also assist with Environmental Impact Assessment (EIA) Report from the Federal Ministry of Environment, while Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) will assist in provision of licences as required by law.

Earlier, the Permanent Secretary, in his welcome address commended the Ebonyi Governor, Chief Martin Elechi for his vision in building an Independent Power Project (IPP) in Ebonyi State, adding that the project will contribute substantially to the national grid, thus it has given focus and direction to Mr. President’s Transformation Agenda for the Power Sector in the area of increased power generation.

PUBLIC NOTICE GRILLO

I formerly known and addressed as Miss Oluwayemisi Esther Grillo, now wish to be known and addressed Mrs Oluwayemisi Esther Oyeyinka.

All former documents remain valid.

General public should please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

I ODUTA DUMO ORUOBU of 11B Olayinka Street, Sawmill Gbagada, Lagos notify the general public that I have applied to the LSDPC for its consent to change ownership of 303B Royal Avenue, LSDPC Estate, OkeAfa, lsolo, Lagos, which was originally allocated to Mr. Oladele Adewale. I have made series of efforts to contact Mr. Oladele Adewale, the assignor from whom l bought the property, but all efforts have proved abortive. I hereby indemnify the Corporation against any future claims that may arise if my application is granted, and undertake to pay cost of any dispute that may arise on same. LSDPC and General Public, Please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE LIGHT ON THE HILL LIFE ACTS MINISTRY This is to inform the general public that the above named has applied for registration to the Corporate Affairs Commission under part ‘C’ of the Companies and Allied Matters Act No. 1. Of 1990.

THE TRUSTEES ARE: 1. Rev. Dr. Francis Ekene 2. Eld. Caleb James Effiong 3. Ema Francis Ekene 4. Pastor Richard Eyo 5. Asuquo Francis Ekene

(General Overseer “G/O”) (Minister) (Secretary) Oversee Evangelist (Pastor-in-Charge) (Board Member)

AIMS AND OBJECTIVES: 1. To preach the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ 2. To build Him a healthy Church 3. To teach and to evangelize the world 4. To do and to promote all that is good in accordance to the word of God 5. To win souls for the second coming of our Lord Jesus Christ Any objection to this registration should be forwarded to the RegistrarGeneral, Corporate Affairs Commission, 42, Tigris Crescent, off Aguiyi Ironsi Street, PMB 198, Maitama, Abuja within 28 days of this publication.

Signed: Barr. Ayuk Egar (Legal Adviser) 07034924662

54

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT

11-3-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 11-3-14

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

55

EQUITIES

Equities sustain rally on new earnings

N

IGERIAN equities recorded average return of 0.25 per cent yesterday as emerging reports on corporate earnings and dividend recommendations provided buffers against building bearish market and extended the bullish rally to the third day.

Aggregate market value of all quoted equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) rose by N31 billion from N12.583 trillion to N12.614 trillion. The All Share Index (ASI), the common value-based index that tracks prices of all quoted companies, also firmed up to 39,269.40 points as against its opening index of 39,172.76 points.

S

Stories by Taofik Salako with a gain of N3.14 to close Capital Market Editor at N240. Conoil trailed with

The positive overall market situation was obviously orchestrated by earnings reports and dividend recommendations, especially that of Zenith Bank and GlaxoSmithKline Consumer Nigeria (GSK), which were released yesterday.

Gains by highly capitalised stocks overshadowed widespread losses as most price changes ended on the negative. There were 27 losers against 18 gainers out of a total of 113 stocks that were traded.

Guinness Nigeria led the gainers with addition of N8.27 to close at N180.

Dangote Cement followed

a gain of N2 to close at N50.

Lafarge Cement Wapco Nigeria rose by 89 kobo to N111. Union Bank of Nigeria (UBN) added 48 kobo to close at N10.18. Zenith Bank rallied 39 kobo to close at N21.99.

Nigerian Aviation Handling Company garnered 24 kobo to close at N5.84 while Ashaka Cement rose by 18 kobo to close at N16.98 per share.

On the other hand, Total Nigeria led the losers with a loss of N3.95 to close at N166.05. Mobil Oil Nigeria declined by N2.98 to close at N123. Nigerian Breweries lost N1 to close at N148.50.

Guaranty Trust Bank dropped by 84 kobo to N25.16. PZ Cussons Nigeria

and Ecobank Transnational Incorporated (ETI) declined by 50 kobo each to close at N35 and N14.50 respectively.

UAC of Nigeria slipped by 40 kobo to close at N65.50 while FBN Holdings lost 30 kobo to close at N12.50.

Financial services companies remained the drivers of activities at the stock market, contributing about 80 per cent of turnover yesterday.

Aggregate turnover stood at 347.7 million shares valued at N3.70 billion in 4,782 deals.

Financial services sector accounted for 276.94 million shares worth N2.35 billion in 2,792 deals. Access Bank was the most active stock with a turnover of 59.85 million shares valued at N469.28 million in 179 deals.

SEPLAT to float $500m IPO

EPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc, an indigenous independent oil and gas company, yesterday announced that it would soon float an Initial Public Offering (IPO) of $500 million as it prepares to list its shares on the London Stock Exchange (LSE) and Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE).

In an investors’ notice obtained from the NSE yesterday, SEPLAT, a company incorporated and operating in Nigeria with a strategic focus on Nigeria, stated that it is prepared to proceed with the IPO of its ordinary shares through a global offer. The global offer is expected to be at least $500 million.

According to the company, it intends to apply for admission of its ordinary shares to the standard listing segment of the official list of the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) and to trading on the LSE’s main market and to the official trading list of the NSE. Upon listing, SEPLAT will thus be the first Nigerian company to have its ordinary shares listed on both the LSE and the NSE. The company indicated that it intends to use $48 million from the net proceeds of the IPO to repay in full all outstanding amounts under its shareholder loan from MPI S.A. (MPI) while the balance would be used to acquire and develop new acquisi-

•To list in London, Nigeria tions or pay down any additional debt raised in connection therewith, of both onshore and shallow offshore acreages, assets or joint venture (JV) farm-ins.

According to the company, the main source of acquisitions is expected to come from divestitures by various international oil companies.

Commenting on the IPO, chairman, SEPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc, Dr. ABC Orjiako said the global offer will allow the company to further implement its business strategy, which includes acquiring new assets.

“We are confident that SEPLAT will continue to succeed and flourish as a leading Nigerian oil and

• Orjiako

gas operating company with a proven track record for delivering value to its investors, while fostering indigenous participation in the Nigerian oil and gas industry. We are committed to maintaining our track record and achieving our growth aspirations through sound corporate governance and best practice,” Orjiako said.

SEPLAT was founded in 2009 by Shebah Petroleum Development Company Limited and Platform Petroleum (Joint Ventures) Limited for the purpose of investing in Nigerian oil and gas opportunities.

Maurel& Prom, a French independent oil company, subsequently acquired a 45 per cent equity interest in SEPLAT; this interest was later spun-off to form Maurel & Prom Nigeria S.A, which is now known as Maurel & Prom International.

In July 2010, SEPLAT ac-

quired a 45 per cent participating interest in, and was appointed operator of, a portfolio of three onshore producing oil mining leases-OMLs 4, 38 and 41, which are located in the Niger Delta. In June 2013, the company entered into an agreement for the acquisition of a 40 per cent participating interest in the Umuseti/Igbuku marginal field area located within OPL 283 in the Niger Delta.

SEPLAT is regarded as one of the leading indigenous oil and gas operators in Nigeria with average gross operated oil production of 51,400 barrels per day (bpd) as at December 31, 2013, a substantial mileage from 13,900 bpd in August 2010. The company’s average gross gas production in 2013 was 99 million standard cubic feet per day (MMscfd). SEPLAT is targeting gross operated oil production from its existing assets of 85 Mbpd by the end of 2016.

Zenith Bank increases dividend to N55b, grosses N351b

Z

ENITH Bank Plc yesterday rolled out the first earnings report in the financial services sector with modest growths in the top-line and dividend recommenda-

tion.

The board of directors of the bank said it has recommended increase in dividend to about N54.94 billion for the 2013 business year as against N50.23 billion distributed for the 2012 business year. The breakdown of the dividend recommendation indicated that shareholders will receive a dividend per share of N1.75 as against N1.60 received in the previous year. The dividend will be paid on April 4.

At current market price, the dividend represents a dividend yield of about 8.0 per cent. Zenith Bank’s share price rallied on the back of the earnings and dividend recommendation, chalking up 39 kobo to close yesterday at N21.99 per share.

Key extracts of the audited report and accounts of Zenith Bank for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed that gross earnings rose by 14 per cent while pre-tax profit increased by 8.0 per cent. However, profit after tax dropped by 5.0 per cent.

Gross earnings closed 2013 at N351.47 billion as against N307.08 billion recorded in 2012. Interest income rose by almost 18 per cent from N221 billion to N260 billion, while net interest income rose by 21 per cent to N156.8 billion compared with N189.3 billion in 2012.

Profit before tax stood at N110.6 billion in 2013 as against N102.1 billion in 2012. However, high operating expenses and tax payment led to a drop in profit after tax. The bank paid a tax of N15 billion, indicating a jump of 977 per cent from N1.419 billion in 2012. Consequently, profit after tax fell by five per cent from N100.68 billion to N95.32 billion.

Balance sheet of the bank also appeared stronger as customers’ deposits rose by 18 per cent from N1.929 trillion to N2.277 trillion. Return on average equity stood at 19.6 per cent, while return on average asset was 3.3 per cent.

It should be noted that The Banker Magazine, a publication of Financial Times of London, recently awarded its ‘Bank of the Year’ award to Zenith Bank.

The Banker stated that Zenith Bank was selected based on the overall performance of the institution and the opinion of leading financial analysts from the world’s financial markets.

According to the magazine, nominees for the award were judged by their ability to deliver shareholder returns and gain strategic advantage in terms of market visibility and positioning.

INVESTDATA holds equities’ trading workshop

E

QUITIES’ analysts and traders will gather on Saturday, March 22, 2014, for a comprehensive short-term trading workshop.

Highlights of the workshop, according to the organisers, include equipping participants with some of the best strategies for screening stocks for short-term trading/positioning. Participants will also be able to identify “buy” and “sell” signals before it becomes visible, and how to maximise profit in the equity market, using earnings release date to trade.

Facilitators at the event would include Managing Director of APT Securities & Funds Limited, Alhaji Kasimu Garba Kurfi, Head, Capital Market, TRW-Stockbrokers Limited Abdul-RasheedOshomaMomoh, and Chief Research Officer, InvestData Consulting Limited, Ambrose Omordion.

According to Omordion, “the current oscillating trend has made it very imperative to be armed with the basic requirement for growing profit with ease through strategic entry and exit are the technical charts.”

He assured that the “seminar menu is designed to appeal to all classes of traders and investors in the Nigerian stock market,” and will remind experienced and intermediate traders of the critical elements needed to achieve greater success in equity investment. New equities’ traders will also be guided through critical steps in constructing a well laid-out plan of action to enable them profit from market dynamics.

The workshop, part of efforts to help retail investors determine the best technical analysis model to apply for best returns, is organised in partnership with Technical Analysts Society of Nigeria (TASN); APT Securities & Funds Limited; and TRW Stockbrokers Limited.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

MONEYLINK

Ogun, banks bicker over delay in salaries

O

GUN State government has threatened to review its relationship with any bank delaying payment of public servant’s salaries after the government has deposited money with such bank it.

The decision was contained in a circular sent to the banks and signed

by Commissioner for Finance, Mrs. Kemi Adeosun, who expressed the government’s disappointment over what it called “the consistent trend of unprofessional conduct being practiced by some banks in the state.”

By Adebisi Onanuga

“As at the date of writing this letter, March 6, some of our staff and pensioners are yet to be credited with their salaries/pensions. This, despite the fact that fully funded payment instructions were issued before 9am or Thursday, February 27th. The delay of (7) days is unacceptable, inexcusable and unethical.

“Another worrisome development is that some banks deliberately fail to issue sms alerts to advise on the credit of salaries to individual accounts, ostensibly to delay workers from withdrawing their salaries and thereby earning additional in-

that it has now “put systems in place, using mystery shoppers, to monitor the time individual banks take to credit our workers accounts.

“We will also monitor the issuance of alerts. The results will be made available to our staff who can then take informed decisions about which bank they will domicile their salaries with. In addition, as a government, we will take actions to reduce our level of business with those banks who consistently engage in these practices which are hurting our people and damaging the reputation of Ogun State Government”, it stated.

come for the banks concerned.

“It is the view of Ogun State Government that such practices will in the long term, damage the reputation and profitability of all those banks engaging in such behavior.

Workers who have toiled for their salary have the right to enjoy same promptly and to withdraw or otherwise utilize as they please”, it stated.

The commissioner said government is committed to ensuring that all its civil servants, teachers, pensioners and local government workers receive salary before the last working day of each month, adding

Ecobank appoints Essien as CEO

E

Wema Bank, InterContinental partner Stories by Collins Nweze

•Oloketuyi

W

EMA Bank has partnered with InterContinental Hotel to launch the world’s first prepaid card for hotel rewards programme. The product is designed to mark the launch of its ‘Rewards Club’ in Lagos.

The bank said in a statement that the InterContinental Lagos Rewards Club is a points-based bookers incentive programme open to individuals and corporates with a range of exclusive privileges and benefits

which will enable members book locally and spend globally with their Wema Bank InterContinental Prepaid Card.

According to the exclusive hotel group, corporate and individuals who book rooms, meetings, banquets, with InterContinental Hotel, Lagos get every dollar back by way of points. The fund will be remitted to each booker’s Wema Bank InterContinental Rewards Prepaid Card when due and will also enable the holder spend, using the card, anywhere in the world.

Speaking at the launch event, Wema Bank’s Managing Director, Segun Oloketuyi, said the lender will continuously partner with prestigious organisations like the InterContinental Hotel Group to create high-value initiatives and experiences for their teeming clients.

He further added that the pre-paid card rewards programme being pioneered with InterContinental Hotel is a first worldwide for any hotel re-

organisations after the successful part-financing of the development of InterContinental Hotel Lagos by Wema Bank which opened in 2012 to great reviews.

wards scheme and is expected to be replicated by other hotels across the world.

He said the partnership is another step in the relationship between both

NSIA boss gets Harvard award

T

HE Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of the Nigeria Sovereign Investment Authority Mr. Uche Orji, has been awarded the “Harvard Business School Africa Business Club Leadership Excellence Award” by the Harvard Business School Africa Business Club.

In a statement, the the Harvard Business School Africa Business Club said “This award was established by our organization in 2006 to recognize the achievements of alumni who exemplify the school mission, of making a difference in the world. We as an organization have been very impressed with your ascent to the top of the financial world and are ex-

cited about the changes that you have implemented with the Nigerian Sovereign Investment Authority.”

Uche Orji was conferred with the award at the 16th Annual HBS Africa Business Conference to be held in Boston, MA from February 28th to March 2nd. The HBS Africa Business Conference is the world’s largest student-run event focused on business in Africa.

It brings together almost 1,200 participants including African students and business professionals from around the world to discuss pertinent issues regarding the African continent. This year’s theme is “Africa Accelerates: Equipping a Vibrant African Economy.”

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year

35m 35m

11.039 12.23

19-05-2014 18-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33

NIDF

OBB Rate

Price Loss 2754.67

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

Amount 30m 46.7m

Rate % 10.96 9.62

Date 28-04-2012 “

GAINERS AS AT 11-3-14

SYMBOL UBN INTENEGINS GUINNESS WAPIC NAHCO CONOIL OASISINS WEMABANK COURTVILLE REDSTAREX

O/PRICE 9.70 0.61 171.73 0.85 5.60 48.00 0.50 1.04 0.70 4.32

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10%

C/PRICE

CHANGE

10.18 0.64 180.00 0.89 5.84 50.00 0.52 1.08 0.72 4.40

0.48 0.03 8.27 0.04 0.24 2.00 0.02 0.04 0.02 0.08

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

(S/N) Bureau de Change 152.0000 (S/N)

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N)

O/PRICE

AIICO 0.81 DANGSUGAR 11.00 BERGER 9.87 UBA 7.70 OANDO 18.16 LIVESTOCK 3.83 DIAMONDBNK 6.85 NB 149.50 UACN 65.90 AFRIPRUD 3.90

C/PRICE 0.80 10.88 9.77 7.63 18.00 3.80 6.80 148.50 65.50 3.89

NSE CAP Index

Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

6.50%

12%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00%

7 Days 30 Days 60 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917

Offer Price

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND

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

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

AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 156.27 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.06 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.69 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,620.45 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,000.00 FBN HERITAGE FUND 115.83 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 100.00 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND 1.05 KAKAWA GUARANTE ED INCOME FUND 143.11 LEGACY FUND 0.78 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND 1,886.59

NIBOR Tenor

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

Name

DISCOUNT WINDOWx

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS

CHANGE -0.01 -0.12 -0.10 -0.07 -0.16 -0.03 -0.05 -1.00 -0.40 -0.01

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

LOSERS AS AT 11-3-14

SYMBOL

COBANK Transnational Incorporated (ETI’s) board, yesterday, nominated Albert Essien to replace Thierry Tanoh as Group Chief Executive Officer of the bank.

A statement from the bank also said effective today, Tanonh will no longer be a Director of ETI. Mr Tanoh joined the Ecobank Group as CEO designate in July 2012 and commenced his executive role in October 2012 prior to being appointed Group CEO in January 2013.

It said Essien is currently Deputy CEO/ Group Executive Director for Corporate and Investment Bank. He has been at Ecobank for more than 20 years rising to the position of Deputy Group CEO two years ago.

Prior to becoming Deputy CEO, Mr Essien was the Regional Head for Anglophone West Africa (excluding Nigeria) and Eastern and Southern Africa (ESA) regions. He started his banking career in 1986 with the National Investment Bank in Accra, Ghana and joined the Corporate Banking Department of Ecobank Ghana in 1990. In 1997, he became Country Risk Manager.

He was appointed Deputy Managing Director in 2001 and became Managing Director in December 2002. Albert Essien has a degree in Economics from the University of Ghana and is an alumnus of the Executive Development Programme of INSEAD (France / Singapore). He is also an honorary fellow of the Chartered Institute of Bankers, Ghana.

Announcing the replacement ETI Interim Chairman, André Siaka, said: “We wish to thank Tanoh for his service to Ecobank and we wish him every success in the future. “

Movement

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

57

NEWS

‘Appointment of suspected murderer as minister insult on Yoruba’

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BODY, the Coalition of Oodua Self-Determination Groups (COSEG), has described the appointment of Mr. Jelili Adeshiyan by President Goodluck Jonathan as the Police Affairs Minister, as an insult on the Yoruba.

“It is also an attempt to shield him and his cohorts from prosecution over the death of the former Attorney-General of the

Federation, Chief Bola Ige,” the group added.

In a statement by its Chairman and Secretary, Ifedayo Ogunlana and Rasak Olokoba, at the end of its monthly meeting where the state of the nation was discussed, the body described the appointment as an attempt to pervert the course of justice.

According to the group, the

appointment of Adeshiyan is not only an insult on the people of Yoruba land, but also a disservice to the memory of Chief Bola Ige. A man, who is an aide of Senator Iyiola Omisore, known for violence and brigandage, cannot be trusted in such a position. He is still under investigation for the murder of Ige, yet he is a minister in charge of a government agency. This

calls to question the anti-corruption crusade of the Jonathan administration.”

It said: “We have noticed the hatred President Jonathan has for our people. This is why a suspected murderer could be appointed as a Police Affairs Minister.”

COSEG decried the Senate for the hasty manner it confirmed the nomination of the suspect-

Choice of candidate tears Osun PDP apart

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RISIS is brewing in the Osun State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) over the selection of its governorship flag bearer, it was learnt yesterday. The primaries is scheduled for Osogbo, the state capital on March 26.

The governorship poll willhold on August 9.

Sources said that President Goodluck Jonathan’s advice to the troubled chapter to pick a consensus candidate among the aspirants have been jettisoned, following their refusal to step down for one another and mounting agitations for primaries by their supporters.

The aspirants are former Governor Isiaka Adeleke, who until 2011, was a senator, former House of Representatives member Hon. Wole Oke, Senator Olasunkanmi Akinlabi, and the former deputy governor, Senator Omisore. But, the contest has been narrowed down to Adeleke and Omisore, who have embarked on aggressive internal campaign in support of their aspiration.

Members told our correspondent that, following the President’s advice, a section of the party started to root for Omisore’s candidature, based on the criteria that he has money to oil the party’s campaign machinery and he hails from Ife/Ijesa District, the birth

By Emmanuel Oladesu

place of Governor Rauf Aregbesola.

However, the agitation for the adoption of Omisore as a consensus candidate has created division in the party as influential party elders pointed out that the ruling party may embark on media campaign against his candidature as a prime suspect in the Bola Ige murder trial.

At the recent meeting of the select stakeholders in Osogbo, it was resolved that Omisore, although a dedicated party leader and financier, may not be marketable at the poll, owing to what they described as “the problem of perception”.

But, pro-Omisore supporters perceive Adeleke as a candidate who lacks resources to fund a state-wide campaign.

A source said: “We are in the electioneering period. In our party, it is believed that, if Omisore emerges as the governorship candidate, his detractors will always link his political career to the tragedy of Ige’s murder, although he has been cleared by the court and absolved of the charges.

Ige’s son, Muyiwa, has been protesting that he is the prime suspect. You know that the people of Osun and Southwest are still bitter over the grue-

some murder of the deputy Afenifere leader.

He added: “The party came to this dilemma. If Omisore will not be endorsed, who is capable of challenging Aregbesola? That was how some leaders started rooting for Adeleke, who initially, had indicated an interest to return to the Senate in 2015. But, it is not the end of the matter.

Omisore is still protesting and he believes that he will get the ticket at the primaries”.

Another source said that “there is no iota of truth in the rumour that the Osun PDP has resolved to adopt Senator Isiaka Adeleke as the consensus candidate”. He said that the former governor joined the race late and did not purchase the nomination form before it was closed.

The source also denied that President Jonathan had a candidate in mind when he suggested the consensus formula to the chapter at the meeting he held with its leaders in Abuja.

He added: “There was election in Anambra. Did the President put down anybody? Is the President putting down anybody in Ekiti? The fact is that the equation on ground favours Osun West, where Adeleke and Olasunkanmi Akinlabi comes from. It has

been suggested that a Muslim candidate will rub shoulders with Aregbesola and the two of them are Muslims. Adeleke joined the race because the equation favours him.

‘But, the President has told our leaders that he has no candidate in mind. He only urged them to present a person as a consensus candidate”.

According to the source, aspirants had up to December 31 to indicate their interest in the ticket by paying N5m for the nomination form, pointing out that Adeleke did not observe the guideline.

He added: “On January 8, after the deadline, only three candidates paid the money; Akinlabi, Omisore and Oluwole Oke. Adeleke did not pay the amount. So, where is he starting from? He just flying a carte.

The party source said that primaries will hold, stressing that it is in the interest of the party. He said: “One of the aspirants is desperate. he wants to subvert and manipulate the process. That was why the secretary of the party, Major Raphael Towobola, who hails from Ile-Ife, was suspended for one month so that he will not be around during the primaries holding on March 26”.

Quadruplets’ mum appeals for help From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

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42-YEAR-OLD woman, Mrs. Francisca Ejidike, a staff nurse from Orakwu in Anambra State, who was delivered of quadruplets (two boys and two girls), has appealed for financial assistance.

She said she married Mr. Joseph Ejidike five years ago, adding that at the time of their marriage, he had four children - a boy and three girls - through his late wife.

Mrs. Ejidike said: “I require financial assistance because it is difficult to take care of one baby, let alone four. I urge the government and well-meaning people to assist me.”

She thanked the hospital workers, led by the Chief Medical Director (CMD), Dr. Paul Ezeonu, for caring for her and the babies.

The matron of the postnatal ward, Mrs. Veronica Chima, thanked God for the delivery of the babies, noting that they were the first quadruplets to be delivered in the hospital.

A worker in the Ministry of Women Affairs told our reporter in confidence that the ministry informed Governor Martin Elechi’s wife about the delivery. He said he hoped she would respond.

ed murderer, despite opposition from the three senators from Osun State.

“We are confused on how a man standing trial for murder could have scaled the screening of the security as well as that of the Senate.

“It is also worrisome how our security system works if a suspected murderer, who has a case in court, could scale through security screening. This is why government has been unable to stop Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast,” the group said.

It went on: “The appointment of Adeshiyan is not only mis-

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chievous, but also reckless, immoral, anti-people and a dangerous trend in the political development and appointments because he who asks for equity must come with clean hands.

The appointment of Adeshiyan is flawed. The Jonathan administration cannot continue to scorn the late Ige, an ex-Justice Minister.”

COSEG said it would resist attempt by the President to allegedly use the minister to rig the forthcoming governorship election in Osun State, adding that it would protect the sanctity of the electoral process.

Ekiti 2014: PDP postpones Ward Congresses

HE Peoples’ Democratic Party (PDP), has postponed, by one week, ward congresses for the 2014 governorship primary in Ekiti State.

This is contained in a statement yesterday in Abuja, by Mr Olisa Metuh, the party‘s National Publicity Secretary.

The congress, according to the statement, was earlier scheduled to hold today.

Metuh said the postponement was to allow members participate in the on-going continuous voter registration and verification of registration of voters by Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) recalls that the PDP Screening Committee had cleared 13 of 16 aspirants to participate in the primaries ahead of the governorship poll slated for June 21.

Senator Victor Ndoma-Egba, the Chairman of the screening committee, presented the committee’s report to the party’s leadership in Abuja on March 10.

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Jonathan meets with Southwest governors

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan met yesterday with some Southwest governors behind closeddoor at the Presidential Villa in Abuja.

The governors are Babatunde Fashola (Lagos), Rauf Aregbesola (Osun), Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti) and Ibikunle Amosun (Ogun).

Fashola, Aregbesola and Fayemi were led to the President’s office a few minutes after 4pm by the Chief of Staff, Brig.-Gen. Jones Oladeinde Arogbofa (rtd.).

Amosun arrived at the Villa at 4:30pm.

Ondo State Governor Oluse-

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

gun Mimiko and Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi were not at the meeting.

When the meeting ended around 5:36pm, the governors declined to give details of their discussion.

Fayemi said: “We came to see the President and it is in connection with issues of national importance. It is for the development of the Southwest.”

Amosun said: “That is why it is called a private meeting.”

Fashola said: “We came to see the President.”

Indigenes celebrate Onwa Oru Festival

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NDIGENES of Mbgoto, Uratta, Obibi and Ihitaoha in Owerri North Local Government Area of Imo State, resident in Lagos, will hold the Onwa Oru Uratta Cultural Festival on March 15 at 11 a.m.

It will hold at the new gymnasium ground, National Stadium, Surulere, Lagos.

Chairman of the organising committee Sir Philip Udunna said members should take advantage of the festival to chart a new course for the community.

The Onwa Oru Uratta Cultural Festival is an annual event, which showcases the rich cultural heritage of the people of Mbgoto, Uratta, Obibi and Ihitaoha.

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Church holds programme

HE Voice of Salvation Evangelical Ministry, 12/14, Ademolu Adefuye Street, off Davies Street, Alapere, Ketu, Lagos, will hold an outreach programme, including a testimony night, from

R •Mrs. Ejidike with the babies...yesterday

March 14.

The host pastor, Evangelist J. Olu Ayeni, said the programme would start from 10 p.m. till dawn, adding that there would be fresh anointing, healing, blessing, joy and testimony.

College holds career day

EV. Payne Memorial College, Ijebu-Ode, Ogun State, will, tomorrow, hold a career day for pupils.

A statement by the headteacher, Rev. Remi Emmanuel, said the Olowu of Owu Ijebu, Oba M. Segun Adesina, would be the chairman.

Special guests include the Special Assistant to the Governor on Education, Dr. Tunji Abimbola and his counterpart in Water Resources, Kunle Otun.

Dr. Oyedele of Tai Solarin College of Education (TASCE) is the moderator.

Speakers include Chief Executive Officer, Halajor Hospital, Dr. Onasanya; Chief Executive Officer Blooms Pharmacy, Mr. Adenugba; Dapo Adebajo; Dayo Adebajo and Dr. Cyril Omisande, among others.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

58

NEWS

Don’t lose hope in democracy, Aregbesola tells Nigerians O SUn State Governor Rauf Aregbesola yesterday asked Nigerians not to lose hope in the nation’s democracy despite its imperfections.

He also said he is not promoting anti-Christian agenda as being insinuated by some critics.

Aregbesola spoke at a lecture at the Independent Corrupt Practices and other Miscellaneous Officers Commission (ICPC) Good Governance Forum in Abuja.

He said states should strive for financial autonomy and self-sufficiency.

His lecture, witnessed by a capacity crowd at the auditorium of ICPC, focused on ‘Governance, Accountability and Transformation.’

Aregbesola said: “The point must also be made that of all forms of government, in spite of its imperfection, democracy offers the highest assurance of a very high probability of good governance.

This is because it is only in a democracy that the rulers can be most accountable to the people.

“It therefore, follows that when governance is accountable and transparent, it would bring about positive transformation in the lives of the people, which ultimately is the end of government and governance.

This is why in human social evolution; democracy has displaced other forms of government – theocracy, monarchism, feudalism, fascism and military autocracy – to emerge the preferred bride.

“It is why I am also optimistic that in spite of the problems of nationhood we are facing as a nation, we will come out triumphant in the end if we remain steadfast on the democratic path.”

He said Nigerians should not lose hope in democracy because it provides opportunity for them to kick out any bad government.

•Osun Governor ‘not promoting anti-Christian agenda’ From Yusuf Alli and John Ofikhenua, Abuja

He added: “We don’t have to reinvent the wheel. There is never a time when there will be no excuse for failure. The good thing about democracy is that, it periodically provides opportunity for us to kick out a government that offers excuses all the time and blames others for its failure.”

“If we can take the science of governance and public administration, we can follow the path they took and have even more resounding success.”

Aregbesola said governance is not a mystery; Nigerian leaders only need to rise to the challenge of providing dividends of democracy to the people.

He said: “Mr. Chairman, distinguished guests, governance is not a mystery. There is a science and art to it and it can be mastered and we should begin to demystify it by rejecting the notion that we can only have good and qualitative governance in the next millennium. We can have it now and we should demand for it. We have heard of the successes of the Asian Tigers and the newly industrialised countries of South America.

“It has become a cliché that we need quality leadership. I am afraid that this is a necessary but not a sufficient condition.

“The corollary of it is that we also need good followership – a followership that consciously put the right leadership in place; that will make extraordinary demands from

the leaders; and will hold leadership to account.

“It is the combination of the two factors of good leadership and quality followership that will bring about the transformation that we so desire.

“I am therefore confident that given our trajectory as a nation and the progress we have made since 1999, we are going to arrive at the long desired destination. Of course, democracy anywhere is an unfinished business.”

The governor said he has had “democracy-governance nexus practically demonstrated in Osun State and several other states where progressives are in control.

“Indeed, while the governance situation in the country generally fills me with a sense of sobriety; what we have achieved in Osun gives me a sense of optimism that, with accountability and transparency in leadership, the machinery of governance can be used effectively to overcome our national malaise; to cage the monster of corruption; and to transform the fortunes of our nation and our people.”

On the perceived religious crisis in the state, Aregbesola said he is not fanning the ember of discrimination against Christians.

He said: “You cannot call a Muslim governor who allows traditional worshippers to practise their faith a fanatic. This noise over religious crisis came from less than 20 parents who wanted to create sensation. There is no iota of truth in all the sensational stories you read.

“Take your mind off these Shenanigans. I am a Muslim; I do not even discuss religion with my wife.

Look at my wife, she does not wear Hijab, how can I (as a governor) force students to wear Hijab.”

In his opening remarks, the ICPC Chairman, Ekpo Nta, a lawyer said studies had shown that there is a strong relationship between high public-sector corruption and pervasive poverty with attendant consequences if not properly addressed.

He said good governance is a solution to corruption in any society.

“That is why a corrupt society cannot guarantee good governance.

The choice of ‘Good Governance’ a name for this Forum is therefore a deliberate attempt to encourage Governments to contribute their quota actively in the fight against corruption.

“Good governance as generally used, encompasses all aspects of the way a country is governed, including its economic policies and regulatory framework (Subramanian, 2001).

“In practice, there are four principles of good governance. These include the provision of basic amenities such as clean potable water, good network of road, good quality education, social security, free and fair elections, equal opportunities and justice for all irrespective of social status, etc.

The chairman, who however, stated that the commission is more interested in strengthening anti-corruption processes in public institutions so that they can withstand and repel corrupt individuals.

Nta added that the commission is currently developing tools for empirical measurements of performance along these lines to reduce dependence on “perception” or newspaper reports.

Land dispute: court strikes out suit against monarch

By Precious Igbonwelundu, Staff Corresondent

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USTICE Morenike Obadina of a Lagos High Court, Igbosere has struck out a suit filed by the Adeshiba Ayeloja, Adedewe family seeking to stop the Ojora of Ojora, Oba Fatai Aromire from demolishing houses on a vast area of land measuring approximately 1,324 hectres in Awori, Badagry.

The Supreme Court had on December 13, 2000, in a judgment affirmed the verdict of a Lagos High Court in suit LD/562/72. An Appeal Court’s decision in suit CA/L/86/2001 is also in favour of the monarch.

But the claimants in an application brought through their lawyer, Segun Raji, urged Justice Obadina to set aside the judgment granted the defendants in suit LD/562/72, alleging that the said judgment was obtained by fraud.

The claimants, Shehu Adedewe, Nureni Adedewe and Morufu Adedewe suing for themselves and for the family in a 92-page statement of claim, averred that the land in dispute exclusively belonged to their great grandfather, Adeshiba Ayeloja Adedewe over 500 years ago.

Aside their request for setting aside of the judgment in the 1972 suit, they prayed for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the defendants from selling, allotting, destroying or building any structure on the land in dispute.

They averred that their great grandfather had been in possession of the land before the Lagos Colony was divided into three.

According to the claimants, it is clear from history contained in intelligence report from an interview granted in Lagos by the Oluwa Onitana, the Olumegbon elders and other elders of the Iga Idunganran in 1934 that the Awori people, such as the claimants’ ancestors, did not come to Lagos Chiefs until the time of Oba Ado. They added that it was Oba Ado, who because of his plans to increase the economy of Lagos that invited his friend, (the claimants’ great grandfather) from the Opake Eganyima town now known today as Orile Iganmu to his place.

Joined as defendants with the Ojora are the Odofin of Ojora land, Chief Fatai Sulaiman; the Attorney General of Lagos; the Surveyor General of Lagos; Lagos State Physical Planning; Surveyor General of the Federation; Inspector General of Police and the Lagos State Commissioner of Police.

In their defence, the first and second defendants (Ojora and Odofin) through their lawyer, Ola Okunniyi urged the court to dismiss the suit for abuse of court process.

They stated that having regard to the final judgment of the Supreme Court in suit SC/54/2005 which determined the rights and interest of parties in respect of the land in dispute, there was no basis for the claimants to approach the High Court on the issue again.

They prayed the court for an order of perpetual injunction restraining the claimants whether by themselves, servants, agent or privies from further trespassing or attempting to exercise proprietary rights over the land.

In her ruling, Justice Obadina aligned herself with the defendants.

FOREIGN NEWS Ukraine: Kerry rejects Putin talks

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HE US secretary of state has rejected an offer of talks with President Vladimir Putin until Russia engages with US proposals on Ukraine's crisis.

John Kerry told his Russian counterpart Sergei Lavrov that Moscow's military intervention in Crimea had made any negotiations extremely difficult.

US officials say there will be little to discuss if the referendum on whether Crimea should join Russia goes ahead.

Ukraine and the West say the vote, due to be held on Sunday, is illegal.

Russia said on Monday it was drafting counter-proposals to a

M •Kerry

US plan for a negotiated solution to the crisis.

Moscow has condemned Ukraine's new Western-backed government as an unacceptable "fait accompli" - it says that Russian-leaning parts of the country have been turned into havens of lawlessness.

Missing airliner 'changed course'

ILITARY radar suggests the missing Malaysia Airlines plane turned west, away from its planned route, before vanishing, Malaysia's air force says.

Flight MH370 from Kuala Lumpur to Beijing went missing on Saturday, after taking off with 239 people on board.

The international search for any wreckage has been widened.

Earlier, it emerged two men travelling on stolen passports on board the plane were Iranians with no apparent links to terrorist groups, officials said.

The international police organisation Interpol's Tehran

bureau has said the two Iranians had no criminal records and had left Iran legally. One of the men is believed to have been migrating to Germany.

The Malaysian authorities initially said flight MH370 disappeared about an hour after it took off from Kuala Lumpur International Airport (KLIA), as it flew over the South China Sea, south of Vietnam's Ca Mau peninsula.

No distress signal or message was sent, but it is believed the plane attempted to turn back, perhaps towards Kuala Lumpur.

Officials still do not know what went wrong with the air-

LENTEN MESSAGE Theme: From failure to success

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UCCESS in life and business is predicated on compliance with essential managerial ingredients.

It is for this purpose that individuals go to school for knowledge acquisition and organizations send staff for trainings to acquire more occupational knowledge. Jesus Christ however said that, inasmuch as those things are good, they are of no essence without Him (John 15:5).

From our text, Simon Peter toiled all night because he depended solely on arm of flesh, which the Bible to that will fail (1Samuel 2:9). He used the 3 vital Ts of managerial success (Right time, right team and right tools) to his business but he didn’t catch anything - he was a colossal failure!

When the one who mattered most to life and corporate success intervened however, He requested to use Simon’s boat for evangelism and he obliged Him. Instantly, his story changed. His name was eventually changed from Simon to Peter, his profession changed from being a fisherman to a fisher of men and he was catapulted from failure to success His presence made the difference!

That position was further buttressed by Paul in his epistle to

the Corinthians that, if Paul plants and Appolos watereth, it is God that gives the increase (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). Not only that, in his epistle to the Romans, Paul said, it is not of him that willeth or of him that runneth, it is of the Lord that shows mercy ( Romans 9:16).

Brethren, it doesn’t matter what you may be passing through at such a time - have you gone to school or done everything in the books that ought to lead to success with nothing to show for it, it is surely not over. If you can invite Jesus Christ into your boat today during this Lenten season, allow

Singapore, Vietnam, Philippines, New Zealand and the United States of America are assisting.

The search is being conducted on both sides of the Malay Peninsula.

The area has been expanded from 50 nautical miles (57 miles; 93km) from where the plane disappeared - over waters between Malaysia and Vietnam - to 100 nautical miles.

Earlier, Malaysian police named one of the two men who travelled on the plane on a stolen passport as Pouria Nour Mohammad Mehrdad, 18, and said he was probably migrating to Germany.

Interpol identified the other man as Delavar Seyed Mohammadreza, 29.

Libyan PM dismissed over tanker row

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“..........Launch out into the deep, and let down your nets for a draught.” Luke 5:4

By The Revd. Henry O. Adelegan

craft.

The BBC's Alice Budisatrijo says searchers are 'using the naked eye' to try to find the missing plane None of the debris and oil slicks spotted in the South China Sea or Malacca Strait so far have proved to be linked to the disappearance.

Two-thirds of the passengers were Chinese. Others were from various Asian countries, North America or Europe.

Relatives have expressed frustration at the lack of information about the plane's fate.

At least 40 ships and 34 aircraft are taking part in the search in the seas off Vietnam and Malaysia.

Search teams from Australia, China, Thailand, Indonesia,

•Revd Adelegan

Him use your resources for evangelism and obey whatever He asks you to do, your story will change in the name of Jesus.

Prayers: Eternal Rock of ages, I realize that by arm of flesh shall no man prevail, I invite you into my life and business today, enter into my boat Oh Lord and turn all my failures to successes in the name of Jesus.

IBYA's parliament has dismissed PM Ali Zeidan after a tanker laden with oil from a rebel-held port reportedly broke through a naval blockade.

MPs called a vote of confidence in Mr Zeidan amid reports that the North Korean-flagged ship had escaped to sea.

Defence Minister Abdullah al-Thinni was named interim prime minister.

Earlier, Libyan officials had said they had "complete control" of the tanker as it tried to leave Sidra port. However, rebel fighters rejected the assertion.

Separatist militants have occupied three major eastern ports since August. They are seeking a greater share of the country's oil revenues, as well as autonomy for eastern Libya.

The oil tanker - named Morning Glory - was reported to have taken on at least 234,000 barrels of crude oil at the Sidra terminal.

It was the first vessel to have loaded oil from a rebel-held port since the separatist revolt against the authorities in Tripoli erupted in July.

Libya's government is still struggling to assert its authority over armed groups and tribesmen who helped topple Muammar Gaddafi in 2011.

Members of the General National Congress - Libya's parliament - said that bad weather had stopped the navy's vessels from following the tanker into the Mediterranean from the port.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY MARCH 12, 2014

59

NEWS Kano increases polio campaign From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

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•THE BROOM REVOLUTION: All Progressives Congress (APC) supporters jubilating at the swearing-in of the party’s only councillor in Jigawa State.

Ombatse killings: White Paper indicts Ewuga

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ENATOR Solomon Ewuga, indicted by the White Paper of the Justice Fola GbadeyanPanel that investigated the Ombatse killings in Nasarawa State, yesterday denied complicity.

The commission of enquiry set up by the Nasarawa State government to look into the Alakyo killings and other related matters indicted Ewuga on the grounds of allegedly being one of the financiers of Ombatse group and for allegedly giving false evidence on oath before the commission.

The White Paper report of the panel was released on Monday.

The White Paper said 74 security personnel, comprising 64 policemen and 10 personnel of the Department of Security Service (DSS), were allegedly killed by the Ombatse militia group at

Street to be named after footballer From Adekunle Jimoh,

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Ilorin

KWARA State House of Assembly declared yesterday that it has finalised arrangements to name a major street in Ilorin after Taiwo Awoniyi .

Awoniyi was part of the players who participated in the Under-17 World Cup. The Speaker, Abdulrazak Atunwa, said this in Ilorin when Awoniyi and his parents visited his office.

He said: “There is no doubt that the player performed well during the competition and even placed Kwara on the world map.”

Atunwa said Awoniyi’s exemplary outing, where he scored four goals, needed to be encouraged.

The Speaker advised the player to continue to train hard so as to develop himself and increase his performance.

•I’m innocent, says Senator From Onyedi Ojiabor,

Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

Alakyo village on May 7, last year.

The White Paper said evidence revealed that the Ombatse militia allegedly used firearms, cudgels, cutlasses and other weapons in the killing of the officials, who were on lawful duty in Alakyo.

But Ewuga, Vice-Chairman, Senate Committee on Land Transport, faulted the White Paper.

Ewuga, who represents Nasarawa North, said in Abuja that wholesale criminalisation of Eggon elite in the White Paper was unacceptable.

He noted that the White Paper also indicted the Eggon traditional council.

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Ewuga said he was sure that his visibility in the state’s political affairs accounted for his indictment.

The senator said the panel invited him as a witness and not as an accused.

He said he was never crossexamined.

“I have not seen the White Paper on the panel’s recommendation. But my response today is based on what I saw in the newspapers yesterday.

“I was invited as a witness to the panel and not as an accused.

“I was not cross-examined, which by virtue of the provisions of the constitution breaches my rights to fair hearing.

“My invitation as a witness was supposed to establish the credibility or otherwise of what I know within the purview of the events related to

whatever circumstances the Ombatse is involved in.

“I am Eggon and by extension the White Paper indicates that Eggon elite were abetting or hedging the sect.

“So it is presumed that every member who is Eggon had a disposition towards Ombatse.

“Not only did it stop there, it even indicted our traditional council and yet the report at one point said it is not every Eggon person that is in Ombatse.

“So, there is criminalisation. The only thing is the identity of some people must be established because of their clear visibility.

“I think this is where I fall in. I am very visible, I have a political role in Nasarawa State and I am sure this accounts for what has hap-

pened.

“The second thing is that it talks about false statement that is perjury.

“The issue of me financing the Ombatse is a very curious position.

"Gracefully, it is not a law court because I am supposed to be prosecuted so it is good to establish the import of whatever the criminality is going to be.

“The last one was the issue of suspicion. Our laws have a different orientation from what I am hearing of being suspected.

“I don't know whether our law allows suspicion to be a ground upon which you classify anybody in this country.

“I think these are the issues that I understand from the limited knowledge that I have now.

“I would want to make a very formal statement once I get the White Paper.”

1,500 ghost workers in Adamawa

DAMAWA State Governor Murtala Nyako has suspended some principal officers, who are alleged to have established a racket, where more than 1,500 ghost workers are on the payroll of the State Post Primary Schools Management Board.

The Permanent Secretary (Administration) in the office of the Head of Service, Mohammed Gidabo Sa’ad, in a statement yesterday announced the suspension of

•Nyako suspends workers From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

Dahiru Gomina and Garba Kayari from the e-Payment Department office of Accountant General.

Sources said a top government official (names withheld) is believed to be behind the fraud.

According to the statement, the suspension followed the

recommendation of the Committee on investigation of fraud in salary payroll of the board.

The statement said Bilikisu A. Khalid has been appointed as the new Executive Secretary Post Primary Schools Management Board, Yola.

The former Executive Secretary is to be re-assigned by the Ministry of Education and

to be investigated.

The statement reads: “Governor Murtala Nyako has approved the suspension of the following officers, Dauda Audu and Elam Sule from the Post Primary Schools Management Board and Garba A Kayari, Dahiru Gomina from the e-Payment Department office of Accountant General.

“The aforementioned officers remain suspended, until investigations are concluded.

N35b IPP ‘fraud’: Delta Speaker exonerates self

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PEAKER of the Delta State House of Assembly Victor Ochei has exonerated himself from the allegation of fraud rocking the state’s Independent Power Plant (IPP) project.

About N27 billion was alleged to be missing from the money earmarked for the project and the Speaker was fingered.

Ochei, who spoke to The Nation in Asaba yesterday, said he would be vindicated.

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba

Ochei explained that although he was no longer involved in the project , he was sure that the project had reached an advance stage.

He decried the speculation that the project site was overgrown with weeds.

According to him, the speculation was to discredit the Emmanuel Uduaghan administration, whose blueprint for the development of the state had impacted

positively on the people.

He said: “I challenge members of the fourth estate of the realm to visit the project site and then come back to ask me questions.

“This is a governor who is doing selfless services for the state. ”His three-point agenda and ‘Delta Beyond Oil’ policy has taken the state to the next level .

“Yet, some disgrunted people, who are blind to what is good, are dissipat-

ing their energy on campaign of calumny against Uduaghan.”

He said time would vindicate him in the allegation that he embezzled IPP funds.

“People should not expect a project of such magnitude to be completed within a short time.

“Such projects should not be politicised. It takes time, resources and energy to complete. By the time the project comes on, facts will speak for themselves.”

ANO State Government has recorded an increase in polio immunisation campaign coverage from 30 per cent in 2012 to 92 per cent last December.

Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso said this during the distribution of 200 tricycles to polio victims and empowerment/welfare packages to physically challenged people at the Government House.

He pledged that the administration will achieve 100 percent coverage by the end of the year.

“Polio is a very serious social and health problem and we are determined to flush it out of our state,” the governor said.

Kwankwaso said his administration has empowered over 3,000 people with disabilities.

He said 100 beneficiaries got facilities to start the sale of recharge cards, 45 got offers of employment into the civil service, 81 were given capital to set up provision stores, 53 were placed on a monthly social security allowance and 40 got capital and computer sets to set up business centers.

Five vehicles were given out to leaders of the physically challenges groups.

Suswam seeks partnership with missionaries

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ENUE State Governor Gabriel Suswam has said genuine partnership between government and missionaries on education matters is necessary, if the nation is to guarantee quality education for the citizens.

Suswam spoke in Abuja at the retreat and conference of the Catholic Bishops Conference of Nigeria.

He said there was the need for the government to partner the church in the management of schools.

According to him, such partnership was needed to build an educational system where emphasis would be placed on quality rather than the craving for certificates.

The governor bemoaned the existence of “miracle centres”, noting that the craving for certificates was responsible for their emergence.

Suswam said apart from the declining quality of education, the society’s norms and value system were disappearing because of lack of discipline in schools.

He said his administration collaborated with the Church in the running of schools through grant -in - aids.

“The missionaries were allowed to appoint their officials.

“Ours may not be a perfect arrangement but it is a success story for the people.”

The governor pledged to continue to partner with the four Catholic dioceses in the state-Makurdi, Otukpo, Gboko and Katsina-Ala. Suswam identified security, low revenues, incessant strikes, over frivolous demands and the existence of a plethora of industrial unions as some of the challenges of delivering quality education.

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

NEWS Immigration’s border patrol planes grounded

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HE two planes used by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS) for border patrol are no longer in operation due to long time abandonment, Minister of Interior Abba Moro was told yesterday.

Managing Director of Dornier Aviation Nigeria (DANA) Ltd Mark Snoxell said yesterday that the planes could still fly for the next 10 years if they were rescuscitated.

He spoke when he visited the

minister in Abuja yesterday.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reported that Moro directed the Comptroller-General, Nigeria Immigration Service, Mr David Parradang, to work out modalities for resuscitating the air border patrol unit of the service. .He said the resuscitation of the unit was necessary to patrol the country’s borders to address security challenges.

The Minister said illegal immi-

Continued on page 4

“By this parameter, the Nigerian government must rise to the occasion. And by government I do not mean only the Executive.

We in the Legislature are also part of government. And we cannot, therefore, merely join in the chorus of lamentations. Our duty is to act swiftly and decisively in the protection of the citizenry.

“In the past, this House had initiated and supported all measures needed to combat terrorism in the Country. Since active terrorism started manifesting itself, the House has taken the following steps: “We have passed over 20 resolutions on the issue of national security. We amended the Antiterrorism Act, 2011 to strengthen the security agencies. We have appropriated huge sums of money for the security agencies.

“Only recently, January 30, 2014 the House in making its recommendations for Constitutional Amendment voted to include the National Security Agencies and the Nigerian Police on the First Line charge for purpose of ensuring their financial independence and timely release of funds when appropriated.

“While we await the completion of the Constitutional amendment process in which we have thus sought to remove the funding bottleneck that impedes the operational effectiveness of our security institutions, we must in the interim adopt definite measures to ensure that the security agencies have all the support they need to put an end to this longrunning orgy of bloodbath so that Nigerians can sleep with both eyes closed. That is the most basic service citizens expect from their government.

“Let us not forget that we have in place a State of Emergency in the three affected Northeast states, yet the killings have continued unabated in spite of the gallant efforts of our security forces. It is therefore clear that we need to come up with other ideas for a solution. There are certain questions that this House must now ask.

“How do we ensure that the welfare of our military is effectively administered and that they have the appropriate equipment to execute their hazardous assignment? The sad events of recent weeks have once again made Nigerians ask whether moneys appropriated for the welfare of our security forces are properly administered.

“How do we strengthen the intelligence gathering capabilities of our intelligence agencies?

“How do we encourage the Nigerian Police Force to institutionalize Community Policing as a framework for engaging local Communities in a partnership for checking crime and terrorism?

“What about integrating local security structures into the regular security windows of the Nigerian Police Force with the Federal, State and Local governments supporting them with necessary resources? Is it perhaps time for us to revisit the idea of State Police?

“How do we develop an institutional framework for securing the land through a neighborhood

grants in the country ‘have been identified as perpetrators of various acts of terrorism”.

He said that there was a need also to resume air border patrol as vehicular patrol and deployment of high-tech surveillance equipment was not enough to address the present security challenges.

“We have taken steps to resuscitate our border patrol by setting up a committee to examine our preparations for air border patrol against the existence and

House declares day of mourning for slain Yobe pupils

derers attack the first set of pupils, the ones nearest to the entrance, and the pupils begin to realise that what is happening is not a nightmare but a reality far harsher than any nightmare the mind of a child can construct.

“Hear the panic in the voices of the children as they begin to scream for help, from God, their parents or security. But no help will come tonight.

“Feel the unbearable horror of this night, and hear the fading cries of these children as they finally succumb to the murderous onslaught.

“Finally, my dear colleagues, imagine that it is your own child in the hostels at Buni Yadi on this hellish night.

“I can still hear the voice of the father of Aliyu Yola, one of the victims of the school massacre, crying, ‘Aliyu was scared to go back to school after the last holiday. I forced him to resume, not knowing he will never come back to me again.”

“As Jodi Picoult writes in her book: ‘My Sister’s Keeper’, ‘In the English language, there are orphans and widows, but there is no word for the parent who loses a child”.

Though, he said it was not a day to apportion blames, Tambuwal said: “We have run out of excuses. We no longer have any excuse for our inability to protect our innocent defenceless children from gratuitous violence.”

He recalled that in recent times, it seems the nation wakes up every morning to the sad news of one gory tale of bloodletting and killing of innocent Nigerians or another.

“In the Northeast states of Adamawa, Borno and Yobe; in the North Central States of Benue and Plateau; and in other parts of Nigeria.

“We wake up to the disturbing news of daring and dastardly attacks on our military establishments, resulting in the dissipation of our military infrastructure and the destruction of the lives of the heroic Nigerians who have committed their lives to the defence of our territorial integrity.

“In Maiduguri, for instance, expensive military aircraft and equipment and whole military barracks have been lost in addition to the loss of men and women of our military and other law enforcement agencies.

“We wake up to the chilling news of the total annihilation of innocent, law abiding families and entire communities in the most callous, reprehensible and bizarre fashion. This cannot continue. We must rise up collectively and decisively to stop these orgy of deaths, destruction and waste.

“Section 14 of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria provides that the security and welfare of our people is the primary purpose of government. In making this provision, the Constitution places a duty on all of us here and everyone else entrusted with the mandate of governance and representation to place a high premium on the security of lives and property of Nigerians.

audit where a tab is kept on every member and every housing structure whether completed or uncompleted?

“A fully engaged and strongly organised local population would not allow terrorism in their community or across their territory. Nigerian citizens must, therefore, be mobilized to take back their communities. Intelligence gathering will improve tremendously if security structures at the local levels are tapped effectively by the police.

“How do we institute a form of ‘Marshall Plan’ to effectively address the economic circumstances of the affected regions?

Such a measure will serve to check youth restiveness, unemployment and mass poverty. The private sector also has a huge role to play in this.

“What about our traditional rulers, religious leaders and other stakeholders? Does the government now need to intensify engagement with these elders to take advantage of their unique position, wisdom and influence?

“These few suggestions are only intended to serve as stimuli for further discourse. I challenge my colleagues and other Nigerians to come forward with other ideas and solutions on how we can as a nation address this situation.

“The involvement of the citizenry in the fight against terrorism is a vital issue. For the campaign against terrorism to succeed the people must get involved.

“A crisis of this magnitude is beyond the capacity of any government to resolve on its own without the support of the people. Whenever the stability and survival of a nation is threatened, the most potent weapon in repelling the threat is the active engagement of the people of that nation.

“I humbly appeal to the Nigerian people to join in this struggle for the soul of our nation and embrace as a sacred duty the mission of restoring peace and stability in Nigeria. We must draw from the heartbreak of Buni Yadi, and other areas affected by mindless violence, an inspiration to rededicate ourselves to the cause of nation building.

“One hundred years after Nigeria was amalgamated into one country, there are Nigerians who would still prefer to emphasise and celebrate our differentness and blame the British for amalgamating us, rather than embrace the reality of our oneness.

“At this stage of our journey of nationhood, all Nigerians should be highlighting the ties that bind us. We should be promoting the elements of our common heritage and emphasizing the imperatives of our common destiny.

“In the light of a heart-wrenching tragedy like this, our people must now see that those political, sectional and sectarian differences that have made it impossible for us to present a united front against our challenges are petty and self-absorbed.

“If a tragedy of the Buni Yadi magnitude does not bring us together as one nation, if the loss of our innocent children whose only

operations of our aircraft patrol units.

“The abandonment of these aircraft for some time now has made them unworthy to fly and with the visit of Dornier Aviation, we can start doing something immediately to revive our aircraft operations,” he said Moro said due to paucity of funds, the Federal Government had adopted Public Private Partnership to protect and maintain its assets all over the country.

•Tambuwal

offence was that they went to school to gain education and wisdom in preparation for a future of service to Nigeria and humanity does not unite us in grief, then we need to ask ourselves if we truly meet the basic spiritual requirements of nationhood.

“We cannot claim to be one nation, if we cannot find unity in grief; just as we cannot claim to be a great nation when we are incapable of preventing horrendous attacks on our children peacefully asleep in their beds.

“As a people we are known to be our brothers’ keeper. Terror has never been in our character and with God on our side we shall surely defeat this minority tribe of violence. Let us therefore arise with a single-minded resolve that the Buni Yadi massacre is one massacre too many and we shall tolerate no more.

“Our nation is in mourning, and it is in urgent need of consolation, our nation is in pain, and in urgent need of healing, our nation is puzzled, and in urgent need of answers, our nation is disillusioned, and in urgent need of reassurance.

“As the elected representatives of the people, it is our duty to offer that consolation, administer that healing, provide those answers and furnish that reassurance that our people need to make them continue to believe in the Nigerian nation,” he said.

Firm to empower women

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By Tonia ‘Diyan

N online shopping store, Jumia, has revealed plans to empower more women to achieve their life and career goals.

The company’s Head of Human Resource and Finance Monica Rucki, who spoke on the occasion of the year’s International Women’s Day, said: “I am keen to emphasise that in the past few years, women have achieved a lot with innovation and knowledge which should be celebrated.’

“In Nigeria, we have seen women rise to positions men previously occupied and it is safe to say that women can do as much if given the opportunity.”

The Firm’s offline manger Afam Ayinka added: “This week, the firm will be putting its women first with daily spotlight on Jumia’s making a change with their different roles.”

This International Women’s Day even with the theme: ‘Equality for women is progress for all,” was celebrated last weekend.

Amaechi urges action against corruption Continued from page 4

Global Order.”

The former British foreign secretary said: “Emphasis must be placed on social justice and equality. The wealth of the nation must not be in the hands of a few persons. Corruption must be tackled frontally. There is high level of inequality in Nigeria and the wealth is concentrated in the hands of a few persons.

“Elections must be free, fair and credible. We must have trust in the ballot box to sustain democracy. There is a long way to go in Nigeria in conducting free, fair and credible elections.

“Opposition party can bring about change, but it is a tough and thankless task. It is stupid to marginalise the opponents. In a democracy, nothing lasts forever. A strong democracy must listen to the opponents and opposition’s views must be heard.

Strong opposition will keep the government on its toes.

“Winner takes all can be damaging. Those who feel disenfranchised may resort to violence.

Widespread corruption and democracy are incompatible.”

Straw also stated that the elected representatives must be accountable to their people, thereby promoting good governance.

The ex-Prime Minister of Ireland said: “One of the most important ingredients of democracy is free speech, which is available in Nigeria today. Nigerian government should make efforts to attract to return home, Nigerian professionals who are doing well all over the world, through good governance.

“Without independent judiciary, you cannot have strong democracy. The rule of law and Independent Public Prosecuting Service are also essential. Justice must not be selective. Prosecution of crimes must be equal.

“When you are defeated in an election, learn to be a good loser and congratulate the winner.

There is need for tolerance and party discipline. Politicians should be close to their constituencies. Economic conditions must be improved upon and inequality reduced in the society.”

Amaechi said: “When I was at the University of Port Harcourt, we would not hear of stolen $20 billion and the school would not close down. There would be no lecture. We would summon an emergency Students’ Union meeting. The next morning, you would see students on the streets of Port Harcourt, protesting against the stealing of the $20 billion.

“Now, you have students’ leader who has siren with police escorts and imagining that he is a governor. He is already identifying himself with those who are stealing money, because he wants to come and steal money.

“What are the students of the UNIPORT, Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), Port Harcourt and other universities doing about the challenges we are facing? That is what is called citizens’ action. I am 48 now. I should not be part of the citizens’ action. Except if the situation is so bad that I will be part of the people who will be on the streets to protest. At their age, we held this country to ransom, while I was in the university.

“Now, students clap for leaders who come to their campuses with Jaguar cars. When I was there, if you came with Jaguar car, you would go back with motorcycle.

“The country is a bit helpless and slightly hopeless, because you need to have a statesman leader. A weak man, but capable leader can establish strong institutions through his ideas. There is a difference between a strong leader and a capable leader. The system will fish out a corrupt judge, not the government in power. You can be in PDP, you

can be in APC, the system will fish you out and throw you into jail. The moment the first person goes to jail, the second person goes to jail, the third person goes to jail, everybody will change.

“In Nigeria, we celebrate corruption. The highest we do is to transfer them from the Ministry of Justice to the Ministry of Labour or we remove them and the persons will continue with politics. So that when the next government comes into power, Nigerians and the government would forget that the persons were removed in the last administration. The person would be given Minister of Finance. In that case, nobody would ask him about corruption again or may be given Minister of Petroleum, but they would prosecute those talking about corruption.

“The Constitution is very clear about how to remove a governor.

The Constitution says by impeachment, through the court or you serve out your tenure, but in this era of suspension, the governor can be removed from office by suspension. We thought it was impossible to remove the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor (Sanusi Lamido Sanusi), but he was suspended. The ingredient of democracy is freedom of speech. Nigeria is in a civilian regime, not democracy.”

Falana also lauded Amaechi for promoting the cross-fertilisation of ideas in Rivers State, through the international conference.

“We have the best expression of strong opposition in Rivers State, viz-a-viz the people in Abuja. Governor Amaechi has succeeded because for the first time, in about 14 years, issue of governance, good schools that can be compared with those in Europe and America; good hospitals; good roads, among others, are being given to the people.

“Those who are fighting Governor Amaechi do not appreciate that there is a difference between having a government that promises to deliver and never delivered for 14 years, and one that promises to deliver and delivering, in terms of good governance.

“On corruption, Nigerians shamelessly ranked 144 in the index of corrupt nations, but it takes two to tango. I have had a running battle with the British Government and Western Governments. Nigeria is not more corrupt than many Western countries, but in the ranking of the Transparency International (TI), it is only the victims of corruption, countries that are allowed by the West to loot their treasuries and move to the vaults of the Western banks, that are ranked as corrupt.

“I wrote to the British Prime Minister, when a governor was convicted in Nigeria and the judge descended on the former governor, but what of the financial institutions in Britain? What of your banks that warehouse the loot of the governor? The bulk of the money stolen from Nigeria is taken to the West, through capital flight. You can block it there.

“The United States, last week, released $458 million of the wealth stolen by Abacha. Abacha died in 1998. I am going to demand of the Obama’s government to give us the interest, because the money had been in their banks.

•Amaechi

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014

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WEDNESDAY, MARCH 12, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘We only want to be equal, not better. The permanent practitioners of ‘False Federalism, Fiscal and Administrative have for 50 years enjoyed ‘stolen goods’, eating other peoples share, and leaving them deprived’’ VOL.9 NO.2,785

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

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N a preface to today’s piece last week I said I would examine this morning the lamentation by Governor Ibrahim Kashim Shettima about the military’s apparent incapability to end the Boko Haram insurgency in his North-East region and the harsh response his remarks provoked from its commander-in-chief, President Goodluck Jonathan, and from some of the president’s men.

Governor Shettima had told the State House press corps shortly after his visit to the Villa on February 17 to brief the president about the upsurge of Boko Haram insurgency in his state since January, that the military seemed too ill-equipped, undermanned and insufficiently armed to defeat Boko Haram.

Aminiya, the Hausa weekly newspaper in the stable of Media Trust Ltd, publishers of Daily Trust, provided perhaps the most graphic illustration of the background to the governor’s lamentation in a table it published of alleged Boko Haram killings since January in its edition of March 7.

There were, the newspaper said, ten attacks against villages and communities in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states between January 28 against Waga Chekawa which left 30 people dead and against Jakana on March 4 in which the casualty was 11. In between were the attacks on Kauri (83 dead), Konduga (34), Izge (106), Bama (60), Buni Yadi (59 pupils of the unity school located in the town which is in Yobe State), Michika and Shuwa (28), Mainok and Maiduguri bombing (97) and Mafa (30), making a total of 538 dead within a period of less than two months. In all these killings, most notably that of the school children which took place AFTER the governor went to brief the president, the military arrived at the scenes long after the killers had taken their time to carry out their acts of barbarity.

As the governor asked rhetorically on his second visit to brief the president again on the issue, “Have we ever succeeded in thwarting any of their (Boko Haram’s) plans? They went to Konduga and did what they wanted to do; they held sway for over four hours before they left. They were in Kauri, Izge…In a nutshell, what we are being confronted with is that we are in a state of war.”

It was against this background of the civilian population’s total helplessness from alleged Boko Haram killings that Governor Shettima told the press that it was “absolutely impossible to defeat Boko Haram unless more military personnel and hardware are deployed.”

At the same time, however, the governor went on to praise the army and the police for doing their best in the circumstance. “In fairness to the officers and men of the Nigerian army and the police,” he said, “they are doing their best given the circumstance they have found themselves. But honestly Boko Haram are better armed and better motivated than our own troops.”

Quite understandably, our president and commander-in-chief of our armed forces ignored Shettima’s sympathy for the troops and took strong exception to his unfavourable comparison of the military with what is widely regarded as a ragtag army of Islamic ideologues which probably number no more

RIPPLES PASTOR RAPED ME TO CLEANSE MY SPIRIT–Victim

..and that must be ‘SPIRIT OF FOOLISHNESS’

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED HARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Why Governor Shettima was right (I)

•Shettima

than a few thousand and whose funding cannot begin to compare with the country’s nearly trillion Naira yearly armed forces and the police.

The president displayed his anger at the governor’s remarks in his first media chat this year when he described them, in effect, as illinformed and threatened to withdraw his troops to see if the ungrateful governor can cope without them. “If we pull out the military from Borno State,” the president said, “let us see if he will be able to stay in Government House.”

For the president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces of Africa’s most populous and most influential country, Dr. Jonathan’s reaction was rather churlish, to say the least.

No one, including Shettima, I am sure, says the military is underfunded. On the contrary, there are many who would argue that for a country that is at peace with its neighbours, its military is overfunded, notwithstanding the internal insurrection it is faced with.

Obviously what Shettima was echoing was the undeniable fact that despite its huge budgets, our military has not been equipped, staffed and motivated enough to eliminate an insurrection in one, albeit vast corner, of the country. The proper reaction to Shettima’s remarks, therefore, was not to berate the messenger.

Rather, it was to examine the veracity or otherwise of the message, especially since the messenger had built himself the reputation

of speaking with the greatest restrain as the governor of the main theatre of the Boko Haram insurrection.

In an attempt to be more Catholic than the pope, two of the president’s men, namely Dr Doyin Okupe, the president’s spokesman on public affairs and Mr Labaran Maku, the minister of information and, until last week, the supervising minister of defence, displaced even less restrain than their principal in attacking Shettima. The governor, said Okupe, was an illiterate in military affairs, as if as a medical doctor who has been long on sabbatical he was any better knowledgeable than anyone in such affairs.

And as if to expose his own illiteracy in such matters Okupe could not even make up his mind whether what the country was faced with in the Northeast was war or not; “We are certainly not engaged in a conventional warfare,” he said on February 18 in his hastily convened press conference with the State House press corps in denunciation of Shettima, only to change his mind on February 28 and say “We are in a war and there is no gainsaying that fact. I am willing to admit that we are in a war situation.”

If to Okupe Shettima was an ignoramus on military affairs, to Maku the governor committed “serious indiscretion” against the military by his remarks for which he presumed to forgive the governor. “I think,” he said in handing over the Ministry of Defence to the new minister, Lt-Gen Aliyu Mohammed, last week, “that was serious indiscretion. And I can forgive that because may be he did not know the deeper work that was going on and is still going on in the Northeast.”

Obviously if government has been doing “deeper work” in the Northeast, the result has not been on the ground for anyone to see. Maku’s strange explanation of the resurgence of terror in the region was that the attacks were like the actions of a wounded and caged lion. Maku, his principal and oth-

HARDBALL

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OT too long ago, his governorship ticket got “K-leg”. Now, that leg has been straightened, and it is so strong and sturdy that it offered its former traducer a platform to stand on. Is it then a question of the stone that the builders rejected becoming the head cornerstone?

O yes, you guessed right! It is the riveting story of former President Olusegun Obasanjo and Rivers State Governor, Rotimi Amaechi.

On the virtual eve of the 2007 election, Allmighty President Obasanjo and sole-controller of the All-mighty ruling party, Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) suddenly declared Amaechi who contested and won the Rivers PDP governorship ticket, stood disqualified.

It was a classic from the PDP house of imposition. Hence, the infamous “e don get Kleg” quip.

But thanks to the courts, impunity was vanquished, and the once-rejected Amaechi became the shining armour of an otherwise opaque PDP, with his good governorship performance. Of course too, the once-upona-time All-mighty president is now in decline.

He is even threatened with irrelevance by his estranged godson and current president, Goodluck Jonathan.

TONY MARINHO

ers in government may choose to believe his simile but any sensible person knows that wounded and caged lions don’t have the luxury of taking their time and choosing which victims to attack. And the pattern of the attacks in the Northeast since January clearly suggests premeditation rather than desperation.

As I’ve said, the president and his men should not have assumed, as they obviously did, that Shettima’s lamentation was in bad faith. If they had given him the benefit of their doubts they would have seen that the evidences that his remarks were true were right there under their very noses.

One such evidence was contained in an advert in the Leadership of February 21, in which one, Hassan Mungono, attempted to defend the governor’s remark. The advert quoted the Commander of the 21 Armoured Brigade, Brigadier-General Mohammed Yusuf, at the time of an attack on Benisheikh by Boko Haram not too long ago, that the troops had to withdraw from the town in the face of the superior numbers and arms of the attackers.

“They came in droves,” the advert quote the brigade commander as saying, “driving 20 pick-up vans followed by light armoured tanks , all wearing military colours. We had to retreat to our base after running out of ammunition.”

Anyone thinking the brigade commander as a Muslim is a closet Boko Haram, should refer to the lead story of The Guardian of November 21 last year. “Yesterday,” said the newspaper in that story, “the Chief of Army Staff, Lt-Gen Azubuike, stressed the need for troops of the Seventh Division of the Nigerian Army in Borno to get more weapons to fight insurgents. The army, he said, has recorded some achievements but stressed the challenge of replacing ‘military arms and hardware’ lost to the insurgents in the last six months.”

Now, if this is not an admission that the army, as the lynchpin of the war against Boko Haram, is under armed and under-equipped, I don’t know what is.

Much earlier the same newspaper had carried a lead story in its July 2, 2012 edition which quoted some anonymous police officers of complaining about the neglect of staff welfare by the authorities. “We are in a war situation against faceless Boko Haram,” the newspaper quoted an unnamed police officer as saying, “but the government and police management are pretending as if nothing were happening. The force authorities are drafting Southerners to war zone without any welfare in terms of accommodation, allowances to cushion the hardship...Officers cluster in a cubicle, so-called officer’s mess, without amenities like water, accommodation, food, coupled with harsh weather. The world should know this.”

•For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above

Stone that the builders rejected ...?

Now, Amaechi must have a grim sense of humour or was on a cynical demonstration of “my enemy’s enemy is my friend” dictum — or both.

Whatever it is, it is strange that the same Obasanjo who almost wilfully annulled Amaechi’s governorship right became the chief launcher of the latest of projects the Amaechi administration was delivering, even with the huge distraction of Mbu Joseph Mbu (whoever remembers him now?), Nyesom Wike and other Jonathan Rivers local political enforcers.

Without any sense of irony, Baba, ever mortally scared of slipping into irrelevance, made himself available. What should be Jonathan’s as of right then became the happy chore of the Ebora Owu, as he strutted, commissioning one project after another.

But the irony is not lost on any discerning mind. Back then, but with a wink, Obasanjo nearly torpedoed Ameachi’s hard-won ticket. Indeed, but for the courts that taught the polity a lesson in the futility of impunity, Amaechi’s “K-leg” would have stayed

that way and, as Nigerians love to say, “nothing would happen!” But see the underdog of yore come to give the former thundering overdog a rare platform in the sun, after his own godson had practically run him into a ditch?

From Amaechi’s side, it is a study in resilience. A country should be governed by law.

Even then, citizens themselves should wake up those laws — rudely if possible — whenever their powers were threatened by the powers-that-be. The beauty of Amaechi’s story is that he fought a good fight and crowned it with good service to his people.

Lesson for Jonathan? Power is transient.

After all, what people will remember you for is not how many high-profile sacks you pulled off or how good you were at political intrigues. Obasanjo was master of all those, but see how he craves attention now — even from mere boy, Amaechi.

Jonathan must learn from Obasanjo and do his job meticulously. But so far, the signals are not too good. But perhaps if Saul turned to Paul, there is always hope of some Pauline conversion to good — is there?

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