The Nation March 11, 2015 by The Nation

Newspaper of the Year

...79 D AYS TO GO DA

•PDP governors: we won’t push for polls shift again •I don’t expect another postponement, says Abdulsalami MORE •Reps tackle NTA, AIT on hate documentaries •AND ON PAGES •55.5m PVCs collected as Ogun gets 170,000 cards 2-4&6

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3150 WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

•Commission, parties meet tomorrow

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

Ahead of the session, the electoral commission last night said it was satisfied that the SCRs will add tremen-

EDITORIAL ON PAGE 19 dous transparency and credibility to accreditation on Election Day. Continued on page 4

N150.00

34 killed, 42 injured in Maiduguri explosion A

INEC sure of Card Readers HERE seems to be no going back on the use of Smart Card Readers (SCRs) in the general elections. Independent National Electoral Commission has invited all political parties for a session on the machines, which it insists will check rigging and improve efficiency.

•www.thenationonlineng.net

•INEC chair Prof. Jega

NOTHER bomb went off yesterday in Maiduguri, the troubled Borno State capital. The explosion occurred as residents were struggling to free themselves from the hangover of last weekend’s

From Duku Joel, Maiduguri

multiple bombings. The scene of yesterday’s blast is the famous Monday Market where no fewer than 34 people died and 42 others injured. A commercial driver who

dropped passengers just before the El-Kanami Roundabout near the market, Hamisu, said: “I was in my car (a Volkswagen Golf), dropping three passengers that I picked from Continued on page 4

•INSIDE: EX-IVORY COAST FIRST LADY BAGS 20 YEARS JAIL TERM FOR POST-POLL VIOLENCE P60

•Arms and ammunition seized from sect members in Gombi...yesterday

•DO WN TERR ORISTS: A Hilux vehicle recovered from Boko Haram fighters in Gombi, Adamawa State...yesterday. •DOWN TERRORISTS:

•A burnt Boko Haram vehicle...yesterday.

STORY ON PAGE 4

SURE-P: Jonathan sacks 'Obasanjo man' Agwai ?

WILL THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15, LAST YEAR EVER RETURN?

Ishaya Akau replaces ex-Chief of Defence Staff as chairman

MAJOR casualty of the frosty relationship between President Goodluck Jonathan and former President Olusegun Obasanjo was recorded yesterday. Less than one week after delivering Obasanjo’s 78th birthday lecture,

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Gen. Martin Luther Agwai, chairman of the multibillion naira SURE-P scheme —the government’s much criticised answer to the crushing unemployment in the land— got the boot.

The sack of the former Chief of Defence Staff (CDS) was yesterday described by watchers of the Jonathan presidency as another proof of the broken relationship between the President and his benefactor. Gen. Agwai, a one-time Chief of

Army Staff, in his lecture last Thursday at the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidential Library (OOPL) in Abeokuta, titled: “Imperative of a national security framework for the development and progress of Nigeria”, warned the Continued on page 4

•NATIONAL ASSEMBLY IS BROKE P5 ‘$20B INVESTMENTS NEEDED FOR 10,000MW’ P55

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

MAY 29 ...79 DAYS TO GO

NEWS

PDP governors: •’Nigeria needs transformation, not change’

P •Vice Chancellor, Bayero University, Kano, Prof. Haruna Rasheed (third left) and Head, Personal and Business Banking, West Africa, Standard Bank, Mr. Lincoln Mali (third right) cutting the cake to inaugurate a branch of Stanbic IBTC Bank on the campus...yesterday. With them are: Head, Customer Channels, Personal and Business Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, Mr. Abiodun Gbadamosi (right) and members of the management team of the university.

•Project Manager, National Youth Service Corps Skill Acquisition and Entrepreneurship Development (NYSC-SAED), Mr. Tony Oriosun (left); Zonal Inspector, NYSC, Ikeja Zone, Mr. Mordi; Country Head, Association of Chartered and Certified Accountants (ACCA), Mrs. Toyin Ademola and Chief Executive Officer, Human Capital Development Consultant (HCDC), Mrs. Bisola Longe at the ACCA/NYSC employment seminar in Lagos.

•From left: Managing Director, Products, AccentureJuliet Anammah, Managing Director, Shell Nigeria Closed Pension Fund Ltd, Mrs Yemisi Ayeni, Managing Director, Energy & Utilities Accenture, Abayomi Olarinmoye, and Senior Manager, Accenture Linda Quaynor, at the 2015 anniversary of Accenture International Women's Day in Lagos...yesterday. PHOTO - SOLOMON ADEOLA

•From left: Chief Executive Officer, Prinsult Company Limited, Hajia Raliat Ibrahim; Executive Director, Bank of Industry, Mr. Waheed Olagunju; Executive Director, Ivory Banking, Heritage Bank, Mrs. Mary Akpobome; Managing Director, Knight Bishop, Mrs. Mope Abudu and Chairman, Prinsult Company Limited, Mr. Akeem Oyetunde, at a roundtable discussion on the success stories of Micro, Small and Medium-Sized Enterprises (MSMES) in Nigeria, on Lagos Island...yesterday.

EOPLES Democratic Party (PDP) governors yesterday said they will not push for the postponement of the general elections. But there must be an assurance by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) that no registered voter will be disenfranchised, they said. The governors, under the auspices of Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF), said the onus was on the Prof. Attahiru Jega-led INEC to ensure the resolution of the concerns raised about the Smart Card Readers (SCRs) before the polls. However, the governors urged Nigerians to reflect on the exercise before choosing between President Goodluck Jonathan and the All Progressives Congress (APC) presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd), who they insisted is too old for the rigours of the highest office. The Chairman of the PDPGF, Godswill Akpabio of Akwa Ibom State, who delivered a keynote address at an interactive session with the media and civil society organisations in Lagos, said the ruling party was now prepared for the elections. The theme of the parley was: “Sustenance of Democratic Values and National Development. The session, which held at the Eko Hotel, Victoria Island, was witnessed by the Secretary to the Government of Federation, Senator Ayim Pius Ayim, the Minister of Agriculture, Mr. Akinwumi Adesina, and his Power and Works counterparts, Prof. Chinedu Nebo and Mr. Mike Onolememe. With Akpabo were governors Ayo Fayose (Ekiti), Dr. Olusegun Mimiko (Ondo), James Ngilari (Adamawa), Seriake Dickson (Bayelsa), Shehu Shema (Katsina), Sule Lamido (Jigawa), Jonah Jang (Plateau), Loyel Imoke (Cross River), Saidu Dakingari(Kebbi), Ibrahim Dankwambo (Gombe), Babangida Aliyu (Niger) and the deputy governor of Nasararawa State, Bamisi Barau. At Akpabio’s request, a minute of silence was observed in memory of martyrs of democracy, including the late Chief Moshood Abiola, his wife, Kudirat, and Gen. Shehu Yar’Adua. Akpabio and Aliyu clarified that the governors were not in Lagos to discuss the formation of a new political party. But, the Niger State governor also fired salvos at Imo State Governor Owelle Rochas Okorocha, saying that he peddled the rummour that they stormed the state to finalise defection talks with the opposition party. Akpabio said the PDP was ready for the rescheduled polls because it has the confidence that it will win. Reflecting on the polls shift, he said: “INEC was ill-prepared for the 2015 elections. Twenty three million registered voters have not yet collected their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) before the election was postponed. It is more than the population of five countries in West Africa. Jega said the postponement was a blessing in disguise. “Three weeks after the shift, INEC was just testing the card readers. Going by the failure of the card readers, it is certain that INEC is not prepared. Our concern is that nobody should be disenfranchised because of the failure of the card readers. We don’t want elections to be postponed, but we don’t want any person to be disenfranchised.” Akpabio described the PDP as a mass movement, adding that Nigeria has a chance of survival under Presi-

By Emmanuel Oladesu Group Political Editor

dent Jonathan. He decried what he described as the politicisation of the anti-graft war by Gen. Buhari, saying that he has the history of taking over the government through anti-corruption campaigns. The Akwa Ibom governor also said that, although he is worried by Gen Buhari’s age, his age of ideas is a matter of concern. He said: “PDP has done a lot in fighting corruption, The PDP government established the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and Independent Corrupt Practices and other Related Offences Commission (ICPC). We, the PDP governors, want to say that we abhor the politicisation of the corruption by military veterans. When the military toppled the government, it accused the civilian leadership of corruption. Gen. Buhari did worse things to Shagari, Dr. Alex Ekweme and Ajasin. The military veterans are trying to win power by branding the PDP as a corrupt government. “Who are the people talking about corruption? Who are the financiers of the opposition? How did they make their money? There is nothing wrong with Gen Buhari’s age, if he thinks he can withstand the rigour of the office. But, we are worried by the age of his ideas.” Akpabio said that, when Gen. Buhari was the military Head of State and Chairman of the Petroleum Trust Fund (PTF), he was never in charge, adding that he often delegates all duties to his lieutenants. He stressed: “He was not in charge. The regime was called Buhari/ Idiagbon regime. He is using 50 yearold trick of anti-corruption to deceive Nigerians. If we must move forward, we must move forward with President Goodluck Jonathan.” Akpabio highlighted the achievements of the Jonathan administration, pointing out that the President has ensured freedom of expression; created an atmosphere for free and fair elections; refrained from arresting and detaining media practitioners and political opponents and congratulated opposition governors who defeated PDP candidates at the polls. He added: “What we need in Nigeria today is transformation, not change. Change is an amorphous term. It could be positive or negative. Any change that is not planned will lead to disaster.” Akpabio accused the APC of fuelling insurgency in the North, stressing that states affected by the menace are controlled by the APC. He also said that the two most poorest states - Zamfara and Yobe - are ruled by APC governors. He said: “There is a correlation between insurgency and poverty. Those who ruled those states have contributed to insurgency. The opposition is behind Boko Haram. The Senate has passed a resolution praising the Federal Government and the military for its success in the anti-Boko Haram war. But, APC has only praised the military. The Federal Government and the military deserve commendation for fighting insurgency. “They are behind Boko Haram. Lai Mohammed said that it is unconstitutional to deploy troops to fight Boko Haram. Gen. Buhari described Boko Haram as our people on a television programme. When they wanted to negotiate, they said Gen Buhari should negotiate for them. I call on the United States (U.S.) and the

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

MAY 29 ...79 DAYS TO GO

: we won’t push for polls shift again Akpabio (right) speaking.... yesterday. Behind him from left are: Jang, Mimiko, Imoke, Dankwambo, Dakingari and Nebo.

‘Lamido’s call for kidnapping of APC leaders reckless’

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday came under severe attacks for trivialising kidnapping at the interactive session of the Peoples Democratic Party Governors’ Forum (PDPGF) with the media and civil society organisations. Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido was alleged to have jokingly suggested the abduction of two leading members of the All Progressives Congress (APC) as a way of financially crippling the opposition. But the APC Presidential Campaign Organisation (APCPCO) said the Lamido joke was rather expensive at a time kidnapping ranked as one of the social ills threatening the nation. APCPCO’s Director of Media and Publicity of the, Mallam Garba Shehu, told newsmen that it was unfortunate that a governor of Lamido’s standing would make such careless statement in front of television cameras at a time when the nation was fighting insecurity. Shehu said: “As we were preparing for this press conference, some of the PDP governors are meeting in Lagos and some of the language that are coming from that place are not particularly pleasant. I want to consider what the governor of Jigawa State, Sule Lamido said. ”I feel it is some kind of morbid joke and I hope that it didn’t come from his heart. Otherwise, the time when kidnapping is a very serious plaque nationwide. I think that it is terribly terrible and in bad taste that a governor will stand in the front of the television cameras and announced that to break the APC, all they United Nations (UN) to help Nigeria in the fight against Boko Haram, now that the group is associated with the ISIS.” Akpabio thanked the President for convoking the National Conference and promising to implement its recommendations. Aliyu, who spoke after him, refuted the allegation that the 16 years of PDP’s rule has been a waste. He also denied that the PDP governors were in Lagos to negotiate with APC. Aliyu said, out of seven aggrieved PDP governors, two of them stayed back in the party to correct the anomaly in the ruling party. He said: “If I could enter the party through the front door, why should I now come through the back door? These people who are behind Gen. Buhari have looted the states. Now, they want to move to the centre. Gen

needed to do is to kidnap two APC leaders and the party would be broke. “From what we are seeing and the language coming out, it’s like people are not conscious of the fact that Nigerians have sensibility. Otherwise, people should not just ruffle the emotions of the people of this country. ”For us in the APC presidential campaign organisation, kidnapping is a serious threat to this country and it is not a matter that people should be joking about as it is with Boko Haram. Security is priority Of course, it is not surprising that for our presidential candidate, Gen Mohammadu Buhari, the key issues are about security and the lives and property of the people of this country. As you can see from his various speeches, this is a matter he intends to give his all. ”The devastating effect of the Boko Haram insurgency in the Northeast, and general insecurity pervading the land is an issue that has continued to bewilder our people. But we all know that were it not for the lax attitude of our government, the insurgency would not have continued to fester as we have it today.” Shehu also quote Gen. Buhari as saying: “Let me assure you that if I am elected President, the world will have no cause to worry about Nigeria as it has had to recently; that Nigeria will return to its stabilising role in West Africa; and that no inch of Nigerian territory will ever be lost to the enemy because we will pay special attention to the welfare of our soldiers in and out of service, we will give them adequate and modern arms

Buhari was made a candidate through financial inducement because he promised to do one term. In their states, they are taking bond and incurring debts for the future generation. The election is not about sentiments. It is about the future of the country.” Lamido flayed the PDP governors who defected to the APC, saying that they are dregs. He said: “How comfortable are Wamakko and Amaechi in the APC? APC is a contraption, an organisation of hate, envy, anger and confusion.” The Jigawa governor berated Gen. Buhari for contrasting personality, stressing that, while high-profiled murders and bombings starred the country in the face, he kept quiet. He added: “APC has as members former PDP governors and senators. But, because they lost out in their

and ammunitions to work with, we will improve intelligence gathering.” According to him, Gen. Buhari remained genuinely committed to reduce wastages in the system and restored the confidence of the people. His words: “You are aware that recently our presidential flag bearer, Gen Muhammadu Buhari was at the Chatham House, London, United Kingdom (UK) and gave a speech on his vision for Nigeria if elected resident in the forthcoming election. “Even as a nation with statistics, such as in the case of 33.1 per cent of Nigerians living in extreme poverty, and almost 60 per cent of youth unemployed, Gen Buhari bemoaned the current state of things, more so as the poor will be ‘disproportionately impacted’. ”Following from the above, Gen Buhari identified two ills that have characterised the President Goodluck Jonathan-led administration as ‘waste and corruption’. “In that elucidating speech, he successfully proffered workable solutions to pull the country from the brink. You are all aware that the speech is now in the public domain. ”On contemporary national issues, we wish to draw the attention of well-meaning Nigerians to the deceit, squandermania and looting associated with this administration ”It is on record that work started on the East - West Road in 2006, under former President

states, they connived with the APC. The question we face in Nigeria is how to banish poverty. Nigeria must be refocused. It must re-unite. There is corruption everywhere. It is in the boardroom. It is a Nigerian phenomenon. We should think of how to deal with it. APC has no plan for Nigeria. They are dregs of the PDP. “They came to Jigawa to talk to me. They said they are saints. I asked them: why do you want me, a member of a party of rot and rogues? If two APC leaders die today, the party will perish. But, PDP is solid and organic. The challenge is how do we preserve Nigeria, salvage Nigeria, reconcile Nigeria and promote understanding.” Ngilari, who said the sustenance of democratic value should be anchored on security, said that insecurity is not an invention of the PDP. The gover-

•Continued on page 61

nor lamented that in one household, 120 skulls were found, following attacks by the Boko Haram sect. He added: “It was like watching a film in Hiroshima and Nagasaki. People go through the carnage. But, with what the Federal Government and the military are doing, we will cross the bridge.” He chided his Borno State counterpart for not giving enough support to the military in the fight against terror. Ngilari, a lawyer, said: “If the Borno governor has collaborated with the military, as we have done in Adamawa, much success would have been achieved. In two weeks, the sect will be wiped put in Adamawa.” Fayose urged the North to exercise patience, saying that power will shift to the region after President Jonathan has completed two terms. He said: “The North must have patience for

four years so that we will not regress to the past. Jonathan should conclude his assignment.” Fayose maintained that Gen Buhari is too old for the job of the President, adding that he lacks the physical and mental requirements. He said: “My mother is 74. Gen Buhari is 73. I want you to reconcile this.” The Ekiti governor said the certificate issue should not be discarded, urging Nigerians to take interest in Gen. Buhari’s academic qualification. Fayose added: “Gen. Buhari is too old. Sickness, ailments and problems come with age. This is not a replacement for Jonathan. If this is the change they want, they are making a mistake. Throughout his tour of Nigeria, Gen. Buhari spoke for 57 minutes. Why is Gen. Buhari afraid of a presidential debate. I don’t have a death wish for Gen Buhari. It is reality wish? “The Chairman of PDP Governors’ Forum said that he has no problem with Buhari’s age. I disagree. A judge must go at 70. Permanent Secretary retires at 65. Pilots have retirement age. Nigerians must not vote for people who have the capability and mental ability to do the job.” The governor also rejected the notion of performance in Lagos State by Governor Babatunde Fashola, stressing that the resources have not been judiciously used. He said Lagosians are groaning under the tax law. Fayose said: “Ekiti gets N300 million. Lagos gets N30 billion. N30 billion will take care of 12 states. Fashola is not performing.” At the interactive session were Chief Raymond Dokpesi, Mr. Bisi Olatilo, Mr. kehinde Ogungbe, Mrs. Aniko Briggs, Mr. Yinka Odumakin, Mr Monday Mbani, and other members of the civil society groups. Ondo State Governor Olusegun Mimiko said Jonathan has entrenched democracy with his accommodation of what he described as "the intangibles" of democracy. According to the governor, democracy is not just about building roads and others but in ensuring the entrenchment of democratic values. He said the president has ensured separation of power by not tampering with the other arms of government. Mimiko commended the President for convoking the National Conference, saying he is the man in best position to implement its outcome.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

NEWS 34 killed, 42 injured in Maiduguri blast Continued from page 1

Gomari straight to Kasuwa through the Post Office peacefully and smoothly. When the last passenger was alighting from the car, I heard a heavy, strange sound that shook everywhere and everything around.” He went on: “Immediately we saw heavy black smoke opposite us at the small entrance of the Monday Market near the El Kanemi Roundabout by the Mai Nono(fresh cow milk) place where these Fulani women sell nono, fresh cow milk around 4.47 pm. “I was terribly scared and could not even move an inch from my car, shivering for some minutes before I started my car and drove away. •Former South Africa President Thabo Mbeki (middle) after a meeting with All Progressives Congress (APC) National Leader Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu (left) and Osun State Governor Rauf Aregbesola in Lagos...yesterday. Mbeki met with President Goodluck Jonathan in Abuja on Sunday and APC presidential candidate Gen. Muhammadu Buhari in Kaduna on Monday on the need for peaceful polls.

SURE-P: Jonathan sacks 'Obasanjo man' Agwai Continued from page 1

military against partisan politics to maintain its integrity. Rather than be deployed for political purposes, Gen Agwai said the military should concentrate on its duties so as to be able to tackle insurgency in the Northeast. He spoke against the background of the criticism of the plan by the Federal Government to deploy soldiers for the March 28 and April 11 elections. The opposition parties are opposed to the deployment of soldiers and their likely use by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). A statement by presidential

spokesman Reuben Abati yesterday said: “In furtherance of his efforts to continuously reenergise and reposition agencies of the Federal Government for optimal service delivery, President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has appointed Mr. Ishaya Dare Akau as the new chairman of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P).” “Mr. Akau, whose appointment takes immediate effect, replaces Gen. Martin Luther Agwai (rtd.) who served as Chairman of the SURE-P until today.” “The new SURE-P Chairman hails from Jema’a Local Government Area of Kaduna

State and holds Bachelors’ Degrees in the Arts and Law.” “Mr. Akau comes to the job with years of experience as a high-level administrator in the nation’s public service. His record of service includes tenures as Chairman of the Kaduna State Universal Education Board and Chairman of the National Assembly Service Commission.” “President Jonathan thanks the outgoing Chairman of SURE-P, Gen Agwai, for his service to the nation and wishes him well in his future endeavours.” Gen Agwai was appointed SURE-P chairman on February 5, last year after

serving as acting chairmn from November 24, 2013 when pioneer chairman and former Nigeria’s High Commissioner to the United Kingdom Dr. Christopher Kolade resigned. SURE-P is a multi-billion naira ad hoc agency created by the Federal Government to hold the accruals from the withdrawn subsidy on petroleum products. The fund was intended to provide safety nets for the downtrodden, mostly hit by the subsidy cut. It was created after the massive protests that rocked the country following the cut in subsidy in January 2012.

INEC secretary now to hold office for four years

HE National Assembly yesterday pegged the tenure of office of the Secretary of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) at four years. This is contained in the report of the conference committee on the Bill for an Act to amend the Electoral Act, 2010 to provide for the tenure of office of secretary, power to issue duplicate voter card, determine voting procedure

From Onyedi Ojiabor, and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

and for other related matters, 2015. The conference report, which is the harmonisation of different versions in the clauses of the Bill passed by the Senate and the House of Representatives, was adopted by the Senate yesterday. Section 8(1) of the Electoral Act which deals with the appointment of the secretary

and other staff of the Commission states in the amended Act: “There shall be a Secretary to the Commission who shall (a) be appointed by the Commission; and (b) have such qualifications and experience to be determined by the Commission as are appropriate for a person required to perform the functions of his office under this Act.” The Act did not stipulate any tenure for the Secretary.

The National Assembly however reasoned that the office of the Secretary of INEC is so sensitive that it should be tenured. The Senate and the House of Representatives jointly held and adopted Section 8(1)© which states that INEC secretary should “hold office for a period of four years from the date of his appointment which may be renewable for Continued on page 60

“When I took the other way out of the scene, I saw soldiers and civilian JTF rushing to the scene. People were running up and down, confused and terrified. Some were pushing others down all out of confusion and fear. Mustapha Idi, a civilian JTF member, described the attack as “deadly and terrible”. He said: “We have so far been able to carry about 30 bodies to the hospital and over 30 seriously injured people, apart from those who ran away from the scene, wounded and those that went to the hospital on their own.” A hospital source said: We have 34 deaths and 42 wounded people. The ambulance vans are coming.”

Troops repel Boko Haram in Adamawa

N attack on Gombi, the headquarters of Gombi Local Government Area of Adamawa State, by Boko Haram fighters has been repelled. A combined team of vigilante hunters, troops and policemen Monday night stopped the militants, killed many of them, seized their vehicles and ammunition. The Army said Boko Haram terrorists fleeing the onslaught by troops met their waterloo in attempt to enter the Gombi town. In a statement yesterday in Abuja by Col. Sani Usman , the Acting Director of Army Public Relations, the military said the insurgents were engaged by 23 Brigade troops in a gun battle that led to the killing of a number of them. He said the operation also led to the destruction and recovery of vehicles, motorcycles, weapons and ammunition. He listed the weapons destroyed and recovered to include four Hilux vehicles, three anti-aircraft guns and one 50 inch Browning machine gun. “Others include: 5,000 rounds of 12.7 millimeter ammunition; two boxes of .50-inch ammunition; 1,000 rounds of Light Machine Gun ammunition; one Rock-

From Barnabas Manyam, Yola

et Propelled Grenade 7 tube as well as one General Purpose Machine Gun. “Unfortunately, one soldier was wounded in the encounter and he is responding to treatment,” Col. Usman said. He added that troops were mopping up the area to prevent further incursions by the terrorists. Adamawa Police spokesman Othoman Abubakar said the insurgents tried to penetrate Gombi through Biu-Garkida road but the joint operation repelled the offensive. Gombi is 120 kilometers from from Yola, the Adamawa State capital. It was recently recaptured from the sect members. “The men came in from Goloso, Garkida villages through Biu road about 6:30 p.m. in a motorcade and vehicles. They engaged soldiers in a gun battle,” a resident, Bello Abubakar, said. “There was pandemonium in the town as people scampered for their lives for fear of uncertainty,’’ he said. Another fleeing resident, Mr Bitrus Danladi, said many residents ran into bush, ‘’ as I am talking to you we are here on the mountain, taking refuge,” Danladi said.

INEC meets parties tomorrow on Card Readers 55.5m PVCs collected as Ogun gets 170,000 cards

Continued from page 1

But the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) is said to be mobilising smaller parties for a protest against the SCRs at tomorrow’s meeting. The plot to “create a scene” in INEC was uncovered last night. A source, who spoke in confidence, said: “INEC will meet with all the political parties on Thursday to make its position known, that it will not go back on SCRs. “The commission will, however, use the session to get more input from the parties on how the SCRs can be successfully deployed for the general election. “INEC will also present the outcome of the mock election conducted in 12 states to the political parties.” But it was learnt that the meeting might be a stormy session because PDP is mobilising smaller parties to protest against INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega over card readers.

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has said that 55.490 million Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) have been collected as at yesterday. There are 68.833,476 million names on the INEC register. According to INEC’s latest update, the collection rate is now 80.61 per cent. There are still 13.343 million PVCs for collection before the March 22 deadline. Most states have attained between 60 per cent and above collection rate apart from Ogun state which has 47 per cent collection rate. Gombe and Zamfara have recorded 95 per cent Another source said: “The PDP is poised for a showdown with INEC and Jega over the use of Card Readers. The party and 15 others have plotted a script to “create a scene” on Thursday. “They are set to disrupt the meeting between Jega and political parties. “Alternatively, they might seek a court injunction to re-

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

Ogun State INEC said yesterday that it had taken delivery of additional 170,000 PVCs. The Administrative Secretary of the commission, Mr. Dickson Atiba, told reporters that the new consignment brought from Abuja contained between 170,000 to 190,000 PVCs, noting that the remaining ones would arrive before Friday. “We have 15 cartons for Ifo Local government, 12 cartons for Ijebu-Ode Local government, 14 cartons for Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Government, 19 cartons for

strain INEC from using Card Readers. There are four suits in court against the use of Card Readers and they are banking on a frivolous injunction to frustrate INEC. “The PDP and 15 others are planning this protest, in spite of the fact that they have received legal advice that Card Readers do not violate the Electoral Act.”

Sagamu Local Government, four cartons for Odogbolu Local Government, one carton for Obafemi Owode Local government, one carton, Abeokuta South Local Government, one carton for Abeokuta North, one carton for Ijebu East and then we have some pieces, which are in about five small cartons.” Last week, the state Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) Chief Timothy Ibitoye, said the state had a shortfall of 425,454 PVCs, still being expected from Abuja. He put the number of registered voters in the state at 1,795,794.

INEC yesterday said it was satisfied with the adoption of SCRs for the general elections. The commission, in a statement through the Chief Press Secretary to INEC chairman, Mr. Kayode Robert Idowu, said the Card Readers will ensure transparency and credibility of the accreditation for the general elections. The statement said: “INEC is

satisfied that the use of SCRs in the 2015 general elections will add tremendous transparency and credibility to the accreditation process on Election Day. “The Commission hereby reassures the public that it will do everything necessary to ensure that the processes of the elections are seamless, free, fair, credible and peaceful.

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun

“The Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) on Monday, 09th March 2015, met to consider field reports from the public demonstration of Smart Card Readers (SCRs) conducted in 12 states on SatContinued on page 60

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THE NATION WEDESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

NEWS Complaints trail JAMB’s computer-based exams

OMPLAINTS trailed the conduct of the Joint Admission and Matriculation Board’s (JAMB) Computer-Based Test (CBT) yesterday as candidates who sat for the examination scored its conduct very low. Students and parents at some of the centres visited by The Nation in Lagos expressed disappointment over the poor conduct of the examination. For instance, over 60 candidates for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME), who passed the screening stage process and were cleared to begin the examination at ETC Centre, Lagos, were asked to leave the hall without writing the test owing to “alleged server failure”. Some of the candidates were able to answer only one or two subjects from the compulsory four when the “server failure occurred”. One of the candidates at the centre, Yetunde Sulaimon, expressed her displeasure at the turn of event. She said: “We were writing the examination and the computers suddenly went off. When we put them on and tried to re-register, they said we have already registered, refusing to give us access to continue our exam. “We informed the officials and they said we should wait that they would do something and we have been waiting for more than five hours now.” Boluwatife Adebayo added: “I answered some questions, but did not finish all the subjects when the computers just went off and submitted by itself.” Ogechi Cynthia, Adeleke Oluwatosin and Adenike Abibat - also candidates at the ETC Centre - said they wanted the return of “old method”.

•The candidates in one of the centres in Abuja...yesterday By Oluwatoyin Adelele and Jane Chijioke

Their words: “We do not want CBT again, we like our pencils and biros mode.” At Chams City, Ladipo, Lagos, although all the candidates wrote the examination, those scheduled for 6am session ended up writing it around 11am, making the early morning arrival at the venue fruitless. A candidate, Oluchi Njoku, said: “We have been here since six in the morning. I had to wake up by four and start preparing for the examination. I could not even eat anything because I thought they would stick to time. I stay in Ikorodu and I just managed to finish mine by 2pm. When we entered the hall, the coordinators were still trying to fix the computers.

The computers were so annoying that the girl sitting next to me was just in tears because her computer kept failing her. Though the coordinators were able to bring in another computer for her, the whole experience was just not comfortable.” A parent, Mrs. Bridget Akpos, condemned JAMB for making the CBT mandatory. She said: “When you are not capable to handle CBT, I wonder the need for it. Look at the children; they already looking so exhausted. Most of them have not even eaten and some are yet to write. “I think this CBT should have been test-run for five years before it is made compulsory. How can you initiate a sensitive law like this last year and this year, you are already making it a must? It is a welcome idea, but I think

it should be done in a gradual process.” Another parent said the CBT helped reduce crowd, urging UTME officials to ensure that the examination facilities were upgraded to meet the expectations of candidates. Efforts to speak with JAMB representatives at both centres proved abortive as they refused to talk. At the UTME centre in University of Lagos, the news was slightly different, as the candidates hailed JAMB for the CBT. Although about four candidates’ thumbprints did not match, but they were screened to write the test. But, the former Executive Secretary of National Universities Commission (NUC), Prof. Peter Okebukola, praised JAMB for what he described as a successful transforming of testing candi-

dates. Meanwhile, the Coordinator of Lagos Office of JAMB, Dr. Beatrice Okorie, who monitored the process at the Bufato Computer and Secretarial School, Ikotun-Egbe, advised parents not to offer any money to any centre and to report those requesting bribes to JAMB. Other candidates, whose examinations are scheduled for tomorrow and other days, have expressed fears over the CBT mode. They pleaded with the UTME officials to rectify all errors before their scheduled dates. The CBT, which started two days ago, is expected to end on the 21st of this month with 1.4 million candidates sitting for the examination.

Cash crunch hits National Assembly

HE National Assembly is broke, unable to meet its financial needs, The Nation learnt yesterday. Administrative responsibilities, such as payment of monthly salaries to lawmakers, their aides and members of staff, are not being met and the management is worried. Legislators, their aides and civil servants are yet to be paid February salaries as at yesterday. The January salary was paid two weeks into February. According to sources, the management borrowed from a bank to pay last month. The salary issue is just one of the many problems facing the National Assembly. The one that is biting the lawmakers most is the inability of the management to pay their usual quarterly allocation, which should have been paid in January. Their displeasure over the nonpayment of the allocation stem from the obvious fact that most of them were banking on it to fund the final

•February salaries, quarterly allowance unpaid By Olukorede Yishau, Assistant Editor (News)

phases of their election campaigns, leaving many to think that perhaps the executive deliberately withheld their funds as a punitive measure. It was learnt that late last year and also early in January, the leadership of the National Assembly met with the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iwela, to resolve the financial crisis. While not admitting that the nation was broke as was variously insinuated, the minister was said to have told her guests that her office would release only half of their quarterly allocation. The National Assembly’s leadership, according to a source who was part of the meeting, but would not want to be named, turned down the offer, insisting that since the money had been appropriated and the minister claimed the nation was not

broke, all and not part of the money should be released. This meeting took place at the Presidential Villa. By the time the National Assembly’s leadership met with the Minister again last January, both parties finally agreed that the quarterly allocation would be paid in three installments, beginning from January. This plan has been disrupted by the ministry, which paid only the January installment. Both the February and March payments that would have completed the agreed three installments are still pending. This situation, according to insiders, has put many of the legislators in a precarious position as some of them are finding it difficult to meet up with commitments with banks where they have taken loans. A source said the morale of most of the employees of the National Assembly Service Commission is at its lowest ebb with many of them struggling to transport themselves to

Atiku: I’m irrevocably committed to APC’s antics of mischief-makers to break ORMER Vice President and victory the bond between him and APC. chieftain of All Progressives

Congress (APC) Atiku Abubakar has dismissed rumours that he was under pressure to return to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). Instead of leaving the APC, he said he was irrevocably committed to the party’s victory in the general elections. In a statement from his media office in Abuja, Atiku said his commitment to the APC and the success of its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and other party candidates in the 2015 general elections was unwavering and has never been up for bargaining. There have been reports of purported plan by the former vice president to return to the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP)

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

over alleged misgivings within the APC. Atiku said: “I remain irrevocably committed to the APC, as I promised in my concession speech at the conclusion of our party’s presidential primaries, and has been working tirelessly behind the scenes to ensure the victory of General Buhari and other candidates of our great party at the general elections.” The statement stressed that reports of the Turaki Adamawa’s purported return to the PDP or any other party was the handiwork of mischief-makers focused on pitching the former vice president against other leaders of the opposition party. Atiku said for the avoidance of doubt, it would take more than the

He added that his return from Adamawa, where he convened a stakeholders’ meeting and reconciled disagreeing camps within the party towards ensuring victory for the APC, bared eloquent testimony of this commitment. The statement also said the former vice president was supporting the financial operations of the APC in many states, in most cases as a sole financier. Atiku said: “I have backed my words and commitment with my resources to ensure that I bring my influence and support to bear on our party’s march to victory at all levels in the general election. That should be enough to shut up mischief-makers bent on derailing the APC’s success at the March 28 and April 11 elections,” he said.

work, their woes compounded by the recent fuel scarcity in Abuja. The financial crisis in the Assembly has also brought about frequent power outages. Electricity bills and others, such as Internet, maintenance and other sundry bills are said to be over N1 billion, leaving the service providers with no option, but to disrupt services. Construction giant Julius Berger recently pulled out of the maintenance arrangement it had with the

•Senate President David Mark

Assembly. Several elevators in the complex have been faulty for several months.

Party dismisses rumour of Buhari serving one term

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has debunked the rumour allegedly being peddled by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) that Gen. Muhammadu Buhari will spend only one term in office, if elected Presi-

dent. It said it was the creation of the PDP, “which is seeking to play a section of the country against another”. APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, in a statement in Lagos yesterday, said: “The APC will not abridge the right of Gen. Muhammadu Buhari to spend the constitutionally-guaranteed two terms as president, if elected in the March 28 polls. “No conditionality whatsoever was attached to Gen. Buhari’s candidacy. He won the party primaries fair and square in a globally-acclaimed transparent manner, and he was neither a compromise nor a consensus candidate, hence there is no need for him to make a deal with anyone. “We are, therefore, telling Nigerians to disregard the tales by the moonlight which some PDP elements are yarning, in their desperation to muddle the waters ahead of the forthcoming elections and create disaffection between a section of the country and another.” The party said it had ignored the myth all long because it was being peddled by fringe elements in the PDP, but decided to put the record straight once and for all after those who were thought to be saner elements in the ruling party started parroting the same incredulous lies. “his myth that Buhari will spend one term, after which power will return to the South-west, is along the same line as the outlandish claim that our vice Presidential candidate, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, has sworn to an oath to resign in favour of Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu once elected. “The question to ask is: When will the PDP stop this campaign of calumny and character assassination against our candidates and leaders? When will they stop this one-day, one-lie nonsense? “The truth is that Gen. Buhari’s candidacy has brought out the worst in the PDP leadership and supporters, including Mr. President and his wife. Unfortunately for them, the more they campaign against our candidate, the more popular he becomes. Perhaps the PDP would have stood a better chance of winning the forthcoming polls if its state governors, in particular, have devoted as much time and energy to running their states as they have devoted to maligning Gen. Buhari,’’ the party said.

THE NATION WEDESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

NEWS

Senate praises troops’ feats in Northeast From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

•Maina-Maji

ENATORS yesterday praised the military’s success in the fight against Boko Haram in the Northeast. The Senate said if the tempo of successes was sustained, the insurgency would soon be a thing of the past. Senator Maina-Maji Lawan (Borno North) who came under Order 43 (personal explanation) urged the Senate to praise the military. Lawan said: “As this chamber is aware, I have come several times on the subject of the insurgency, from terrorists’ takeover of Baga to direct threats to state capitals and various locations. “About 20 local governments were inaccessible to Nigerian authorities; painful as it may have been, we solicited the support of this Senate in all

the issue. “It is only fair Mr. President that this time around, when there is some cheering news, I should mention this to this Senate. “I want to say that several territories hitherto inaccessible to Nigerian authorities have been liberated. Mongno, which is a high military zone housing a whole brigade of the Nigerian Army, has been liberated. “Baga, my home town, has been liberated. The effort is on-going and I think that it is only fair that no matter what is left, it is important that we appreciate what is being done and I want to say that our troops are much more up and doing. “We appreciate their effort and we ask them to do more so that in the areas that they have liberated, mopping up is concluded for the communities to go back. “I am very sure that very soon, we will hear good news from Bama and Gwoza because they are the two main areas outstanding. “I want to say that I appreciate all the support of the Senate. Frankly speaking, I want to say that we are solidly behind our troops.” Lawan urged the senators to under-

stand the emotional attachments of those whose personal houses have been taken over to the successes being recorded by the soldiers. “We pray that more of these successes will go on; we will continue to cooperate with our troops; we appreciate their effort and we ask that they continue with this particular stride to reclaim all Nigerian territory,” he said. Senator Bukar Abba Ibrahim (Yobe East) supported Lawan. Ibrahim said: “All the details Lawan gave are correct. With the exception of Bama and Gworza, there is not a single local government in the Northeast under the Boko Harm control. “Even Gulani and Gujuba have been liberated even though my house is still occupied by their wives and their children, but we will allow them to stay on humanitarian grounds. “I am in total support and there is need for us to show total appreciation for what is happening not only to Nigeria, but also Chad and Cameroun too; we must also appreciate what they have done. Senator Mohammed Ali Ndume (Borno South), said: “I want to join my colleagues to commend the Nigerian Armed forces and the other countries armed forces that have joined in this war aginst insurgency.

“We have been crying out together for the government and the armed forces to do something and we have given them the support that is necessary in order to execute and win this war. “Results have started coming and we have seen it everywhere. Yesterday, I had to travel from Maiduguri to Kano by road. There is clearly a visible difference between what it used to be six months ago and now. “In fact, in Milo, one of the villages that was completely abandoned, their market was thriving and the people are going back. “Two days ago when I got to Benishe, even political activities have started picking up in those areas. “When we condemn and results start coming, this Senate should also stand up to commend the Nigerian Armed forces and the leadership for the great job they have been doing. “The challenge we face we know is that the Nigerian Army did not anticipate this kind of situation and, therefore, did not prepare for it and were not equipped for it. “But despite that, they were able to stand up to the occasion and I want to say as a barracks boy that I am proud of the Nigerian Armed Force.” Senator Chris Anyanwu (Imo East) also added her voice to the commen-

dation. Senate President David Mark thanked Lawan and others who spoke on the matter. Mark said: “When things were not going very well, you had the courage to speak out as one united Senate and when things improved, I think you should also have the courage to say that things have improved. “I think we must commend our boys and girls that are in the field, who have been going through hardship. “Clearly with the right platform, the armed forces in this country will prove themselves that they are worthy of the international reputation that they have earned. “I must also commend the regional forces that have come to cooperate with us - Chad, Niger and Cameroun. Not only for their assistance, but for the cooperation because it takes much more than just desire to operate together because, particularly, they are French speaking and we are Anglophones. “It is a good regional effort and we must commend ECOWAS for this wonderful cooperation. Finally, I think that we must encourage our boys and girls in the field out there to bring this to a quick logical conclusion.”

Abdulsalami: I don’t expect another polls shift

•From left: Managing Counsel, Rose O. Ojiako-Nwosu and Company, Rose Nwosu; Programme Coordinator, International Women Protection and Empowerment, Sibinty Conteh; Director, Speakers Corner Trust Nigeria, Ramatu Bako; National Programme Officer, United Nations Women, Adenike Ndieli; and Gender and Conflict Adviser, Nigeria Stability and Reconciliation Programme, Chitra Nagarajan, at Oxfam/Sctn partnership to celebrate Women’s Day in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

APC alleges plan by PDP to cause havoc the outcome of all nocturnal HE All Progressives Conin Southwest are meetings involving these PDP ‘gengress (APC) has accused the Peoples Democratic Party

(PDP) of planning to disrupt its (APC’s) road show in Ekiti today. It alleged plan to use PDP thugs adorning APC T-Shirts to infiltrate the rally and instigate violence. A statement in Lagos yesterday by APC National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, accused the PDP, “working through Governors Ayodele Fayose of Ekiti and Olusegun Mimiko of Ondo, to cause mayhem in the Southwest before, during and after the forthcoming elections to make free, fair and peaceful polls impossible.” The statement alleged that the PDP resorted to the plan “having realised that the PDP’s stock in the geo-political zone has been totally depleted, despite their massive bribery of some leaders in the region”. The APC, therefore, called on security agents to be on the alert during the road show in Ekiti and through the Southwest as the elections approach. The statement reads: “Scared stiff about the success of the one-million-march in Lagos last Saturday and worried about the successful rally being repeated in Ekiti and

elsewhere in the South-west, the PDP has perfected a devilish plan to cause mayhem during the Ekiti road show. The APC T-shirts being sewn by Governor Mimiko will be given to their thugs, who will then be mandated to infiltrate the road show and start a fight. “Beyond that, the two ‘generals’ of the PDP in the South-west, Fayose and Mimiko, have perfected a scheme to take the military and police uniforms being sewn in AdoEkiti to Akure, where they will be worn by thugs for the purpose of intimidating APC supporters before and during the elections. “Already, a special task force under one Soji Bello has been set up in Ondo State with the express mandate of attacking and beating up all known supporters of APC in the state while another team has been mandated to cause mayhem in the Hausa-dominated Sabo and Shasha areas of the Ondo State capital, Akure. “Finally, the PDP ‘generals’ plan to cause their own ‘Boko Haram’ to strike in the Southwest, after which some Southwest based militias will retaliate against those purportedly behind the attack, thus triggering a region-wide mayhem. These plans

erals’ and some other anarchists,’’ APC said. The party said it has decided to expose these plans to put the nation’s security agencies on the alert, as well as to alert Nigerians and the international community to the evil machinations of those who were bent on triggering massive chaos and violence ahead of the polls. “APC is a very peaceful party. Not a single violent incident has been recorded at any of our rallies since the beginning of the current electioneering campaign. Also, despite the massive turnout of Nigerians for the one-million-man march in Lagos on Saturday, the march was violence-free. “We, therefore, urge those who are doing everything possible to make a peaceful change impossible to realise that they are being watched closely by Nigerians and the international community, and for them to realise that there will be no hiding place for them either within or outside Nigeria if they carry out their dastardly plans. “Today, the world has zero-tolerance for perpetrators of mindless killings, chaos and violence,” it warned.

ORMER military Head of State Gen. Abdulsalami Abubakar said yesterday that it will be near impossible to postpone the general elections again. His reason: President Goodluck Jonathan came out to promise the citizenry that the elections would hold as scheduled and added that May 29 hand-over date remain sacrosanct. Gen. Abubakar, who was in Kano to commission the Kano Institute of Information Technology, spoke with reporters briefly at the Senate Building of North-West University. He said: “We should give our president a benefit of doubt... President Goodluck Jonathan has spoken to the press in a media chat and he gave his word that the election will hold as scheduled. So, let us give him a benefit of doubt. Being our president, we should accept what he

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

has said. “Now, my appeal again to Nigerians and everybody- please, let us give peace a chance before, on election day and after the election. And I do hope that the electoral officials, the politicians will allow a free and fair election.” On what transpired during the meeting between him, President Jonathan and former President of South Africa Thabo Mbeki, he simply said: “That is a private matter between me and Mr. President.” He praised Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso for the projects he executed in Kano. “Really, Governor Kwankwaso deserves commendation. From what I have seen, certainly whoever that is going to follow after him has got a precedent to contend with,” he said.

U.S. probing Boko Haram’s link with ISIS

HE United States (U.S.) is probing Boko Haram’s alleged link with the Islamic State of Iraq and the Levant (ISIS), it was learnt yesterday. There are also indications that the U.S. is considering providing additional equipment, training, advisory, and logistics support for the onslaught against Boko Haram in the weeks ahead. A transcript of the daily press briefing of the White House in Washington DC, the U.S. capital, showed that the State Department believes the allegiance pledged by Boko Haram might also be a propaganda tool. Boko Haram, at the weekend, came out with a message pledging allegiance to ISIS. State Department’s spokesperson Ms Jen Psaki said: “We’re undertaking to assess the validity of these reports. Regardless of what links may or may not exist, Boko Haram remains a tremendous threat to the stability of the region and the safety of civilians. “I think it’s important to also note that Boko Haram has previously pledged allegiance to both AQIM and al-Qaeda core in the past, but those pledges were assessed to be pledges of solidarity rather than any indication that its leadership plan to take orders from or allow these groups to usurp control. “In fact, we observed minimal operational cooperation among the

groups in that particular case. So, I just thought that was relevant information in terms of what’s happened in the past. Obviously, we’ll look into this, but we’ve also seen similar claims that are more designed for propaganda purposes than operational engagement.” She added that despite the fact that there is no indication that Boko Haram’s claim on ISIS differ from the previous ones to al-Qaeda, the U.S. “will assess what it means. We continue to watch closely, and obviously, we take any of this seriously”. On reports of ground troops from Chad and Niger launching a ground offensive and an air offensive against Boko Haram, she said: “We are aware of reports that Chadian and Nigerian troops are taking action against Boko Haram in northeastern Nigeria, as are Nigerian forces. “We welcome the coordinated efforts by the defence and security forces of the region to protect civilians from Boko Haram. We are providing general support for the counter-Boko Haram effort, including equipment, training, and intelligence. We’ll consider additional equipment, training, advisory, and logistics support in the weeks ahead, and that’s something that has been ongoing in terms of our support for the counter-Boko Haram efforts for some time now.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

NEWS NUT, others opt out of strike

Arrest warrants on Oyo officials From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

IGERIA Union of Teachers (NUT) and the National Union of Local Government (NULGE) yesterday said their members would not participate in the three-day warning strike by a section of the state’s workforce. The Joint National Public Service Negotiating Council (JNPSNC), last Friday, directed all civil servants to stay off work from March 10, until their four-month pension deductions are remitted to the appropriate fund managers. Academic Staff Union of Secondary School (ASUSS) obeyed the directive and went on strike. But, addressing reporters at the NUT state secretariat, Abeokuta, yesterday, state NUT Chairman Dare Ilekoya said members would not take part in the strike, because “NUT is not a member of the JPSNC”. According to him, the strike did not concern primary and secondary school teachers. Also, Head of Service Mrs. Modupe Adekunle said some workers reported to for duties without harassment or intimidation, adding that the strike was not fully observed. She said: “About three times we met with them. The government had assured them it would pay the deductions. ‘’In fact, they wanted government to pay the deductions and leave the salary, but, the net salary is much higher and the governor believes that, that takes precedent. "It is the situation the government has found itself. The state is among the very few in the country that is not owing workers' salaries.”

1,000 join Ondo APC From Damisi Ojo, Akure

NE thousand Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) members from Irele Local Government Area of Ondo State have joined the All Progressives Congress (APC). They were led by a former board member, State Development Property Corporation (OSDPC), Joshua Adebusoye (Baba Rere), who resigned his appointment on Monday. He said: “It is better to be a slave in a foreign land than at home. I am comfortable being a slave in the APC than in PDP and I am pledging my commitment to join APC to ensure the victory of Gen Muhammadu Buhari and other candidates of the party. “I want to join other progressives to work for change in the country and with the calibre of politicians in APC and its manifestos, the genuine transformation is in the offing in Nigeria.” APC chairman in the local government T.O. Igbasan described the coming of Adebusoye as a plus for the party. The State Deputy Chairman, Ade Adetimehin, said they have left darkness for light,stressing that there is no founder,no joiner.

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun presenting the state's plaque to the Flag Officer Commanding, Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Jonathan Ango, when the naval chief visited him in his OkeMosan, Abeokuta Office...yesterday.

OYO State House of Assembly has directed that arrest warrants be served on some principal officers for failing to appear before the House. The House gave the directive yesterday at its plenary presided over by the Speaker, Mrs. Monsurat Sunmonu. Among those affected are the accountant general, permanent secretary and director of Local Government Inspectorate in the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Matters. According to the lawmakers, the officers failed to appear before the House, as directed, at its March 5 plenary.

Team to tackle road accidents

Salary: Osun blames delay on low allocation

HE Osun State government has blamed delays in the payment of workers’ salary on the reduction in the federal allocation of the state. But it denied that workers were owed five months, contrary to the claim by some protesting workers in Osogbo, the state capital, yesterday. The protesters claimed their last salaries were paid last in November. By 8am, the aggrieved workers had converged on the state secretariat of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN) at Fakunle. Led by the state ASCSN Chairman, Akinyemi Olatunji, the protesters said they had been facing hardship since last year. Chief of Staff to the Governor Gboyega Oyetola condemned the protest, saying: “They don’t need to do what they are doing be-

•Civil servants protest From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

cause Governor Rauf Aregbesola has signed the remaining salary arrears owed workers.” Oyetola debunked the claim that the government owed five months’ salaries. “As at now, we have paid up to January and on or before the end of this week, the outstanding salaries would definitely be paid without any delay. “So, we don’t just sit doing nothing because we know their plight.” In a statement, the Director of the Bureau of Communications in the Governor’s Office, Semiu Okanlawon, said: “While we recognise the right of the workers to seek the payment of that which is legitimately theirs, we wish to repeat that the unfortunate owing of salaries cannot be divorced

from the crushing revenue crisis that has hit Nigeria. “What is required at this stage is for all to understand the genesis of this saga, which will be helpful rather than being viewed as a deliberate act by government. “A government that ensured prompt payment of salaries on or before 26 of every month since inception; a government that introduced 13th month salary and a government that had commenced augmentation of salaries with its savings cannot suddenly wake up to deny workers their legitimate earnings. “We are aware that President Goodluck Jonathan made some statements during his visit to Osun at the weekend where he was reported to have asked the people to demand their salaries, saying his govern-

ment pays states when due and that some states have borrowed money beyond their capacities. "The question Mr. President must be asked is: how do loans obtained by states for obvious development purposes and to bring better life to the people translate to revenue deductions across Nigeria? "It is on record that the Director-General of the Debt Management Office came to Osun last year and declared publicly that the state's debts are within its capacity. "Can Mr. President justifiably claim that Osun's unpaid salaries are not part of the hard economic times that his Minister of Finance, Mrs. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, warned us against. “As a responsible and responsive government, we can only appeal to our workers in the state and those connected to them for understanding.”

Fayose to lawmakers: you can’t sue me in Lagos By Joseph Jibueze

•Fayose

KITI State Governor Ayo Fayose has challenged the jurisdiction of the Federal High Court in Lagos to adjudicate on a suit against him and others by House of Assembly Speaker Adewale Omirin and 18 others. The governor said he could not be sued outside Ekiti State where the “cause of action” took place. According to him, the court lacks the “territorial jurisdiction” to decide the case. The plaintiffs are praying the court to nullify and declare as unconstitutional Omirin’s purported “im-

peachment” by seven Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmakers. Inspector-General of Police Suleiman Abba, the Department of State Security Services (DSS) and the new “Speaker”, Dele Olugbemi, are among the respondents. Others are Olugbemi’s loyalists- Samuel Ajibola, Adeojo Alexander, Adeloye Adeyinka, Israel Ajiboye, Fatunbi Olajide, Olayinka Abeni- and the commissioner of Police. The rest are three commissioners cleared by the House under Olugbemi - Oweseni Ajayi (attorney-general), Kayode Eso (works) and Toyin Ojo (Finance). The plaintiffs are praying the court to declare that Omirin and his deputy are entitled to occupy their office, except removed by a two-third majority. They are also seek a declaration that Fayose’s alleged attempt to force them to join the PDP and denounce the All Progressives Congress (APC) is against their right to freedom of association. They asked the court to

hold that Olugbemi’s election as speaker was illegal, and all deliberations and actions of the seven lawmakers invalid. But the governor, in a preliminary objection filed by the three “commissioners” (12th to 14th respondents), is praying for an order that the suit be dismissed for lack of jurisdiction. “The suit, as presently constituted, is incurably defective and grossly incompetent. Consequently, this court cannot sit over an incompetent suit,” he said. Besides, the governor said the action did not follow due process as it was not signed by a judge as required by law. “This court lacks both subject-matter and territorial jurisdiction to entertain the suit,” the respondents said. Besides, they said the suit was an abuse of court process because the plaintiffs had allegedly instituted a similar action on the same matter for the same reliefs in another suit at the Federal High Court, Abuja. “The cause of action, which gave rise to this matter as re-

vealed by the originating summons and other processes filed by the applicants/ respondents, took place in Ado-Ekiti, Ekiti State,” the respondents said. Plaintiffs’ counsel Norrison Quakers said he would file a response to the preliminary objection. The lawmakers are also praying for an order of mandatory and perpetual injunction restraining the “commissioners” from laying claim to offices they were not duly appointed to. Omirin, who was elected as Speaker on June 6, 2011, said a team of armed security operatives were deployed to the Assembly’s premises last November 17, preventing the plaintiffs from carrying out their legislative duties. The APC lawmakers were locked outside while PDP lawmakers confirmed the commissioners and approved the appointment of local government caretaker committees. Justice Saliu Saidu adjourned till March 25 for hearing of the preliminary objection.

THE Olota of Ota, Oba Osanyintolu Alani Oyede, has raised a group to monitor road users in the community. The monarch said the group, Ota/Awori Joint Security Team, was formed to curb road accidents. Describing the rate of accidents as worrisome, he said it was time the community joined hands with traffic agencies to instil discipline. The team’s coordinator, Chief Agbebi Ojugbele, urged the State Traffic Compliance and Enforcement Corps (TRACE) and other agencies to support the team to guarantee the safety of life and property. He said some drivers have turned the roads into death traps, despite the investment of the Ibikunle Amosun-led administration to upgrade roads in the state. The operation will hold for 12 hours daily on the roads, including the LagosAbeokuta Expressway (Tollgate).

‘No plan to sack Jega’ From Tayo Johnson and Bisola Oloyede, Ibadan

THE Resident Electoral Commissioner in Oyo State, Rufus Akeju, yesterday debunked the rumour that RECs were planning a voteof-no-confidence in the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega. He spoke at the presentation of voter education materials in Braille to the executives of the Joint Association of People with disabilities at INEC office in Ibadan. Akeju said: “Allow me to seize this opportunity to debunk the rumour that RECs are poised to invoke a voteof-no-confidence in the hardworking chairman of the commission. “This is a lie as we (RECs) still repose an implicit confidence in him and the innovations being implemented. "The voter education materials being presented today, include frequently asked questions on electoral process, voting procedure, voting offences and penalties, in Braille production. The representative of the Joint Association of People with disabilities, Olusola Obeyi, said the materials would benefit visually-impaired people.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

I rob the rich, says suspected robber E was hired as an interior designer, but he used his insider knowledge to get his clients’ homes robbed. Mustapha Akeem, 20, gave information to his colleagues who carried out the operation. Paraded by the Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) on Monday, Akeem from Laturo Village in Ogun State said he was driven into robbery by covetousness. He said he saw large amount of money, expensive phones, laptops and jewellery in the houses where he worked, adding: “I had no choice than to tell my friends who lured me into robbery. We usually return to those houses and rob them,” he said. According to the police, Akeem’s parents have been on the lookout for him. They were not aware he is a member of a robbery gang until he was arrested. Akeem said: “My parents abandoned me when I was little so I had no other option than to live with my grandmother who resides at Bariga in Lagos. I had my primary and secondary education in Lagos but I was expelled in class three because I was among those who fought with a neighbouring school

Lagos distributes cooking gas to 31 local govts

By Ebele Boniface

in 2007. I learnt how to barb for oneand-a-half years but since there was no money to have a shop, I learnt interior design (POP). “My first operation was with Sulaiman and Segun at Odunsi, Bariga in June 2013 at 8pm. Sulaiman makes use of a gun since he is our gang leader. We collected N20, 000 and three phones. Our victim was a recharge card seller. We collected N50, 000 in front of her house. We used machete to cut her chain and sold it for N40, 000 while I was given N20, 000. We also robbed people at Onipe and Ayedun streets, Bariga and collected N50, 000 and N80, 000. “It is not only the streets we rob. At times, when I am called to design houses, I steal from them. Our fourth operation at Emmanuel Street, we got one phone and one chain which we sold for N7, 000 and N20, 000 respectively. The fifth operation was at Bello Street where we collected N30, 000 and two phones. The sixth operation was at Bamidi Lawal Street where we collected N80, 000 and a chain. “We know those to rob from what they wear, the jewellery they

AGOS State Ministry of Mineral Resources and Energy yesterday distributed Liquefied Petroleum Gas (LPG) Gas Cylinders to 31 councils. Flagging off the exercise, the governor’s wife, Mrs Abimbola Fashola, said the exercise would help sustain the government’s campaign on safety and healthy living. She said the use of gas cylinder for cooking and other domestic works is safer and faster. “The success of this campaign is to stop the use of fire wood as a source of energy for cooking especially in our rural communities, but it is not just our rural communities most of our local eateries use fire wood, let them start to use the gas cylinders, it is faster and safer,” she said. She appealed to Lagosians to embrace the use of gas cylinders for all home and eatery. Commissioner for Energy and Mineral Resources, Taofiq Tijani said the use of the gas cylinders at homes for cooking will guarantee a safer environment. “The benefit of the use of gas for cooking include good health and clean environment; the environment will be devoid of smoke like when fire wood or kerosene is use for cooking,” he said.

•Akeem

use and the handbag they carry. I was arrested during our last operation by Bariga policemen. Sulaim-

an was killed by the policemen when he tried to escape while Segun escaped with our N50, 000.”

Man charged with producing fake Alomo Bitters HE National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) yesterday arraigned a man, Akintunde Smith, at the Federal High Court in Lagos for allegedly manufacturing counterfeit, Kasapreko Alomo Bitters. Prosecution counsel Umar Shamaki said Smith committed the offence on January 15 at 8, Omotara Street in Aguda, Lagos. NAFDAC said the defendant

By Joseph Jibueze

falsely labelled the product as Kasapreko Alomo Bitters. The agency arrested Smith following a complaint by the manufacturers that a counterfeit version was being produced and sold. The producers said the firm has introduced a hologram seal with security features on the cap to enable consumers identify the original Kasapreko Alomo Bitters.

“We have introduced what is called a hologram seal, which is like a transparent white nylon at the cap. It is a security feature which enables our customers to identify the original product. Once you don’t see the seal, you stay off,” the producers said. The three-count charge contravenes Section 1 of the Food, Drugs and Related Products (Registration) Act, Cap F33, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and is punishable un-

Expectant mother flees after delivery TRADITIONAL birth attendant Oladele Bello has run into trouble for delivering an expectant mother of her baby. An hour after she gave birth, the woman pretended as if she wanted to buy air time and disappeared, leaving her baby behind. Bello was later accused by the police of killing the woman and detained. His lawyer and brother paid N50, 000 for his bail. Speaking with The Nation, Bello described the incident as frustrating. He said: “The middle-aged expectant woman walked into my maternity home at Orile-Iganmu in Lagos writhing in pain. I couldn’t overlook her because her condition was pitiful. Although, she wasn’t my patient; I successfully helped her to deliver her child. One hour after, she went along the street, I thought she went to buy airtime to inform her family. We expect her to come back but after waiting for hours and looking for her for days with no trace of her, I took the baby to Orile-Iganmu Police Station to report and I was given a police officer to accompany me to a motherless home at Lekki where we dropped the baby. But, on getting back to the police station, I was detained. I was shocked to have been accused of killing the baby’s mother.” Bello said it took the interven-

By David Adejo

tion of some of his patients who protested his arrest before the police granted him bail. He was release on bail to his brother, Oyeniyi and lawyer after paying N50, 000 naira. Oyeniyi, said his brother has been a professional traditional practitioner for 25 years. He said: “We paid N50, 000 with the assistance of a lawyer to bail him if not; the police was ready to put the blame on him. He has been helping pregnant women during child delivery and those with complications during child birth. One of his patients, who identi-

fied herself as Mrs Chukwuma said: “Since I have been visiting this place, I have never experienced any ill attitude from Mr Bello. We come here for antenatal, traditional treatment and delivery.” A police man, who recognised Bello at the station, said he once helped his wife when she had complications during the birth of their child. The Lagos state police command spokesman, Ken Nwosu, a Deputy Superintendent of Police (DSP) said they are making efforts to locate the mother of the baby. Nwosu confirmed that the baby is now at government mother less baby home, Lekki phase 1 Lagos.

der Section 6 (1) of the same Act. The offence also contravenes Section 1 (a) of the Unwholesome Processed Foods (Miscellaneous Provisions) Act, Cap C34, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004 and punishable under section 3 (1) (a) of the same Act. Smith pleaded not guilty. Justice Okon Abang adjourned till May 6 and 7. He said the defendant, who had no legal representation, could apply for bail.

•Mrs Fashola

JAMB shifts Ikoyi Prisons exams to March 17

HE Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) yesterday shifted the 2015 Computer-Based Test (CBT) for Ikoyi Prisons inmates. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that 28 inmates are among candidates scheduled to sit for the Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in 400 centres nationwide. Joint Admissions and Matriculation Board (JAMB) Public Relations Officer (PRO), told NAN on telephone that the postponement of the test was to ensure effective monitoring. He said all logistics to ensure the successful conduct of the examination at the prison had, however, been put in place, add-

ing that it would now hold on March 17. Benjamin said reports reaching the board showed that no hitches had been recorded at other centres in Lagos. He said over 1.4 million candidates are participating in this year’s examination, which is fully computer-based. Deputy Controller of Prisons Ikoyi Prisons, Mr Aliyub Usman, told NAN that the 28 candidates writing the examination were ready to go. He said that before the news of the postponement reached the prisons, the candidates were all seated in the hall fully prepared, only to be told that the examination would no longer hold.

•Oshodi-Isolo Local Government Executive Secretary Dawood Olajobi (fourth left) with (from left) Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Akinpelu Police Station, Jimoh Alu; Mr Olumide Kasali; Makinde Police Station DPO Anthony Aruna; Shogunle Police Station DPO Grace Eze; Sunday Olaifa and Mr Olu Ayodele during a peace accord signed at the council secretariat... yesterday

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

CITYBEATS Workers accuse Lagos of planning D to sell water firm

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

ESPITE management’s refuttal of plans to privatise Lagos Water Corporation (LWC), the workers yesterday protested at the governor’s office in Alausa, Ikeja, urging him to stop the proposed sale. In branded blue polo shirts and face caps, the protesters under the aegis of Amalgamated Union of Public Corporations, Civil Service Technical and Recreational Services Employees (AUPCTRE) disrupted traffic on Obafemi Awolowo Way as they marched to Governor Babatunde Fashola’s office. Carrying placards, with inscriptions such as, “We say no to privatisation, water is our right”, “Water is for the people, not business”, “We say no to sale of our common assets” and “Holloway, who do you represent?”, they said government was hiding under the guise of Public Private Partnership (PPP) to privatise the corporation. Last week, LWC Managing Director Mr Shayo Holloway, said that there was no plan to sell the corporation, stressing that LWC is only partnering with some firms under the PPP Law of 2004 to execute its master plan to increase potable water production. Holloway said the master plan would discourage the sinking of boreholes, adding that the multi-billion dollars

•The protesters...yesterday By Wale Ajetunmobi

project would provide surplus potable water to people at a cheap rate. But, the protesters said the PPP agreement would lead to LWC’s privatisation and workers’ retrenchment. Chanting solidarity songs, they said private firms have no business providing a ser-

vice the government can handle. But the protesters could not see the governor who was said not to be in the office. They dropped their protest letter at his security post. Lagos AUPCTRE chairman Comrade Subair Muali said the workers would resist plans to sell off the corporation’s facilities to private

firms. Subair, who noted the protest was not politically motivated, said the union had been engaging the government over the matter for the past five years. He accused Holloway of initiating the planned privatisation, saying the government wanted to hide under the PPP guise to sell off the 105-

She forced me to marry her, says man

MIDDLE-aged man, Owodunni Rilwan, has sought the disso-

lution of his four-year-old marriage to Zainab, at an Agege Customary Court in Lagos, claiming that she is troublesome. Rilwan said he met his wife where he worked in their compound. He added: “I never proposed marriage to her. She forced herself on me. During one festive period, she came to my father’s house without invitation. She cooked and assisted my siblings in everything they partook in. My friends who were present thought she was my fiancée because she behaved like a wife. That same day, she refused to return to her house until we landed in bed.

By Basirat Braimah

“She never mentioned children from her previous marriage. Even when I asked who the child I always saw with her was, she said she was her mother’s last child. As I speak, the girl lives with me. There was a day she publicly called me a thief because I accused her of maltreating her child. Sadly, people really mistook me for a thief and dealt with me mercilessly.” In her defence, Mrs Rilwan said she doesn’t want a divorce, accusing her husband of damaging her womb. She said: “When he proposed marriage, I told him I had two children. He told me not to worry and promised to cater for my children’s

responsibility. “He asked me to vacate where I lived that he had a piece of land in Sango he wanted to build a structure on. I assisted him with N500, 000. Few months after, we relocated. I thought it was the house he built. It was later I know the house was his father’s. My husband abandoned me there on the pretext that the shop was far from the house. Even when I complained he was meant to be with me during pregnancy, he ignored me. “At the period of delivery, my husband and his mother took me to a quack nurse. The nurse said my unborn child wasn’t in a normal position that it was something she could do without bisecting my stomach. In the process

of turning the child with her hands, my womb was tampered with. When I wasn’t feeling too well, I went to another hospital where a doctor’s report revealed I won’t be able to conceive anymore that my womb had been damaged. I am not ready for a divorce.” The petitioner interrupted, saying: “I never collected a kobo from her and nothing is wrong with her womb, she is troublesome. It has been eight months since I left home. I don’t want this union anymore.” The court’s President, Pa Adekunle Williams, said a test will be carried out on Mrs Rilwan and he ordered the parties to bring two relations each for mediation. He adjourned the case till April 2.

500 volunteers for public sanitation planned by NGO

O fewer than 500 people have volunteered to participate in a sanitation scheduled for Ketu in Agboyi-Ketu Local Council Development Area. Organised by The Cleanup Nigeria Initiative, a NonGovernmental Organisation, the event tagged Cleanup Ketu will hold on Saturday. The NGO Coordinator, Mr Alex Akhigbe, told News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that the exercise is aimed at working towards the Millennium Development Goals (MDGs) number seven, which is “Ensuring Environmental Sustainability.’’ He said the exercise, “Cleanup Ketu,’’ would involve 500 volunteers, who have passion for the environment, to clean up the environment and create a changed attitude towards the environment.

“The Clean Up Nigeria Initiative is a project of Passion House International, a non profit social enterprise, with core focus on waste management, communityled sanitation and youth

development. “This is borne out of the need to promote a cleaner and healthier environment and aimed at reducing the high rate of mortality.

“The event will create a platform for people to give back to the community as their personal social responsibility towards keeping the environment clean and green,’’ he said.

•From right: Somolu Local Government Executive Secretary Abiodun Orekoya; Deputy Director, Project Inspection and Inter Governmental Relations Olu Badejo and Council Manager Razaak Amodu during a Budget Retreat at the council.

year-old asset. He said: “They can use any name to sell off public assets to private owners, we know it is privatisation. Holloway has been telling us that they are into Public Private Partnership, but we know his motive. How can you expect an individual to invest his money in producing potable water for the people without him wanting to take over the corporation asset? “Their aim is to retrench workers after they sell the water corporation asset to private investors. We do not trust their argument that they are not selling the corporation. We want the Lagos State government to know that water is not for sale; it must remain a social commodity to be provided by government to the people.

We will not stop the protest until Holloway desists from his move to sell our common asset to his cronies.” The Nigerian Labour Congress (NLC) chairman in Lagos, Comrade Idowu Adelakun, said the workers would not stop until Holloway stops his “anti-people” policies at LWC. He said: “Lagos citizens and workers are rejecting privatisation of water in Lagos State. We have seen results of where privatisation has taken place; none has ended with good stories. This is why we want Governor Fashola to stop the secret sale of our assets to private individuals, because we don’t want the calamity that befell other government assets to fall on Lagos Water Corporation.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

NEWS

APC lambasts Fayose for attack on Buhari

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has said Governor Ayo Fayose lacks the moral rectitude to query the right of its presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari, to occupy the nation’s highest office. The party, in its reaction to Fayose’s description of Buhari as a liar, said the governor’s action gave him away as an “unconscionable character who ought to hide his head in shame for activities that marked him as a dishonest fellow”. The APC Publicity Secretary, Taiwo Olatubosun, in a statement yesterday de-

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-Ekiti

scribed Fayose as “the most integrity-challenged governor in Nigeria”, saying the Ekiti chief executive is not competent to impugn on Buhari’s integrity and character. Olatubosun said Fayose’s first stint as governor witnessed incidences of violence, attacks and murder attempts on the lives of many Ekiti citizens and cases of fraud that are still in the courts. He said the governor’s “second coming” has been marred by attacks on courts,

judges, lawyers, judiciary staff, emasculation of the legislative arm and acts of impunity. Olatubosun said: “Lying is a question of integrity. A liar does not have integrity. Lying leads to deceit, stealing, conspiracy, murder and other vices. “Buhari has never and would never be associated with any of these vices, same cannot be said of Fayose. “His latest lie is the denial of his involvement in the Ekitigate scandal. “Fayose ‘led’ thugs to attack the judges and tear court records in the chief judge’s

office last year. “On May 29, 2005, he led thugs to attack the Alliance for Democracy (AD) rally at Mugbagba in Ado-Ekiti. “Chiefs Ojo Falegan and Segun Oni nearly died of teargas fumes after they were beaten by government agents. “Taiye Fasuba, the Chairman of Ado-Local Government, was illegally removed after he refused to surrender council funds for a fraudulent poultry project. “The late Atta of AyedeEkiti, Oba Adeleye Orisagbemi, was arrested for his alleged refusal to support

Fayose. “The Elekole of Ikole-Ekiti, Oba Adetunla Adeleye, was forcefully dragged out of his car for his alleged refusal to support the governor.” Olatubosun said only an “integrity-challenged” man could have all these “vices” around his neck and still seek leadership position or criticise leaders with impeccable records. He advised Fayose to start thinking of how to plan a life after paying for his alleged crimes, noting that Buhari’s presidency was a reality that could not be stopped by Fayose’s tantrums.

•Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (middle); the All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate in Lagos State, Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode (third left); his running mate, Mrs. Oluranti Adebule; APC Leader, Lagos Central Senatorial District, Prince Tajudeen Olusi (third right); former Deputy Governor Otunba Femi Pedro (left); APC chieftain Omooba Murphy Adetoro (second right) and APC chieftain, Pa Abiodun Sumola (right) at the APC governorship campaign rally at Ilasan Lekki, Maroko, Eti Osa Local Government Area, Lagos...yesterday.

Adeleke: Adesiyan has no political value By Precious Igbonwelundu

ORMER Osun State Governor Isiaka Adeleke yesterday described the Minister of Police Affairs, Jeleel Adesiyan, as a politician with no electoral value. His outburst followed the minister’s claims the former Governor “begged” him to support his senatorial ambition. Describing Adesiyan’s claims as the “ranting of an ant”, Adeleke in a statement by his media adviser, Olumide Lawal, wondered why the minister was not made the head of President Goodluck Jonathan’s re-election campaign in Osun State, if he was politically relevant. He assured Adesiyan that the All Progressives Congress (APC) would secure over 75 per cent votes during the elections. “We wonder, on what basis, Senator Adeleke would have ‘begged’ Adesiyan, who lost his Ago Igbira polling unit in Ode-Omu during the last August 9 governorship election. “So, of what political and electoral value is Adesiyan to Senator Adeleke in the ongoing campaign for the Osun West senatorial seat, which is a fait accompli for Senator Adeleke? “Senator Adeleke’s victory in the 10 local government areas in Osun West is a foregone conclusion because he has over the years impacted on the lives of the people.”

‘Nigeria produces four per cent health workers worldwide’

•The crowd at the rally

Olubadan lauds Globacom

HE Olubadan of Ibadanland, Oba Samuel Odulana Odugade, has praised a telecommunications firm, Globacom, for its support for the preservation of culture and the sponsorship of Oke’badan festival. The monarch, who was represented by the Otun Olubadan, High Chief Eddie Oyewole Foko, said the Oke’badan festival is to commemorate the protection and blessings which the founders of Ibadanland received from the hills during internecine wars with other communities. He described the festival as a vehicle for the re-telling of Ibadan history, “which we are determined to pass on to our children the same way our fathers passed it down to us”. The custodian of the festival and Aboke of Ibadanland, Chief Fasola Ifamapowa, said Oke ‘Badan is celebrated in commemoration of the life and times of one of the forebears of Ibadanland, Lagelu, and the noble roles of the early rulers of Ibadan, including Labosinde, Maye, Oluyole, Oderinlo, Opeagbe, Oluyedun and Lakanle and their acts of bravery which culminated in the founding of Ibadanland. The week-long celebration will feature the Glo musical fiesta during which Fuji maestro, Osupa Saheed, will thrill fun lovers in an all-night event; town parade, cultural ceremonies, and homage to the centenarian Oba Odulana.

PHOTOS: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Eligible voters with missing fingers to enjoy waiver

VER a dozen persons with missing fingers in Ogun State yesterday told the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) not to disenfranchise them in the March 28 and April 11 general elections. They said they need to know how INEC would tackle the challenges brought about by their disability. Mrs. Maria Adele said: “I want to vote but the problem is with the fingers. There are others with the same problem, so you (INEC) should help us because we can not hold papers firmly or thumb print.” The Head of Department of Voters Education and Publicity, Leonard Nkedife, assured them that the commission would introduce some modicum of waivers to enable them exercise their right to

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

vote. Nkedife, who gave the assurance in Abeokuta, the state capital, at a sensitisation programme organised by INEC for People Living With Disability (PLWD), said eligible voters with missing fingers and toes would not be subjected to the rigour of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) verification via card readers. About 80 PLWD, including those with missing fingers, participated in the programme, where they were also encouraged to go collect their PVCs at the commission’s local government offices. Nkedife added that aside the PLWDs, expectant and nursing mothers and the elderly would be given preferential treatment during accreditation on election day.

IGERIA has four per cent of the 7.2 million healthcare workers worldwide, the Provost, College of Medicine, University of Lagos (CMUL), Prof Folasade Ogunsola, has said. She said government needed to act fast to address the challenges that training institutions face in producing health workers. Prof Ogunsola said Nigeria has 11 per cent of the world’s population and is responsible for 25 per cent of the disease burden. The provost, who spoke yesterday at the orientation of 200-Level students, who have crossed over from the main campus to the college, said eventually, about 75 per cent of doctors trained in Nigeria seek greener pastures in advanced countries. She said this happened because medical education is not well-funded, lamenting that medical colleges tend to be over-looked because talk about healthcare focuses on hospitals, while talks about education focuses on universities. As a result, the provost lamented that facilities have decayed for so long that there is a limit to the number of doctors that universities can train each year. Her words: “The CMUL can only admit 150 students for medicine yearly –second only to the University College, Ibadan, which accepts 30 students higher. She said: “Universities

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

are underfunded. Most medical campuses are away from the main campus. So when people do things for the university, they assume they have done it for the medical campus; whereas they haven’t, because we are not in the same location. “If they do for health, they do for the hospitals and forget the education sector; so we are an almost extinct workforce. “The World Health Organisation (WHO) came up with statistics that we have a 7.2 million deficit of people in the healthcare sector. By 2035, it will be 12.9 million. WE must start addressing it now; and most of it will be in the developing countries. “I don’t know if we have any concerted effort to make sure that our medical schools are producing more people and that we are getting people to train them; and creating the environment that will make people stay; also creating the environment that will bring people back.”

•Prof Ogunsola

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

SHOWBIZ AMVCA: Alibaba defends Urhobo attire

• Shakespeare's Hamlet

Shakespeare’s Hamlet thrills Lagos crowd

overs of performing arts appeared glad, that one of the oldest William Shakespear’s plays, Hamlet, came to Lagos. Evidence of the play’s acceptability was recorded when, prior to the staging of the show, its tickets were sold out. And when the Globe to Globe production was staged at the Agip Hall, Muson Centre, Lagos on March 4, it received a rapturous standing ovation from the crowd. The experience continued the next day, with an abridged performance at the St. Saviours School, Ikoyi. The team of performers was made up of Nigeria’s Ladi Emeruwa and an impressive international cast and crew of 17. The cast and crew have travelled by boat, sleeper trains, jeeps, tall ships, buses and

By Ovwe Medeme

aeroplanes, across seven continents to perform over two dozen parts on a strippeddown booth stage. The company of 12 actors and 4 stage managers used a completely portable set to stage a Hamlet that celebrates all the exuberance and invention of Shakespeare’s language in a brisk two hours and forty minutes. After their Nigerian show, the group is expected to take their performance to the Republic of Benin. Nobel Laureate, Prof. Wole Soyinka, who welcomed the international Globe Theatre, said in an email: “l extend an unabashedly nepotistic welcome to “he that plays the prince”- OUR OWN SON! - as we say in these parts - on loan to your company until we have completed the res-

toration of our own Globe Theatre if only we could find it’s location.” Directed by Dominic Dromgoole, the Hamlet Globe to Globe tour opened at Shakespeare’s Globe, London, on 23 April 2014, the 450th anniversary of Shakespeare’s birth, and has been scheduled to tour every single country on earth over a period of two years. The Nigerian leg of the tour was supported by British Council, The Wheatbaker Hotel, Muson Centre, The St. Saviours School, Ikoyi, Afritickets, Maldesa Mobile Bar Services, Casillero del Diablo, Astoria Caterers, Funkey Events, Ashton Wells Waters, KC’s Food and media partners; Thisday, Bella Naija, Smooth FM, Cool FM, Ebonylife TV, Channels TV, The Guardian, Ndani TV and Levitate.

• Artistes at a previous edition of Lagos Jazz Festival

Lagos International Jazz Festival underway

ITH a fusion of Jazz Appreciation Month (JAM) and International Jazz Day Celebrations, the annual Lagos International Jazz Festival is anchored on two great premises for its next outing, already slated for April. Put together by Ayoola Sadare-led Inspiro Productions, the show, according to the convener, is to establish Lagos as a vibrant Jazz tourism destination, just as the genre is linked to cities

By Ovwe Medeme

like Cape Town, Montreal, Montreux, New Orleans, London and Tokyo among others. “The Lagos International Jazz festival is a landmark event that is positioned to be an icon on Nigeria’s arts and culture calendar that will attract Jazz and contemporary music lovers to the city and help deepen the tourism realities of Lagos State and by extension Nigeria. The festi-

val places Nigeria side by side with every other famous and successful Jazz festivals globally and also builds the capacity of our home-based musicians, giving them access to the international platform as they interact with high profile music legends from various countries of the world,” he said. According to Sadare, the performing artistes, venue and programs of the 2015 edition of the festival will be unveiled soon.

CE Nigerian comedian Ali Baba has shown he is a proud Urhobo man and is ready to defend his traditional culture any time. Ali Baba took to Instagram to reveal his annoyance with four of his journalist friends (not The Nation) who threw flaks at him for wearing the Urhobo traditional attire. According to Ali Baba, a female journalist who claims to be a fashion buff had asked him at the Eko Hotel venue of the Africa Magic Viewers Choice Awards (AMVCA), ‘Bros, didn’t you get the invite? It said ‘black tie’.’ After some laughter, Ali Baba, who tied a purple wrapper below a white long sleeved shirt and wore a black bowler hat, said he retorted by asking her, ‘did you read the part that said “black tie or Glamorous?’ Ali Baba said he referred to the big winner of the night, Kunle Afoloyan, decked in Agbada, the traditional outfit synonymous with the southwest and northern people. And while he said the four journalists quickly concurred that Afolayan’s outfit was indeed glamourous, Ali Baba said he dropped his joker. “So it’s only the traditional attire from the Yoruba or Hausa speaking part of Nigeria that is glamorous,” he questioned. “Is that what you were taught in school? Or is that the position of your media house? Or is that all your knowledge about fashion availed you? Maybe you are tribalistic. May be

• Alibaba

By Joe Agbro Jr.

you think Africans must look like a white man to be glamorous! Maybe you have no values! By the way, I thought this was AFRICA magic viewers’ choice awards (notice the capital letters)?” The comedian reported that at this point two of the journalists got the message. “Bros you are correct, but you know we were just teasing you,” they reportedly said. “HABA! Can’t you take a joke?”

According to Ali Baba, Nigeria’s problems is not entirely due to government’s failure. “It is also the failure of many of us to know what is important to us as Africans and what we should value in our culture,” he wrote. “ATTIRE for journalist WEY no recognize glamorous ATTIRE. As for any journalist that thinks dressing in my traditional outfit meant for special occasions is not glamorous, please check a dictionary and revert!”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

Life

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

Text only: 08023058761

‘Our airwaves are polluted’ – PAGE 14

Adieu patriot of Nigerian literature – PAGE 49

•Nneka Lucia Egbuna

Honour for the legend

– PAGE 51

‘Fela would not have been cool with Jonathan’ EE -S

Y R O ST

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THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•Wewe

•Tomoloju

‘Our airwaves are polluted’ Pioneer National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Director- General Dr. Tom Adaba has decried what he calls the mudslinging and hate messages being aired on radio and television. Assistant Editor (Arts) OZOLUA UHAKHEME examines what this portends for Nigeria’s democratic growth.

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ET the truth be told, we have simply behaved as if there is no tomorrow for Nigeria. The campaigns or advertisements of mudslinging and derision which we have allowed to appear on the screens have not been helpful to the cause of this nation. It has indeed helped to divide us as a people.” That was the view of pioneer Director-General of National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) Dr. Tom Adaba on the increasing spate of electoral violence and hate messages. In his article, Presidential elections and broadcast media, Adaba said the National Broacasting code has many ample provisions that take care of election matters. They include Sections 4.2.2, 5.1.6, 5.2.5, 5.2.7A, 5.3.6A, among others, that serve as guide to broadcasters especially. But, there seems to be total disregard of these provisions in what critics described as unbridled impunity that has become the order of the day. Some leading Nigerian artistes have condemned the increasing spread of hate messages on some broadcast media across the country describing them as dirty and poisonous to the mind. They said the content of most of the ads and documentaries is not only barbaric as it insults the aggregation of the intelligence of Nigerians, but also reduces media campaigns into circus shows and falsehood peddling. Former Deputy Editor The Guardian, playwright and activist, Mr. Ben Tomoloju said the idea of manipulating the order of things to an undue advantage marked the beginning of what has now turned serious cases of mudslinging and outright media war. “My critical observation began not a few months ago, but long before the whistle was blown for campaigns to begin. By a certain proxy arrangement TAN was treating Nigerians to some promos projecting the achievements of President Jonathan. Some of us tolerated it because it subsisted on the basis of the advertiser’s fundamental human rights, includ-

BROADCASTING ing the freedom of expression and the right to hold opinions. But the enlightened public knew, as far back as that time, that the real campaign had started by proxy, giving an undue advantage to a contender over the others. That idea of manipulating the order of things to an undue advantage marked the beginning of what has now turned serious cases of mudslinging and outright media war. “You now have radio and television stations whose political partisanship is all too obvious to members of the public. The level of acerbity of these ads and documentaries is so high that it generally insults the aggregation of the intelligence of Nigerians. While some elements heighten the quality of political discourse, a lot of charlatans, some with a pedigree of deceivers and betrayers, reduce media campaign into circus shows and falsehood peddling,” he said. The author of Askari wondered why the grand design against the Chairman of Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof Attahiru Jega and the gang-up against the use of card reader by some political parties barely few weeks to election. “Do we ever learn from history? Do we remember June 12, 1993 and its tragic fall-out? Do we remember the orchestrated court cases? Do we remember what became of Nigeria when arbitrary exercise of power exerted itself over Professor Humphrey Nwosu’s electoral umpireship?....People should learn from history,” he said. According to him, many of the ads and documentaries particularly those designed to attack personalities rather than sell party manifestoes were not only insulting but also offensive to Nigerians. ‘You wonder how the Nigerian media has come so low that it has become a turf of political brigandage. There are too many examples that I consider offensive, but the one that got me most incensed is the one in which

•Adaba

a certain politician in one of the mushroom parties declared on television that his party rejected the idea of using card-readers for the forthcoming elections. That broadcast was followed immediately by a similar position expressed by the ruling People’s Democratic Party. I strongly believe that this position is retrogressive, anti-intellectual and, therefore counterproductive.’ On whether if the broadcast takes into cognisance the cultural and religious sensibilities of Nigerians, he said: “We are talking about advancement, locating ourselves squarely in the 21st century and moving forth in a civilising process. Civilisation is about cultural advancement, refinement and sophistication. If you say that you are working towards a situation whereby young Nigerians of today will take us to the moon in the foreseeable future and you still nurse such a great phobia for an ordinary card-reader, then your technological projection is suspect. And it borders on deceit. Every religion frowns at deceit. In my Yoruba tradition, there is a proverb which translates thus: ‘Deity, if you cannot deliver me, just leave me the way you met me.’ The subtext is the abhorrence of an ambiguous adventure. What, for instance is the reason behind what is gradually becoming a grand design against and persecution of the INEC Chairman? Do we ever learn

from history? Do we remember June 12, 1993 and its tragic fall-out? Do we remember the orchestrated court cases? Do we remember what became of Nigeria when arbitrary exercise of power exerted itself over Professor Humphrey Nwosu’s electoral umpireship?....People should learn from history.” Former Ondo State Commissioner for Culture and Tourism, Chief Tola Wewe described most of the broadcast as dirty, primitive and barbaric saying he refused to watch or listen to them any longer because of the inherent poisons in them. “I don’t want to absorb any poisonous propaganda,” he noted. To him the content of the broadcast run contrary to the people’s cultural values. “It’s not in our culture to lie. It’s not our culture to disrespect people. It’s not in our culture to torment. In fact, I found the broadcast very offensive... “I do not know what the broadcasting codes are. But, I do know that these documentaries and adverts are coming from uncivilised minds. And they portray us a nation that has refused to learn from history. It therefore, portends danger for democracy in our nation.” Senior art lecturer at the Yaba College of Technology, Lagos, Mr. Raqib Bashorun described some of the broadcast as mere fabrica•Continued on Page 47

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Nigeria and her religions

Card readers won •PDP has no choice but to accept this viable authentication process

T is uncanny that the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) now shamelessly acts like a minnow, a small opposition party that fears a crushing defeat before a major election. There cannot be any other fathomable reason why the party seems bent on shoving a cog in the smooth conduct of the 2015 general elections. Following last Saturday’s successful test-run of the card readers in select parts of the country, the leadership of the PDP has swung to action, bent on scuttling its use in the forthcoming elections. The party had been strident in canvassing against the use of the card readers for sometime up until eventual test-run. Apart from minor hitches, the test carried out in 12 states across the six zones of the country recorded over 90 per cent success. The PDP has turned itself into an island of deviance and antiquity by standing against progressive technology. Yet, critical stakeholders in the country like civil society groups and opinion leaders have applauded the exercise, except PDP. Is it not the Jonathan administration that introduced new technology to banking and other government activities? Why is the same government shrinking like a beleagured man in the face of progess? The card reader is a handy electronic device which main use in the voting process is to authenticate the voters’ cards. Just like any point of sale terminal (PoS) each voter’s identity will be verified against the • Jonathan permanent voter’s card he or she presents. It is a simple process of verification and identification (and accreditation) before the voting proper. What this means is that the card reader will eliminate multiple voting to almost zero level, thus cutting off a major source of election rigging. It is a simple technology that has been used in Ghana and Kenya and its most significant advantage is that it allows people’s votes to count. For those who are apprehensive about stable power to recharge it, being a hand-held device, its power requirement is almost insignificant and it works both on and off line. After all, the card reader is neither partial nor partisan. What is the PDP afraid of? Is it that the card reader also has the added advantage of storing the vital information of the number of accredited voters in a polling unit which is posted immediately to the mother data base at the INEC head office? This means that over-voting is eliminated as total number of eventual votes can be matched against the number of voters accredited. The benefits of upgrading and migrating to an improved and technologically superior voting process

cannot be over-emphasised and one would expect every Nigerian of goodwill not only to embrace it but to encourage its actualisation. In today’s electronic world that ruling party leaders in Nigeria would prefer yesterday’s style, a mere laminated cards (temporary voters cards, TVCs)that have no authenticating feature whatsoever is suspect and reeks of bad faith at best, and mischief and fear at worse. It is noteworthy that it was the PDP that forced the postponement of the 2015 elections from February (14 and 28) to March 28 and April 11 under the guise that security could not be guaranteed. But analysts are now vindicated that the move was because PDP feared a resounding defeat from the opposition All Progressives Congress, APC.

• Jega No sooner was the postponement secured than the PDP started a vicious campaign of paranoia to sack Professor Attahiru Jega, chairman of INEC. Were it not for the alarm raised by the opposition, Prof. Jega would have been sent on wrongful pre-retirement leave notwithstanding that his office is a tenured appointment that does not require such exit procedure. They may still be nursing some insidious mischief to sack Jega. In order to make Prof. Jega’s removal look good, the PDP had for nearly one month –between mid-February to early March - unleashed a barrage of media lampoons on the electoral umpire. Through paid adverts, interviews, opinions and commentaries he has been vilified, abused and accused in a most vile and irresponsible way of ethnic bias and even fraudulent acts. Ironically, it is the ruling party

administration which appointed the INEC chairman and all the national commissioners and all the resident electoral commissioners. It is the bulk of this team that conducted elections four years ago in which President Goodluck Jonathan and all the elected officers of state were ushered to power. That election was acclaimed by all, including foreign election observers. At what point did Jega and his team go ‘bad’? Since the attempt to discredit Prof. Jega in order to sack him failed, other plots are being activated. Apart from the outright rejection of the use of the card readers which of course will throw the process into disarray if not torpedo it, there seems to be a few more invidious schemes in the bag of PDP. Just a few days ago, a strange new party known as Young Democratic Party (YDP) was through curious legalistic instrument imposed on INEC to be registered and allowed to contest in the elections that are a few days away. YDP, strongly suspected to be the dubious handmaiden of the PDP, portends very ominous foreboding. For an election that would have held last month, it suggests that all the voting materials would have been printed with the names, symbols and logos of the existing parties. How is INEC supposed to accommodate or contain YDP in an election that is less than three weeks away? It is a ploy to call off the election indefinitely; it is PDP’s savage joker, a recipe for disaster. Numerous questions arise: why are the presidency and the PDP afraid to face this election? Is the PDP minded to scuttle Nigeria’s fledgling democracy and indeed the polity? What does it hope to profit from such earth-trembling calamity that would ensue? Need we reiterate that not to use the card readers would plunge the polity into untold crisis; to postpone the election any further would also invoke unimaginable catastrophe on Nigeria’s world. Worst of all, history will not forgive President onathan if he fails to organise a free, fair and orderly election and conduct a proper hand over. Jonathan stands to lose the most if he makes a meal of what is a great opportunity for him to turn out a great leader notwithstanding his acute shortcomings. The card reader is modern, progressive and credible. The PDP call to abandon it is an invitation for voting without authentication. That means rigging, and is that what PDP wants? Not Nigerians.

‘The card reader is modern, progressive and credible. The PDP call to abandon it is an invitation for voting without authentication. That means rigging, and is that what PDP wants? Not Nigerians.’

IR: Many scholarly religious books dating back to the 1980s hold that Nigeria has three major religions: African Traditional Religion (ATR), Christianity, and Islam. But, in recent times, many Christians and Muslims speak of “our two religions”. That type of expression can only dim all sense of religious freedom and social equity/peace. Here and there, particularly in southern Nigeria, Christians and Muslims clash with adherents of ATR, just because the former don’t think that the latter have the right to exist. Many Christians are also complaining of maltreatment in the Muslimnorth. Jesus Christ emphasises humility; I learnt it, practically, from my parents and relatives who were adherents of ATR. Jesus stresses love of God and good neighbourliness as the kernel of divine law; the traditional Yoruba say: Ìwà leòwà oòmoò ènìyàn – good conduct, behaviour, and attitude determines a person’s beauty, not what a person believes; much less a person’s physical appearance. Unarguably, then, ATR is one of the world’s most civilised religions, where civilisation means the art of peaceful/loving co-existence. Problem/ brouhaha arises where efforts are made to convert people by all means and impose a particular religion (Christianity or Islam) on an entire society. The beneficiaries incite their gullible followers who get impoverished by the status quo. Generally speaking, African traditional priests don’t live on clericalism. They have no reason whatsoever, therefore, to politicise ATR and paint it as the only “Godly” religion, as if one were advertising a competitive product. Indeed, a Yoruba traditional song holds that good behaviour (not religion) is humanity’s greatest treasure: Ìwà rere lòòsòóò ènìyàn. And when someone asks Jesus what one must do to attain eternal life, Jesus answers: love God and your neighbour, as written in the Law. Thus, no wonder Jesus expresses amazement at the level of virtue seen in many non-Jews. What has become of that attitude of Jesus today in Nigeria? In the traditional Yoruba-African worldview, only God knows everything: Eòni tó mòòràn tán d’Olódùmarè (Whoever knows everything becomes God). And God is unique to the extent that Irú Oòlóòrun ni ò sí; irú ènìyàn pòò (Nobody else but God is unique; human beings have look-alikes and equals). ATR adherents, just like Jesus, would not malign any religion, because, as the traditional Yoruba say, Orí leòléòjóò (God is the best judge). Of course if the adherents of any religion provoke them, they would react. ATR is beautiful for its emphasis on virtue. For instance in Yoruba context, Shangodare is a personal name meaning Shango the thunder divinity does justice/vindicates. And Faagunleka (Faigunleka in Oyo Yoruba) means Ifa Orunmila (the oracle divinity) does not ride on wicked acts, as the retired Catholic Bishop of Ekiti, Michael Fagun, explains his own name in his autobiography. I note it all in my African Ancestral Heritage in Christian Interpretations, published by Department of Religion and Human Values, University of Cape Coast, Ghana. Nigerians should eschew injustice and wicked acts in the name of religion! • Pius Oyeniran Abioje, PhD, University of Ilorin.

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 11, 2015

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: President Goodluck Jonathan left no one in doubt about the type of campaign he wanted to run when he picked well known loose cannon with no modicum of decency, Femi Fani-Kayode, as his campaign spokesperson. FaniKayode had earlier styled himself as a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), when he was actually never one, not having at no time been recognised as such by APC leadership when he was in the party. Known for throwing decency to the gutters with toxic Facebook posts, and error-ridden newspaper articles, the Osun State-born lawyer, had conducted himself in the last few years in a manner that makes one wonder if the globally respected Cambridge University will ever be proud of such product. Or how else do you think of someone that goes around writing on the number of women he had slept with as contribution to debates on the legality and morality of “deportation” of destitute of certain origin from Lagos? It is only in Nigeria that someone of Fani-Kayode’s standing, someone

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Fani-kayode’s flurry of fictions having an alleged money laundering case before the courts, will be appointed by a President as campaign spokesperson. In countries where choices of candidates by citizens are scientific, not based on religious and ethnic sentiments as exploited here, such faux pas is enough to lose elections. Fani-Kayode has since discharged his duty to type – daily regaling us with tissues of lies to demonize the candidacy of General Muhammadu Buhari and his party, the APC. First, he sold to the media the non-issue of Buhari’s certificate, and even when the Katsina school where General Buhari had his secondary education, released the statement of result of

the general and the masterlist issued by Cambridge University which conducted the exam in 1961, he declared it fake. It did not occur to him that Cambridge would have come out to disclaim the result if it never originated from it. How anyone would attribute a fake document to Cambridge – of all places – in this age, and some gullible Nigerians bought it, is beyond me. Fani-Kayode and his Social Media hirelings have thrown everything – including the kitchen sink – in the direction of the General. They have forged medical reports in the name of a non-existent “Ahmadu Bello Teaching Hospital” to declare Buhari as having prostate cancer;

Passionate plea to Kwara Government

IR: One of the hallmarks of genuine leadership is the willingness/ability to keep to its words. It is this and many other features that distinguish a sincere government from the pool of dishonest administrations. It is in this light that we are compelled to express our deep disappointment towards the attitude of our dear Kwara State government over its failure to redeem its pledge to the 2012/2013 Law School set. More saddening and disturbing are reports about the government’s readiness to give scholarship to the 2013/2014 Law School set while abandoning the 2012/2013 set that has been pending for over a year ago. It is instructive to state at this point that a Senior Special Assistant to the Governor of the State in a publication sometime last year assured the 2012/ 2013 set of the government’s readiness to pay all eligible students once the 2014 budget is signed into law. The budget had since been signed into law and extinguished, and in fact we are now in another

fiscal year, and up to this moment, the 2012/2013 set have not been paid, and so we ask: What is actually happening? It is not fair to jettison the 2012/ 2013 set while graciously according eminence to the 2013/2014 set. We are all Kwara State indigenes and we deserve to be treated on the same platform of equity. As we have maintained in our previous correspondence to the State government, the law school fee has constituted a barrier to the dreams of many would-be-lawyers in the State. Many of us underwent very harrowing and excruciating experience in our effort to conclude the Law school programme. Some sold their belongings others had to resort to loans from financial institutions in the hope that the government, in its usual practice, would provide some palliative measures to augment the little they gathered. This unfortunate development has become an albatross in the neck of many Law students as they continue to wallow

under the burden of indebtedness. The government had promised to give scholarship to successful students from Law school among the 2012/2013 set and since most of those students have emerged successful from Law School and duly called to the Nigerian Bar, a contract has been created between the government and the successful Law students. Flowing from the above, we humbly submit that the decision of the government to introduce the policy of providing scholarships to law students has in no small measure assisted many indigent law students to achieve their dreams of becoming legal practitioners. However, we therefore urge our amiable Governor Abdul-fatah Ahmed to please pay the pending money to the 2012/2013 Law School set that hail from the state. We would appreciate this. • Alatise Taofeeq Esq., Bakare Idris Esq., Iyanda Ismail Esq. and Lawal Raflaw Esq. (alatise.taofeeq@yahoo.com)

they have circulated “minutes” of imaginary meetings to say Jega met with Northern elders in Kaduna (in other reports, Dubai) on rigging elections; they have hired commercial protesters to embarrass General Buhari in London. They have paid millions of naira to put up adverts in national dailies in the name of a fictitious “Muslim” group in the South West endorsing Buhari because “they wanted Islamization of the South West”. It does not occur to these vendors of fictions that Jonathan was the first Nigerian president to attend OIC meeting since the country’s return to civil rule. Their fiction factory keeps churning out lies every other day. The country has never gone so low. FaniKayode was yet again at his lying best when he addressed the press few days ago accusing APC of having made its vice presidential candidate, Yemi Osinbajo, to sign an oath to resign after six months in office. It is more unfortunate that the press that should have by now been familiar with the wicked fabrications of FaniKayode, gave this hogwash an undeserved prominence. This allega-

tion started from some vendors of misinformation on the social media, when some of us that are equally social media-savvy proved beyond reasonable doubt that this was not true; it is therefore very unfortunate that President Jonathan’s official campaign latched on to this beer parlour gist. In any case, even if Tinubu comes on board along the way (which is only a figment of their imagination), Tinubu is by far a better administrator than Jonathan. I’m not a fan of Tinubu, but I will pick him over Jonathan as President. Between 19992007 when Nigeria was afflicted with probably the worst set of non-performing governors in its history, Tinubu stood tall as a decent performer in Lagos – even when the man at the helms in the center withheld the state’s allocations. His political recruitment strategy is also top-notch as those he backed for power, from Aregbesola to Amosun and Ajimobi, are testament to this. The whole thing is just another figment of Fani-Kayode warped imagination. The election is less than four weeks, and I know Fani-Kayode’s fiction machine is still being oiled to produce more between now and the election date, if they ever allow the election to hold. The task of extricating Nigeria from these fiction vendors and setting it on the path of progress is the business of every patriotic Nigerian. • Suraj Oyewale, Ajah, Lagos

Nigeria needs borehole law

IR, permit me to call on federal and state law-making organs to quickly enact laws that will regulate indiscriminate bore hole drilling in Nigeria. It has now become an increasing trend by well to do and not so well to do Nigerians to drill boreholes in their private residences for their personal essence. It has been discovered that drilling boreholes in an area do affect the Acuifer (water level) in that area. It is therefore a selfish act for single family to negatively affect the lives of thousands of people by depleting the water level as people are used to well water because

many cannot afford bore hole. For the sake of people’s health and peace, it will be wise if the national assembly can set the tone by enacting a law that will regulate such selfish action that can cause chaos and misunderstanding among neighbours. That will go along way in checking this trend and bring back sanity by guaranteeing sustenance of the water level that we all rely on for the betterment of the society and the people at large. • Comrade Abdulbaqi Jari, Katsina state.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

COMMENTS

Our Girls; BH-IS; IDPs: single digit loans, billionaires, Banks; Okoya Thomas, Gimba; Putin salary cut

UR Girls, still missing since April 15, 2014, bring us to despair every day. Since then the Boko Haram death toll is approaching 15,000 and the displaced are estiTony mated at 1.6-3million, Marinho voluntary and violence affected IDPs. And predictably Boko Haram has joined Islamic State with murderous consequences for ‘soft target’ West Africa which is now an agenda item of ‘Things To Do’ for well-funded and manned ISIS as it flees Iraq. Nigeria, Chad, Niger and Cameroon must stop squabbling militarily over who takes which towns and eliminate all pockets of Boko Haram before any link-up of forces and ideology of evil! Congrats to Dangote, Odedola, Alakija etc, among Africa’s and the world’s richest people, climbing in the Forbes List. Good feeling eh, for them and their drops of ‘charity’? We also have silent billionaires, some with good money but most with ‘bad’ money, disqualified by Forbes regulations. With riches, good or bad, come huge responsibilities to help others, ask Bill Gates and ‘TED’ for ideas. Most poor persons are not lazy, lacking in drive and dishonest. They just lack billion naira ‘connections’. Being ‘chosen’ to be a billionaire by home delivery of ‘awoof’ oil blocks, cheap rice and cement ‘Import Duty’ concessions or fronting for wealthy military geniuses are ‘connections’, not hard work. There are exclusive clubs admitting only rich kids and the politically wealthy in Nigeria where a ‘Champagne Coffin’ is 12-48 bottles of Champagne-on-ice@N120,000 each bottle, chicken feed to a rice, cement, oil or cellphone billionaire. Meanwhile we have up to 1.5 million IDPs desperate for rightful assistance for N120,000 start-ups to kick-start their Boko Haram bomb destroyed lives. Is the N56b Victims Support Fund donated partly by Dangote etc getting to victims speedily, with no red tape, efficiently to ensure the right people get the FFF –Funds, Food and Furniture- needed today, not in 3 months when they will be demoralised, depressed, and even dead. And government

BU Joseph Mbu, the Assistant Inspector General of Police, AIG, in charge of Zone 2 comprising Lagos and Ogun police commands, is no stranger to controversy. In fact, he is very much qualified to be referred to as Mr. Controversy because it is as if everything about him revolves around controversy. Although it is this controversial nature that seems to stand him out among his professional colleagues, it also comes with a lot of temperature which at times, may be quite excruciating. Mbu is currently enmeshed in a tempestuous storm caused, perhaps, by his reckless use of the tongue. He had been rightly or wrongly quoted in the media to have told his men at the Ogun State Police Command Headquarters, Eleweran, Abeokuta, during his maiden visit to the command that: “If one of my men is killed, I shall kill 20 of them, but don’t shoot first. If they shoot you, shoot back in self-defence. Anybody who fires you, fire him back in self-defence.” Mbu was also quoted as having said that there is no big deal in the number of people policemen under his command can kill in self-defence. According to Mbu, “Since policemen are also human beings, they should be ready to take revenge on any violent group(s) that might attack them or other innocent citizens.” As the controversy raged, some journalists again approached Mbu, who led policemen to provide security for President Goodluck Jonathan’s recent visit to Lagos, to clarify the controversial statement credited to him. Mbu said the media account was mischievous and contrary to what he actually said in Abeokuta. Curiously, however, he restated the media account he had tried to debunk. He said, “I still

and banks should realise that the IDPs are already motivated, experienced entrepreneurs with destroyed livelihoods urgently needing ‘Single Digit Start-Up-Life-Again Loans’ with Federal Government, or the VSF, offering collateral. Are First, Second, GTB, Stanbic, FMCB, or Zenith Bank giving ‘single digit loans’ to IDPs as a war effort support? No! There are many ways of combatting Boko Haram and ISIS. Make Nigeria more financially friendly for individual citizens- young and old entrepreneurs, seeking tiny loans. We mourn the passing of a serious good-hearted philanthropist and distinguished gentleman and exemplary Lagosian Chief A. Molade Okoya-Thomas We also mourn the passing of economist, public servant, Past ANA President and social engineer Alhaji Abubakar Gimba. I am honoured to have known them and many other true Nigerians. Nigerians are constantly forced to the wall of national shame and despair because of the distasteful evil that is said or read or another evil deed displayed in ‘exclusive interviews’ with malevolent political attack dogs from different political parties. Too often our youth see truth becoming a casualty of lies, morals abandoned, with the rise of brigandage and the failure of right. Wrong overcomes right. Strangely past Heads of State are forgetful of the truth behind their murky ‘service’, and take centre stage to postulate about a good governance they ruined. And people stupidly listen. With these moral and financial burdens Nigeria may remain in a squalid state at the bottom of world rankings in everything good and far below the basic human right on even toilets per capita. We are not in slavery or under colonialists but under worse- a destructive greedy political class! Yet we are the ‘largest economy in Africa’ and Nigerian banks declare 50% increase in profits while the people lack housing and single digit interest loans to survive. But we must remind ourselves that there are many good Nigerians, on our street, in our neighbourhood, in our state, in Abuja and in the Nigerian diaspora who are already exhibiting traits of Chief Okoya Thomas and Alhaji Abubakar Gimba. A country in search of genuine role models need seek no further than their own neighbourhood and the newspapers where

daily ‘Nigerians struggle across the pages’ to be heard for justice and good. Every LGA should have ‘A Book of Role Models’, taught in neighbourhood schools. It is the dedication, calling and contributions by Chief Okoya Thomas and Alhaji Abubakar Gimba that helped to plug holes of corruption and incompetence in many areas while politicians steal, waste and misdirect our time and money. Without the hundreds of Okoya-Thomas and Gimbas of Nigeria, thousands of schools, hospitals and young citizens would have remained rubbish. Such Nigerians have filled the hole abandoned by government, and its thieving political agents. May they RIP. Even the reactionary Russian ‘Tzar’ Putin has reacted to the economic collapse of oil and sanctions by cutting salaries including his own. Why not cut political salaries in Nigeria by 75%? Much of governance has stopped for most of the last six months confirming we should run apart time political system. The media is ecstatic with the billions, it and the shareholders are making from politics. Are FIRS, LIRS etc which tax citizens almost for the air we breathe, are taxing the individual politicians, parties and political support groups for their adverts? Political Fact: The price of 2015 politics is in excess of N1trillion. Will this and more be stolen from the budget by any political party in power? Think and act ‘Anti-corruption!’

‘And people stupidly listen. With these moral and financial burdens Nigeria may remain in a squalid state at the bottom of world rankings in everything good and far below the basic human right on even toilets per capita. We are not in slavery or under colonialists but under worse- a destructive greedy political class!’

Mbu: The Burden of Denial stand by what I said. And what I said is very clear: that if any violent group attacks my policemen, my policemen should attack them violently. If any violent group attacks a law-abiding citizen in a bid to cause injury or cause harm, the police should repel and save that lawabiding citizen because we have the powers to do so… The number I kill is immaterial because a policeman is also a human being.” When asked if his strategy of firefor-fire is the best way to handle the situation, Mbu answered: “Which other way do you think you can handle it? You will shoot at the police. Is it not when the person is alive that he is coming to give evidence? How will somebody who is violently attacking others be stopped? Are you going to use your hands? You must repel him using a stronger force.” As usual, these statements went viral in the media. Many notable Nigerians also kicked against the statements. Others went to the extent of calling for Mbu’s head. Right now, there is a subsisting court case in which the plaintiff is asking the court to declare Mbu unfit to be a police officer. Last week, Gbenga Adeoye, a Chief Superintendent of Police and Zonal Public Relations Officer for Zone 2, Lagos, tried to bail out Mbu from this mess. In a series of advertorials in some newspapers titled: “What Mbu said in Ogun State,” Adeoye tried hard to extricate his boss from the web of controversy by reproducing what transpired between Mbu and the newsmen and placing them before the court of public opinion saying “let Nigerians judge.”

‘For too long, Mbu has allowed himself to be tied to the apron string of controversy which may not augur well for his career at the end of the day’

However, one curious aspect of the question-and-answer session was where Mbu was quoted as saying… “Anybody found with arms will be arrested by the police. Who we cannot arrest, we will recover arms by force. And during this election, no politician and their followers should shoot at any policeman. If you shoot at any policeman, my policemen will shoot back in self defence.” Mbu’s defence, coming rather late in the day, shows that, except for the non-mention of the number of people any policeman that is attacked could mow down, there is no significant difference with what he was initially quoted as saying in Abeokuta and which he somehow upheld at another forum when he could have easily corrected the earlier misconception. It makes the whole thing look more like an afterthought. Mbu’s travail reminded me of an interview I conducted with the late legal icon, Chief Gani Fawehinmi in the company of two other senior editors - Adegbenro Adebanjo and Bola Adewole- for TELL Magazine many years ago. Fawehinmi had spoken on tape during the interview conducted in his chambers at Anthony Village in Lagos. By the time it was published the following Monday, a furious Fawehinmi put a call through to the office, threatening fire and brimstone. He also announced the severance of any relationship that had existed between him and the magazine. But because the management of the magazine had tremendous respect for him, we were simply asked to proceed to his office to conduct another interview using the same questions in order to afford him the opportunity to put the record straight. He grudgingly accepted. We went back to the chambers for the interview. By the time the thing was transcribed once more, even with some slight modifications in

his choice of words, it was discovered that he had actually said the same things all over again. The following week, we published the new version and people could not see the difference between the two interviews. At any rate, that rested the case. Though he brooks no nonsense, those who knew Mbu when he was the CP in charge of the Mobile Police Unit at the Force Headquarters, Abuja, can attest to his dedication to duty. While his headship of MOPOL lasted, there were no complaints about his work ethics nor did anyone accuse him of professional misconduct. Perhaps, his nononsense posture started unfolding when he was posted to Oyo State as CP. There, he found out that the state’s security outfit had 90 percent police components and a sprinkle of military personnel. But the command and administrative structures were manned solely by the military. He protested but the governor was adamant. He simply withdrew his men and that grounded the outfit until the anomaly was redressed. As CP Rivers, Mbu and Rotimi Amaechi, the governor of the state, operated a cat and mouse relationship, simply because he did not like the way the governor was channeling official communications to him through his ADC, a Deputy Superintendent of Police. At a point, the two men resorted to throwing verbal punches at each other until Mbu was redeployed to Abuja, first as CP, FCT, and later promoted AIG and stationed at Zone 7, Abuja. It was when he was CP, FCT that he attempted to dislodge the BringBackOurGirls campaigners before higher authorities and subsequently, the court, overruled him. In January this year, Mbu was redeployed to Lagos as AIG Zone 2. On his arrival, he was accosted by hordes of reporters and paparazzi who wanted a word or two from

Dele Agekameh him as he took over his new command. Not a man to shy away from talking to newsmen, Mbu said he was in Lagos for purely police duties and promised a hard time for troublemakers during his tenure. His speech elicited a lot of reactions due to the fact that people already had pre-conceptions about him. For too long, Mbu has allowed himself to be tied to the apron string of controversy which may not augur well for his career at the end of the day. In his more than 30 years in the police, he has served meritoriously wherever he has worked. He is a policeman to the core. He should talk less and concentrate more on discharging his duty without fear or favour as required by the law. Remember the words of Franklin Delano Roosevelt, the late 32nd President of the United States of America who, in his speech at Washington DC, on January 8, 1936, said, inter alia: “A government, any institution personified by any executive, can be no better than the public opinion that sustains him.” And like I have always advised my friends: “Don’t be carried away by what people say in your presence, but be wary about what they will discuss in your absence.” Send reactions to: 08058354382 (SMS only)

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

COMMENTS ‘Your treatise on Clueless Politic and Campaign is apt. One would wish that our educated and elite group could understand that the ruling party has exhausted its strength on all fronts and has nothing more to offer this nation. One, also, have been expecting that one of the tabloids could do a chronicle of all the embezzlement that have take place in this country since 1999, and their position. Political debates are good, but meaningless propaganda on age does not give any clue on how proper the economy can be managed. From Mazi OAU, Owerri’ •Buhari For Segun Gbadegesin The sane among us believe Buhari, but the others (Fayoses, Mimikos, Oritsejafors), the chameleons (Odumakins, Adams, Fasheuns, Fani-Kayodes) and other hordes of harlots do not. Their place in jail (after the elections) are well kept. This is a Silent Revolution, which time cannot stop. From Wole St.Jones, Lagos ’All things considered’ highlight some fundamental truth about the Peoples’ general: his incorruptibility, audacity, and discipline - attributes in gross shortage in the current political landscape. Without doubt, he is more suitable and prepared than Jonathan for Nigeria’s top job! Anonymous Consistent with the Solomonic admonition of the Late Chief P.A. Gbinije that “A wise man should know when to quit. Otherwise, he might overstay his time and welcome”, I call on the best football Coach Nigeria ever produced to reject the job as Nigeria’s Super Eagles Coach. Nigeria’s football fans and our politicians are bad losers. Hence, we have had the largest change of coaches in the world, since 1960.Go Keshi Go! Our inability to qualify for AFCON generated insulting brouhaha, as if you have not won it before. Keshi, go my brother, a prophet is not respected in his own clime. Go, Keshi, go!, You will do better. From Chief Bobson Gbinije,Warri. Re: All things considered, for Nigeria to claim her rightful place in Africa and the world at large, we need a strong willed leader and, indeed, Super Rawling. What is the essence of a Ph.d qualification without integrity, honesty, lawless, corrupt, thuggery, insensitive to public demand, unfulfilled promises, blackout etc. Planned rigging by using the military/security agencies. All these are maladies to be eliminated. The funny aspect is the unreasonable act of the so called bread/butter Yoruba elders in supporting the corrupt administration. People are after money than freedom. We need change. From Past Odunmbaku. Prof. Segun I read your comment with great interest. Gen. Buhari is the right person we need to change nigeria for good. It is unfortunate that the matter has gone from democracy to a spiritual case. The PDP government, if not change soonest, will destroy the country. They are afraid of General Muhhammadu Buhari. PDP is full of corrupt elite. From mike, calabar. Nigeria is now in a democracy. Buhari’s past record was possible with military command. He cannot do it alone now. All those around him will influence him positively. Anonymous More ink to your pen today’s all things considered. Please keep it coming, sir. Anonymous May God of truth never depart from your house hold, Amen. Anonymous If Fayose has anything to do he should started thinking about the progress, of Ekiti State now and leave General Buhari issue. Anonymous. I truly accept the conversion of General Buhari as a true democrat. He was 41years when he became military leader; earlier, he had headed the petroleum ministry, had garnered democratic values in the last 31 years. He is a disciplined leader. He is much more needed than Jonathan. From Adeniran Abdul I think we still have to be grateful to Jonathan for reining in the Boko Haram boys within such a short time; after all, though he still owes Nigerians some explanations as to why he had allowed the insurgency drag for

so many years, whereas he had all it required to end it all in just less than six weeks. Now rather than spoil for legal action against Patience Jonathan over her inappropriate remarks on the septuagenarians, don’t you think it will serve more useful purpose to write on how many a great leaders of that age the world over, have in several cases contributed more meaningfully to the growth of their various nations and the wellbeing of the people than the younger ones ever did? That I think would make the First Lady and her likes correct themselves faster and better. On the part of Jega, let him be allowed to conduct the election, and, of course, a neutral umpire, he must be. From Emmanuel Egwu. For Gbenga Omotoso A leader seen in public shaking hands with an irresponsibly half-dressed youth is not fit to lead decent people and society. From Mat, Kogi State. Now they have a clue; their waking up from the slumber is belated, the 60years they dream to rule is a fallacy. Nigerians are wiser now. On March 28, they will really know their level. From Filiya, KainJi dam We must get it right on March 28 before the resource of this nation would dry up in some people pockets, since corruption is not crime, but ‘achievement’ .Nigerians are watching while the international community are laughing at us over corruption in governance. From G.C. Nnorom. Your treatise on Clueless Politic and Campaign is apt. One would wish that our educated and elite group could understand that the ruling party has exhausted its strength on all fronts and has nothing more to offer this nation. One, also, has been expecting that one of the tabloids could do a chronicle of all the embezzlement that have taken place in this country since 1999, and their position. Political debates are good, but meaningless propaganda on age does not give any clue on how proper the economy can be managed. From Mazi OAU, Owerri. For Prof. Olatunji Dare It is too late to cry when the head is off, the game is up and no two ways about it. Change is in the air, we are expectant come March 28. From G.C.Nnorom What other options does Fayose have than continue attacking Buhari and in his wildest berserk dreams continue to pray for the gentleman’s death? Even an idiot knows Buhari is the next president of Nigeria, and Fayose will never want to rot in Kirikiri. From N.Lawal I.B. Tell the President’s wife, Dame Patience Jonathan that at 70 plus, l am brain active, sexually active and if l am the President l will have prosecuted Boko Haram war since and as Permanent Secretary, Bayelsa State l will ask God oo to help bring back Chibok girls. From Nma Kadiri We are certainly at the brink of a new dawn. Dr. Jonathan’s antics were intended to win votes and be portrayed as an action president, but he only confirmed that he was clueless for three years. Kudos. Anonymous Sir, don’t let the Dame Patience fool you. The fear of a 72-year-old instigated Jonathan’s PDP to shift the February General election. Besides, what has age got to do with good governance? Jonathan is 15 years younger than General Muhammadu Buhari (GMB), had been in power for six but isn’t up to date with such basic things as payment of salaries. As I compose this text, all PDP states are in five months arrears of salaries. Anonymous You cannot swim with a drowning person, if not, you might get drowned. You allow the

person get drowned before you can go for a rescue. Dr Goodluck Ebele Jonathan (GEJ) has drowned and sunk with the ship of the Nigeria nation; that is why GMB is coming to rescue Nigeria from further sinking with Dr Jonathan in charge. Therefore, GEJ should save his face and leave the stage while the ovation is loudest. The Nigerian stream is polluted because the spring is polluted. From Evangelist .S.O. Makurdi After all, we have advantage that desperation has exposed their lack of rigorous thinking, sordid stealing, corruption and impunity. Indeed, they are intellectually indolent, despite their degrees. They awkwardly present their policies which are ludicrous by reason of their grim impotence expressed lack of coordination, organisation in governance even with their PhDs. Anonymous It is our fervent and declared belief that God will erase the psychological and physical effect of these tragedies, these past six years or so as quickly as human ingenuity can contrive: to repair the damage, to retrieve lost ground and to promote concord and unity in place of bitterness and enmity. Anonymous Uncle Tunji, thanks for your article on maters miscellaneous in which you blamed our President Jonathan. Please cast your mind back that Mr President used alternative dispute resolution (adr). From barrister chris uba, Jos. Concerning ‘Matters Miscellanous’, the bit about Jonathan bearing moral responsibility for Boko Haram carnage is of special significance to me as a believer in the Islamic traditions, because God makes it clear to believers that every ruler would, indeed, be held responsible and made to account for the safety and welfare of his subjects. If those Muslims around Jonathan had been sincere and told him this truth, would have given a damn about solving Boko Haram earlier and given good governance to longsuffering Nigerians. From Jaybee, ayobo,lagos Matters miscellaneous: To me it seems that to win the election there must be human blood sacrifice just before the election and also holy (paid) prayer that is the stage that we are in now! May God save Nigeria from do-or-die powers Amen. Anonymous Your article titled: Matters Miscellaneous is, indeed, a masterpiece. It epitomises the sway of mediocrity we are in. God shall rescue the nation from her political miasma soon. From V. Castro Much has been said about plans to remove Prof. Attahiru Jega from office. Save for applying accustomed impunity, the powers that be know that there is no legal way they can accomplish that plan. Their real plan, and our real fear, is to blackmail Jega to resign. Let us pray that he does not yield. Anonymous For Tunji Adegboyega Tunji, your satirical missive on our ‘Bornagain’ President Jonathan’ was a masterpiece. There is a popular Yoruba axiom a ti ka ogbigbo mo ori igi, aamo ibi eye ti a fo which literally means that ‘the predator has been squarely rounded up and it has no hiding place’. Let’s call a spade a spade and not an agricultural implement, President Jonathan has misused the ample opportunity given him by Nigerians. Instigating millions of jingles, alongside frivolous crisscrossing of the country has no meaning by now. The die is cast already. Let me tell you, erecting millions of billboards and stage-managing of clan representatives to endorse a leprous government will not change the minds of the masses who have made up their minds for a change, come March 28. Chikena! From Ch. Ayena Oniayiye, Ijabo Street, Igbemo-Ekiti.

•Jonathan Wise men speak because they have something to say but those who lack wisdom and direction would speak because they have to say something. The president should not be taken seriously about his sudden decision because I see it as a show of shame. A leader who has the interest of his people at heart will not abandon his responsibility for donkey years only to start jumping from pillar to post so as to make people believe that he is working. The president is like a headless snake moving helplessly for people’s reaction. From Hamza Ozi Momoh, Apapa, Lagos. He said he is not a General, Pharaoh, etc. but he was in Field Marshal uniform when he visited Chibok of recent! Fani-Kayode said on TV that the Chibok girls have been sold to rich Saudis as wives and others abused, yet, President Jonathan said he would bring them all back!. Shekau had been killed several times by our army, yet, the Cameroonians know where he is currently holed up. Are we serious? Please, get some of these contradictions and advertise or use them. The Yoruba say when an elephant dies, we see different shades and sizes of knives, even cutlasses. Next stop, the mosque? The picture of your paper of March 8 throws up different (Obas’) staff of office, including the red, usually associated with danger! Anonymous. Three weeks to elections, our ‘born-again’ president’s efforts is a campaign against himself and his party. Nigerians are now wiser than he thought. We pray for more postponements and for more goodies that he deprived Nigerians in six years. But he should not forget that whichever day, month or year the elections are held, his report card awaits him. From Oche Oche, Benue State. Why all these rushing here and there for those rejected people? Is it because election is at hand? It is performance that would speak, if any. It is not a matter of visiting crowded churches and traditional rulers for votes; it is voters that would decide come March 28. Nigerians want change because propaganda of all is well whereas Nigerians are suffering in their land blessed with resources is not good for us. We wouldn’t allow it to continue in the next four years; we must get it right for a better Nigeria against the backdrop of insecurity and corruption that have taken the centre stage of governance. From G.C. Nnorom. Mr. Adegboyega, you forgot to mention the most important evidence that our president is (?). Last week, he went round Yoruba Obas to beg them for not making their daughter Speaker the last time. He, however promised them that not only would they get Speaker; they would get more plum jobs in government. Old things are passed away, joo. From Ayoola, D. Who told you that Chad is the one fighting Boko Haram and not Nigeria? Anonymous. Please leave omo Ibadan, Rasaki alone o. But on a serious note, it is only God that can save us from this president o. Anonymous Your write-up this time had a little soft spot for Mr. President even though you wrote sarcastically! However, truth was told by you but Nigeria’s challenges that were/are massive also require drastic leader (s). Then, one could later go ‘moderate’ when we are at the ‘Progress curve’. Depending on where the pendulum swings between March 28 and 31, when the result of the presidential election would have been declared, no Nigerian will ever govern with ‘kid gloves’ even when we reach the ‘Progress curve’. From Lanre Oseni. Thank you for your comment on ‘Bornagain President Jonathan’. The president knows that Nigerians are aware of his three weeks to election strategies, which are vain efforts as they cannot translate to his victory. What his efforts are focusing at now is to create chances of blame for his possible successor. Anonymous.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

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

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

NSE frets over illegal trading T at stock market HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) has discovered unscrupulous trading on its trading engine due to activities of some stockbroking firms which are providing passwords and access to unauthorised persons to trade on the stock market’s trading engine. The discovery has triggered a red alert at the Exchange, which fears that such provision of access codes, passwords and trading facilities to unauthorised persons can compromise the integrity of the trading system and expose the Exchange, investors and market operators to undue risks. A source at the Exchange indicated that though there were no untoward incidents related to the unauthorised access, the Exchange was miffed by the flagrant disregard of its operating rules and procedures by some stockbroking firms. The source noted that preliminary investigation showed that the stockbroking firms appeared to be providing the passwords and access codes to other stockbrokers and unauthorised internal staff as a form of camaraderie and to bridge dearth of human capital. Rules and regulations at the NSE prohibit sharing of access codes, passwords and trading facilities. Article 81 of the rules and regulations of the NSE stipulates that access to the trading engine shall be by the

By Taofik Salako

use of trader identification code and the assigned password, making such issuance exclusive to the dealing member. “The Exchange will issue to every dealing member trading codes for access to the trading engine of the floor of the Exchange and no dealing member or user thereof shall share its log-in details and password with another dealing member or user,” stated Article 85 of the rules and regulations of the NSE. The source indicated that the NSE will wield the big stick and apply sanctions on

•To sanction unauthorised traders the affected firms. Violation of the strict access rules carries many sanctions including suspension from trading and monetary fines. The source said that it was also discovered that some stockbroking firms were resorting to granting access to unauthorised persons-such as their staff, to trade for them because they could not employ qualified authorised trading clerks who have been trained to operate on the Financial Information Exchange (FIX) technology of the NSE. Under the rules of the Ex-

change, dealing members are expected to have at least two authorised dealing clerks in their employment at all times. Authorised dealing clerks are licenced stockbrokers that have successfully passed the training and inducted as a trader by the NSE. However, some stockbroking firms have been discovered to be running without authorised dealing clerks, contrary to the rules of the stock market. The source pointed out that under the rules of the Exchange; all employees that are

COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/ troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b

CFA EUR £ $ ¥ SDR RIYAL

FOREX -0.2958 -206.9 -242.1 -156 -1.9179 -238 -40.472

•Group Head, Strategy & Communications, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Shina Atilola; Assistant Corps Commander & Unit Commander, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Lagos Island, Saddiq Abdulrahman and Head, Brand Management, Sterling Bank Plc, Mr. Chima Nwaokoma during a curtesy visit by FRSC officials to Sterling Bank ... last weekend.

not authorised dealing clerks are strictly disallowed from accessing trading facilities while an authorised dealing clerk’s trading codes and access cannot be shared with another authorised dealing clerk or users. Under the rules of the Exchange, any dealing member or authorised dealing clerk that violates the restriction on the trading access will be suspended for two weeks and also made to pay a fine of N500,000. Besides, any authorised clerk or trainee authorised clerk that appears on the trading floor without an access control card or uses an access control card belonging to another authorised clerk or trainee authorised clerk to enter or exit the trading floor shall be liable to two-week suspension from the trading floor and denial of access to the trading platform in addition to a fine of N250,000. The rules also prohibit false representation and impersonation. According to the rules, where any authorised clerk or trainee authorised clerk falsely presents himself as another authorised clerk or trainee authorised clerk and enters or attempts to enter the trading floor while wearing the trading floor badge of the other authorised clerk or trainee authorised clerk or he uses or attempts to use their access control card to enter or exit the trading floor, such a violator shall be suspended from the trading floor and denied access to the trading platform for two weeks in addition to a fine of N250,000. The person who granted the violator access control card will also be liable to suspension from the trading floor and denial of access to the trading platform for two weeks as well as a fine of N500,000.

Kano Airport staff advised on service delivery From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

TAFF of the Federal Airport Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) at the Mallam Aminu Kano International Airport (MAKIA), Kano have been urged to show customer-friendly attitudes that conform with world -class practices in the aviation industry. Speaking at a workshop organised to sensitise airport staff on the need to improve human relations with numerous customers that patronise the airport, its Airport Manager, Alhaji Gambo Abubakar Aboki, reminded them that by their jobs which expose them as the gate-men of the country, there was need for them to exhibit character and services that will create good image for Nigeria as a nation. Gambo further said that to improve the customer experience, the Federal Government and the management of FAAN embarked on various facility upgrades in the airport across the country. He said that good customer service is not only ensuring that the customer comes back, “but is also about ensuring that they go away happy. For our kind of business in aviation, it may be that we do not have to do much to make customers come back since they must pass throughout airports if they have to fly”. He said: “We are committed to develop and constantly modify our performance measurement systems by adopting a quality benchmarking approach and strengthening our feedback mechanism. “Constant quality assessment is also required in this industry.’’

Nigeria to overtake UK, France by 2030, says report

HE economy has been billed to overtake France and United Kingdom by 2050, PwC economists have forecast in its latest report: titled: The world in 2050: Will the shift in global economic power continue? According to the report, China will be the largest economy by 2030, while India may challenge US for second place by 2050 while forecasting that the emerging economies of Nigeria, Indonesia and Mexico could push the UK and France out of the top ten economies of the world by 2050 provided they are able to build their institutions to global standards, diversify their economies and sustain growth friendly policies. It stated further that Philippines, Vietnam and Malaysia are set to be notable risers with Colombia and Poland growing more strongly by 2050 than Brazil and Russia.

FAAC allocation to states, LGs down to N400b

- P26

•China may be largest economy in 2030 By Okwy Iroegbu-Chikezie

The PwC Nigeria's Chief Economist and co-author of the report, Mr. Andrew S. Nevin, said: "Over the past decade, Nigeria has boasted superior economic growth and, with the right reforms and investments, Nigeria could become one of the world's leading economies by 2030, with further progress by 2050. "Nigeria's potential advantages for future growth include a large consumer market, a strategic geographic location, and a young and highly entrepreneurial population.’’ With drop in oil price which could thwart this possibility as a result of the attendant pressure on fiscal policy, he said Nigeria will need to manage the oil price decline effectively at all levels of government and create a sustainable platform

for diversification into the sectors. "We are all aware of the significant headwinds created by the rapid drop in the oil price, putting pressure on the fiscal and monetary systems, as well as reducing economic growth in the short term. To achieve its long-term economic potential, Nigeria will need to manage the oil price decline effectively at all levels of government and create a sustainable platform for diversification into the sectors that we know will drive the economy in the future - including power, agriculture, manufacturing, telecoms, hospitality and real estate," said Nevin. With a long-term projections of potential GDP growth up to 2050 for 32 of the largest economies in the world, covering 84 per cent of total global GDP, the PwC report projects insist

NSE to suspend stockbrokers over minimum standards

- P28

that the current global economic power shift away from the established advanced economies in North America, Western Europe and Japan will continue over the next 35 years - despite a projected slowdown in Chinese growth after around 2020. Insisting that the world economy is projected to grow at an average of just over three per cent per annum from 201450 - doubling in size by 2037 and nearly tripling by 2050, the report which tipped China as the largest economy by 2030 on any measure, however stated that it expect China's growth rate to slow markedly after around 2020 as its population ages, high investment rate runs into diminishing marginal returns. It stated that China needs to rely more on innovation than copying to boost productivity. "Eventual reversion to the global average has been common for past high growth

economies such as Japan and South Korea and we expect China to follow suit," it stated. Other highlights from PwC's projections are that India has the potential to sustain its higher growth rate for longer and become a $10 trillion economy by around 2020 in purchasing power (PPP) terms, or around 2035 at market exchange rates. This prediction is however, predicated on India making sustained progress on infrastructure investment, institutional reforms and boosting education levels across the whole population while emerging economies like Indonesia, Brazil and Mexico have the potential to be larger than the UK and France by 2030, with Indonesia possibly rising as high as fourth place in the world rankings by 2050 if it can sustain growth-friendly policies the report added.

Making money from foodstuff export - P38

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS MONEY

e-mail: money@thenationonlineng.net

FAAC allocation to states, LGs down to N400b T HE Federation Accounts Al location Committee (FAAC) funds to states and local governments for February are expected to decline to N400 billion, the Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Bismarck Rewane, has said. The FAAC shares the federation revenue among the three tiers of government. The FDC boss, who spoke after the Lagos Business School Break-

Stories by Collins Nweze

fast Session with a team of economists, said the forecast showed that more states are to default in salaries payment as oil price declines and revenue allocations continue to tumble. The FDC boss said FAAC dropped from N580.38 billion last December to N500.13 billion in January, N400 billion in February and will fall to the new level this month as crude oil prices decline persist.

The December FAAC figure, he said, is 33.8 per cent lower than 2014’s high of N755.95 billion recorded in June last year. Last July, FAAC was N654.6 billion; August, N611.7 billion; September, N603.5 billion; October, N593.3 and November, N628.8 billion. Crude oil price has continued to decline from about $110pb in June last year to about $60pb currently, and this has adversely impacted on Nigeria’s oil revenues and fortune

of the naira. Stakeholders have called for diversification of the economy to shore up the revenue shortfall, taking its toll on the local currency. Rewane said that naira will stabilise at N225 parallel and N205 interbank while February headline inflation jumped to 8.4 per cent. He also sees the stock market fizzling while the Brent oil price rising to $65 per barrel before sliding back to $58. The economist sees the external reserves dropping to $29.5 billion from current $30 billion. He said inflation means different things to different people. “To the layman, inflation occurs when he is spending more money to purchase the same quantity of goods. To an economist, it is the general increase in price level over a period of time,” he said. It is also a monetary phenomenon that can be either desirable or undesirable, depending on its impact on other macro-economic variables such as unemployment, output, balance of payments, distribution of wealth, among others. The negative side effects of inflation, he added, include the diminution of asset values and portfolios,

distortion of economic decisions, and the fact that it discourages savings and investment. However, inflation is not always a bad thing. Inflation, at a particular level, could be desirable especially in a state of robust economic growth. “A major objective, then, for a central bank is to find this balance between the positive and negative levels of inflation to ensure price stability in an economy,” he said. Meanwhile, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) is looking at the possibility of distributing the FAAC funds to states in batches, The Nation has learnt. Such plan, it was gathered, will reduce the impact of FAAC distribution in the financial market. The thinking is that by sharing the FAAC fund in batches, say, four times in a month, the impact of the fund on the financial system would be minimised. The bulk distribution of the fund causes distortion in the financial system. Analysts said many banks have come to rely on the FAAC fund, and are eagerly looking forward to deposits from government which currently stands at about N2.6 trillion of total banking sector deposits.

FirstBank, NAPSS partner on financial literacy •From left: Wife of the Chairman, Petrolog Limited, Mrs. Eunice Ebuh; Chairman, Dr.Vincent Ebuh; Executive Secretary Nigerian Content Development and Monitoring Board, Mr. Ernest Nwapa, PETAN Chairman, Mr. Emeka Ene and Group Managing Director/CEO FirstBank, Mr. Bisi Onasanya at the inauguration of the DSV Vinnice vessel in Lagos.

Institute writes off luxury tax policy

RESIDENT of the Chartered Institute of Taxation of Ni geria (CITN), Chief Mark Dike, has expressed concerns over government’s luxury tax policy. He said the tax on luxury goods will only add 0.38 per cent to the Federal Inland Revenue Services (IFRS) pool, assuming it is working on a revenue target of N6 trillion. The CITN boss, at the institute’s quarterly media briefing in Lagos, said the policy is vague on whether it is a tax or levy as the necessary legal instrument to back it up has not been submitted to the National Assembly for consideration. He also faulted government’s oil subsidy payment, and expressed surprise on government’s stand that it still maintained a subsidy of N2.84

per litre on Premium Motor Spirit (PMS) even with the reduction in the crude oil price as at the time. “We are at a loss as to why elements of a subsidy regime still subsists for a government that has always shown preference for deregulation of the downstream sector,” he said. He said advised government to consider the current non-oil sector growth drivers such as Mining and Quarrying, Trade, Information and Communication, Telecommunications and Information Services and Real Estate Sectors which constitute 14.50 per cent, 17.02 per cent, 10.94 per cent, 8.69 per cent and 8.02 per cent respectively of Gross Domestic Product (GDP) as at 2013 for increased revenue. He said the institute is displeased with the current regime of impor-

tation of refined petroleum products, thereby subjecting local purchase of petroleum products to international reference prices. “The institute believes that the Nigerian government has not done enough over time to address the local refining challenges of the local economy. We strongly believe that if this challenge is addressed with the patriotism and vigour that is required, there is no reason why the downstream sector cannot be fully deregulated with provisions made for intervention where necessary in the sector,” he said. He, however, canvassed a more transparent and responsible waiver regime, where the beneficiaries are tracked for utilisation and performance with respect to the impact of the waivers and concessions.

•From left: Chairman, Committee of the Chief Compliance Officers of Banks In Nigeria (CCCOBIN) & Chief Compliance Officer, Access Bank Plc, Mr. Pattison Boleigha; Founder/Managing Director, DATAPRO Ltd., Mr. Abimbola Adeseyoju and Chief Compliance Officer, Standard Chartered Bank Ltd., Mr. Olusoji Adeyinka at a CCCOBIN meeting in Lagos.

IRSTBANK of Nigeria Limited has partnered the National Association of Proprietors of Private Schools (NAPPS) to provide financial management education for school owners. The event tagged: “Effective Empowerment of Schools through Collaborative Building Capacity and Leadership” focused on collaborative building of organisations, a shared responsibility of all schools and how to translate it into building of individual schools for growth and development. The bank’s spokesperson, Mrs. Folake Ani-Mumuney, said entrepreneurs are at the heart of national development, contributing greatly to the gross domestic product of the country. “We put our customers at the heart of our business as part of our ‘You First’ ideals to drive sustainable finance, empower the citizenry and grow the economy”, she asserted.

Head of Consumer Banking Products, First Bank, Mrs. Adebimpe Ihekuna said the lender is focused on empowering entrepreneurs towards capacity building and development to contribute to the growth of the economy. “This is why we have delivered a presentation on book keeping, accounting and cash flow management at the retreat aimed at up skilling private school proprietors to effectively manage the administrative issues attendant to their businesses,” she added. NAPPS President, Chief Yomi Otubela said the association is delighted to have partnered with FirstBank in enabling participants at the retreat develop requisite skills in school business using collaborative building capacity. He further said: “We are optimistic that the training provided will help address the administrative problems as well as corporate governance issues of schools.

AfDB backs women entrepreneurs

HE African Development Bank (AfDB) has reiterated its commitment to supporting women entrepreneurs achieve their goals. Florence Kouadio, an Ivorian, said during the bank’s celebration of the International Women’s Day that women can be presidents, bank directors, entrepreneurs, and can drive the African continent forward. Women have a right to be decisionmakers, and they are doing it. Kouadio said: “Many girls are now going to school unlike before when they remained at home to do household chores as boys pursued education. More women are speaking out against harmful practices such as female genital mutilation, which is prevalent in many African nations,” said the award-winning artist. Patricia Anoma Cissé, technical counsellor to Côte d’Ivoire’s Minister of Industry and Mining, observed the need for formulation of policies that benefit women and communities at large. “We have to be very deliberate on making plans with women in mind. We have to work together with them to iden-

tify their needs and how these can be met because their participation in policy formulation processes is participation in development,” said Anoma Cissé. She cited policies in her country that have encouraged women to come together, forming one of the largest networks, a body of farmers from across the country, which provides food for the entire nation. The National Federation of Croppers Cooperatives, supported by the bank, is now marketing products for its members, and consequently supplying different kinds of food items throughout the nation. “Our members are now economically empowered. They are able to earn good income and support their families,” remarked Colette Irié Lou, the group’s chairperson. Statistics from World Bank indicate that 75 per cent of women in the country’s rural areas live below the poverty line. “With support to establish income generating activities, women in my country, especially in the villages, can be self-sufficient just as I have become,” said Irié Lou.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

MONEY Has the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) lost the battle for exchange rate stability? This is the question many are asking as the naira continues to fall, despite the CBN’s efforts to stabilise it. Although it closed at N197.8 to the dollar at the interbank last week, it still exchanges at N220 at the parallel market, making nonsense of the benefits of the CBN interventions, writes COLLINS NWEZE.

CBN’s unending headache over naira, inflation A

HEAD of this month’s elections, increased political risk, falling oil prices and lack of interest in investors’ frontier assets have put the naira under pressure. At its weakest, the naira was quoted at a record low of N206.60 to the dollar last month, a decline of 20 per cent since November. The naira also dropped to N220 at the parallel market before the CBN closed the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) last month. This has depleted foreign reserves and shot inflation up to 8.2 per cent in January. The foreign exchange reserves fell 9.04 per cent to $30.87 billion by March 4, from $33.94 billion a month earlier. The CBN has used the reserves to support the ailing naira, which has been hammered by falling global oil prices and uncertainty over the delayed presidential elections due later this month. Although the currency was able to stabilise at N197.8 to dollar at the interbank last week, many insist that it has indeed fallen from the Olympic heights. The interbank market is the top-level foreign exchange market where banks exchange different currencies. The banks can either deal with one another directly, or through electronic brokering platforms. Although it was unclear what stabilised the naira, interventions from International Oil Companies (IOCs) cannot be ruled out. But the local currency suffered its biggest monthly fall in over five years last month, dealers said, citing concerns over political uncertainty and the CBN’s ability to manage a currency hammered by weak oil prices. The naira shed 8.3 per cent to the dollar in February, which dealers said was worse than the 6.9 per cent fall in November after the CBN devalued the currency by eight per cent to save the foreign reserves.

New measures Last week, CBN fixed the rate at which banks can buy dollars from International Oil Companies (IOCs) at not more than N2 spread to its clearing rate, dealers said. The policy is the bank’s latest attempt to prop up the naira hit by the drop in oil prices. The naira crashed through the psychologically important level of N200 to the dollar last month in a rout triggered by weak oil prices and escalating tension over the postponement of a presidential election. The CBN has pledged to stabilise the naira and has been deploying various measures. Dealers said the central bank did not issue a formal circular on the directive, but instead resorted to persuasion, adding that the total outstanding dollar demand of about $600 million was not met. Oil companies usually sell dollars through an auction to lenders to buy naira to fund their local operations. The naira closed at N197 to the dollar on Thursday, firmer than N199.9 its ended on Wednesday. Dealers said the bank had beefed up inspection of commercial bank’s trading books to verify utilisation of its dollar sales. The CBN scrapped its bi-weekly currency auctions last month and a

Nigeria (ABCON)and both chambers of the National Assembly. In a circular, CBN’s Director, Financial Policy and Regulation, Kelvin Amugo, said interest would be paid on the mandatory caution deposit of N35 million, based on the savings account rate. The CBN, Amugo said, would, on expiration of the deadline, cease to fund any BDC that failed to comply with the fresh requirements.

Naira crises complex

• CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele

market body said it would sell dollars only at 198 naira, a move that amounts to a de facto devaluation of the currency of Africa’s biggest economy. This policy, is part of the CBN Governor Godwin Emefiele promised to stabilise the currency. He listed some of the challenges he is facing defending the naira, adding that the naira/dollar exchange rate has been under pressure over the last couple of months. Explaining the difficulties in managing exchange rate stability, the CBN boss raised a poser: “What then can a Central Bank do to react to such a situation of falling reserves and pressurised exchange rates? “One course of action would be to continue to deplete the foreign exchange reserves in trying to keep the official rate at a stable level. But there are several difficulties with this option.” He said regardless of its critical nature in an import-dependent country such as Nigeria, the exchange rate operates like any other ‘price’ in the market. The dollar/naira exchange rate is simply the ‘price’ of dollars in naira. The forces of demand and supply, he said, determine its movement. “When demand rises, the price rises. When supply falls, the price also rises as well. In recent times, Nigeria has faced a perfect storm of simultaneous dwindling supply of dollars and rise in demand. Both forces have led to a

• Naira notes

rise in the price of dollars, that is, significant reduction in supply of dollars to the market, even with constant output of crude oil production,” he said. The other global factor, which has significantly reduced the supply of dollars in the market is related to the end of Quantitative Easing by the United States (U.S) Federal Reserve. At the height of the programme, the Federal Reserve was supplying a total of about $85 billion into the U.S economy on a monthly basis, through asset purchases. This programme came to an end in October last year, thereby significantly reducing the supply of U.S dollars in the global economy. Another difficulty which has contributed to the continuing depletion of Nigeria’s foreign reserves, and its capacity to defend the naira is that the combination of a fall in oil prices and the end of the Quantitative Easing programme by the US Federal Reserve have led to a depreciation of most currencies in the world against the dollar.

Previous steps taken by CBN The CBN has directed that all importations involving electronics, finished products, information technology, generators, telecommunication equipment, and invisible transactions will henceforth be funded from the interbank foreign

exchange market only. In a circular to all authorised dealers, CBN Director, Trade & Exchange Department, O. I. Gbadamosi told stakeholders that the policy was to maintain the existing stability in forex market and strengthen the various policy measures, already initiated by the CBN. On the development, Head, Africa Strategy at Standard Chartered in London, Samir Gadio, said: “The importation of electronics, finished products, information technology, generators, telecommunication equipment, and invisible transactions importations shall henceforth be limited to the interbank market only. “We’re seeing more foreign-exchange flexibility. Perhaps they do not want to burn FX reserves unnecessarily. It’s a risky strategy though as the market will now look for the topside of dollar-naira and also because the lower rates will reduce the incentive to hold naira fixed-income assets.”

BDCs policy Last June 23, the CBN, among others, raised the minimum capital requirement of BDCs to N35 million from N10 million. It raised the mandatory caution deposit to N35 million from $10,000. Again, on July 7, the apex bank extended the deadline from July 15 to July 31, in response to appeals and intervention of Association of Bureau De Change Operators of

‘The naira shed 8.3 per cent to the dollar in February, which dealers said was worse than the 6.9 per cent fall in November after the CBN devalued the currency by eight per cent to save the foreign reserves’

The misfortune of the naira seems complex. The thinking is that massive inflow of forex from surging oil prices and the boom in the capital market were responsible for the appreciation of the naira in the past few years. Unfortunately, oil prices have nosedived and Nigeria capital market is in a shambles. The fall in the price of oil has major consequences on government revenue, aggregate output, capital formation investment, employment, trade and fiscal balance. The 2008 global financial meltdown also contributed to naira’s freefall. Chief Executive Officer, Financial Derivatives Bismarck Rewane, said Nigeria was unprepared for the shock. “The Nigerian economy believed to be one of the most resilient in the world was caught unawares by the global crisis,” he said. Analysts said a gradual appreciation of the currency will require building confidence in the financial system and price of crude oil in international market. This is what is going to drive the exchange rate now and beyond. We cannot isolate what is happening in the global economy like the issue of diversification of energy sources.

Policy makers speak Sub-Saharan Africa Economist at Renaissance Capital and co-Author of the Fastest Billion Yvonne Mhango said the CBN has shown absolute commitment to dealing with dwindling fortune of the naira. The official devaluation of the naira, she said, allows the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS) to move within the range that straddles the interbank foreign exchange rate. “While the market reaction to the RDAS move in the near-term will be important, we think that these measures deal as comprehensively as possible with the challenges facing Nigeria. “While Nigeria cannot do much to influence the oil price, the combination of measures sends a powerful signal to all stakeholders on the CBN’s intent to do what it can to preserve macroeconomic stability,” she said. Head, Equities Market at FBN Capital Olubunmi Ashaolu said the CBN has by the policy, set clear cut objective on its monetary policy direction. He said the stock exchange positive reaction was an indication that local and foreign investors now understand where the naira is heading. “As long as there is clarity and good investment climate, the equities market will benefit,” he said. He advised government to improve infrastructure, noting that such action would make Nigeria’s investment climate more attractive for foreign investors.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

THE NATION INVESTORS

Stock Exchange to suspend stockbrokers over minimum operating standard T

HE Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) will on April 1 suspend all stockbrokers and dealers that fail to provide comprehensive report on their level of compliance with the minimum operating standard (MOS) requirements introduced last year by the management of the Exchange. A source told The Nation that the NSE has given all stockbrokers and dealers a March 31, 2015 deadline to submit a final MOS compliance level report, a report that is expected to outline previous and current actions as well as future projection on the compliance process. The source said the Exchange will immediately suspend operators that fail to meet the deadline from trading on the stock market in line with the Exchange's determination to enforce compliance with the MOS.

Stories by Taofik Salako

According to the source, the suspended stockbrokers and dealers will not be allowed to trade on the NSE until they have provided such compliance report and cleared by the management of the Exchange. The MOS requirements relate to all the three classes of dealing members including broker dealers, brokers and dealers and address the five broad areas of manpower and equipment; organisational structure and governance; effective processes; global competitiveness; and technology. The NSE has insisted that the main objective of the MOS programme is to enhance investors' protection and the integrity of the secondary market by ensuring that operators have ad-

equate resources for professional and globally competitive operations. However, several operators saw the MOS as another way of wielding out small-sized brokers and dealers and they have characterised the MOS as unrealistic. Stockbroking firms have however said the new minimum standards were attempts by the Exchange to enforce consolidation in the industry. There are 238 broker-dealers on the NSE, but less than 15 per cent of the operators account for more than three-quarters of trading turnover at the market. On the rationale for the new standards, Head, Legal and Regulation Division of the NSE, Ms. Tinuade

Awe, had said the new minimum operating standards were meant to complement the tremendous transformation that the market had undergone in recent years and to extend these forward-moving traits to the dealing members. According to her, the objective of the minimum operating standards is to transform the operators into more competitive and compliant operators. "We intend to ensure that the broker dealers, brokers and dealers have very robust controls, strong governance framework and sustainable operations that will enable them compete on a global scale for the

benefit of the investors and the Nigerian capital market," Awe said. She noted that the capital market is very dynamic with a diverse mix of local and foreign investors who can only invest with the confidence that the dealing members operate pursuant to clearly defined standards that are comparable to those to which broker dealers in other markets operate with. We simply cannot afford to be inferior to anyone in terms of size, skill, technology or organisational governance of our market participants" Awe added. NSE had explained that investors will be given an extra degree of protection because the operators will become more robust and stronger, with good controls and globally acceptable processes.

NASD, CSCS agree on NSE-OTC migration process

HE Central Securities and Clearing System (CSCS) Plc, the custodian and depository for shares in the Nigerian stock market, and the NASD Plc have developed a mutually agreeable migration process for movement of delisted of shares from the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) to the NASD. CSCS is a subsidiary of the NSE and it is the sole depository for all shares being traded at the stock market. The NASD is an over-thecounter (OTC) platform that trades on unlisted securities. It is licensed by Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC). The NASD OTC was formally launched on July 1 and opened for trading on July 2, 2013. Under the migration process, migration of delisted stocks on the NSE to the NASD will be automatic and seamless. Participating institutions of NASD only need to write CSCS to move their clients holding from NSE to NASD and copy the registrar of the delisted security. Once that is done, trading can continue on the OTC market. Managing director, NASD Plc, Mr. Bola Ajomale, who confirmed this agreement, said shareholders in companies that were recently delisted from the NSE need not be concerned about how to trade their shareholdings. According to him, the main aim of the NASD OTC is to create an orderly, transparent and liquid environment for investors in all unlisted securities and it is expected that the migration approach will ease trading and liquidity for in-

vestors. He noted that the migration from the NSE to NASD will ensure that the securities can always be traded on a SEC-regulated market irrespective of their listing status adding that this will provide greater protection for investors. The agreement came as six additional participating institutions joined the NASD OTC market last week, bringing the total number of registered members to 92. The six firms included Associated Asset Managers Limited, Elixir Securities Limited, Imperial Asset Managers Limited, Santrust Securities Limited, Skyview Capital Limited, and Smadac Securities Limited. With the new additions, investors are provided with a larger number of firms who can trade on the OTC market. Major companies on the NASD included Dufil Prima Foods Plc, the manufacturer of Indomie Noodles; Friesland Campina Wamco Nigeria Plc, manufacturer of Peak Milk brand; Industrial & General Insurance Plc, Central Securities Clearing System Plc, the clearing and depository arm of the Nigerian Stock Exchange and Jaiz Bank Plc, the Islamic bank. Other stocks included Acorn Petroleum Plc, Arm Life Plc, Afriland Properties Plc, BGL Plc, Consolidated Breweries Plc, Food Concepts Plc, Geo-Fluids Plc, Golden Capital Plc, Niger Delta Exploration & Production Plc, Partnership Investment Company Plc, Resourcery Plc, Riggs Ventures West Africa Plc, Swap Technologies & Telecomms

•Acting Director-General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) Mr. Mounir Gwarzo (right) and Director, Nigerian Financial Intelligence Unit (NFIU) Mr. Usani Francis during a working visit by Francis to SEC's headquarters in Abuja.

Plc and Trustbond Mortgage Bank Plc. The NASD is however providing trading platform for delisted stocks and other unlisted stocks. It should be recalled that SEC had last year initiated rules that proscribe underhand trading in the shares of unlisted public limited liability companies (Plcs). According to the new rules, anyone or institution that henceforth facilitates or engages in underhand trading on securities of unlisted public limited liability company shall be liable to monetary fine and sanction by SEC.

The rules stated that all securities of public unlisted companies shall be bought, sold or transferred only by means of a system approved by SEC and under such terms and conditions as the Commission may prescribe from time to time. The new rule prohibits anyone from buying, selling or engaging in transfer of securities of a public unlisted company except through the platform of a registered a securities exchange established for the purpose of facilitating over-the-counter (OTC) trading of securities. “Any public unlisted company, di-

rector, company secretary, registrar, broker, dealer or such other persons who facilitate the buying, selling or transfers of the securities of a public unlisted company otherwise than through the platform of a duly registered securities exchange, shall be liable to a penalty of not less than N100, 000 in the first instance and not more than N5, 000 for every day of default,” the rule stated. The rule effectively concentrates trading on the shares and other securities of unlisted Plcs unto the only registered OTC platform, the NASD Plc.

Dangote Cement mulls changes to retain leadership at stock market

THE Board of Directors of Dangote Cement (Dancem) Plc will at its meeting this weekend consider necessary internal and capital changes that will enable the cement firm to be included in the proposed top-ranked listing board at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). The new board, known as the premium board, is designed as a market for the most-capitalised stocks with the best corporate governance and liquidity. It is meant to showcase Nigeria’s best stocks to the global market. While Dancem’s capitalisation surpasses the minimum capitalisation required for the new board, it still has to contend with liquidity and governance requirements. For instance, Dancem’s free float of shares falls below the minimum requirement of 20 per cent of issued shares required for companies on the main board of the NSE. The board meeting, which will essentially deliberate on the audited report and accounts of the cement company and the dividend

recommendation for the year ended December 31, 2014, is expected to consider report by internal committee working on the transition to the new premium board. The new premium board is designed exclusively for companies with minimum market capitalization of $1 billion and high corporate governance standards as measured by the NSE’s corporate governance rating system (CGRS). A preview of the criteria for the new board obtained by The Nation had indicated that companies to be listed on the new board must have market capitalisation of not less than $1 billion and must also score at least 70 per cent on the Exchange and the Convention for Business Integrity’s Corporate Governance Rating System (CGRS). Besides, the companies must have a minimum free float of 20 per cent or value of shares floated must be equal to or above $1 billion and the number of shares representing its issued share capital must be equal to or above 10 billion units. The companies are expected to

meet stringent corporate governance, capitalisation and liquidity conditions. According to the draft rules for the new board currently under consideration, to remain on the premium board, an issuer’s continued eligibility shall be evaluated by the Exchange annually in line with all the outlined criteria or on the basis of additional requirements which may from time to time be prescribed by the Exchange, provided that each company shall comply with all other continuing listing obligations as specified under the listings rules of the Exchange. The council of the NSE may also in its discretion grant an extension of time for a company to comply with the relevant free float requirements set out in these rules; provided that the company submits a formal and substantiated request in that regard setting out the reasons why it could not meet the said requirements and how it proposes to satisfy the requirements within the time granted. Also, in the event of non-compli-

ance with any applicable codes or regulations affecting their governance, companies shall be expected without prompting, to disclose in the Directors’ report of their annual report why they are in breach. With a market capitalization of N2.61 trillion for 17.04 billion ordinary shares of 50 kobo each at the opening of the market yesterday, Dancem leads the list of qualified stocks based on market capitalization. While initial review by The Nation had shown that some 20 companies will be able to make the new premium board on the basis of market capitalization, the downtrend at the stock market and devaluation of Naira have narrowed the eligible companies to about 13 stocks. However, the NSE recently granted Alhaji Aliko Dangote, the core investor in Dancem, a twoyear extended timeline to reduce his majority shareholding in Dancem in order to deepen public participation in the shares of the cement company. The NSE had earlier given

Dancem October 2014 to comply with listing regulations that require all quoted companies to have minimum free float of 20 per cent. The NSE, however, extended the deadline for Dancem to October 2016, following the failure of Dancem to meet the October 2014 deadline. Free float, otherwise known as public float, refers to the number of shares of a quoted company held by ordinary shareholders other than those directly or indirectly held by its parent, subsidiary or associate companies or any subsidiaries or associates of its parent company; its directors who are holding office as directors of the entity and their close family members and any single individual or institutional shareholder holding a statutorily significant stake, which is 5.0 per cent and above in Nigeria. Thus, free float’s shares do not include shares held directly or indirectly by any officer, director, controlling shareholder or other concentrated, affiliated or family holdings.

Newspaper of the Year

AN EIGHT-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHWEST STATES

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

PAGE 29

Ibadan: A city of 100 masqueraders

As the masqueraders’ season in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, draws nearer, TAYO JOHNSON takes a look at a tradition that is as old as the ancient city itself and presents some of the 100 or so masquerades that make Ibadan tick.

INSIDE

N Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, devotees of masquerades or Egungun in Yoruba are getting set for their annual festival, a socio-cultural event that captures the essence of this ancient city of over three million people. The festival which takes place throughout the month of June and part of July, kicks off later this month when the Oloolu, the most revered of the 100 or so masquerades in Ibadan carries a pot full of ritual ‘sacrifice’ round some designated areas in the city to ward off calamities and cleanse the land to usher in peace

Force Hqtrs probes Ondo doctor’s death

PAGE 31

Why Egba must live together, by Alake PAGES 32 - 33

‘Save us from multiple taxes’ PAGE 36

and prosperity. The Oloolu is expected to take the ‘sacrifice’ from its ancestral home at Ode Aje in the heart of the city by 1 pm to Idi Ape, Beere, Oja’ba down to the Olubadan of Ibadan palace before depositing it at Idi Ape by midnight. It is the belief among the locals that without the Oloolu carrying this sacrifice every year and depositing it at Idi Ape which is Continued on page 30 and 31

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Ibadan: A city of 100 masquerades •Continued from page 29

of spiritual importance to the city, Ibadan would not know peace and no Olubadan dares toy with this tradition. After the Oloolu must have cleansed the land with the sacrifice this month, the other masquerades take the stage one after the other in June before the Oloolu returns in July to close the masquerades’ festival. Who are the masquerades? Masquerades literarily and ordinarily depict grotesque figures that should be feared, but in our clime, the Yoruba race in particular, they represent a bevy of beauty and colourful costumes. Through drumming and dance, it is believed that these robed performers get possessed by the spirits of the ancestors, as manifested as a single entity. Their festivals are usually a huge destination for tourists and locals alike. As a matter of fact, some people travel home from far and near to behold the spectacle presented by the masquerades. However, their essence is believed to be more than the colours and glamour, singing and dancing. It is also believed that they spiritually clean the community. They also expose the strengths and weaknesses of the community to encourage behavior more befitting of their descendants. Ibadan, with no fewer than 100 masquerades being ‘worshipped’ by devotees so to speak, the head of the Egungun clan in the city Chief Soladoye Fadeyi, lends more voice to the essence of these masquerades. He said in the early years of Ibadan when the whole place was in disarray, scattered by war, crisis everywhere and nothing was working well in the land, “our forefathers consulted the oracle ýand the oracle said Ibadan will become famous and great only if the families can start worshipping masquerades. So that was how they started it at Ile-Lapapo at Ita Baale and each families in Ibadan contributed clothe for the outing of the first masquerade” According to Fadeyi, there are over 100 masquerades in Ibadan and all the families rooted in Ibadan have a link with these masquerades one way or another. Giving a brief background of the masquerades, Fadeyi said the first masquerade in the land was named Labala and it came out over 120 years ago. His coming, he said brought peace, progress, prosperity and goodwill to Ibadanland. And whenever that masquerade comes out, he said, no other masquerade or any other person crosses his path. He listed the other masquerades including Alagangan, Alapasapa, Ogundeji, Oloolu, Olunlade, Atipako, Abidi-Elege, Godogodo, Ferebiekun, Anikulapo, Lobanika, Telebiitan, Gbebolaja among others. These masquerades have different family backgrounds, costumes, rituals and taboos. Oloolu Recalling the history and importance of one of the greatest masquerades in Ibadanland, the head of Aje family where the Oloolu masquerade originated, Chief Raheem Oyerinde, disclosed that their ýgreat forefather, Ayorinde Aje, who was a warrior along with Ogunmola, Ogbori-efon, Ibikunle, Oderinde, Oderinlo went to fight in Ogbagi in Akoko, Ondo State

and Oloolu was a great war masquerade in that town and was so powerful such that no one could confront him during the war. ”Nobody could defeat Oloolu during that war but it was our father, Ayorinde Aje that fought him and removed his regalia and costumes, before he was brought to Ibadan as a slave. During his stay in Ibadan, there was famine, ill-health and crisis in the land and all the elders and chiefs were looking for a way out, that was how Ayorinde Aje suggested that Oloolu should be used to carry the ritual to appease the gods, so immediately he carried the ritual, there was rain and everything got back to normal in Ibadan. Oloolu helped Ibadan to be what it is today. Since then anybody that is the head of the Aje family becomes the custodian of Oloolu masquerade. According to Chief Oyerinde, ”any area in Ibadan where the people ýtry to fight the Oloolu anytime he is out, such areas will continue to experience bloodshed, and that is what is happening in Opopoyeosa area till date, because they tried to beat Oloolu there sometimes ago. Oloolu is so great that he gives the barren children, he provides for the needy, he prospers business among other good things he can give to an individual who is ready to serve him” He further revealed that in time past and presently many politicians seeking elective positions have started coming to seek Oloolu’s assistance for victory at the polls, adding that their wishes are always granted once they can also fulfill their promises. Obadimeji According to Chief Ojetunde Asoleke, one of the two claimants to the title of Olori Alagbaa (Head of the masquerades) in Ibadan, Obadimeji masquerade is worshipped by the Opayinka, Opadiran and Ojesanmi family in Ibadan and any member of the family can ‘carry’ the during the festival, adding that any member of the family that abandoned the family tradition of worshipping the masquerade will be in trouble for the rest of his life. ”For instance, I once abandoned this masquerade but shortly after, I had series of problems. I lost all the wealth I had accumulated over the years and things were not going well for me until I returned back to worship him. Evil befalls anyone ýthat does such” he said Obadimeji masquerade according to Asoleke was one of the warriors deployed to the front by Ibadan during Kiriji war and assisted greatly in swinging victory in favour of Ibadan soldiers. And as part of the preparations for the outing of Obadimeji, the families concerned usually offer sacrifices to appease the masquerade using such items as He-goat, ram, , corn meal, alcoholic drink, dry pepper, kolanut, and beans cake. Its costume or Eku is usually sown with such materials as red lace, damask, and other types of unique materials except white. Giving the taboo associated with this masquerade, Asoleke said;” during his outing, Obadimeji’s clothe must not be torn by anyone and there must not be any fighting behind him, or the persons that fought behind him will die.” Owolewa and Owolaake The two masquerades are under Obadimeji because in Ajia town where they are based, Obadimeji was worshipped before they came into being. Owolewa is a statue mas-

•Another masqurade and its minder

querade, while Owolaake is not. Their costumes are similar with red and black materials tidings. The ritual performed for the two are the same, as the worshipers use kolanut to enquire from the masquerade what he demands for the festival before he comes out. It was learnt that he may demand vegetable oil, ram, alcoholic drink, ýor more kolanut. This masquerade is used it to seek peace during any turbulent time in the land. Aladin-Osogbo Worshipped by the Aladin Osogbo family in Ita-ege, Olomi area of Ibadan, the masquerade is open to all members of the family to ‘carry’ the costume on the day of its festival. The Alaagba of Idi-Aro, Chief Ojelabi Aladi-Osogbo told The Nation that the masquerade bestows prosperity on its followers. “I have been carrying it for 35 years and it has brought prosperity to me.” He said. He explained that the masquerade was brought from Osogbo by their fore-fathers during a war to Ibadan. Before it can come out, he said the family will ýfirst worship the god of iron and devil and if he refused to come out that means there is danger on its way. “The only thing we do afterwards is to eat and drink and leave this masquerade alone” he said Aladi-Osogbo stated that it’s costume is unique with shades of red, yellow, and black. He explained that the taboo associated with the masquerade is that it forbids any member of the family from eating pounded yam and yam flour together at the same time. Aladi-Osogbo said anybody that does that would suffer terrible stomach ache that may take his life except the anti-dote was given to such a person. The Alaagba of Idi-Aro lamented that the masquerade festival would have been more glamorous and colourful if the families involved are given financial support by the government. “As bad as it remains, even if we request police escort during our outing, ýwe will be forced to pay them a token before they can accept. Our traditional religion is the first, as such it demands all the entitlement being given to the modern religion worshippers” he said Adaradoun The Alaagba of Oremeji, Chief Ojemuyiwa Olubuade said this masquerade is worshipped in Eesarun compound in Agugu area of Ibadan, adding that the masquerade determines who among the family members wears its costume during the festival. If anyone stubbornly carries it

without its approval, he said there will be problem for such a person and the masquerade only be appeased with alcoholic drinks. Olubuade gave part of the ritual materials for the worshipping of the masquerade to include ram, fowl, corn meal, beans cake and vegetable oil. Adaradoun’s significance to Ibadanland according to him, was that it gives barren women children but the mother and child must worship it forever. Speaking on its taboo, he said:” In a year, if the family refused to carry the masquerade and worship him, there will be thunder strike on us. Also, we must all agree in unison for the masquerade to go out, or else his outing will not be successful” Olubuade stated that his costume is reddish, along with all colours except white. Adinimado-Ire The Adinimado-Ire masquerade is the responsibility of the Korukoru family in Oje area of Ibadan. Speaking with The Nation, the Alaagba of Oje Chief Aderinto Ojeyemi said he was in charge of leading the masquerade out every year for 24 years before he became the Alaagba. “Before we could ascertain the next person to carry it, we used kolanut to consult the masquerade and he chose Ifasina after me but if he is not around, it’s Oluwagbemiga that carries it. “Anyone in our family who abandons this masquerade for another religion will have problem” he said It is forbidden for any member of the family to eat a parrot, and any member that does that will writ in pain and would only be relieved after consultation with the masquerade to know the antidote. On its significance to Ibadan land, Ojeyemi stated that it’s a war masquerade that was brought from Owu kingdom to fight and win many wars for Ibadan. It’s costume is barely the same with other masquerades. Areweyo It is worshipped by Olosa-Oko family in Idi-Aro area of Ibadan. According to the Chief Security guard of all ýmasquerades in Ibadan, Chief Ojetokun Areweyo, it’s a he-goat that is used to appease the gods to decide whom to carry the masquerade. “I have been carrying this masquerade for over 16 years. It was nine of us that wished to carry him but I was the youngest among them all and I was later chosen to carry it. Its significance is that it gives the barren children and they usually come back the next year for thanksgiving. The materials used for ritual before its outing includes; vegetable oil, beans cake, corn meal, kolanut, he-goat, dry pepper among others” he said Areweyo disclosed that it is for-

bidden for any woman to move closer to the masquerade or hug him, if not she will be barren forever. Sodo It is a dancing masquerade worshipped by the Oro family of Ita-Ege area of |Ibadan. Any member of the family chosen by the gods is allowed to lead the masquerade out during its annual festival. Giving an insight into the masquerade, a member of the family Mr Ojeyemi Sodo said the elders consult the masquerade with a kolanut to decide who to carry it, and if they do otherwise and chose anyone themselves, the person will die. Sodo stated that it is a taboo for anyone on the entourage of the masquerade to fight with a whip or cutlass during its outing stressing that if they do the person will die immediately. “We use He-goat, fowl, beans cake, kolanut, dry pepper, and alcoholic drink to appease the masquerade before he comes out. Its significance to Ibadanland is that it blesses people in need and boost the socio-economic condition of the town. If he doesn’t come out in a year there will be hardship for the people. ”Its costume is the same with red damask, lace, Ankara and guinea, but white is not part of its clothes. None of the members of the family must abandon it, if not there will be calamity for such a person” ýhe said Sihaba It was brought to Ibadan from Ighoho during the war and it is worshipped by the Olodo family in OjaIgbo area of the city. According to the Secretary of the masquerades in Ibadan, Chief Ifayemi Awodele the custodian of the masquerade uses kolanut to consult him to decide who to carries it during its outing. “It is a taboo for anyone who is not from our family to stand in front of this masquerade for 30 minutes, if anyone does that the person’s blood will drain off immediately. Its significance is that anyone that needs a child comes to him to beg for one and he answers their prayer immediately and it’s mandatory that they come back the next year for thanksgiving. “The costume is same with other masquerades and there must be red colour among the clothe he will put on except white. The ritual performed is done with he-goat, corn meal, beans cake, alcoholic drink, vegetable oil, moin moin among others.” he said On the festivals, he said: “We do celebrate our masquerade festival in June of every year and during this period there will be six strokes at the top of the palm tree instead of normal three. It is the blood of the ram, cow or fowl that is used for the sacri-

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

SOUTHWEST REPORT

•The shrine of one of the masqurade

fice along with eko, cake beans, moinmoin among others. According to him, during the masquerade’s outing, the custodian known as “Atokun” controls his movement and directs him. He is the one that curbs him from causing trouble anytime he gets annoyed. He also stated that the ‘Alagbaa’ý was responsible for the upkeep of the masquerade’s regalia and clothes, adding that he is the one in charge anywhere he goes with his supporters. Alapansanpa Speaking on the features, and im-

portance of ýthe Alapansanpa masquerade, its former custodian Asimiyu Ogundeji stated that the Ogundeji family is responsible for the worship of the masquerade. According to him, the Alapansanpa masquerade was used in the past to fight and win many wars in and outside Ibadan. “This masquerade is a renowned one and it’s importance to Ibadan cannot be over emphasised. It comes out once in a year, June to be precise, and it must go to the Olubadan palace where he whips the Olubadan with his whip three times before the Mon-

arch will now bless him with gift and other items. If he doesn’t go to the Olubadan Palace, there will not be peace and prosperity in the land and that means the Olubadan is a bad person” he said Ogundeji listed items that are used for its rituals to include Kolanut, bitter-kola, plam oil, salt, ram, cornmeal, among others. He said its costume is very unique because it is very smart on him and it’s full of shades of red and black. On the taboo attached to this masquerade, he said:” No woman must

enter his power house and if any woman enters his power house during mentration, such woman may die or may be barren for life” Atipako This is a load carring masquerades, mostly followed by women. A family elder known either formally or informally as “Alaagba” presides over its ancestral rites. He may or may not be initiated into the local Egungun society. A priests and initiates who are trained in ancestral communication, ancestral elevation and funerary rites are assigned to invoke and bring out

the ancestors through the pouring of alcoholic drinks with kolanut. They wear elaborate costumes for the masquerade masquerade. It comes out in June of every year, and it spiritually cleanses the community; through the dramatic acting and miming of the robed priests, they demonstrate both ethical and amoral behavior that have occurred since their last visit. In this way, they expose the strengths and weaknesses of the community to encourage behavior more befitting of their descendants. When this performance is completed, the Alaagba gives messages, warnings and blessings to the assembled spectators. Atipako masquerade always carry on his head stones, mortar and pestle which portrays it’s significant for blessing the masses and the land. Attack on Oloolu Speaking on the attack on the Oloolu masquerade in 2012 at Gbodu junction, Popo-Yemoja, Ibadaný, the head of Aje family where the Oloolu masquerade was originated, Chief Raheem Oyerinde, explained that there was a fidau being held in honour of a late chief Imam, Rafiu Fasasi, a.k.a Lorisirisi, but the Oloolu needed to pass that route to pay homage to one of the traditional title holders in the area, popularly known as Kunmi. “We didn’t disturb their ceremony but only wanted to pass through that place ýto greet the Ibadan high chief before they pounced on us, beating the custodian to stupor and later died, while the Oloolu himself escaped in anger with minor injuries on the head’ he said On the effect this terrible act will have on Popo-Yemoja area, he said calamities, chaos and rancour will continue to ravage the community yearly until they appease and apologise to the masquerade.

Force Hqtrs probes Ondo doctor’s death Nearly three months after the mysterious death of a one-time chairman of the Ondo state branch of the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA), Dr. David Oguntuase, the Police High Command in Abuja has taken over investigations into his death. DAMISI OJO reports.

HE Force headquarters of the Nigeria Police, Abuja have taken over investigations into the mysterious death of the former Chairman of the Ondo State Branch of the Nigeria Medical Association,(NMA) Dr David Oguntuase . Oguntuase, a pediatrician and Head of Pediatrics department at the Federal Medical Centre (FMC), Owo, was burnt to death in a mysterious circumstance on Christmas eve last year at his private clinic, Universal Medical Centre (UMC), Akure, the Ondo State capital. His body was laid to rest penultimate weekend. The Ondo State Commissioner of Police Mr. Isaac Eke, who disclosed the new course of investigation said the command handed over the case to Force Headquarters to ensure proper investigation. The Police boss, who noted that the command handled the matter

with high level ofprofessionalism while handling the case, said the force headquarters had commenced investigations on the matter. Various interest groups including the Nigeria Medical Association (NMA) have called for a thorough investigation of Oguntuase’s death. However, the Commissioner stressed that the Police would get to the root of the case and ensure that those found culpable were dealt with. He warned criminals operating in Ondo state to move out of the

•The burnt hospital

•The late Oguntuase

state as the Police are prepared to fish them out and ensure that the state remains safe to live for all and

sundry. Meanwhile, the leadership of the Nigeria Medical association in the state has confirmed that it had gotten a preliminary autopsy report on what led to the death of their former leader. But the Chairman of the Association Dr Bamidele Betiku said the body is not too anxious to disclose the cause of Oguntuase’s death to the public until after completion of the full investigation.

There had been controversies over the cause of the death of the former Head of Pediatrics at FMC, Owo since his body was found severely burnt inside a room in his hospital. Family sources are alleging that the deceased was killed and later burnt to give a semblance of a fire incident, while others linked his death to electric power surge that sparked the fire that later burnt him.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Why Egba must live together, by Alake W

ITH the whole of Egbaland comprising of Egba Alake, Oke Ona, Gbagura and Owu gearing up to celebrate their hero, Lisabi, this week for liberating them from the oppressive domination of the Alaafin of the old Oyo empire, the Alake of Egba land and the paramount of ruler the Egba, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has reminded his people that the benefits of staying together as one indivisible entity far outweighs the parochial and sectional interest of living in disunity. Gbadebo said Egbaland has been practising federalism since 1830 with no autonomous town lording it over another but added that all the constituent units of Egba are equally endowed. The monarch who called for unity while explaining some aspects of the history and culture of Egbaland at his Ake Palace, Abeokuta, to reporters in preparation for 29th edition of Lisabi Festival slated for the whole of this week, said it is only when his people live in unity that they would be able to harness the potentials inherent in each of the federating parts for the genuine growth and development Egba land. He noted that the traditional Egba Council area (Ogun Central) which had been practising federalism for centuries is such that not all the towns, communities and villages are of the same natural and human resources endowments, but said in spite of the diversities, they have managed to remain as one. Gbadebo said: “our people say unity is strength. When you are

The religious groups in Egba land have been accommodating one another to promote religious tolerance and harmony. In terms of religion we are not divided and any attempt to divide us…, even members of that person’s religion would be the first to accuse that person of over-stepping his bound more in number, you can achieve a lot. We all know the benefit of unity. The potential is great but we have not got our acts together yet; but we’ll get them together. “While some are more endowed, others are less blessed. In Egba land, we practiced federalism. There is no federation where all the federating units are equal. Is it in California or Wyoming (USA)? “The religious groups in Egba land have been accommodating one another

to promote religious tolerance and harmony. In terms of religion we are not divided and any attempt to divide us…, even members of that person’s religion would be the first to accuse that person of over-stepping his bound.” The monarch listed the benefits of this year’s Lisabi Festival being sponsored by the Globacom, an indigenous telecom giant, to include opportunity for the Egba to practise their traditional heritage as well as a period for rekindling their cultural heritage. He broke his silence on why the Ijemo people despite their numerical strength and also being among the first ethnic groups to settle in Egba land, do not have monarch yet in Ijemo area of Abeokuta till date. T h e Alake acknowledged that the t h r e e quarters of the A b e okuta South Local gove r n ment, Ake and stretching to Moshood Abiola Polytechnic and the Federal Prison at Oba

in Obafemi Owode Local government, are originally Ijemo land but said today the area is within the (Abeokuta) city centre and as such require no separate traditional ruler. The paramount ruler alluded that since there are already five traditional rulers within the state capital, it would not be advisable to have additional ones even though such practice exist in Sagamu (Remo) area of Ogun state. He said traditional rulers are set in the hinterlands to fast - track development hence the installation of some coronet Obas in recent years to drive growth and developments among Egba rural folks. He said: “in terms of number, it is not totally fair or balanced in Egba land yet. The smallest Ijebu town has water and electricity because they have Obas and they attract development to their communities. “Obas are to attract development, bring market, police post, post office and health centres and in this regard, we are trying to copy a system that is not our own. “Three quarters of Abeokuta and Ake area are part and parcel of Ijemo but we don’t want another Oba in the town. The purpose of appointing Obas is to develop the areas so that they can talk as traditional rulers. Obas are higher in rank than Baales. People will listen to them when they are Obas rather than Baales. “What we have done now is the phase o f a p pointi n g Obas i n towns where t h e y have the potentials t o d e velop very well. We want more of our people to live in the countryside.”

Ayangburen: Court restrains parties from interfering in the vacant stool J

USTICE Akintunde Savage of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikorodu has ordered parties in the obaship tussle of the ancient town to refrain from doing anything towards the vacant stool of the Ayangburen of Ikorodu. Justice Savage gave the order last week while ruling on an application filed by John Osighala, counsel to claimants in a suit filed before the court contesting the nomination of the Odofin of Ikorodu, Chief Kabiru Shotobi by the kingmakers, as the next Ayangburen of the town and after taking submissions of all counsels to parties in the suit. The trial judge emphasized the need for parties to adhere to the order which he said was a test case in the on-going process adding that he does not expect anything to happen to the res (the stool of Ayangburen) before the next adjourned date. Although, the court had fixed Thursday last week for the hearing of an application by persons seeking to be joined in the suit before proceeding into the substantive suit, it failed to do so because various defendants in the suit had filed different counter affidavits in response to the application by those asking to be joined. When it became apparent that the matter would be adjourned again to allow Sulaiman Talabi, counsel to parties seeking to be joined, to respond to the various counter affidavits, Osighala applied to the court for an order for parties to maintain “status quo ante bellum” pending the next adjourned date in order to preserve the res (the stool of Ayangburen) which he said is the main issue in the substantive suit.

”My lord, there are strong indications that third respondent (Chief Kabiru Shotobi) and 11th and 12th defendants, (the Lagos State Ministry of Local Government and the Attorney General), may do something to the res before the next adjourned date. If something happens, they have nothing to lose. “I also see that the 11th and 12th defendants having filed counter affidavits can no longer be said to be neutral in the matter. So out of abundance of caution, I urged my lord to make a preservative order at this point on the res. If 11th and 12 th defendants are the Attorney General and Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, they don’t have anything to lose. They should give us an undertaken that nothing would happen to the res. Having filed a counter affidavit, they have taken a position and can no longer be a mediator”. He said, arguing that the respondents have shown all indices that made an interim order inevitable. Citing Supreme Court decision in Eresi versus Idika 1987 NWLR, part 503 and 512, Osighala argued that there was need to enhance the dignity of the court, emphasizing that it would be embarrassing to the court if by the adjourned date, a fundamental change had taken place and the res is affected by the change. In his response, counsel to the 11th and 12th defendants, Mr. S.A. Quadri opposed the application and declined to sign an undertaken on behalf of his clients when the trial judge asked him to do so but promised that nothing would happen to res before the next ad-

As Egba celebrate the 29th edition of Lisabi Festival this week, the Alake and the paramount ruler of the Egba, Oba Adedotun Gbadebo, has reminded his people why they must live together as one, despite their diversity. ERNEST NWOKOLO reports.

Having heard all the counsels, I am of the firm belief that my order would be complied with by all parties on the preservation of the res and as in my February 5, 2015 injunction order.

•Kabiru Shotobi, Odofin of Ikorodu

By Adebisi Onanuga journed date. “I cannot give any undertaken because there is no justification for it. Making an oral application is an abuse of the court process. There is a ruling of the court dated February 5, 2015 which gave an interim injunction. That still subsists. I have appeared in several chieftaincy matters on behalf of the state, I never gave any undertaken”, he said, arguing that “the court does not act on assumptions. The court relies on concrete facts before taking a decision”. Counsel to the second applicant, Kazeem Adebanjo aligned himself with the counsel to the other applicants. Adebanjo submitted that the refusal of Quadri to sign an undertaken that nothing would happen to the res before the next adjourned date reinforced the fear of the applicants. “The position we are taking is consequential on the event of today (last Thursday) because what the court sought to achieve by its February 5, 2015 ruling has been overtaken by the joinders’ application”, he stated. He argued that there was no harm done to the court if a fresh order is given to protect the res. Osighala also stated that the refusal of counsel to the state government to sign an undertaken was a pointer that” the res was in mortal danger. It is also an admission that the res is destructible”. Opposing him, Gbenga Hassan, the counsel to the first and third respondents, said the application of the claimants was baseless, insisting “the res in issue is indestructible. “No sufficient reason has been adduced by the claimants to warrant the order he is asking for”, he said, adding that the ruling of February 5, 2015 has sufficiently addressed the issue the claimants are asking for. Also opposing the application for maintenance of the status quo ante bellum, counsel to the fourth to the seventh respondents, O. Fabunmi said that the application of the claimants cannot be made orally. He also

noted the refusal of the 11th and 12th respondents to sign an undertaken to preserve the res. Fabunmi submitted that the court had already dispensed with the application of the claimants with the interlocutory injunction in the February 5, 2015 ruling of the court. Delievering his ruling, Justice Savage noted the submission of the counsels to the applicants for the need to preserve the res and the refusal of the counsel to the government to give an undertaken. “Having heard all the counsels, I am of the firm belief that my order would be complied with by all parties on the preservation of the res and as in my February 5, 2015 injunction order”, he reiterated. On the application for joinders, none of the parties opposed the application of the parties seeking to be joined in the matter as their counsel, Talabi promised to serve parties his response to all the counter affidavits on the point of law. Justice Savage further ordered all counsels to file their responses on the point of law and to serve all parties before the next adjourned date. Earlier, a septuagenarian, Chief Babatunde Olusola Benson (SAN), who is an “amicus curiae” (friend of the court) and a prominent son of Ikorodu, had reported to the court that his intervention in the obaship tussle as instructed by the trial judge at its sitting of February 19, 2015, was yielding positive result. Chief Benson said some decisions were taken during the mediation and that all the counsels said they would report back to their clients adding that they would report back to the mediatory meeting fixed for last Thursday. Justice Savage thanked Chief Benson for his efforts and urged him to continue playing the role aimed at securing settlement among the various factions of the Adegorushen branch of the Lasunwon Royal family of Ikorodu. He thereafter adjourned the matter to March 18, 2015 for definite hearing of the application for joinders. Messrs Mathew Adetayo Shodi-

po, Omobo Sokelu, Shakiru Shodipo, Nurudeen Fakomaya and Albert Aina had, for themselves and on behalf of the Lambo Branch of the Lasunwon ruling house of Ikorodu challenged the nomination of the Odofin of Ikorodu, Chief Kabiru Shotobi for the stool of the Ayangburen. The first to 12th respondents in the suit are Ezekiel Shodipo, Tajudeen Odofin for themselves and on behalf of the Adegorushen branch of Lasunwon ruling house. Other respondents include the Odofin, Chief Kabiru Shotobi; the Olisa and regent of Ikorodu, Chief Oludele Odusoga; Solomade of Ikorodu Chief Afolabi Adekayaoja; Apena of Ikorodu, Chief Karimu Ore; the Oponuwa, Chief Jacob Kolawole Adaraloye for themselves and the kingmakers of Ikorodu. Other respondents are the Ikorodu Local Government; Ikorodu Division of Council of Obas and Chiefs; Secretary, Ikorodu Chieftaincy Committee; Lagos State Ministry Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice. In their originating summon, which was supported by a 22 point affidavit and filed through their lawyer, John Osighala, the claimants asked for six issues to be determined by the court. They asked the court to determine “whether the consent judgment of a Lagos High Court, Ikorodu division in suit IKD/57/ 2007 (Mathew Adetayo Shodipo and others versus Ezekiel Shodipo and others) is subsisting and valid; whether parties and privies are bound by the aforesaid judgment until same is set aside on appeal; whether fourth to eighth respondents-kingmakers are bound by the aforesaid judgment being parties in suit no IKD/57/2007 and whether eighth and ninth respondents are not bound as well being parties/ privies thereon”. They also prayed the court to determine “whether third defendant/ respondent is not bound and stopped from being presented, nominated and selected as a candidate from Lasunwon Ruling House

to any future chieftaincy title” and “whether indeed the Adegorushen Branch of the Lasunwon Royal Ruling House is not precluded by the decision in IKD/57/2007 from presenting a candidate for the now vacant title of Ayangburen of Ikorodu” The claimants also sought five reliefs which were hinged on the affirmation of the six issues raised before the court. They sought a declaration that the consent judgment of the Lagos High Court dated April 1, 2009 in suit IKD/57/2007 is subsisting, binding and in force; a declaration that by clause 2 of the consent judgment, the first, second and third respondents conceded the right to the claimants in future to the next chieftaincy title that is due and available to the Lasunwon Ruling House. They also sought a declaration that the kingmakers, fourth to seventh respondents were bound by the decision in suit IKD/57/2007 as the seventh to tenth defendants and that they cannot now consider any candidate from the Adegorushen branch of the Lasunwon ruling house and a further declaration that the third respondent, having by the aforesaid judgment, been installed as Odofin of Ikorodu cannot in defiance of the judgment, present himself as a candidate for the vacant Ayangburen Royal Chieftaincy title “and he is thereby stopped from contesting any other vacant Chieftaincy title available to the Lasunwon family. They therefore prayed the court for an injunction restraining the fifth to 10th respondents by themselves, agents, privies from considering the third respondent nor any candidate from the Adegorushen branch of the Lasunwon Chieftaincy family for the candidature of the vacant stool of Ayangburen of Ikorodu. But in their counter affidavit to the originating summon, the deponent Prince Odofin Adegboyega Aliu, averred that contrary to paragraph 17 of the affidavit in support of the originating summon, the first to the third respondents and all other defendants are not in breach of the judgment in exhibit A, paragraph 2, the first to fourth defendants conceded the right to the next chieftaincy title to that is due and available to Lasunwon ruling house to the claimants and listed the titles available as Otunba of Ikorodu. He said that contrary to paragraph 18 of the affidavit in support of the originating summon, the defendants ought not to be restrained as they have not breached the order of the court. He said counsel to third to seventh defendants informed him that judgment in suit IKD/ 57/2007 relates to chieftaincy title and not an obaship stool or position; that a chieftaincy title is different from obaship stool or position and that the nomination/selection of the third defendant by the family and kingmakers was not a breach of the judgment in suit IKD/57/2007. He urged the court to dismiss the claimants’ originating summon.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

SOUTHWEST REPORT

Why Egba must live together, by Alake W

Ayangburen: Court restrains parties from interfering in the vacant stool J

Having heard all the counsels, I am of the firm belief that my order would be complied with by all parties on the preservation of the res and as in my February 5, 2015 injunction order.

•Kabiru Shotobi, Odofin of Ikorodu

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

SOUTHWEST REPORT

‘Say No Campaign’ calls for hitch-free election

•Participants at the workshop

The ‘say No Campaign’, an NGO committed to sentisizing Nigerians on the need for peaceful election organized a voter education forum for stakeholders in Akure, the Ondo State capital recently. DAMISI OJO was there.

S the rescheduled 2015 general elections draw near, a Non-Governmental Organization (NGO) “Say No Campaign” has stressed the need for Nigerian youths and electorate to eschew violence to pave way for a peaceful poll. The group gave the charge during a Town Hall meeting on non-

violent electoral participation which it organized in Akure, Ondo State capital to educate members of the public, especially the youth on the importance of voting and making their votes count in the rescheduled elections. The objective of the group is to promote non-violence and prevent electoral fraud ahead of the forth-

coming elections. The South-West zonal Coordinator of the group, Mr. Abiodun Ajijola said the project is aimed at promoting citizens’ participation and deepen democratic governance in Nigeria with the objectives to support citizens, especially, youth to participate effectively in a violent free electoral process.

Ajijola noted that most of the violence that occurred before, during and after 2011 general elections, was perpetrated by youth a repeat of which he said they have started again in the build up to 2015 elections. He said peace is a major ingredient toward achieving any meaningful development by any country. He added that conducting credi-

Council cleans up community

Yewa Council signs bills into laws

By Emmanuel Udodinma

By Bode Monogbe

ITH excitement, the Legislative and Executive officials of Yewa South Local Government Area of Ogun State, last Thursday, signed two bills into bye- laws. They were the bye- law on the Sales of identification jackets to all commercial motorcycle riders and bye -law for the establishment of an environmental sanitation task force. The event was epoch-making as it was the first of its kind in the council; the first time bye- law to be so gazetted by the state government and because of the calibre of guests that witnessed the event. In his opening remarks, the Leader of the Legislative Council, Hon Bankole Sheriff Olanrewaju, underscored the relevance of the bye-laws in regulating the conduct of commercial motorcyclists and ensuring a hygienic environment for residents of the council. All these, according to him, will guarantee good governance. He assured that the legislative arm under him would always make laws for the good of the council. He described the event as very germane as it had public presentation, enlightenment and promulgation being performed at the same time. In his welcome address, the Chairman of the council, Alhaji

ble, violence free and fair election was one of the ways to achieve peace by any nation saying “Electoral violence, whether before, during or after, will always disrupt the needed peace that will be the catalyst for the desired growth and development of a nation”. Highlights of the seminar include voter education to members, questions and answers on Permanent Voters Cards (PVC) collection, new dates for the elections, voting process and what constitute electoral offences. Addressing the gathering, the State Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Mr. Segun Agbaje said the journey towards consolidating and deepening the country’s nascent democratic process should be the collaborative efforts of the Civil Society Organizations. He explained that to foster effective security for the conduct of the coming general elections, the commission had established the interagency Consultative Committee on Election Security in the state. Agbaje said the committee had mapped out several strategies towards ensuring that the elections are conducted in a rancor free environment. He said:” For the avoidance of doubt, only PVC shall be used for voting during the 2015 General Elections. The Temporary Voter’s Cards (TVCs) shall not be used saying “No PVC, No Voting”. The President National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS) Ondo State, Kowe Odunayo who also spoke at the event appealed to students not to compromise their future by saying no to corruption and election rigging. He noted that politicians would want to gain their support by offering them money, decrying a situation where students would be allowed to remain in school during the general elections.

•Fro left: Hon Olanrewaju; Clerk fo the House, Comrade Idowu Ajayi and Alhaji Odebiyi signing the bills

Safiu Abiodun Odebiyi, described the event as “the product of the activities of the councillors.” He added that without bye-laws, councils will not function well, noting that the Sanitation and Commercial motorcycle bye-laws are necessary to ensure better life for the citizenry. He, therefore, enjoined guests to properly enlighten the people on the laws. The Legal Adviser to the council, Mr Tunde Ogunsola spoke on some of the important aspects of the byelaws and the public presentation .He said as commercial motor cycle riding has become a means of livelihood for many, coupled with recent happenings as they relate to attitude of the riders ,it has become necessary to regulate the conduct of individuals in the business. He enjoined owners and motor cyclists to

visit the council and register for Identification jackets as ignorance will not be an excuse . On the Sanitation bye- law, he said every Thursday of the week would henceforth be observed as Sanitation day in all markets ,stalls and shops within the council between 8.00am and 10.00am.Besides,al l residents in the council shall observe last Saturday of the month as a Santation day in line with state government regulations from 7.00am to 10.00 am .Under the law, it is now an offence to dump refuse in public places ,it carries a fine. It is also mandatory for each household to procure dustbins from the council. Again, vehicles shall not be abandoned on the road beyond 24 hours after which it may be impounded. During question and answer time, guests praised the efforts of the coun-

cil in making life more conducive for residents but asked for more time to spread the news. In his closing remarks, the Head of Local Government Administration, Engr Babatunde Odunlami allayed all fears of rushing into implementation. He said the council would visit every nook and cranny of the council area to explain to the people, assuring that every interest would be taken care of .He said that consultation on the bye-law started on August 13,2013 and interestingly, they were gazetted for April 2014.Besides using the public address system of the council to popularise the laws, the council will go radio ,television, newspapers and other media outfit to inform the residents of the council before implementing them, he assured.

LEANLINESS is next to godliness so goes a saying. This was the message the wife of Executive secretary of Ikeja Local Government Area, Mrs Olaide Adeokun sent to the resident of Ikeja community during the February sanitation exercise in the area.. In an effort to ensure cleanliness in the communities within the Ikeja Local Government Area, the office of the Executive secretary organised the monthly environment sanitation exercise which hold on the last Saturday of every month. The programme which was kicked off at council headquarters at Ikeja was led by the deputy Executive Secretary, Prince Oluranti Olufon and involved other council officials. Sanitation tools such as hand gloves, brooms, rakes and waste nylon were distributed to the participants. Mrs Adeokun urged residents of the community to imbibe good satiation habits as a way of staying healthy and keeping environmental hazards at bay. She advised the residents to dispose of their wastes properly rather than dumping them in drainage channel which could trigger health problems and cause severe flooding. Mrs Adeokun said poor sanitation habits could jeopardise the people’s health, thereby reducing their productivity. Also speaking Deputy Executive secretary said that the council was disturbed over the nonchalant attitude of some residents who block water channels with domestic wastes.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

SOUTHWEST REPORT ‘SURE-P not a treasury looting gimmick’ From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

•Adults sleeping in one of the classrooms in the floating school at Makoko Community, Yaba, Lagos...on Monday.

•Ogun State Governor Ibikunle Amosun (left), receiving a copy of a musical CD produced by Tolu Julius during an interactive session with the physicallychallenged and NonGovernmental Organisations at the Mission to Rebuild (MTR) Hall, Ibara, Abeokuta.... on Monday.

KITI State Coordinator of the Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P), Chief Femi Akinyemi, has debunked claims in some quarters that the scheme was designed by the ruling Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) to loot the nation’s treasury. Akinyemi who spoke with reporters in Ado-Ekiti also denied that SURE-P was a means of political patronage for PDP leaders and members stressing that the scheme was meant to empower Nigerians not minding which party they have sympathy for. He disclosed that the Federal Government pays monthly stipends of N32 million to 3,000 beneficiaries of the scheme in Ekiti State. The SURE-P chief explained that the scheme has helped in stemming the tide of unemployment in the country. Akinyemi added that the employment of the youths to perform some communal jobs under the scheme, had helped in nipping the rising wave of criminality in the State. He assured that drivers of the scheme will continue to live up to the expectations of Nigerians by being prudent and ensuring that all unemployed youths are captured into the scheme to expand the scope of its benefits. Akinyemi said: “About 3,000 are benefiting from the scheme monthly In Ekiti State and you can imagine the effect it would have on Nigerians considering the number of people that are benefiting across the country”.

6,000 people benefit from MTN free eye treatment in Ondo From Damisi Ojo,Akure.

UCCOUR has come the way of no fewer than 6000 people across the 18 Local Government Areas of Ondo state who had eye problems. They have benefited from the free eye care treatment organized by communications giant, MTN, Nigeria. The beneficiaries of the free medical eye treatment in the state also went away with financial gift, eye glasses and other medical facilities courtesy of the MTN Foundation. Speaking at the programme held at the Medical Village, Ondo, the state Governor, Dr Olusegun Mimiko said the initiative was similar to that of the state government. He said the present administration in the state has committed huge resources to the medical need of the citizenry. Mimiko lauded MTN for supporting his administration through the programme, just as he assured that his government would continue to cater for the medical needs of the overwhelming people of the state. The Governor, who highlighted the achievements of his administration in the health sector, said the people of Ondo state, especially the women folk enjoy free medical care since his assumption of office. Also speaking, the Director, MTN Foundation, Mr Dennis Okoro said the initiative was borne out of the research carried out by the foundation which revealed that over one million Nigerians are blind, while over three million of them are living with visual impairment.

Council chief on how to improve education standard

TAKEHOLDERS at this year’s Spelling Bee Competition in Oriade Local Council Development Area of Lagos State have proposed genuine commitment on the part of government, parents and teachers to revive reading culture in schools and improve the dwindling fortunes in the education sector. Speaking at the event held at the council’s secretariat, the Executive Secretary of the LCDA, Hon. Bola Badmus- Olujobi said reading is the gateway to learning without which children cannot access a broad and balanced education, even as she noted that in today’s literate world, academic success, securing employment and personal autonomy depend on reading and writing proficiency. She expressed her appreciation to the wife of Lagos State Governor, Mrs. Abimbola Fashola for ensuring the continuity of the annual competition which was initiated by wife of former governor of the state, Senator Oluremi Tinubu. Hon. Badmus-Olujobi noted that education is the bedrock of any emerging society, saying: “the event aimed at encouraging our young ones to strive towards excellence and hard work as means of achieving greatness. This competition is all about learning and improving one’s knowledge through spellings and mastering of words and how to build them.” Describing reading as a skill that enhances other skills, she lamented the alarming prevalence of poor reading culture among all segments of the Nigerian society, especially among school children. She added that with little or no direct instruction, almost all young children develop the ability to understand spoken language while majority never

•Hon Babatunde Aregbe Saliu (fifth left); Hon Kabiru Sanusi (six left); Hon Tajudeen Yusuff (fifth right), Head of Department on Educatiaon, Mrs Anifowose Sherifat (second right) with some of the students who won prizes at the competition. By Oluwatoyin Adeleye

learn to read unless they are taught to. She suggested that the best way to stop reading failure is to teach reading in an organised, systematic and efficient way by knowledgeable teachers in a well-designed instructional approach. “The problem is that our pupils have never been efficiently and effectively taught to read. Sadly, the method of teaching reading in Nigeria today places undue emphasis on vocabulary and encourages memorisation. “What a reader needs most is how to decode and comprehend a word. Every primary school teacher in Nigeria knows that the greatest problem of children with reading disabil-

ity is decoding. However, a good instructional approach will not produce the desired result without a knowledgeable teacher. Teaching reading is a job for experts. Learning to read is a complex linguistic task which is, in itself tasking. For many children, it requires efforts and incremental skill development,” she said. Hon. Badmus-Olujobi emphasised that children should be given the necessary encouragement to regard reading as a habit, saying it is one of the tools through which illiteracy could be eradicated. “Errors that have been seen as normal by classroom dynamics over the years can be overcome by reading extensively and through constant practice. We must return to a culture of reading,” she said.

Continuing, she said spelling is a fundamental step in education and should be taken seriously. Her words: “Spelling forms part of the fundamentals of reading even though many inadvertently ignore it. It is a matter that should be taken seriously.” The Spelling Bee Competition was among various primary and secondary schools within the council area. Master Kadiri Fawaz of Kuje Amuwo Primary School came first in the primary school category for his brilliant performance while Avworhokai Favour of Oluwole Primary School took the second position and Miss Mabel Joseph came third. In the secondary school category, Shoriola Oluwatobi of Dr Lucas Memorial Senior High School took the first position; Miss Odafe Joy of Amu-

wo-Odofin Senior High School came second, while Olugbese George of Dr Lucas Memorial Senior High School took the third position. Commenting on his ability to defeat other contestants, Shoriola Oluwatobi said it was through hard work and God’s favour that he was successful. He promised to work harder, even as he urged his colleagues to also put in their best in their studies. Master Kadiri Fawaz said he was elated for clinching the first position in the primary category. “I am very happy because it is not easy. I want to win at the state level of the competition. To achieve this, I will start preparation early,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

SOUTHWEST REPORT

‘Save us from multiple taxes’

HAT challenges are you having running a hotel in Nigeria? The cost of running hotel is enormous. You know without power, you cannot wash. You have to make the place neat and so many facilities are linked with power. Most of our colleagues resort to running their generators at night alone maybe to 10 pm or 12am and they shut it down because they are trying to conserve fuel, we don’t do that here, we don’t short-change our customers. Even if there is no guest we still have to keep the generator running. What inspired you into the hospitality business? I came to Ekiti in 2007 after retiring from the federal civil service to come and run an administrative company but on getting here, I found out that there was no quality accommodation, no five- star treatment and so, I ventured into hospitality management to provide something different from what was on ground here. How much have you invested in this business? It is an ongoing business so we cannot say this is how much it has cost us to do this. Mostly in Nigeria, we rely on banking facilities, so if you talk to our bankers they will tell you how many negative zeros we have in our account. But this will not discourage us because tomorrow will be better and because a man without a dream is a dead man and the reason why we are all alive is because we believe that tomorrow will be better. In our organization we believe that there is a better future for Nigeria and there would be a major turnaround for the country. What made Germany and other countries in Europe to work will make Nigeria work, we only need to be disciplined a bit and be more committed in whatever service we render, a man should aspire to do his best all the time. I can give an example; you can’t just pick someone on the street and put him to work, when we pick someone we send him on an intensive training, minimum of two

weeks before he can fit in to our culture here. We see ourselves as stars so we smile to our customers. We anticipate our customers with interest and respond quickly to whatever request they make. We know that if we do that, one day in nearest future, people will appreciate what we are offering and our business will have a turnaround from what it is now and we start smiling to the bank and by then, our power system would have improved. Earlier this year, we were thinking of acquiring solar power considering the expenses of diesel but when the management and the board sat, we discovered that within a year the possibility of us having a full power is there considering the huge investment government is making on it. So it will be too early and may be wasteful for us to go and put N24 million into a solar system when it is being said that before next year, we will have better power supply in the country. In about 27 months that we had been in existence, we have not had any case of armed robbery attack and the reason is that we have very effective security system. You can see that when you were coming in, your vehicles were checked with bomb detectors. Also we are very close to the police station who in their magnanimity support us very well. Every night, we have two armed guards here. And we usually have regular patrol. Apart from this, we do not just open our doors to just anybody, in town you would have been told that De Jewels Hotel is an elitist facility. If you are coming here, there is a way you would dress that we may not allow you in. Some boys came hold a party here sometime ago and from the way they were behaving they were unruly, so we had to return their money to them and asked them to leave. This we do because we do not want our esteemed guests to be rubbished by any miscreant. That is why we screened anyone coming in here. We restrained ourselves from building a swimming pool until the demands were so high, because we have seen that swimming pools attract unwanted elements, some people may use the

swimming pool to spy on important people. But now that we have a swimming pool, we raised our stake, for you to swim here it not N500 like everywhere else and even if you can afford to pay there is a way you have to comport yourself so that our esteemed guests are not harassed. We want our customers to leave here and have confidence in us. We have a guest register and you can see the comments that people made there. I’m sure Professor Jega of INEC slept here, Former Governor Alao Akala also slept here. Kate Henshaw and so many important people and they have good things to say about us. It is because of the way we run this business, we are not only after the money but also to give you the comfort that you deserve. What advice do you have for the Police? Every system is garbage in, garbage out, what you put in is what you get as output. We have invested in our community. I’m sure nobody in this community would see somebody who wants to vandalize (what we have done for them) and

•Olajubu

The hospitality industry in Ekiti State is growing, thanks to the efforts of entrepreneurs like Asiwaju Oyedeji Olajubu, the owner of De Jewel Apartments one of the most popular hotels in Ado-Ekiti the State capital. The businessman who also sits atop other companies spoke with ODUNAYO OGUNMOLA on the challenges facing the hospitality industry and other issues.

We don’t discriminate on whom we employ. Our doors are open to as many as would come. We screen you and do proper interview and also train you for the job. And if you respond well to our training, we employ you. There is no preferential treatment for those who are natives of Ado Ekiti. For you to be residing here makes you a native of Ado.

would not stop the person. There was a time the police station here didn’t have light and we took it upon ourselves to provide them power with generator. As such they respond to us as soon as possible. If all hospitality people would not look only at the money they would put in their pockets, but also think of what they can give the society, I’m sure people around them and even the police would protect them. But I can tell you, as far as we are concerned here, we have enjoyed maximum security from the police. What is your staff strength and do you have preferential treatment for the natives? On your last question, we don’t discriminate on whom we employ. Our doors are open to as many as would come. We screen you and do proper interview and also train you for the job. And if you respond well to our training, we employ you. There is no preferential treatment for those who are natives of Ado Ekiti. For you to be residing here makes you a native of Ado. For example, I’m from Ilesha but have been living here for many years. I have so many investments here and I have over 200 employees in my business. But on social responsibility, we count ourselves as being very responsible. If you are working here, we ensure that you pay your tax. We enjoin our staff to do PENCOM. All our staffers are entitled to free medical services. Just last year, we gave out five motorbikes to our junior staffers who have worked here for two years. It is a policy here that as a senior staff, if you have worked for two years, you get a vehicle. The company pays a quarter of it, you pay the rest in installment out of your salary, interest free. We even encourage training of our staff. We constructed a tarred road up to a kilometre and drainage to control the volume of water during rainy season. What makes your services here unique? The services you get here, you cannot get it anywhere else. From what we have gathered in other hospitality businesses elsewhere, here we offer

extraordinary service. As a guest here, we carry your bags for you, hardly would you open the door, unless nobody sees you coming in. We open the door for you with a smile, and offer the services for you promptly. Here, we have about 25 rooms and 53 staff. So, the number of staff outnumbered the rooms. The culture we have here is that of humility, it is a culture of putting the other person first. It is only someone who is humble that would want to take care of others first before self, this is what we do here. That is why we say whatever you want, we can provide it. If you come here and you say you want to eat the Gbanunu (local food) that is being eaten in far away Ondo, we would just tell you to give us 45 minutes and before you know it, the Gbanunu is right there on your table. You would be surprised that I can also help you serve your drinks if I see that my staffers are so busy with other things. It doesn’t take anything away from me or my staff, we are here to put a smile on your face. What advice do you have for the Nigeria Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC)? The NTDC, as a regulatory body, must fight for us in the area of taxation. The Federal Government through the Federal Inland Revenue Service and the State Government through tax collectors always approach us for taxes. We also pay tenement rate, which are affecting our investment and reducing our ability to expand. The Signage and Advertisement Agency will come and impose its charges. The NTDC needs to do proper registration of all hotels and come up with recommendations to the States and Federal Government on a definite tax that can be paid and this should be based on the services being rendered. Hospitality business must enjoy some tax reliefs because we are operating under a harsh condition in our efforts to give customers the needed comfort. This will enable it to grow faster to be able to contribute to the economy of this country, specifically in the areas of tourism and job creation.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

THE NATION INVESTORS

Market pundits still cautious about equities’ outlook GAINST the background of capital gains of about N198 billion in February and largely bullish trading so far this month, market analysts remain cautious about the outlook for the Nigerian equities in the immediate to short-term. Many leading analysts said the market situation remained precarious in spite of the likely boost from corporate earnings citing subsisting high political risks and uncertain policy risks. Analysts said they the upside potential of corporate earnings and dividend recommendations would be mitigated by perceived sovereign and market risks as investors wait anxiously for the conduct of the March 28 presidential and national assembly elections. Chief Executive Officer, Finawell Capital Limited, Mr. Tunde Oyekunle, said the recovering outlook for this month will be greatly offset by the high

Stories by Taofik Salako

political risk the country is facing at this crucial time. According to him, the muddled political campaigns, dwindling reserves and slowdown in economic growth would combine to reduce the impact of good dividend payouts by quoted companies. Head, Research and Intelligence, BGL Plc, Femi Ademola, said the stock market would remain in a topsy-turvy as it fluctuates to corporate earnings and unfolding politics and policy changes. “The market will remain sentimentally bearish and trade up and down until end of the month when the presidential election is expected to have been held. The success of the election will usher in a rally post-election and especially immediately after the inauguration of the new government in

How to develop capital market, RESIDENT, Chartered Instiby Okumagba tute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr.

Albert Okumagba, has called for a mix of amenable policies and incentives to woo investors to the Nigerian capital market and encourage listing by Nigerian and foreign companies. Okumagba, who spoke against the background of recent initiatives by the CIS to boost market confidence, said all stakeholders, including the government and regulators, have roles to play in the development of the capital market and they must all work together to drive the process of growth. According to him, there is overriding need to continue to create an enabling environment to make the investors, both local and foreign, regain confidence in the market. “We need to encourage rules that will deepen the market especially in areas of capturing major sectors of the economy that are not currently well-represented in the capital market, for instance telecommunication, power, entertainment and oil and gas sectors. We need to also deploy the existing huge savings in pension funds to develop the economy and the capital market through investment in infrastructure,” Okumagba said. He noted that there is still pervasive crisis of confidence in the market especially, among the local investors pointing out that the negative impact of the margin loan has not been forgotten. “This is why you have more speculators than long-term investors, accounting for high volatility and instability. Currently, the macro economy, with dwindling oil prices, devaluation of the Naira, exchange rate instability is not helping matters. Lastly, the socio-political situation with insurgency in the North East and the upcoming 2015 elections in Nigeria constitute additional uncertainties; thereby accentuating the risk of investing in our market,” Okumagba said. According to him, the devaluation of the Naira could lead to both negative and positive development for the Nigerian economy depending on how government handles the fallouts of the depreciation. He explained that devaluation on one hand, could encourage local industries which can now earn more Naira on their exports with positive impact on the country’s trade balances while on the other hand, it will bring about closure of many companies that depend mainly on imported raw materials as the cost of their inputs will increase significantly upon conversion to their Naira equivalent. “For Nigeria which is largely import dependent, the overall impact will likely be negative in the short run. This could result in negative macroeconomic indices such as higher rate of unemployment,

lower GDP and lower industry capacity utilisation. These could immediately lead to a reduction in the profits of some listed companies thereby reducing the potential for capital appreciation and dividend return, hence hurting the capital market,” Okumagba said. He however noted that in the long run, devaluation could be a positive development for the economy as manufacturers opts for local substitutes to imported raw materials and the country’s exports become competitive. Corporate earnings will also become more stable as they are no longer significantly exposed to foreign exchange volatility. This will benefit the capital market. He emphasized the roles of government in the development of the capital market pointing out that the importance of the government in the economy of a developing nation like Nigeria cannot be overemphasised in the area of directing the economy, formulating, implementing and enforcing policies. According to him, as an institute, the CIS has reinforced and reinvigorated its various advocacy platforms available to engage government in various areas for the good of the country and the capital market. “We believe there is need for collaboration and exchange of ideas among professionals on subjects of common interest, in addition, to making and supporting representation to government and other appropriate agencies of government on matters affecting the parties and the Nigerian economy. We are collaborating to become a stronger force to further the mutual interests of the parties, and the development of the Nigerian socio-economic life,” Okumagba said. He urged investors to seek advice from professional fund managers to avoid high risks that currently characterise the market. According to him, in a situation of uncertainty such as the market is now, the level of risk is higher; hence investors should be cautious. In every crisis, there are both chaos and opportunities. To tap these opportunities, investors with little or no experience should always engage the services of experts to manage their wealth. This should provide them with the benefit of professional advice. “I will specifically advise small investors to invest in well-managed funds at this time. The fund managers have the experience to manage portfolios of well-diversified assets for reasonable returns at relatively lower levels of risk. Finally, this time also presents investors opportunities to generate abnormal returns because Nigerian equities are significantly undervalued,” Okumagba advised.

May 2015. For the month of March, trading will be cautious with bargain hunters taking advantage of low prices of stock but quick to take profit as they see fit,” Ademola said. According to him, since the middle of the second half of 2014, the capital market has been suffering the effects of multiple factors such as the complete stoppage of the quantitative easing (QE) by the United States Federal Reserves, the security concerns in the North-Eastern region of the country, the decline in oil price and the consequent exchange rate volatility and the forthcoming general election which appears to be the most fiercely contested since the return to democracy in 1999. He however noted that although the ‘carry trade’ opportunity was reduced with the end of US QE, the planned QE of about Euro1.1 trillion in 2015 may cause a reversal of funds back to the emerging markets including, Nigeria; hence a possibility of a continuing carry trade opportunity to Nigeria’s benefit. He added that the recent success of the military in sacking the militants from several towns that were hitherto there strongholds in the North-Eastern Nigeria is dousing market concern based on security. He said the reversal of the

downtrend in oil price is bringing back hope of economic stability while the closure of the official foreign exchange market has given the market a huge breather. “However, the uncertainties surrounding the next election are still there and very significant,” Ademola noted. Nigerian equities rode on the back of increased bargain-hunting and positioning for the new earnings seasons to record a modest gain of N198 billion in February. The bullish performance in the second month contrasted sharply with the downtrend in January when equities lost N1.63 trillion. Aggregate market value of all quoted equities on the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) closed February at N10.045 trillion as against its opening value of N9.847 trillion for the month. This represented capital gains of N198 billion. The benchmark index at the stock market, the All Share Index (ASI)-a value-based common index that tracks prices of all shares on the NSE, closed the month at 30,103.81 points compared with its opening index of 29,562.07 points for the month. This indicated month-on-month average gain of 1.83 per cent. The upswing in February moder-

ated the negative overall market situation as average year-to-date return improved to -13.14 per cent as against -14.70 per cent recorded in January. Analysis of the price movement trend showed widespread bullish sentiments during the month with investors showing greater interests in undervalued banking stocks. All the group indices at the NSE closed higher, with the exception of the consumer goods index which closed on the downside. The NSE 30 Index, which tracks the 30 most capitalized stocks at the stock market, recorded a month-on-month average return of 2.71 per cent. The NSE Banking Index recorded the highest gain of 10 per cent. It was followed by the NSE Oil and Gas Index, which rose by 8.13 per cent. The NSE Lotus Islamic Index, which tracks stocks that comply with Islamic jurisprudence, chalked up 7.53 per cent. The NSE Industrial Goods Index showed a modest appreciation of 0.46 per cent while the NSE Insurance Index inched up by 0.11 per cent. Total turnover during the month stood at 7.74 billion shares worth N92.25 billion in 84,768 deals. Financial services sector continued to dominate the market with a monthly turnover of 5.94 billion shares valued at N46.28 billion in 50,330 deals.

•From Left: Suleyman Ndanusa, Chairman, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC); Kalilou Traore, Commissioner Industry and Private Promotion, ECOWAS Commission; Oscar Onyema, Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Stock Exchange and Edoh Kossi Amenounve, CEO, Bourse Regionale Des Valeurs Mobilieres, during the 5th meeting of the West African Capital Market Integration Council (WACMIC) in Abuja.

Oando's $234m hedge windfall boosts investors' confidence

NVESTORS have increased buy orders for shares of Oando Plc as market analysts respond favourably to the $234 million windfall from the proactive hedge deal by its subsidiary, Oando Energy Resources (OER). OER has announced a $238 million prepayment of certain loan facilities, which it utilised for the $1.5 billion acquisition of the ConocoPhillips Nigerian oil and gas business in July, 2014. The company had realised $234 million by resetting its crude oil hedge floor price from an average of $95.35 per barrel to $65.00 per barrel on 10,615 bbls/day for the next 18 months and another 1,553 bbls/day for a further 18 months until January 2019. The company will pay an additional $4 million from its cash reserves. The funds will be applied towards a $238 million loan pre-payment, thereby substantially reducing the company's total debt for the acquisition of ConocoPhillips Nigeria (COPN) from $900 million to $615 million. Through astute management of its balance sheet the company has managed to reduce its debt by 30 percent in the space of seven months post the acquisition of COPN and also save $65 million in interest payments over the remaining term of the loan. "We think Oando is a valued stock for the future based on our analysis. We also think the company's growth plans are laudable. The only major

concern is the issue of its debt exposure and its impact on profitability going forward. However as stated earlier, the hedging strategy seems to have paid off as it has eased the debt burden somewhat," Sewa Wusu, head of research and investment advisory at Sterling Capital Markets, said. According to him, Oando has very bright prospects, once the huge debt burden is over, the company would begin to enjoy significant benefits from all the acquired assets with increased capacity to support growth momentum in terms of earnings. He said Oando as an indigenous player in the oil and gas sector is a future stock worth holding noting that the stock is currently trading at about 64 per cent below its fair valuation of about N24.65, on a 12 month investment horizon. Oando opened yesterday at N15 per share at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE). Chief Executive Officer, Oando Energy Resources, Pade Durotoye, said hedge positions are investment decisions often taken by companies with the intention of offsetting potential losses and gains that may be incurred, especially during a global downturn. According to him, the decline in global crude oil prices led to a substantial gain for the company and it has 10,832 bbls/day average production hedged for the balance of 2015 and 8,000 bbls/ day for 2016. “Cashing out some value from this

hedge will enable us reduce our outstanding loans and leverage by $238 million, saving the company $65 million in interest payments over the remaining term of the loan facilities, whilst preserving a floor of $65 per barrel. With 50 per cent of our oil production hedged and 65% of our production being gas committed to stable long term priced contracts, we are well positioned with strong cashflow to meet our obligations and aspirations through this current oil price down cycle," Durotoye said. He noted that the more leveraged a company is the greater its financial risk, by taking the proactive step of having hedging tools in place and significantly reducing its leverage profile, OER is optimising its balance sheet for increased earnings which could translate to rewards for shareholders in the mid to long term. According to him, in this downturn there is an increased likelihood of consolidation within the energy industry, a strong balance sheet means that OER is in a good place for further mergers and acquisitions following the successful $1.5 billion landmark acquisition of COPN. The acquisition has seen the company move from producing circa 5,000 boepd to circa 53,100 boped today. Through a combination of organic growth and mergers and acquisitions the company has indicated that it is looking at producing 100,000 boped by 2019.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

SMALL BUSINESS AND ENTREPRENEURSHIP

Essiet_daniel@yahoo.com 08180714151

Emerging group of exporters are making money from exporting African foods to meet the needs of Nigerians and other Africans abroad. The increase in prices of such commodities is creating opportunities for more people, reports DANIEL ESSIET.

Making money from foodstuff export

LOT of Nigerians and other Africans abroad may have enjoyed all kinds of delicacies beef, pork, poultry, meat, fish, cheese, milk, vegetables and fruits domiciled in their country of abode may offer. But their crave for local dishes, such as egusi, amala, pounded yam, and Oha soup has not diminished. In last 20 years, restaurant across Europe and America have thrived, making these delicacies a regular feature on their menus. To sustain their business, they have practically created a good opportunity for exporters, who have since been supplying them with a variety of foodstuffs to keep their business going. The sheer volume of those involved in the running of these African kitchens, as they were, has indicated that a massive supply gap must be plugged, especially on a daily basis. Adressing a seminar in Lagos, the Chief Executive, The Thy Consulting, Ismail AbdulAzeez, said the demand for local foodstuffs in Europe and America is rising due to increasing number of Africans, particularly Nigerians, sojourning there. This, he explained, has created the need for foodstuffs exporters to supply African restaurants in the United States (US) and Europe. He listed the commodities as smoked fish; garri; beans flour; melon seed; ogbono; cassava flour; bitter leaf; dried pumpkin leaf;

•From left: Mrs Olusola Ige, Mrs Modupeola Oke, Mr Segun Akindele and Abdulazeez after the workshop in Sango Ota, Ogun State.

pepper; pap and vegetable leaves, among others. According to him, there is a market for traditional and innovative food products in North America and Europe, but that buyers are interested in high-quality food products and strict safety standards. He explained that food stuff presents a great opportunity for small companies to enter overseas food market .

The volume of Nigerian export of foodstuffs to these countries is still on a very small scale considering the estimation of well over 20 million Nigerians, who reside outside the country, with the majority living in the United Kingdom (UK) and the US. This, he noted, has created opportunity for more Nigerians to come into the business to meet increasing demand. Describing it as an opportunity

for Nigerians, who want to start small export business, Abdul Azeez said the first thing is to find out from a relative abroad what kinds of local delicacies are in demand. After that the new entrants will identify where to source such produce locally. According to him, exporters of agricultural consumer products would be well served to get in touch with knowledgeable Nige-

rians living in Europe and the US as many members have a great degree of expertise about the complex market. For food products to do well, a combination of good marketing and attractive packaging, he said, is a must together with quality produce. Though one can start small, he advised on the need to incorporate a limited liability company, register with Nigerian Exports Promotion Council (NEPC), have an e-mail address, a mobile phone and a domiciliary account with a bank. He emphasised the need for local training to reduce losses incurred by Nigerian exporters due to non-compliance with health standards on food produce exports. He said with the large number of Africans in the Diaspora, the potential of food export business is vast in Europe and America where Nigerians visiting such places flock to ethnic-food shops, supermarkets, natural and organic food stores, fair trade co-ops, industrial end-users, and the many layers within the food service industry to buy local foodstuffs. According to him, foods export opportunities exist around the world and some key markets have the potential for increased purchases from local exporters. Small food stuff exporters, he said, have an opportunity to build on strong reputation for quality food produce and grow sales in few years.

Pigs have the highest yield in terms of profit. They cost a little to maintain and produce much more meat than other domestic animals. But running a piggery can be challenging, an entrepreneur, Wole Osileye, tells DANIEL ESSIET.

Young entrepreneur driving piggery business

OLE Osileye, Chief Executive, Wisewaters Strategies and Resources Limited is a young businessman making a career in agriculture. He is someone, whose venture into piggery project has paid off. He started piggery business in January 2013 with 11 pigs, whose number has increased to 100 and created employment opportunities for others. According to him, his main expenses are on feeds, consisting maize, brewery waste, cassava peels and others, which he mixes with pig concentrates to produce the feeds for the pigs. Observing a prompt and scheduled feeding of the pigs ought to have translated into an immediate profit for him, however, it was not so. Piggery, he was made to understand, is a long term project which consumes much time and energy. Operating from the piggery estate in Oke-Aro, in Ogun State, Osileye said the experience could be challenging for a first timer, adding that there were times, he thought of abandoning the venture several times. What hurt him most was losing two of his pigs. Aside, he has had to battle high feed prices, worms and diseases. Diseases, which commonly affect pigs are pneumonia, diarrhoea, piglet anaemia and helminthiasis. To prevent this,Osileye said the business requires a clean environment, safe and secure rearing methods. Although the challenges are real, the joy of pig farmers across the estate is the avalability of a ready market. According to him, piglets are sold on first come first serve basis,

but there is the challenge of meeting demands from fellow breeders. “Generally, a sow could have as many as 30 piglets per year in between two cycles of pregnancy, but it might not always turn out that way, ” he said. According to him, there are times a sow can give birth to three piglets depending on feed conversion ratio. “When a piglet feeds well it could gain a weight of 80 kg within three months and 120 kg in six months,” he said. But this is not always the case because pigs do not grow at the same rate. When selecting pigs for breeding, he said, one must always go for those with good mothering abilities. As entrepreneurs, he said, pig

farmers must work hard and be smart. According to him,they have to conduct research, plan carefully, keep track of finances, and be able to adapt when things go wrong. To relieve his growing responsibilities, Osileye said he paid somebody to clean the pens and scrub the floors. “Along the line I read everything I can lay my hands on. I also ask other pig farmers for advice and to know the local feed and veterinary suppliers,” he said. Osileye is a go-getter, very dynamic and is always trying out new ideas. He hopes to increase production, and number of permanent structures in his piggery. Osileye is optimistic that the growing agriculture industry will benefit his business.

•A pig in pen

Energising women entrepreneurship Concerns on women’s empowerment are increasing. This was the focus at this year’s Women’s Day organised by the Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON) in Lagos. DANIEL ESSIET reports. HE idea of women’s economic empowerment has become increasingly prominent in policy discourse. This followed the challenge of increasing family income and sustainable livelihoods. While the country has got enough male entrepreneurs, there are disproportionately fewer women entrepreneurs. To watchers, the economy needs more entrepreneurs to create jobs and grow the economy. This has instigated increasing campaigns to get more women running businesses and addressing specific factors, which discour-

aged women from starting or taking over small firms. Speaking at this year’s women’s day organised by Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria(ASBON) in Lagos, Head of Private Banking, Stanbic IBTC Bank, MrsOlufunkeIsichei, said supporting women entrepreneurs is vital to strengthening the creativity, innovation, and potential of millions of individuals and promoting economic opportunity. Mrs Isichei stressed that with the situation of the economy women should start getting involved in entrepreneurship and

anything to do with creating new business ideas. According to her, the economy is in need of women innovators and entrepreneurs, who bring ideas to life, drive economic growth and expand human welfare. She advised women to explore opportunities to grow their businesses, emphasising the urgent need to develop entrepreneurial skills among women entrepreneurs. According to Isichei, there is a huge gap in skills that needs to be bridged and structured interventions are critical, adding that it is

not enough to have a good business idea, or funding, but that women entrepreneurs need to have the capacity, knowledge and motivation to make their enterprise succeed. She reiterated that her bank will continue to support ASBON women as part of its ongoing support to expand opportunities for women to improve their economic lives. Consultant Psychiatrist, Pinnacle Medical Services, Dr Maymunah Kadiri, echoed the same thought, stressing the importance of women getting involved in entrepreneural ventures.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

BUSINESS AFRICA

Zimbabwe’s growth may weaken Scotia bank pulls out of Egypt T amid ‘difficult’ prospects

IMBABWE’s growth may weaken as the southern African nation’s economic prospects remain “difficult,” according to the International Monetary Fund. The government needs to cut spending on salaries and restore confidence in its financial industry, head of the IMF’s Staff Monitored Programme for Zimbabwe, Domenico Fanizza told reporters in the capital, Harare on Monday. The country is making “token payments” of $150,000 a month in a bid to clear the $125 million it owes the Washington-based lender, he said.

“The top priority is to move resources from a too-high wage bill to much-needed capital and social spending,” Fanizza said. “The authorities intend to work toward reducing the share of revenues absorbed by the wage bill.” Zimbabwe’s economy has struggled to recover after shrinking about 40 percent between 2000 and 2009 when the government evicted most of the country’s 3,500 white commercial farmers as part of a programme to distribute land to black Zimbabweans. Growth will probably be 3.2 percent this year, little changed from 2014, with deflation persisting, central bank

Governor John Mangudya said on Feb. 11. Fanizza didn’t give growth targets. “We are continuously clarifying our indigenisation policy,” Finance Minister Patrick Chinamasa said Monday at the event with Fanizza. Zimbabwe plans to start clearing arrears by the first quarter of 2016, he said. “Until us clear our arrears we are not in a situation were we can engage with our creditors for new money.” Zimbabwe is also “mobilising resources to accelerate compensation to the former farmers,” Chinamasa said. “This is a matter that we have to grapple with.”

HE Bank of Nova Scotia has sold its loan and deposit portfolio in Egypt to the Arab African International Bank (AAIB), as Canadian banks continue to assess and reorganise their global operations. Scotia had been in Egypt since 1976, with a branch in Cairo. The director of Scotia’s international banking communications Marcelo GomezWiuckstern, said the decision to pull out “is purely strategic” as the bank seeks to deploy resources in line with a set of “focused priorities.” As part of the agreement, AAIB will become Scotia’s “preferred correspondent bank” in Egypt to serve the customers of Canada’s third-largest bank who do business in the country, said Mr. Gomez-Wiuckstern. RBC restructures Caribbean wealth management operations How RBC’s acquisition of U.S. wealth manager City National is

changing its operations abroad “Our focus in this transition was to find a partner who shares our values and commitment to providing great service to our customers,” he said. In addition to acquiring Scotia’s portfolio of deposits and loans in Egypt, AAIB picks up a trade finance portfolio. Intense global regulation, and domestic growth that is poised to slow, are among the trends causing Canadian banks to reassess the costs and benefits of their international operations. In November, Royal Bank of Canada said a “strategic review” led to the decision to exit the bank’s international client wealth-management business in the Caribbean. Officials at RBC, Canada’s largest bank by market capitalization, said at the time the restructuring was part of a plan to pursue “sustainable, controlled growth and profitable scale” in priority markets.

Food Concepts partners Pioneer Foods in South Africa

• Roaming cattle

Senegal dairy firm bets farm on roaming cattle B AGORE Bathily was working as a vet to Senegal’s pastoralist farmers when he was struck by an absurdity: three million cows roam the country but no dairy company processes their milk. Demand for dairy products was growing among Senegal’s middle class but consumer choice was limited to those made from imported milk and cheap milk powder. Others had failed to solve the riddle but Bathily decided to try. “If I could start a dairy industry that will buy milk from the local farmers and make products that consumers will like, we could create something sustainable,” he said. Bathily’s idea touched on two questions central to Africa’s development: how to monetise subsistence livelihoods and how to kick-start production of consumer goods in a continent reliant on imports. Africa’s dairy industry produced around 17 million tonnes of products in 2014, of which around 7 million were made from imported milk, according to the International Farm Comparison Network (IFCN), which promotes knowledge of global dairy. Demand for milk in Africa is expected to grow sharply in the next decade due to population growth and rising incomes, leading to an increase both in production and imports, said Torsten Hemme, IFCN managing director. The processing industry is dominated by companies including Brookside in Kenya, Friesland Campina and Promasidor in Nigeria, and Fan Milk in Ghana, which has received investment from Dubai-based Abraaj Group. When Bathily, now 39, launched La Laiterie du Berger (LDB) in 2006, it was - and it still is - the only dairy

processing company in Senegal using milk from the local herd. He raised around 1 million euros ($1.2 million) with help from family and an angel investor, Francebased Investisseurs & Partenaires, to start the firm. LDB has since increased its capital to give Danone and its social investment fund a stake. Grameen Credit Agricole and Phitrust Partners also own shares. The company markets pasteurised milk, yoghurt, fresh cream and sour milk under the brand name Dolima, which means “give me more” in Wolof, Senegal’s national language. It does not publish results but Bathily says sales have climbed from 250 million CFA francs ($431,466) in 2007 to 2.2 billion CFA francs ($3.83 million) in 2013. It is now the number two dairy producer in Senegal behind Saprolait, which uses imported powdered milk, but success has not come easy. Pastoralists make up nearly a third of Senegal’s population but the average herd consists of only two or three cows producing a few litres of milk a day. Peuhl farmers migrate hundreds of kilometres in search of pastures. To reach herders’ milk Bathily contends with bad roads, a lack of storage facilities and power cuts. “We are not in Switzerland with green hills, clement weather and cows that produce 20 litres of milk per day,” he said. For decades, businessmen and researchers have wrestled with how to make Africa’s cows more productive and the dairy business commercially viable. East Africa’s industry uses highly

milk productive cattle such as Holstein Friesians crossed with local breeds, said Amos Omore, Tanzania country representative for the International Livestock Research Institute. “It is very difficult to build commercial dairy marketing because the limited milk available is sold to neighbours and in local markets,” Omore said. Bathily established LDB’s main plant in the town of Richard Toll, around 450 km (280 miles) north of the capital Dakar on the River Senegal and the Mauritanian border. The town is an agro-industrial hub with a sugar manufacturer and rice farmers. It is also near the homesteads of nearly 1,000 pastoralists from whom LDB collects milk twice a day. Before dawn, logistics manager Souleymane Ba dispatches five vehicles loaded with hundreds of numbered plastic containers. Outside town the vehicles veer on to tracks through the scrubland, driving around 200 km (125 miles) between settlements to exchange empty containers for ones filled with milk. Bathily is not the first to commercialise Senegal’s milk. Between 1992 and 2003, food giant Nestle operated a processing business but it shut due to high collection costs and competition from cheap powdered milk imports, a Food and Agriculture Organisation (FAO) report said. LDB, however, makes an operating profit and Bathily aims to ensure farmers earn more by selling to him, giving them an incentive to keep their cattle in one place. Even so, during this dry season production fell to about 1,500 litres per day from 6,000 litres during the rainy season - an indication of the financial challenges he faces.

OOD Concepts Plc; a market leader in the West African food industry with a basket of top brands, including Chicken Republic, Butterfield Bakery and Free Range Farms, has announced its partnership in its Baked Good Division, with Pioneer Foods, a leading South African FMCG company. Speaking on the deal, Phil Roux, CEO Pioneer Foods, said: “Butterfield provides an ideal opportunity to leverage our expertise to grow the bread category. Pioneer aims to be a leading FMCG company in Africa and Nigeria is a key market for any food company in search of growth.” Chairman, Food Concepts Plc, Mr Deji Akinyanju: said the partnership will benefit from the combination of the respective strengths which will be used to tap into the vast opportunities in the Nigerian FMCG sector to deliver extraordinary value to customers Food Concepts was founded by Akinyanju, an entrepreneur, in 2001. The company, whose shareholders include International Finance Corporation (IFC), a World Bank member, and Development Partners International (DPI), a UK based private equity firm focused

on African investments, continues to evolve in a remarkable story of a revolution in the Nigerian food sector. The company recently demerged its Baked Goods Division into Food Concepts Pioneer Limited (FCPL). Pioneer Foods acquired 50.01 per cent of FCPL while Food Concepts Plc retains 49.9 per cent. FCPL will house Butterfield Bakeries, a baked goods business specialising in bread and sausage roll production. This will allow Pioneer Foods to leverage existing infrastructure and brand recognition — both crucial elements of consumer packaged-goods companies. Pioneer Foods will implement several operational changes to the Butterfield bakery to increase its efficiency and consistency. Pionner Foods PTY Ltd is a leading South African FMCG company with a market cap of $3b, it has globally trusted brands like Ceres Juice, ProNutro, Weet-Bix breakfast cereal etc. Pioneer already has a significant export footprint in a number of African countries, and the conclusion of this partnership with Food Concepts Plc creates an in-market presence for Pioneer Foods in Nigeria.

PEP Stores, MTN in a deal

EP Stores Nigeria, a leading multinational retail company specialised in clothing, home wear, footwear, as well as other fast moving consumer goods has entered into a strategic business partnership with telecoms giant- MTN Nigeria. According to PEP Stores Nigeria, the strategic business partnership deal will add value to the in-store shopping experience of PEP esteemed customers by offering them the unique opportunity to buy MTN Airtime with ease and convenience. Speaking at the launch of the partnership which was held at the Allen Avenue branch of PEP Stores Nigeria on yesterday the General Manager, PEP Stores Nigeria, Mr. Deon Conradie described the partnership as a symbiotic one that will create new exciting experience for the customers of the two brands in Nigeria. “We are very proud to sign this very unique partnership with MTN and we are very excited at the value added that this partnership will offer our valued customers by enabling them to buy MTN Airtime at all our existing 27 out-

lets’’ he said. Also speaking , the Finance Manager, PEP Stores Nigeria, Mrs. Kofo Awonuga disclosed that the PEP/MTN relationship started in July 2014 when MTN Airtime was sold at PEP Stores using standalone devices and now with the deal, MTN Airtime will be sold directly from Point of Sale (POS) and the customers recharge pin will be printed on his/her receipt. Awonuga said that the PEP Stores Nigeria partnership with MTN will contribute to an enjoyable in-store experience for our esteemed customers across the 27 footholds in Nigeria. She stated that PEP opened its first store in Nigeria in July 2012 and two years later, PEP was trading at 21 stores and currently have a total of 23 stores as at today with plans to open more outlets in the course of the year. Speaking at the event, the General Manager, Sales and Distribution, MTN Nigeria, Mr. Kolawole Oyeyemi noted that the partnership with PEP store will further entrench the retail end of the business to meet with the customers at their touch points.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

BUSINESS INTERNATIONAL

HSBC executives to face new grilling from lawmakers

HREE senior HSBC executives are to face further questions from MPs over the tax scandal revelations at the bank’s Swiss private banking arm. HSBC Group Chief Executive Stuart Gulliver and the former head of the bank’s private banking division Chris Meares, will face MPs on the Public Accounts Committee (PAC) BBC Trust boss Rona Fairhead will also face questions about her role at HSBC. Mrs Fairhead has been a member of the bank’s board since 2004.

She took over as the chair of the BBC Trust last year. Mrs Fairhead was a member of HSBC’s audit committee until 2010 and of its risk committee following that. She is currently chair of HSBC’s North American division. Margaret Hodge, who chairs the PAC, raised questions about her BBC role last week. Two weeks ago, HSBC’s chairman, Douglas Flint, appeared to blame Mr Meares for alleged collusion between the Swiss private banking division and its clients to evade tax. Mr Flint told MPs on the Treasury

Committee Mr Meares and Clive Bannister, who was boss of HSBC’s private banking operations until 2006, “certainly bear fairly direct responsibility for what went on in the private bank during their stewardship”. At the same hearing, Mr Gulliver said the tax scandal had caused “damage to trust and confidence” in the company. Mr Flint said he felt shame and would “take his share of responsibility” for the Swiss private bank’s failings. The BBC’s business editor, Kamal

Ahmed, says during the 2000s board members had little visibility of how the Swiss bank operated and that sources suggest they could not have been expected to have had. He says there were strict rules in place protecting the confidentiality of Swiss accounts. He also said that it is the fact that the bank operated in such secrecy from its own board that will be of interest to MPs on the PAC and it is likely that this is the line of questioning the committee will follow. Information about some 30,000 accounts at the Swiss private bank operation were leaked in 2007 to French

tax authorities who passed it on to the UK tax authorities (HMRC). HSBC has been involved in a range of banking scandals, including foreign exchange manipulation and rigging of international interest rate benchmarks. When asked about the wider list of allegations and investigations into HSBC by international regulatory authorities last month Mr Flint said “it’s a terrible list”. Despite reforms, he said he could not exclude the possibility of further problems emerging. He said the task of reforming HSBC will “always be ongoing”.

Eurozone not viable, says Neil Woodford

•Information Minister, Edem Duke swearing-in the new Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) Council Chairman, Mr. Udeme Ufot, in Lagos.

China trade surplus hits new record as exports grow

HINA’S monthly trade sur plus hit a record $60.6illion (£40.3billion) in February, as exports grew and imports slid back. Exports were up 48.3per cent year on year to $169.2billion, and imports dropped by a fifth to $108.6bilion, said the country’s General Administration of Customs. The growth in exports was well ahead of analyst expectations. China’s economy grew by 7.4percent last year, its weakest for almost a quarter of a century, and recent indicators show signs the slowdown is

continuing. Customs officials put the surge in exports down to a flurry of activities by companies to get orders processed before the Chinese New Year, which fell in the middle of February this year. “Affected by the Spring Festival factors, export companies in the country again rushed to export ahead of the holiday and only resumed working after it,” a statement said. The surplus figure stood at $8.9billion in the same period last year. But he Lunar New Year had fallen on January 31, last year, followed by a week-long national holiday, which

meant it provided a weak comparison with this February. For the first two months of the year, China’s trade surplus has totalled $120.7billion, following the $60billion surplus in January. “We still see strong headwinds facing China’s exports this year,” said ANZ economists Liu Ligang and Zhou Hao in a research note. Premier Li Keqiang announced a lowered growth target of “approximately seven percent” for this year, and cut the trade growth target for the year to “around six percent”.

Greece crisis: ‘Bailout referendum is possible’

INANCE Minister Yanis Varoufakis has said it is possible that a referendum could be held if the eurozone rejects Greece’s debt renegotiation plans. The comments came ahead of Monday’s Eurogroup meeting in Brussels, where Greece is to give detailed plans of its debt and growth terms. Greek Prime Minister Alexis Tsipras reacted by urging Mr Varoufakis to use “fewer words and more action”. And the finance ministry clarified that eurozone membership was not in doubt. In an Italian newspaper interview

Mr Varoufakis was asked what his options were if a deal was not agreed. “If needed, if we encounter implacability, we will resort to the Greek people either through elections or a referendum,” he told Corriere della Sera. This was interpreted by some as a threat to leave the eurozone if talks broke down, something the Greek government was quick to deny. Greek officials pointed out that the words “for the euro” had been added to Mr Varoufakis’s remarks in brackets in the article. Greece’s eurozone membership was “a given” and did

not form any part of negotiations with the Eurogroup, they added. Mr Varoufakis later criticised the reports as “wilful attempts to undermine the good course” of attempts to agree a deal with creditors. In a widely leaked letter to the Eurogroup, Mr Varoufakis set out seven key reforms which he hopes will appease eurozone lenders and allow the next instalment of bailout money to be released. Greece aims to save •200million (£140million) through public spending cuts, as well as streamlining bureaucracy and cracking down on tax evasion.

Oil drops toward $59 on dollar, stock builds BRENT crude oil fell toward $59 a barrel as the dollar strengthened and a supply glut pushed global oil inventories to record highs. The dollar hit a more than 11year high against a basket of currencies after the United States (U.S.) unemployment rate in February fell to its lowest level since May 2008, making commodities priced in the greenback more expensive for holders of other currencies.

Oil inventories are rising across the world as production outstrips demand, offsetting tensions in the Middle East and the risk of output cuts in Libya and Iraq. Brent LCOc1 was down 35 cents at $59.38 a barrel by 1130 GMT. The North Sea crude oil futures contract fell 4.6 percent last week in its biggest decline since the week ended January 9. U.S. crude CLc1 was up 5 cents a

barrel at $49.67. It closed down $1.15, ending a third week of declines. “More and more investors are coming to the conclusion that the market is awash with oil,” said Carsten Fritsch, senior oil and commodities analyst at Commerzbank in Frankfurt. “Unprecedented stocks levels cannot be ignored forever.”

HE eurozone is not viable in its current form, one of the United Kingdom’s (UK’s) most successful fund managers has warned. Neil Woodford, who set up his own investment firm last year, said the concept was “fundamentally flawed” and he expected the “stresses and strains” in the area to continue to increase. “In a very simple sense pretending that Greece was Germany is a fundamental error,” he told BBC World News. He also said uncertainty over Britain’s EU membership could hit the UK economy. The Conservative Party has promised to hold an in-out referendum on the UK’s continuing membership of the EU if it wins this year’s general election. The referendum would be held

only after David Cameron, if he is still prime minister after May, had attempted to renegotiate the terms of the UK’s membership of the EU. “The likelihood of a referendum, I think, will put a brake on external investment, international investment in the UK... it will create uncertainty,” Mr Woodford told the BBC’s Hardtalk programme. Mr Woodford is considered in the industry as one of the country’s bestperforming fund managers. He gained fame during his 25-year career at Invesco Perpetual, for taking a long term view on investments. One of the best-known examples of his strategy was refusing to invest in the dotcom boom of the late 1990s and early 2000s. Neil Woodford made his reputation with Invesco Perpetual, but left last year to launch his own investment fund: Woodford Investment Management.

EU aides play down Greek reform plan

URO zone officials played down plans submitted by cash-strapped Greece to its international creditors in a bid to secure fresh funds, a day after Athens’ outspoken finance minister irked EU partners by raising the prospect of a referendum. Speaking before finance ministers of the currency area meet in Brussels, Eurogroup chairman Jeroen Dijsselbloem said steps outlined by Finance Minister Yanis Varoufakis in a letter last week were serious but “far from complete”. “This is a process that’s just going to take a long time,” the Dutchman said, adding that it would be very difficult to complete Greece’s reform programme during the fourmonth extension of its EU/IMF bailout that runs until end June. Varoufakis, who wants a negotiated restructuring of Greece’s debt to official lenders, said in a newspaper interview published on Sunday the leftist-led government could call a referendum or early elections if European partners rejected its debt and growth plans. The Finance Ministry later clarified that the Marxist former academic had been replying to a hy-

pothetical question and that any referendum would “obviously regard the content of reforms and fiscal policy” and not whether to stay in the euro. A senior politician in German Chancellor Angela Merkel’s conservative bloc said on Monday that Greece would be better off outside the 19-nation euro zone, suggesting that Finance Minister Wolfgang Schaeuble privately shared that view. “By leaving the euro zone, as Finance Minister Schaeuble has suggested, the country could make itself competitive again from a currency perspective with a new drachma,” former transport minister Peter Ramsauer, a member of the Bavarian Christian Social Union (CSU), wrote in Bild. Merkel and Schaeuble have both said publicly they want to keep Greece in the currency area. But in a sign that German sentiment may be shifting, Ramsauer said a temporary “Grexit” would be a “great opportunity” for the country to boost its economy and administration “making it fit to return to the euro area from a position of strength”.

OECD: Euro zone growth gaining pace, HE euro zone is increasingly others stable contributing to an

improvement in global economic growth prospects, according to a forward-looking indicator the Organisation for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD) has published. The OECD said its leading indicator, designed to detect changes in economic prospects, showed “positive change in growth momentum in the euro area and stable growth momentum in most other major economies and the OECD area as a whole.” The indicator, expressed as an index where 100 denotes the

long-term average, rose to 100.7 for the euro zone as a whole from 100.6 in the preceding month’s report, and rose also for the OECD group of mostly wealthy economies, to 100.4 from 100.3. The U.S. reading was stable at 100.2 and for Japan it stayed at 99.8. In large non-OECD economies, the index rose to 99.1 in China from 99.0. It edged higher too in Brazil and India but fell in Russia to 99.3 from 99.5. Within the euro zone, the reading for Germany rose to 99.7 from 99.6 while in France it rose to 100.6 from 100.5. It nudged higher too in Italy, to 101.2 from 101.0.

WEDNESDAY MARCH 11, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Chieftains of the All Progressives Congress (APC) emphasised the rationale behind the ‘Common Sense Revolution’ during the party’s campaign stop at Amuwo Odofin, Lagos. MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE reports.

• Part of the crowd at the rally

‘Nigeria has bright future’ R

ESIDENTS of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area received the All Progressives Congress (APC) message of hope, when its campaign train stopped in the area, as part of its preparations towards the forthcoming general elections. The venue of the campaign was First Gate, FESTAC town, a community designated by the Federal Government for the memory of the World Festival of Arts and Culture (FESTAC ‘77). The words of the APC chieftains who spoke at the event fell on a good soil, given the dwindling infrastructure and other social nuisance that has become the lots of the residents of the community. They trooped out en-masse to listen to the APC’s call for a new order and social rebirth. Amuwo Odofin is the home of a large number of non indigenes from the Southeast. Imo State Governor, Owelle Rochas Okorocha, a notable APC chieftain from the Southeast, was a guest of honour at the event. Apart from the APC National Leader, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu and host Governor Babatunde Fashola, the occassion was also graced by the presence of Nollywood artistes, who helped to electrify the campaign. An appeal to reject poverty, power failure, insecurity and economic failure entrenched by ruling the People Democratic Party (PDP) led-Federal Government was the central theme of the campaign. Asiwaju Tinubu told the enthusiastic supporters that the imminent change of March 28 will usher in a ‘common sense revolution’. He noted that any government that fails to meet the people’s expectation has lost the justification to continue in office. Tinubu said the future of Nigeria is bright. Nevertheless, he said the people must see themselves as stakeholders in the struggle to free the country, for things to change positively. “No patriotic Nigerian can afford to sit on the fence, when the majority of the people wallow in poverty as a result of misrule,” he added. He reminded the people that the choice of their birthplace and the language they speak was not determined by them. The APC leader noted that it is the wisdom of God rules the world and that it is the manifestation of His will that shapes the fate or tapestry of people’s journey in their earth lives. Tinubu said “man by nature is a usurper, who tries to subvert peoples’ destiny, but God will always triumph”, adding that those who have made life difficult for other Nigerians will be defeated at the polls. He said: “It is only God who will determine the destination of human beings, where you are born is not your choice. The language you speak is not your choice; it is the choice of God.

‘ Now he has plenty shoes,

plenty clothes and plenty hats, but does that put gari on your table? If you spend five hours at the gas station without light for your business, is that what we want ’

Tinubu, who was governor of Lagos State between 1999 and 2007, said people relocate in search of greener pastures. “You relocate for goodness; you relocate for happiness; for prosperity; for good life; not for you alone, but for your children as well,” he said. He added that the good programme executed by the APC government in Lagos and other states is as a result of the wise decision of the electorate that voted for the party in past elections. He called on the electorate not to fall for the campaign of calumny of the PDP which, he added, uses religion and ethnicity to polarise the country. He said: “The roads we travel on are not labelled Christian or Muslim road, neither is it labelled Obatala road. Similarly, hunger does not discriminate, poverty has no tribal mark and you should not allow them to be deceiving you.” “The over 15 years of PDP rule in the country merely point to failure. Jonathan tells you pathetic stories that when he was in school he had no shoe. I am from a poor family; I know what poverty is. But, he (Jonathan) has forgotten. “Now he has plenty shoes, plenty clothes and plenty hats, but does that put garri on your table. If you spend five hours at the gas station without light for your business, is that what we want? They even ask you to pay for the electricity that you did not use. So, that is double jeopardy, by paying for diesel that you did not consume and electricity that was never utilized by you. In that situation, do you want them to continue? The crowd chorused “no” in response. Tinubu said the Federal Government refused to insure the soldiers who have been battling insurgency in the Northeast. “They have not paid insurance for the lives of the soldiers

and police who are working in danger. “Their insurance has elapsed, but they are using state money in bribing people. For those of you who sell spare-parts, the exchange rate is almost crippling your business. He has put double duty on imported vehicles used or unused. When they have not been able to produce made-in-Nigeria vehicles. “Is that not a sign of failure?” In our schools in Lagos, did we register you on the basis of your tribe? Do we discriminate in our school fees? I am sure you are all aware of how we do things in Lagos. We believe we are the same, so we treat everybody equally. They have no intelligence, after six years, they have not been able to do anything meaningful for the people. “It is time for them to leave, to allow those with ideas and capability to lead the country. They do not have the skill to run an effective government, so they need to go back and take the position of apprenticeship,” he said. Tinubu added that the people call him the oracle of Lagos because his predictions always work. He said: “When I gave you governor Fashola did the man not work? The man has performed beyond expectation and that is why they call me the oracle of Lagos. “Now, I am giving you Ambode; he is tested in all aspect of financial and human management. I know that he will excel and Lagos will be better for it. So, on April 11, we should all come out to vote for this youth who will consolidate our efforts,” he stressed. Governor Okorocha who had earlier addressed the people, was welcomed with the shout of ‘my people, my people’, which was acknowledged with ‘our governor, our governor’. Okorocha added a little drama to it when he said he had a piece of news that will jolt the people. The crowd listened with rapt attention to hear the kind of news the Imo State governor brought to them. But, when he said he regrets to announce the death of the PDP, the crowd roared in thunderous applause. He said: “I have a message for you; it is very brief; I am here just for one reason. Let me inform you that I want to regretfully announce the death of the PDP. the PDP died when the APC was formed. The day Fashola, Rochas, other governors and our leaders came together to form the APC, that day the PDP died in Nigeria. We had fixed the date for the burial of the PDP on the February 14, but they changed the date of the burial to March 28. “We are waiting patiently to bury the PDP forever. But, let me tell you that you can change the date of burial but you •Continued on page 44

THE NATION WEDNESDAY MARCH 11, 2015

so ridiculous that local government coun‘ Itcilsiswith less than 800 teachers and those with more than 3,500 teachers contribute equal amount common black purse called SUBEB

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Wada at loggerheads with elected council officials

OGI State Governor Idris Wada is at loggerheads with elected local government officials, for sidelining them on trumped up charges. Five months ago, the governor procured a high court judgment, to set aside the elected local government (LG) functionaries on grounds that the officials were stealing funds belonging to the councils, saying that was the reason why they were not able to pay full salaries. The government, through the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, took over direct payment of salaries of local government employees. This action contravenes the law guaranteeing the autonomy of the third tier of government. But, since the ministry took over payment of salaries, there has been no improvement as far as the payment of salaries of local government officials is concerned. The ministry has only been able to pay an average of 50 per cent of staff salaries; less than what the “thieving” chairmen were paying. This calls into question, the government’s rationale for taking over direct payment of salaries of LG employees, contrary to provisions in the 1999 Constitution guaranteeing LG autonomy. From January allocation alone, the state deducted a flat 12 million from each of the 21 local governments through the ministry, amounting to a total of 252 million. In addition, a sum of N1.2 billion is deducted from LG allocations each month for primary school teachers’ salary. Yet, teachers are being owed five months arrears. According to observers, many of the chairmen are afraid of speaking out because those who dared to question the development have been hounded out of office by the governor’s aides. An attempt was made to pacify the councilors, who were elected on the platform of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), when they threatened to defect the opposition All Progressives Congress (APC). On February 12, they were invited to see the governor, perhaps to settle the matter in-

The chairmen were tonguelashed publicly, in front of journalists, because they dared to ask why teachers were not being paid regularly •Wada By Raymond Mordi

ternally within the party. But, the governor kept them waiting for eight hours and eventually refused to see them. Prior to this development, the chairmen were tonguelashed publicly, in front of journalists, because they dared to ask why teachers were not being paid regularly. The political appointees of Governor Wada, who are part of the beneficiaries of the fraud in the State Universal Basic education Board (SUBEB), misinformed the governor that the coun-

cil chairmen could not pay full salaries because they were stealing local fund. The governor who had been looking for an opportunity to deal with the chairmen, for being “assertive” summoned and lambasted them before media men. According to observers, the issue of delay in payment of salaries has been a recurring decimal. As at May 7, 2013, when the elected council assumed office, virtually all the LGs owed their workers several months’ arrears of salaries running to hundreds of millions of naira. The reasons for the anomaly, according to the observers, are: the dwindling revenue allocations; prevalence of ghost workers; the overbloated staff position as a result of illegal recruitments between 2010 and 2013 and over deductions from the Statutory Revenue Allocations (SRA) of some local government councils, irrespective of their monthly actual teachers’ salaries bills. Though staff screening exercises were carried, which led to disengagement of most illegally-recruited staff in November, 2013, it is believed that ghost workers still exist within the system. Similar screening exercises were carried in conjunction with each local government chapter of the Nigerian Union of Teachers (NUT), to determine the actual number of teaching and non-teaching staff. The aims, among others, were to determine the monthly teachers’ salary bill of each local government, so as to determine the monthly amount deductible from each LG statutory revenue allocations. Even though SUBEB board had been dissolved twice on account of fraud within the past 18 months, results are yet to be implemented up to now. It is so ridiculous that local government councils with less than 800 teachers and those with more than 3,500 teachers contribute equal amount common black purse called SUBEB. Even at that, the over N1.4 billion deducted every month never gets to the teachers as at when due. Kogi State owes teachers three months salaries.

‘Nigeria has bright future’ •Continued from page 43

cannot change the burial; the burial must take place. May the soul of the PDP rest in peace; the worst thing that can happen to any nation is to have a bad government. “The worst that can happen to any family is to have a bad father. Today, it is obvious that the PDP is a bad government. And we stood up and came together for a change. The change we came together for has started. “Let me announce to all of you that I am here because of one young man, Ambode. This gentleman is good; he will not deceive you. He will not cheat you or mislead you. He has a caring heart; he loves people, and he knows everybody. This is one man that can continue with the good work of Governor Fashola. Fashola’s name is known all over the world as one of the best governors Nigeria has produced. Look at Lagos today, everything is in order and he will hand over the baton to another good man that shall continue in a geometrical progression,” he said. Okorocha added that some governors who are not members of the APC would be meeting to fine-tune on the coming elections, noting that the governors were fully convinced of the sterling and leadership qualities of the APC presidential candidate, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari. He said Buhari has all it takes to redefine the country, noting that it was during his tenure as Head of State that Nigerians gave up the bad attitude of urinating, as well as defecating on roadsides and that the queue culture was also entrenched during his regime. Fashola also urged Lagosians not to yield to the plans of the PDP, which has been bribing people to vote for them. He said the Federal Government wants to follow a shortcut to success, without working for it. “All the promises they made to you, have they fulfilled them? “The man has been promising to do more, when he has not fulfilled the promise he made when he was seeking your votes.” Fashola maintained that his administration did not only put the police men on insurance scheme, but buys weapons to enable them function. “Go to your Ipad or the Youtube and listen to Senator Chris Anyanwu, who was chair-

• Tinubu

• Fashola

‘If APC win at the centre our problem is solved. We must note that the election of the President is very important because of the bandwagon effects’ man house committee on defence, begging for money for Navy to fuel their boats. Yet, Nigeria budgeted over N1 trillion for defence. They said Buhari did not buy guns in 1985. “Are you going to use 1985 weapons to fight 2015 war? They are a bundle of lairs and do not know what to do. Please don’t sell your PVC because it is your future and your power to vote out the PDP. The coming election is about how you secure your freedom. The money he should have used in providing infrastructure is being used to bribe people in order to get votes. “You gave me 1.5 million votes during the last election, and you can see the result of the vote. What I want you to do for me is to vote for Ambode. We need three million votes from you for Ambode. “When you voted for me in 2007, you gave me 800,000 votes as a mark of respect for Asiwaju. That votes surpassed other contestant votes with very huge margin. In 2011, one of the constants pulled 300,000 votes when he tried to contest it at the court; he made a retreat knowing that no lawyer will accept to defend him in view of the wide margin. That is what I want Lagosians to do in this case

for Ambode,” he said. Fashola maintained that the PDP lacks the managerial capability, adding that if the President had the capacity to manage crisis some PDP governors would not have defected to the APC. He said Jonathan should have made peace with the former President Olusegun Obasanjo, but since the party is lacking in the skills of human management, things were bound to fall apart. The APC governorship candidate Ambode drew the attention of resident of FESTAC town to the Federal Government’s negligence of the city, which serves to keep the memory of the first World Festival of Black Arts hosted in Lagos in 1977. He said the over 15 years of the PDP rule has left the trail of tears in the lives of the youth, who are roaming the streets in search of non-existent jobs. He said: “Our coming here today for this campaign is to bring our message of hope and blessing to Amuwo Odofin. What I want to tell our youth is that they should observe for themselves what the APC is doing for them. “This is the place we are constructing the light train, it will take us from Okokomaiko

• Okorocha

to CMS in 30 minutes; we are constructing a 10-lane road from Orile Iganmu to Badagry. “The government of Fashola has provided what will be beneficial to the people of this community in the next 30 years. I want to assure you that I will complete the road being constructed from Orile to Badagry. The train from Okokomaiko to CMS will be completed by me,” he added. APC chieftain Rabiu Olowu who also addressed the rally said the postponement of the election was deliberate, adding that the PDP wanted to use it to buy time and perfect its strategy. “But, my message is that we should collect our PVC to defeat the ‘poverty development party’. We all can see the bad effect of Federal Government within the FESTAC town.” Former chairman of the Amuwo Odofin Comrade Ayodele Adewale said FESTAC is blessed with land mass and water body, but has been neglected by the Federal Government. “If APC wins at the centre our problem is solved. We must note that the election of the President is very important because of the bandwagon effect. When the APC wins the presidency, the natural thing is that the states will fall in line with the pattern. “So we must come out en-masse to vote Buhari, in order to liberate our country, correct all the deficit in governance and make Nigeria proud again,” he said.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY MARCH 11, 2015

four years ago on May 29th, 2007, ‘ Exactly I stood at this very ground though not in this shape and form and took the Oath of Office as the Governor of Jigawa State

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... 79 D AYS TO GO ...79 DA

Sule Lamido and the Jigawa narrative O

N May 29, Jigawa State Governor Sule Lamido will bow out of office after eight years of compelling stewardship. Navigating with an old school discipline and the panache of a 21st Century diplomat, this Bamaina-born visionary from Birnin Kudu Local Government Area of the state has simply proven that when human resolve is wedded to genuine vision, critical transformation of the human condition occurs. For Jigawa State this is what Governor Lamido has done. What is the inaugural vision behind this transformation? The state’s chief helmsman captures it succinctly: “To create a secure and just society full of opportunities where the people are sufficiently empowered to participate in decisions and processes that affect their lives with an enabling environment for sustainable growth and development.” Against this backdrop it was perhaps not surprising what he achieved. Tracking back, on May 29, 2011, Governor Lamido spoke to his beloved Jigawa citizens during his second-term swearing in ceremony at the Mallam Aminu Kano Triangle in Dutse, a structure he built in honour of the “Talakawa Struggle”. His words: “Exactly four years ago on May 29, 2007, I stood at this very ground though not in this shape and form and took the Oath of Office as the Governor of Jigawa State. That was after being formally sworn-in to run the affairs of what I then described as “uniquely unmitigated case of underdevelopment called Jigawa State’’. “I then went on to narrate the ‘’utter difficulty of deciding which of the many nightmares of the common people could be consigned into the dustbin of history’ arising from this case of underdevelopment. I also stated the ideological framework by which I was going to confront this underdevelopment in a way that could satisfy the yearnings of the vast majority of our people whom poverty and misery have reduced to conditions unworthy of human beings. “That is the ideological framework which defined the Talakawa struggle founded and led by the late Mallam Aminu Kano. This ideology simply means democratising love, care and compassion so as to benchmark humanity in terms of diginity and respect.” Unhesitating with his gift of speaking with

To create a secure and just society full of opportunities where the people are sufficiently empowered to participate in decisions and processes that affect their lives with an enabling environment for sustainable growth and development.” Against this backdrop it was perhaps not surprising what he achieved By Suleiman Gaya

alarming frankness when the situation demanded, Dr. Lamido described the Jigawa he inherited from his predecessor as a “uniquely unmitigated case of underdevelopment called Jigawa State’’. Eight years on the saddle, Governor Lamido has fundamentally rewritten the development script of his state. From the outset, Governor Lamido targeted seven priority arenas: education, health, agriculture, economic empowerment, water, infrastructure and public accountability. The conceptual clarity of his governance approach and ideological framework were game-changers. With these he was able to confront Jigawa’s alarming underdevelopment in a way that was satisfactory to the yearnings of the vast majority of his constituents. Perhaps his erstwhile portfolio as foreign affairs minister exposed Governor Lamido to the deeper meaning of education in the 21st Century and he made a particularly intensive effort in this critical theatre to change his home state. The disheartening cow sheds that passed for class rooms were immediately destroyed and mint new spaces for imparting education were erected. In his first term he constructed

•Lamido

1,061 classrooms across the state and purchased 62,981 classroom furniture. Out of the 779 dilapidated schools he inherited in 2007, Lamido’s administration renovated and restored 648 to full standard and equipped most of their laboratories to WAEC standard. He also established 21 new Junior Secondary Schools primary schools. Turning to nomadic education he constructed 216 nomadic schools across the state approved 64 schools and the renovation of 27 others, projects tackled with gusto during his final term. A total of 600 teachers have received various training for this purpose and he also initiated a scholarship scheme for 100 best students in the sciences every year to overseas universities. Perhaps the high point of his education sector accomplishments was the building of the Jigawa State University which has already impressively set sail. In Jigawa’s Health sector, statistics in 2007 showed that Jigawa State had the highest maternal and infant mortality rate in the country and hospitals and other health institutions were simply imaginary structures. At press time, Governor Lamido has developed an effective and impressive health care system under the Gunduma Health Care system with a bottom-up approach from primary health care to the secondary and the tertiary. The Rasheed Shekoni Specialist Hospital, the most modern hospital in Nigeria stands in testimony of this. Jigawa State today offers free maternal services covering delivery and the child’s life up to

Jonathan not sincere with conference report, says Southwest APC

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has faulted President Goodluck Jonathan’s claim that the implementation of 2014 National Conference Report is dependent only on his re-election. The party, dismissed the impression, describing Jonathan’s statement as illogical and unreasonable. It said the posture was aimed earning cheap popularity from the marginalised Southwest. The APC National Vice-Chairman (Southwest), Chief Pius Akinyelure, said, if the Jonathan Administration was interested in restructuring, it would not have waited for three years in office before convoking the 2014 National Conference. He said with the lopsided nature of federation his administration inherited about six years, Jonathan should have swung into action immediately and put necessary mechanisms in place “to equitably and fairly restructure Nigeria for the benefit of all.” Akinyelure said the President was using the report of the 2014 National Conference as a political weapon to sneak into the hearts of the Southwest people, whose his administration “has not been fair to despite their overwhelming sup-

port for the president in 2011.” The party, therefore, asked the president “to desist from making promise he cannot fulfil. President Jonathan should stop appealing ethnic sentiment in order to score cheap political marks. A president, under whose watch the Ekiti election was rigged, cannot restructure Nigeria. A president that grant hardened amnesty to ex-convicts cannot evolve equitable Nigeria.” The party urged the people of SouthWest not to take the president serious again, noting that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) had no idea on how “to move Nigeria forward. Stop deceiving innocent people. “Stop destroying Nigerian unity on the altar of ethnic politics. Stop fuelling division among groups that make up Nigeria”, he added. Akinyelure said the APC presidential candidate, Maj.-Gen. Muhammadu Buhari and his running mate, Prof. Oluyemi Osinbajo had made a covenant with the people of Nigeria contained in the 2015 Buhari/ Osinbajo Manifesto. The party said once elected, the Buhari/Osinbajo government would initiate action “to amend the Nigerian Constitution with a view to devolving powers, duties, and responsibilities to states in order to

the age of five. An agrarian society, in Jigawa agric accounts for over 90 per cent of its peoples’ preoccupation but the old fashioned way. The introduction of improved and high yielding seeds, subsidized tractor prices/hiring, loans facilities for work bull and appliances, farm extension services, crop fumigation and aerial spray against pest, opening of Fadama irrigation in suitable local governments for the youths and government’s purchase of excess harvest as incentive to grow more led to dramatic improvements in the sector. His innovative economic empowerment policy led to the construction/reactivation and equipment of six skills acquisition centres in Birnin Kudu, Dutse, Hadejia, Gumel, Ringim and Kazaure to train Jigawa’s youth in various trades and services, ranging from shoe making, cell phone repairs, chalk making, paint making, photography, tailoring, horse decoration, plumbing, mechanics and other such skills. On the infrastructure front, Governor Lamido spent in its first term over N43 billion on roads, ranging from asphalting major arteries which intersect across the state to building new intertown/inter-local government network that has made Jigawa to assume spider web in road facility today. It actually can be argued that Jigawa State has the best road network in Nigeria. He also embarked on the transformation of all the local government Headquarters into modern cities with asphalted township roads and drainages complete with street lights. The governor’s construction of an international airport to mainstream the state perhaps represents the high point of his infrastructure game-changer. In the public accountability and water development spheres, Lamido probably lacks a match currently. His administration achieved 90 per cent potable water services to Jigawa people. In a recent water conference held in Nigeria, Jigawa was cited as a model worthy of emulation by other states in the federation. As the philosopher, democratic king of Jigawa State bows out, it is the hope of many that his successor will keep faith and build on these solid developmental foundation. And it is in this light that Jigawa people are urged to vote wisely. It must not be partisan. It should be about who would deliver the goods. If a wrong approach is made, Jigawa will be back to square one. Aminu Ringim, as someone with unimpeachable qualities, and as someone that works closely under Lamido shall be voted into power by all the people of Jigawa in the next gubernatorial election. It is not about PDP or APC. He is the one person that will assuredly sustain and even build on the noble legacies of Sule Lamido and even the Jigawa golden dream is realised.

Low turn-out mars INEC verification in Bauchi

•Chief Akinyelure

entrench true federalism and the federal spirit.” It added that the Buhari/Osinbajo government “will restructure governance for a leaner, more efficient, and adequately compensated public service sector, while promoting effective participation of the private sector for more robust job creation programmes to employ the teaming youth.” It said the Buhari/Osinbajo government would bring to an end an arbitrary deduction of statutory allocations due to states governed by the opposition party and the backdoor allocation to the states that are not critical of an anemic national government under the PDP.

HERE was a low turn-out of registered voters at the various polling stations in Bauchi State during the test-running of Smart Card Readers that would be used during the general elections by the Independent national electoral commission (INEC). At the Jama’re B Registration Area, Jamare’re Local Government Area, which comprises of 14 polling units, the exercise took place between 8am and 1pm., Our correspondent visited polling units in Horare , Yola, Jeyogel, Digiza Kofar Jauro, Azizi Primay School and Jabbori. People were reluctant to come out for the exercise. In Jeyogel, the total number of registered voters was 405, but only 109 turned out for the accreditation, out of which 83 voters finger prints were successfully captured while 26 failed the verification exercise. As at 11.30am, the average battery strength of the card reader devices at the various polling units was 78 percent, which meant that the device could function for more than eight hours or more. Yola Polling unit had 650 registered voters. But, only 104 turned out for the exercise. The number of captured finger prints at the polling unit was 81 while 23 failed the verification.,

•Prof Jega

The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Professor Hamman Tukur Sa’ad, said that the card-reader devices were working as expected, adding that the turn-out was low because the people were aware that the exercise was not the main election. He said there were 14 polling units in the registration area and the commission deployed 30 card-readers. He said there was no reason to use the spare devices in case of failure., The commissioner explained that the aim of the exercise was to test the efficiency of the card-readers on the PVCs. He expressed optimism that the general elections will be successful. Sa’ad said the only challenge was the low turn out, which, he maintained was due the feeling that it was a mock exercise.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY MARCH 11, 2015

‘

I think the campaigns we have been running are issue based; they have actually been addressing one issue or the other

‘

... 79 D AYS TO GO ...79 DA

The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship standard bearer in Ogun State, Gboyega Isiaka, spoke with SEYI ODEWALE on preparations for the general elections and his chances at the polls.

Isiaka: we ‘re turning the heat on ruling party H

OW much ground did you think you have gained and are you sure you can defeat the governor at the poll? We are doing everything that needs to be done. We are talking to our people, we are talking to various associations; we are going around visiting. We are confident of victory. It is not a road that is new. We have done all that is needful. More so, when we know that the APC government in Ogun State has not done well. There is this opinion that the shift in the dates of the elections was a blessing in disguise to some parties, particularly in Ogun where the PDP is in the opposition as it gives them ample chance to campaign... The shift in the election days is a blessing in disguise to democracy when you consider the fact that in Ogun State, for instance, only 40 per cent of voters were able to collect their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) needed for the election. So, if the election had taken place with only 40 per cent of registered voters in a position to vote, what kind of leaders are you likely to produce? A leader elected by the minority. And that is not too good for democracy. That is why I think it’s a blessing for democracy itself. Even from the admission of Prof. Attahiru Jega, recently, that they were expecting over a million PVC. With that it is clear that the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) was not read then. But, Prof Jega never said INEC was not ready for the election... Yes, that was what he said initially, but lately when he visited the Senate Committee his words all amounted to the fact that INEC was not prepared. That is the truth. If you come up with a list that shows that only about 40 to 50 per cent of voters have collected their PVCs, then it means you are not prepared for the election, especially when you are still expecting many more PVCs to be printed. That to me is an admission of not being prepared. If he did not use those words, I think it’s just a matter of semantics. INEC was not prepared as at then. A lot of Nigerians say the campaign are not issue based. Do you consider the campaigns being run by politicians as acceptable and do we consider them as good enough? Well, for us, I think the campaigns we have been running are issue based; they have actually been addressing one issue or the other. There is a banner we placed directly opposite the University of Education where we said: “Will this be scrapped”, obviously referring to the news that it may be scrapped because we know there are attempts by the APC government in Ogun State to scrap it. There was another one that talked about the demolition

that we have experienced in the state in the last three and half years, which we say are largely needless. We have faced issues. We have not attacked individuals or persons as that is not my style. I don’t attack persons, I face issues. We have reeled out clearly what we want to do, which we call four pillars. And out of these pillars we are beginning to bring out what we want to do, which we want people to really remember us for. So, for us, we have faced issues and we are certain about that. In the days ahead we are going to be seeing more of such in our campaigns. There seem to be an uneasy calm in the PDP, especially with the departure of ex President Olusegun Obasanjo from the party. What is your take on this? Baba Obasanjo is a national figure and, therefore, his departure from the party is better looked at from the angle of his impact in the party at the national level. Is it positive or negative? For so long now, Baba himself said he has not been active in the Ogun State PDP. Even in the local politics his influence has not been that much. I think Baba is a father of all. Therefore, I’m not expecting that his exit or his tearing of card, as it were, would have a major influence on the local politics that we are running here. Because in the elections that we have had in the past we all know the extent of Baba’s involvement; what he has done and what he has not done. He has not really been involved in our local politics, especially, in campaigns and elections. And you don’t see his exit affecting the fortunes of your party in the state? No. It’s not going to affect the party’s fortunes. I can say that very clearly. You are from Yewa. With your emergence as the PDP governorship standard bearer, what has been the response so far? Somebody has to be born somewhere, but the important thing is that we are aspiring for a seat and that seat is Ogun State governor’s seat. The whole state is my constituency, of course, because the people of Ogun West have never had a shot at the governor, there is excitement in the air, a lot of passion and interest. And that is good for the polity; there is no doubt about that. Even if it is just to say that we are part of the state and have what it takes to govern it. Even if that is all we want to get from it, I think our people are excited and are ready to go considering what I have seen. In terms of my mandate, my mandate is for everyone in the state and, therefore, I have responsibility for every nook and cranny of the state and Ogun West inclusive and that is exactly what I’m going to do. Therefore, what we expect people from other parts of the state, to

•Isiaka

so long now, ‘For Baba himself said he has not been active in the Ogun State PDP. Even in the local politics his influence has not been that much. I think Baba is a father of all

‘

do, which is what they are doing, is to look at me as an individual and make up their minds. Have there been feelers from the opposition, considering what they perceived you to be? They have been pursuing us all over the place. They have been tearing our posters, removing billboards and doing all what not. We have begun to see a fairly intolerant government and we hope that would be curbed. There were billboards that we have put in place that were being removed and taken to the house of one of the people in government or those close to those in government that we know. We are just imploring them that they should allow the game be played fairly. So, when you talk about how they have been feeling, I would say they have been showing to us lately that the heat is on and we know that the heat has just started. We also want to implore that they should allow the

people to make up their mind and decide on what to do, and not use the machinery of government to unnecessarily harass and begin to remove posters and billboards. I think that is not too good. Was any of such done lately? O yes! Even yesterday my billboard was removed under the pretext of whatever law they said they have made. They said it was too tall. Anyway, I don’t want to talk about that; we will make our position known on the matter in due course. There was one of my posters in front of TASUED that was torn and damaged less than 24 hours after it was done. Even the President’s posters were damaged at the entry into Abeokuta. I saw some on my way this morning. There are so many cases of such coming from the same direction of the APC. I think that not good enough. What is to be expected on the election day? What to expect is for the INEC to get prepared and let people have their PVCs and for people to really get interested in it. It is a decision we are going to take one day that is going to affect the life of the state in the next four years and even beyond four years, because what a government does at one term can transcend and affect other terms ahead. I think everybody should take it as a serious business. It is a decision for us to say clearly how we want the state to be run, how we want the future of Ogun State to be and how we should live in the state in generations to come. I think it is a very serious business and I expect everybody to come out and vote the right man for the job, who is my humble self for the governor and other PDP candidates in other elections. What are doing to address the division within your party? Well, it is nothing unusual, when primaries are held, especially in a contest that had 11 aspirants, there is bound to be some of these reactions. It is not out of place and they are bound to happen. Therefore, what is important is how was it addressed? I think we have addressed it well. When you mentioned those who left the party, including Prof. Bamgbose you referred to, he is a friend; he himself knew his strength and he has taken a decision which he is entitled to. Looking at the totality of the election, only the handsome Prof. knows why he must run for this office. He has moved from the Accord Party to the PDP and now to APGA. Again, I leave him to his decision, but I want to tell you that it has nothing to do with the function of the PDP at all. When you said people left the party I was going to ask which of the major contenders left. And you mentioned Prof Bamgbose. The person that came second in that primary was Jelili Amusan and we have always been together. Other contenders were Hon. Akinlade, who is running for the House of Representatives. Also Hon. Bankole was a major contender in the whole process. He is still a member of the party, although he may not be as active as expected, but he is still working for the party underneath. Others are Alhaji Sarafa Tunji Ishola.

Defecting PDP members endorse Emerhor

CORES of Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains in Delta State have endorsed the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Olorogun O’tega Emerhor, for the general elections. Speaking on their behalf, Comrade Ebah said they endorsed the APC candidate because the PDP has failed the Delta State and the nation. He spoke when the defectors paid a courtesy call on Emerhor in his campaign office in Asaba, the state capital. Ebah said the APC will restore the glory of the state, urging the youths to support the push for change. He said Emerhor has a track record as a businessman, investor and community man before venturing into politics, asssuring that he will rescue the state from the forces of ret-

rogression. The defectors came in about 20 groups. They promised to mobilise for Emerhor at the wards and units across the 25 local governments. Thanking them, the APC candidate said he was impressed by his growing support base, ahead of the poll. He said the people were prepared for change, advising them to sustain the tempo of mobilisation to the end. Emerhor, who said the PDP has misruled the country for 16 years, said that political salvation was at hand. He promised to rescue the state from poverty, under-development and corruption, if elected as the governor. Emerhor flayed the PDP admin-

•Emehor (middle) and the PDP defectors during a visit to his campaign office in Asaba, Delta capital.

istration in the state for lack of direction, lamenting that public resources have been misused. He said the leaders have no clue about developmental priorities.

Emerhor said that the masses have suffered, despite the abundant resources in the state. He decried the poor state of schools, roads, hospitals, and other

social amenities. The standard beare urged the youths to take their destiny into their hands and defend their votes during the elections.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

RAPPED up in a long brightly-coloured scarf, which does little to contain her free-flowing curly hair, Nneka sits back quietly as she tries to bring to mind her very first memory of music. “I was a kid,” the Nigerian singer finally says, her thoughts traveling back to Warri, the Niger Delta city where she grew up. “While I was doing my domestic work in the house, sweeping, waking up at 5am in the morning, there was this bird (singing) — and I never forgot the melody,” she continues, breaking a warm smile. “Funny wise, like 25 years later I was in Lagos and I heard the same melody — it was amazing!” Nneka’s first musical recollection might be firmly rooted in her birthplace, but the awardwinning singer’s career was destined to begin thousands of miles away from home — the daughter of a Nigerian father and a German mother, Nneka moved to Hamburg at the of 19 to study anthropology. Whilst attending university, she also started exploring her musical talents, and soon found herself performing in various clubs opening up for top reggae and hip-hop names. In 2005, she released Victim of Truth, a muchlauded debut that fused soulful beats, tasty hiphop-and reflective ballads with politicallycharged lyrics and black consciousness. Since then, she went on to enjoy further chart success, tour extensively and collaborate with global stars like Lenny Kravitz and Damian Marley. And now, the soulful singer is back with a brand new, self-released album — My Fairy Tales is a formidable collection of rich afrobeat grooves, reggae-tinged beats and uplifting rhythms that reaffirm her place as one of the continent’s most exciting — and relevant — artists. CNN’s African Voices caught up with Nneka in London to talk about music, memories and the current situation in Nigeria.

In the past, you’ve dealt with issues ranging from the environment and politics, to religion and love — what are the themes that you’re emphasizing at this moment?

What is happening in Africa at present concerns me a lot. Boko Haram has always been an issue obviously for the past five, six years — funny wise, there’s a track in the album called “Pray For You” which I recorded when not too many people knew what was going with Boko Haram in the West. I’m talking about the problems and possible solutions, and what are the reasons for the problems that we have. We as Nigerians, we’re not united, that has always been the issue... that’s our problem, tribalism, and what belongs to whom. I also talk about children and the future, bringing children into this world... Everyone’s living in a cage and then you bring your child into that kind of society, where your child is forced to live in fear. People are afraid to express themselves politically, and even in their home — I remember the way we grew up, I didn’t look my father in the eye until I was 22; you call your father “Sir, Sir, Sir” — apparently it’s a form of respect, OK, but respect should not be mistaken with fear. I was afraid and that’s the thing, that’s the colonial mentality: we mistake fear for respect.

Nneka on the postponement of Nigerian elections He (Goodluck Jonathan) says he wants to tackle Boko Haram, obviously every Nigerian

Reward for givers •Continued from Page 50

Gabriel Oyediji lamented that lack of grants is a major challenge to Orphanage Homes. He therefore called on the government to look into this so that Homes would not close down in the nearest future. Coordinator, Spomsor a Child, Olatoun Williams, said the institutions were awarded and recognised for their compliance to guidelines and also the quality of their care services as verified by our evaluators. “Sponsor a Child is a child right based institution that support institutions, through training. We teach them what to do to improve their services, develop libraries, playground and donate sanitation facilities to them among others.” She said Good Home scheme is about reaching the institutions on how to implement their right, measuring the quality of their services,writing reports and also know how to formulate recommendations. “We also encourage institutions to reward their staff when they do well because it motivates them and that is why we are having this award ceremony to motivate institutions doing well and to motivate the others so that they can get recognition for performance reward,” she said.

‘Our airwaves are polluted’ •Continued from Page 14

•Nneka

‘Fela would not have been cool with Jonathan’ Nigerian-born anthropologist and soulful singer Nneka Lucia Egbuna, who has just released her new album, My Fairy Tales, talks about music, memories and the prevailing situation in Nigeria with TEO KERMELIOTIS (CNN). INTERVIEW is asking why now, he could had done it a long time ago...but I’m not good at the whole blaming game, I don’t want to blame anybody but I pray that he comes up with a good idea for us if he is an honest and genuine guy. But I know that Fela Kuti would definitely not be cool with him, Seun Kuti is not cool with him, and many other musicians who are very outspoken are not cool with him.

What is the power of music and how can it influence things to bring positive change? Music is very powerful, music is big; music is even more powerful than politics at present. Beyonce would definitely draw more crowd

than [Nigerian president] Goodluck Jonathan if she was going to hold a speech — if Beyonce is going to talk about Boko Haram, many people are going to listen, and if she had something to tell Nigerians about love or whatever, many people are going to listen.

How do you see the political and security situation now in Nigeria? All I can say is that we do need proper leadership. Yes, that’s just easier said than done, but we also need ourselves to take more things into our own hands — so if we want change, we have to show that we want change, peacefully — I love Malcolm X but I’d rather go for Martin Luther King — peacefully. And be part of it, not just blame our leaders and making sure that you, yourself, contribute to the change that you want to see.

tions and degrading of a nation like Nigeria. He said some of the video clips he saw on the social media too are not only disturbing, but too good to be true. “After all that I have seen, right now, I feel like many of them are just mere fabrications, others are so degrading of a nation such as Nigeria, I cannot but wonder if Nigerians no any better. Now, I try to console myself by thinking that all that I have seen and heard are nothing but mere ‘acting’, that our politicians (I hate to call them ‘leaders’, at best, they are ‘looters’, ‘actors’, ‘actresses’ and comedians,” he added. Founder, Nigeria Democratic Report, Mr. Sanmi Falobi said the documentaries and ads are in bad taste as they are not issue-based. He blamed the abuses on failure of the commission and other relevant agencies to enforce the broadcasting regulations. All Progressives Congress Presidential Organisation recently accused the National Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and the Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) of promoting electoral violence and hate messages by default. The organisation said following the inability of the two regulatory bodies to sanction erring radio, television, industry players and groups who continuously breached extant laws and regulations governing activities of the agencies, the two bodies were indirectly promoting violence and hate messages in the current political dispensation. Section 3.1.2 of the NBC code states that “materials/statements likely to incite or encourage the commission of a crime or lead to public disorder shall not be broadcast.’ This is a breach which attracts severe penalty of suspension of licence or outright withdrawal of the licence of that station. National Broadcasting Commission spokesperson, Mr. Awulu Salihu assured that the commission is working on the complaints and that very soon will announce its decision.

Advocating for peace through performance

ELILI Atiku, an international renowned Nigerian multimedia artist organised a performance titled Kill Not this Country (Manifesto II) against the actions of Boko Haram. It was held recently in Ejigbo, Lagos state. The performance was based on the activities of Boko Haram. Since 2009, Boko Haram, a terrorist group that has been creating horror, terror and amplifiedpervasive fears of protracted violence by bombing, maiming, killing and abducting ordinary citizens of the country. This terrifying group which have claimed numerous lives and injuries, paralysis and chronic pains, emotional distress and acute stress, fright and dread, horror and panic, anxiety, anger, and have created so much panicking in the act of Nigerian citizens. The event was pungent in a way as Jelili queried the rationale behind the Boko

By Toyin Olasinde

ADVOCACY Haram insurgency. By using imageries such as gas-mask, compilation of letters to Boko Haram, cart filled with skulls and others visual forms Jelili created “body image accounts” of the ugly experience which Nigerians are currently undergoing. Through drawing, installation sculpture, photography, video and performance (live art); he strives to help viewers understand the world and expanding their understanding and experiences, so that they can activate and renew their lives and environments. Prior to the enactment of the performance, Jelili Atiku requested for participation of the public all over the world through sending a personal letter address to the members of Boko Haram imploring them to stop the

killings, the maiming and the terrorization of the people. He also asked people for plastic skulls in order to indicate lives that have lost for no reasons, which real make the performance look more realistic to the audience. One of the outstanding achievements of the performance was the pushing of the skull-cart with inscription Show Me Boko Haram on the streets of Ejigbo and distributing the letters to Boko Haram booklet. There was no doubt that the performance was a campaign against the obnoxious actions of Boko Haram; and it became ‘bodily knowledge’ by which the people (audience)” become aware

•Atiku in one of the performances

and possess an immediate knowledge of the realities of Boko Haram. Thus, there was a kind of involuntary and receptive anticipatory mobilisation of the body in relation to the action of Boko Haram.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

Mbanefo in the eye of the storm These are not easy times for the Director-General, Nigerian Tourism Development Corporation (NTDC), Mrs. Sally Mbanefo, as she contends with media criticisms, which the DG blames on detractors. KENNETH AZAHAN looks at the issues at stake.

OR Director General, Nigerian Tourism development Corporation, NTDC Mrs. Sally Mbanefo she may be paying the price for the changes she brought to bear in the management of the corporation as she is bombarded by media criticisms. No doubt, change is always resisted whether positive or negative and perhaps, that might be the driving principle of the head of the apex body responsible for tourism development as she declares that opposition she is receiving is engineered by outsiders who are jealous of the feat she has attained in less than two years on the mantle of leadership. A cursory look at the NTDC headquarters in Abuja and the Lagos offices will reveal that indeed transformation has taken place there as the structures wear new looks befitting of tourism management organ. Also, vehicles are seeing ferrying staff of the corporation amongst other positive changes that close observers of the tourism sector could notice. In spite of these changes, the corporation is often in the news most times for the wrong reasons. Most recent is a publication that went viral purportedly written by the various unions in the corporation accusing the management of corruption and highhandedness. But curiously, copies of such allegations obtained were not signed nor contained names of any leaders of the three unions existing in the corporation. Apparently, worried by the development, the DG in conjunction with the NTDC board recently addressed the press to put the records straight. For her part, Mrs Mbanefo said allegations of corruption and highhandedness being speculated in the me-

TOURISM dia against her is the handiwork of those who are against the transformation she has brought in management of the corporation in less than two years. According to the DG the briefing was on the instance of the NTDC board to intimate members of the public on some of the developmental stride she has taken to booster the tourism sector as an alternative to over dependence on oil revenue. She also denied reports that she was having a frosty relationship with the union members. ”There is no friction between me and my unions. We were in my office for long hours with some members of my board discussing with union leaders before I came here for this meeting with you”, Mrs Mbanefo stated. However, the NTDC boss admitted that the corporation had issues of staff promotions and conversion which she said her team and the board was working to resolve. While highlighting some of the achievements she has recorded, she said it was proper to clear the air that the achievements were not based on moneys that accrued to the corporation from the federation’s account but her ingenuity in galvanizing support from the private sector. ”On assumption of office I made sure I reinvented the corporation, people/structure, grew tourism value chain and reinvented tourism value chain. Also, I have taken premium on staff welfare that are to drive the vision.” She said in spite of the inroads she has made it was curious that some persons outside the corporation were bent on thwarting the progress by pub-

Keeping the youth off crime

lishing malicious stories using the names of trade unions. ”Let me quote from the handover note I got from my predecessor, in 2007, NTDC received N2.5b, 2008, 1.7b, 2009, 1.5b, 2010, 1.4b, 2011, 1.5b, 2012, 1.2b, 2013, 1.0b.” She explained that in 2014, 1.3b was appropriated but only 958m was released, adding that her performance has surpassed her predecessors who were collecting revenue from hotel registration which has since been stopped by Supreme Court judgment. The DG alleged that those behind the attacks on her were persons who were bent on armtwisting her to use government money to pay them for contracts they did which are unsubstantiated. ”Since assumption of office, I have had several persons coming here to demand for payments for jobs they claim to have done for NTDC and when we asked for documentation they simply say my predecessor gave them contracts by word of mouth. ”I inherited N143, 594,649 both local debts and N198,880, 000, foreign debts which we are still paying till date. From the date I assumed office to date we are paying staff N50 million debts incurred for foreign trips and these are things that were budgeted for in the years the trip were made”. The DG vowed not to bow to any blackmail to use government funds to pay debts that are not verifiable. Also speaking, representative of the Controller General of Customs who is a director

on the board, Wale Adeniyi, assured that the board would support the DG to deliver on her laudable ideas to drive the tourism sector. He stressed that the DG was committed to driving tourism to become an alternative source of income for the nation and needed the corporation of all stakeholders to making her vision a reality. On the issue of promotion, he emphasized that there were laid down rules which are not only guided by merit but there must be vacancies for such promotions to be made. Most contracts were awarded by word of mouth and cannot be verified, about N75,664,837 million was left as IGR (Internal Generated Revenue) which she cannot touch and they want her to make such payment. Also the domestic and foreign debts as stated in the handover note is N163,482,649. Therefore, the DG vowed not to bow at any blackmail to use government funds to pay debts that are not verifiable. Also, speaking, representative of the Comptroller General of Customs and also a director of the governing board, Mr. Wale Adeniyi assured that the board would support the DG to deliver on her laudable ideas to drive the tourism sector. On the issue of promotion, Mr. Adeniyi explained that there were laid down rules which are not only guided by merit but there must be vacancies for such promotions to be made.

Honours for the legend •Continued from Page 51

“R

EADING culture in Nigeria especially among the youths is near zero. However, there are many ways to redress it. Parents must set the example by reading to their children. On a daily basis, parents must take time to read to their children…and they must improve their responsibility.” That was the views of Mr. Odianose Dominic Mathew, author of Practical perspectives on youth engagement and mobilization strategy, during the public presentation f the book in Ikeja Lagos. He said it would not be out of place if parents sell their plasma television to set up a small library in their homes as a way to promote reading culture at homes. He noted that government has its own role to play in equipping schools and public libraries which must be complemented by the private sector. The UK-based Nigerian writer said the book was borne out of practical insight into youth affairs and the dearth of books in the sector that address youths related issues. “I see this book as a closing some gaps in that direction so that students of youth work and researchers into youth affairs will have a reference material to sight. It will also serve as a practical gui8de for youth work in Nigeria and beyond…It is my earnest belief that this book has come to fill the gap in the market and because it is written from a background of research its fact can be relied on and principles tested,” he added. Odianose said the book is very relevant to the youths at this period of electioneering when youths form the lion share of the electorate. “The book deals on youth and crime as part of its chapters. In fact, it is instructive to speak to the youth about their responsibility and conscience

•Left-Right: Representative of Comptroller General of Customs, Mr Adeniyi, Mbanefo, Representative of Minister of Interior, Mr Innocent Ogbonayo and Head Legal (NTDC) , Mrs Funebi Otu-Umondak during a press briefing in Abuja.

•From left: Sotade George and Odianose Mathew at the presentation in Ikeja, Lagos By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

EMPOWERMENT of being unproductive and engaging in violence,” he noted. As part of efforts to reach out to many youths organizations, he is donating hundred of copies of the book to secondary schools libraries and voluntary youth organisation in Lagos state. Practical Perspectives on Youth Engagement and Mobilisation Strategy is an 8-chapter book addressing issues of mobilizing youth and directing them towards a common goal. It also covers areas such as social networking, civic duties, obligations to the state, youth and crime, HIV/ AIDS, drug abuse, and how to become financially independent. According to the author, the book which is currently accessible on line via Amazon will soon be available in major bookshops across the country.

The Afe Babalola University, ABUAD, was constructed within eight months. It admitted its pioneer students, 240 of them, in January 2010. Now there are 6,200 students. Quite imposing, fully air-conditioned with state-of-art facilities, the university has residence for all students and teachers. Presently, there are five college buildings equipped with modern teaching facilities including e-learning platform, electronic boards, virtual library and ICT centre with 3,000 desktop computers, all connected to the internet. ABUAD recently commenced post-graduate programmes. What is the secret for this fast pace of development? The answer is deeply rooted in the persona and vision of its founder. After obtaining the primary six school certificate, Aare Afe Babalola never had the benefit of attending an institution of higher learning. By private study he went ahead to earn two degrees in Economics and Law, both from the University of London. At various times he was a pupil teacher, a secondary school teacher, vice principal, university lecturer and administrator. His record at the University of Lagos will remain indelible. As pro-chancellor and chairman of the governing council between 2002 and 2007, Chief Babalola returned UNILAG to the part of sanity. Aare Babalola is a man with a passion for excellence, humanitarian services, generosity and dedication to service. He is a philanthropist and a revered legal icon; a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Doctor of Letters, Officer of the Order of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, the Commander of the Order of Niger, former ProChancellor and Chairman of the Governing Council of the University of Lagos, former Chairman of the Committee of Pro-Chancellors of Nigerian Universities, Winner of the best Pro-Chancellor award in 2005 and 2006, Winner of Queen Victoria Commemorative Award, Socrates Award of European Business Assembly in Oxford, UK and member of Rector of Europe.

In his autobiography, Impossibility Made Possible, Aare Babalola describes himself as a selfmade man who “is proud of the qualitative primary education” he had. He is convinced that it was the high quality of instructions he received at the primary school that laid the foundation for his educational achievements. He is unhappy that such quality of education is rare in most Nigerian schools today. To quote the legal icon, “this development and my experience of dwindling qualities on standard of education in University of Lagos provided the urgent need to establish a first class university to serve as a benchmark for other universities.” In fulfillment of the humanitarian philosophy of its founder, no fewer than 250 students of ABUAD are presently enjoying some form of bursary at the institution. All indigent and very brilliant students are eligible for this rare gesture from a man who appreciates the value of education. Besides awarding full scholarship to brilliant students, loans and bursaries are available for the less-privileged and physically challenged students. For seven years from 2000, Aare Babalola was pro-chancellor at the University of Lagos. In 2005 and 2006 he was named the best pro-chancellor by the Federal Government, which, in a white paper issued in 2003 on the Visitation Panel to UNILAG, said, inter alia: “His leadership style was exemplary. The leadership style of his council was characterized by optimum time and resources utilization and a good team system”. Throughout his tenure at UNILAG, Chief Babalola paid his hotel bills and donated his sitting allowances to the university endowment fund. He donated a 500-seater lecture theater to the institution and established a robust endowment scholarship system for indigent students. In the words of Chief Olanipekun, Aare Afe Babalola is indeed “a prophet inundated with honors at home and showered with encomiums and recognition abroad.” The rare Man

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

•From left: Yahaya Dagana, Greg Mbajiogu and the late Gimba in MBA Colloquium in Niger State

ORN on March 10, 1952, the late Mallam Abubakar Gimba hailed from Nasarawa State. He was an economist and author, who emphasised the importance of education in raising a child. His early days were spent in a cultural environment somewhere in Nasarawa State where, as he once put it, he learnt from “the singing of birds, the footsteps and prints of everybody – since, then, we were not wearing shoes – even dogs had a lot to teach”. Gimba started writing during his days as a National Youth Service Corps member in the 70s. He published diverse works such as Trail of Sacrifice (1985); Witnesses to Tears (Aug 1987); Sunset for a Manderin (30 Aug 1996); This land of ours (2001); Golden Apples (Mar 1996); Innocent victims: A novel (Sep 1998) and Footprints (1998), among others. He brought his witty and in-depth understanding of life to bear in his writings. His humility, wit and cheerful disposition endeared him to all, especially those in the writing fold. Little wonder then that he later became a former national president of the Association of Nigerian Authors (ANA). He would be remembered for his witty, poetic and metaphoric works. Gimba was an executive director of Union Bank of Nigeria and a permanent secretary in nation’s Ministry of Finance and Economic Planning. He had master’s degree in Economics from the University of Cincinnati, and traveled extensively throughout Europe, Southeast Asia and the Middle East. He took part in the IWP on a grant from the U.S. Department of State. Although dead, the world would always remember him for his forthrightness. The literati received the news of his death with heavy hearts. Two weeks after his departure, people are still mourning the loss of a comrade, father and friend. They bore their thoughts in their tributes to the late author. Former Minister of State for Education and ex-President of ANA, Dr Jerry Agada “It pains to bid farewell to this pioneer writer and fine gentleman of great repute. I had known Gimba through the pages of some of his novels before we eventually met at the 1997 ANA Convention in Abuja, when he was elected ANA President and I too, as Assistant General Secretary. Since then it has been a symbiotic relationship built on mutual respect for one another. As ANA National President, Gimba, who wore simplicity like his usual white kaftan, carried us all along without minding his status. “During my tenure as ANA President, Gimba availed me full compliments of honour, respect, advise and support, which propelled me through and which I will ever cherish. Gimba was Special Adviser (Political) to the Senate President at the time I served as a minister of the Federal Republic of Nigeria and we combined perfectly to offer the best we could to the democratic governance of our great nation, using our creative talents as writers. As Gimba takes the final bow today, I take solace in the fact that he lived a fulfilled life as a great author of our time. I send my condolences to millions of writers all over the world and particularly, the President, EXCO and members of the Association of Nigerian Authors and also to all members of his immediate fam-

•The late Gimba.

Adieu patriot of Nigerian literature By Evelyn Osagie

TRIBUTE ily and well-wishers.” Former Member, House of Representatives and ex-president of ANA, Dr Wale Okediran “However, beyond all these tangible achievements, Gimba’s greatest legacies were the legion of writers and personalities whose lives he enriched through his selfless and often self-effacing attitude; his rich repository of knowledge and his uncanny affinity to give and serve even when he had little left for himself. He was to me not just a writing colleague, he was a brother, a confidant with whom I could discuss virtually anything and still be sure I was walking on safe grounds. “This was why when sometimes in 2011 Gimba informed me that after a medical trip to India he had been diagnosed with Liver Cirrhosis, I was crestfallen, but nevertheless upbeat about his chances of winning the battle against the predator. As a way of monitoring his progress, I, therefore, made it mandatory to visit him at least twice a year in his No 10 Gado Nasco Street residence, Zarumai Quarters in Minna, Niger State. For some inexcusable reasons, I missed visiting him this year and was on the verge of planning a visit when I learnt of his demise. Despite being privy to his ailment, which I knew could be terminal, I still took his death very badly. It was as if a part of me had been violently yanked off. And despite my determination not to betray any emotions when I later visited the family a few days after his death in Minna, it was difficult sitting without the “lord of the manor” in attendance in the same sitting room where we had for close to two decades supped, joked and strategised together. And so the tears fell… Good bye my brother, good night our knight in shining armour, farewell the Mandarin.”

‘Once again, we are called out to mourn one of the elders of the tribe!’ – Osofisan ‘I’ll always remember him as a man of character, who made a difference in Nigeria’s literary landscape. May his gentle soul rest in peace’ – Adimora-Ezeigbo

ANA Vice President, Abdullahi Denja “Mallam Gimba was a trail blazer in literary fiction up the Niger. He was a colossal figure in writing in English up North the way Abubakar Imam was in Hausa in Northern Nigeria. Gimba’s literary efforts crossed the borders to create understanding among people. Gimba was a pacifist and quintessential gentleman, who nurtured creativity in the young and the old with his God-given resources and strength of character. His life was a shining example to us all.” Dr Bukar Usman “Mallam Gimba a quiet, brilliant and amiable personality has been a beacon of light in literary development in the country in general and the northern part of the country in particular. It was a fitting recognition of his literary achievements that he was elected the President of the Association of Nigerian Authors. I, for one, has benefitted greatly from his editorial comments and guidance in my literary works. I surely miss him. May his soul rest in perfect peace!” Director-General,Niger State Development Agency, BM Dzukogi “The loss of Gimba creates a deep gorge in our lives having been with us for close to three decades as a mentor, leader, father and friend during which we have learnt his simple approach to life. Similarly, his desire for people to regenerate the self as a potent strategy for societal re-ordering was well noted by us. He was totally harmless and full of concern for mankind to the point of despair because men were not changing for good and we saw occasional state of despair in him. “This had made him extremely reserved much later in life. Of course, outside his writings, Gimba, whom everyone accepts is a good man, will remain a tall figure of goodwill and happiness to Nigerlites and those who encountered him through life. Indeed, we had our point of departure as to how to fix society: he wants individuals to regener-

‘The loss of Gimba creates a deep gorge in our lives having been with us for close to three decades as a mentor, leader, father and friend over which we have learnt his simple approach to life’ – Dzukogi ‘It pains to bid farewell to this pioneer writer and fine gentleman of great repute’ – Agada

PHOTOS: EVELYN OSAGIE

ate themselves for good to get a wholesome society. We agree but with the condition that leaders must provide the way. Anything short of that is a nullity. Well, this is the beauty of discourse. I hear people proposing to the Niger State Government to name the state’s University of Education after him that will be nice. The rest is up to us to carry further. Gimba has gone! One common royalty that all mortals enjoy on earth whether rich or poor, young or old is to be carried to the grave, lifeless. That’s what just happened to our gentleman Oga.” Novelist, Akachi Adimora-Ezeigbo “Gimba was a role model and a cultured man, who wrote powerful novels including classics such as Witness to Tears and Trail of Sacrifice. He performed effectively as Association of Nigerian Authors’ (ANA) President between 1997 and 2001. His tenure as president was one of the most stable and uplifting and he was able to build up the association as a formidable literary force. We, especially those that knew him well, will miss his amiable and gentle personality. I’ll always remember him as a man of character, who made a difference in Nigeria’s literary landscape. May his gentle soul rest in peace.” Ace playwright, Prof Femi Osofisan “Once again, we are called out to mourn one of the elders of the tribe!Alhadji Gimba as I knew him was soft-spoken, but had an iron will; self-effacing but never afraid of shouldering great responsibilities. He never found the style or theme to make his talent soar; but whatever limitations one might find were more than compensated by his passion, by the zeal he gave to art and to artists. It is certain we will miss him.” SONTA President, Prof Sunday E. Ododo “Gimba was perhaps the arrowhead of modern Nigerian literature from the Northern Nigeria. His contributions to the development of literature in the north shall remain evergreen because of the robust literary activities that now exist there, which are by products of Gimba’s visionary inspiration for young writers. The literary world shall surely miss his physical presence, but his creative and political imprints shall remain with us for a long time. Adieu patriot of Nigerian literature.” Association of Nigerian Authors executives “It is with great sadness that the Association of Nigerian Authors announces the death of Alhaji Gimba, distinguished author, administrator and public intellectual, who served as President of our Association from 1997 to 2001. He died yesterday in Minna after a long battle against ill health. Mallam Gimba, an indigene of Lapai in Niger State, was born in 1953. He authored several books in the course of his writing career, prominent amongst which are Witness to Tears, Trail of Sacrifice, Innocent Victims, Sunset for a Mandarin and Golden Apples. Mallam Gimba held a Master’s degree in Economics from the University of Cincinnati and was once Permanent Secretary of the Federal Ministry of Finance. He was also a former Chairman of the Ahmadu Bello University Alumni Association. He will be buried today in accordance with Islamic rites.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

AST December, the Independent Corrupt Practices and Other Related Offences Commission (ICPC) and the Federal Ministry of Aviation (FMA) launched what was labeled a cleansing exercise in the aviation sector. It was specifically designed to minimise, if not totally stamp out corrupt practices at our international airports. On December 16, 2014, I jetted out aboard United Airline through the Murtala Muhammed International Airport (MMA) in Lagos to George Bush International Airport in Houston, United States of America (USA). I arrived at MMA in good time to check in. For the first time in the many years that I have been passing through border point, I witnessed a 60percent free flow of travellers through different immigration desks. It was a remarkable improvement on what used to be. Though the menace of touts was still there, as I could smell and feel them right from the entrance up to the departure lounge; I was welcomed by two urchins begging to assist me with my light luggage. I quietly declined. Even at that, they still pursued me to the security checking point begging for a token from me. Walking through immigration after my luggage was okayed without any official pestering me with the usual plea: ‘Sir, anything for the boys?’ That kept me wondering whether the ICPC/FMA partnership to sanitise our international airports had started yielding dividends. My curiosity made me ask one of the officials at the final departure point why I was not pestered with demands for tip. He smiled and said: “Our Director-General met us yesterday and told us about the ICPC/FMA war against corruption at the airports and that whoever is caught demanding bribe or tip risks going to jail.” He then added a caveat: “I hope this is not just a one-off thing. It happened like this before during Madam Chikwe’s era as the Minister of Aviation, and that order never lasted than three months. However, whatever sense of pride I was feeling at those points vanished with an encounter I had at the United Airlines’ final check point leading to boarding gate where an officer without a name tag frisked me. As he began, he looked at me and started a conversation in a low tone. “I saw you when you came into the airport; a lady was carrying your bag,” he began. I had to look back to be sure I was the one he was talking to because only my driver came with me to the airport. I told him sharply that I was not the person. But he was not deterred. He said: “Baba, we are at your service O! Anything for me?’ I just looked at him, smiled, and then, walked briskly into the bowel of the brand new Dreamliner. Moments later, the big bird slid out of the hangar, and hit the tarmac, to begin the 13hour non-stop flight to George Bush International Airport, Houston. It was the smoothest flight I have ever had. We landed in the wee hours of December 17, and walked into the calm and cool bosom of the magnificent airport. There was no noise. There was ethereal peace as travelers passed through Immigration points without molestation. It took me only 10 minutes to complete the arrival procedures. There were no touts nor any official pestering you with “wetin you carry”. After spending a week in Houston, I moved to Silicon Valley in San Jose. Again, like in

•Muritala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos

MMIA: Not yet corruption free By Folu Olamiti

TRAVELOGUE Houston, there were no delays. Everything was done with computerised precision. The little delay we experienced, and which everybody understood came through the strict security checks travelers were subjected to. It was understandable. The fear of terrorists has become the beginning of wisdom for all countries all over the world. My return journey from Silicon Valley, through San Jose Airport, was less stressful as my luggage was checked and routed straight to Lagos through George Bush International Airport in Houston. The three-hour flight to San Jose to connect my flight in Houston for my journey back home was flawless. There was no security check again at George Bush Airport, as this had been done at San Jose Airport. I took notice of how Internet Technology had taken over virtually all transactions for air travels. You cannot see anyone loitering around you, pretending to want to assist you in whatever name. There were free trolleys to move my luggage. Coming back home, I had expected things to be better. Sadly, it was the same confusion. As I disembarked from the bowel of United Airline Dreamliner that ferried over 200 passengers to Lagos, a gust of harmattan haze blew me in the face. How I wished the harmattan would have saturated the Murtala International Airport terminal building because most of the air conditioners had either packed up or were working far below their optimum capacity. But I noticed a remarkable improvement in the immigration formalities for passengers.

Reward for givers

My clearance formalities were done in less than ten minutes. But to foul my mood, I had to wait endlessly to collect my luggage at baggage claim. First, most of us were forced to pay N200 per trolley that had a price tag of N150.00. The lady issuing the ticket feigned not havingN50 change. I understand it is worse in Abuja airport where passengers have to pay N400 for a trolley. United Aircraft landed 4.45p.m., Nigerian time, but most passengers, including myself, did not get their luggage until two and a half hours later. This delay should earn Nigeria a place in the Guinness Book of Records as one destination where a passenger spends the longest time waiting for his luggage. Whatever one went through at the arrival hall was nothing compared to the hell outside. As soon as you stepped out of the terminal building, touts swooped on you like ants do over honey. A cacophony of voices welcomed you, offering one service or another. “Oga, we are registered. You can trust us with luggage is safe,” one solicited. “I have taxi at affordable price,” another said. “My car is good. It is a Camry.” Money changers became serious pests as they thrust wads of naira notes at your face, begging you to come and change “Dollars. Pounds Sterling.” I asked one of them whether the ban on touts and touting imposed by the Minister of Aviation few weeks ago had been repealed. He replied with a wry smile: “Even if heaven falls, nothing can remove touts from this airport. This is where we get our daily bread. Nobody can remove us.” I couldn’t help but wonder whether sanity would ever prevail at this very important gateway to Nigeria. United Airline is in business in Nigeria. The way Nigerians are migrating to the United

States is making the airline to bloom. It now operates two flights one to Houston and the other to Atlanta. This is not to talk of other airlines like Delta and our own Arik ferrying passengers to the USA on a regular basis. You may wonder why this rush out of the country and why most of these Nigerians are taking American citizenship. My guess is that they are running away from Nigeria for greener pasture in the USA because of the worsening state of the economy. However, not all that glisters that is gold! The economy in the USA is even worse than what most Nigerians would have imagined. It’s even worse for those migrating without sound education. Such people would simply be moving into second slavery. My prayers are for the leadership of our country to improve the welfare of the downtrodden so they could stay at home and enjoy the opportunities offered by their fatherland. A word for United Airline cabin crew They should show some respect for their passengers. A situation where cabin crew members spill water and drinks on passengers is horrifying. I was a victim. And I think that is not dignifying. However, I enjoyed flying in their brand new Dreamliner. The big bird could tempt you to always burn the kilometres. The brand new aircraft has one simple alluring feature. It has no window blinds. Instead, it has a blue screen that keeps the inside serene. On December 22, 2014, my in-law, Pastor Gbenga Oso, who resides in Houston, drove me and my cousin, Gbolabo, his wife, and their two lovely daughters to the National Aeronautics and Space Centre in the city. The Centre, established 56 years ago, is an aerospace research and development facility for missions to space. The Centre, open to the public, is one of the money-spinning tourist centres dotting America. In 2014, the centre won the Best Tourist Centre of the year. People’s curiosity about why and how the USA ventured into space is answered by a number of questions, namely: how does the universe work? How did we get here? Are we alone? It takes about one hour for tourists to move around the complex in an arranged motorised cabin. Intermittently, tourists are allowed to visit some of the laboratories where astronauts are prepared for space travels, and conduct research into what they found in space. The visit was an eye opener as to how the US has navigated a total of 168 missions into space. NASA, according to Wikipedia, has conducted many manned and unmanned space flight programmes throughout its history. The unmanned programme launched the first American artificial satellites into earth orbit for scientific and communication purposes. The United States won the space race with the Soviet Union by landing 12 men on the moon between1969 and 1972 in the Apollo programmes. To date, NASA has launched a total of 166 manned space missions. One could not but recall some of the accidents that nearly scuttled the programmes. The two space exploration shuttle orbiters had14 astronauts that lost their lives – the Challenger in 1986 and Columbia in 2003. The Space shuttle, according to Wikipedia had 135 missions before it was suspended on July 21,2011, with the successful landing in space of Shuttle Atlantis. In all, the programmes spanned 30 years with over 300 astronauts sent into space.

Sponsor A Child, a Nigerian charity organisation for children, gave awards to some of its own last Friday at Terra Kulture. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

AST Friday, guests dressed in classic and beautiful outfits gathered at terra Kulture on Victoria Island, Lagos State for an award ceremony. The hall was decorated with white, blue and red fabric. Chairs were set around tables. It was a gathering where ‘Good Home’, a quality service advocacy scheme; a project under Sponsor A Child Organisation recognised some child friendly institutions in Lagos, Ogun and Oyo states for their improved child welfare services. Sponsor a Child is a charity group for children. Among those recognised were the University of Lagos Social Work students; SOS children’s Village Isolo, Lagos State; Compassionate Orphanage Lagos State, Heritage Homes Lagos State; Nigerian Red Cross Society Lagos State; Children ps Homes Idi Araba Lagos State; Motherless Babies Homes Lekki Lagos State

CHARITY and Samuel Francis Private School Lagos State, among others. Temitope Denton was the Master of the Ceremony. A documentary on ‘Good home’ was shown for about 20 minutes to guests payed attention. A Child Rights Lawyer, Mrs Folashade Adetiba spoke on: “Protection of the rights/ welfare of the child and the family court”. She congratulated the coordinator of the programme, describing the initiative as fantastic. She said the child right law defines a new child protective system and allows opportunity for the particitipation of children in matters that concern their rights and welfare. “The law covers every subject that involves the welfare of a child, including adoption, fostering, taking into protective custody and

•From left: Olatoun Williams, Mr Toyin Osifowora and Youssef Makrouf.

creation of special units within the police force to take care of welfare of children among others. She said a child has unfettered opportunity to approach the family court to enforce his rights under the Child Rigths Law adnf the court is empowered to appoint a legal

practitioner to represent the best interest of the child where it deems it fit to do so. Presentation of awards and certificate followed. Secretary, Association of Orphanages and Homes Operators in Nigeria (ASOHON), Dr •Continued on Page 47

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

Honours for the legend

IGERIA’S image takes a leap today as the University of London bestow the Doctor of Laws (honoris causa) on legal luminary, educationist and philanthropist, Chief Afe Babalola during its 2015 graduation ceremony at the Barbican Centre, London. Chief Babalola, arguably this country’s most erudite legal practitioner, is the first African to be so honored by the university with a doctorate degree in Law after the iconic Nelson Mandela (Doctor of Science, Economics) in 1996 and Archbishop Desmond Tutu (Doctor of Divinity) 2008. Predictably, eminent Nigerians have reacted profusely on what they regard

By Tajudeen Kareem

TRIBUTE as a silver lining in the country’s cloud of adversities and contradictions. Chief Wole Olanipekun, a senior advocate, described the award as recognition of Aare Babalola’s “contributions and undiminished input to humanity, particularly the legal profession in Nigeria”. In his estimation, the honor is “a departure from the depressing and discomforting news oozing out of Nigeria in very recent times; the proverbial sweetness that emerges at the dusk of the bitter leaf.” The Attorney General of the Federation and Minister of Justice, Mohammed Adoke, a senior advocate, regards the award as the recognition of Chief Babalola’s “outstanding achievements and meritorious service to humanity”, even as he promised to attend the conferment ceremony today. Ondo State Governor, Dr. Olusegun Mimiko believes that the university was persuaded by “those sterling qualities - those strides on the sands of time and those impactful contributions to legal education and the

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world of knowledge” recorded by the Octogenarian. Chief Judge of Oyo State, Justice Munta Abimbola, said the award is an honor long deserved by reason of the recipient’s contribution to the development of the Law. “The input has no match not only in Nigeria but also anywhere in the world. It is a merit well deserved in view of the outstanding achievements which admittedly is an unparalleled and exceptional service to Nigeria and mankind,” he wrote in a letter. The Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Adeyemi 111, who is attending the London event, described the award as recognition of Chief Babalola’s ‘eminence and distinction’. In an effusive oration, the royal father wrote: “Aare, you remain an African of honor and distinction, a rare breed and a first class achiever. Your long list of achievements and philanthropy is legendary, quite commendable and worthy of emulation by all well meaning African leaders.” The Emir of Ilorin, Alhaji Ibrahim Sulu-Gambari, eulogized Chief

Babalola’s erudition as a lawyer, and described the award as a “prestigious honor”. The retired jurist wrote: “I am in a position to adjudge you as a very outstanding legal luminary and a colossus in legal matters. Your over-half a century legal practice has been very eventful, noteworthy and commendable.” Ohinoyi Ebira, Dr. Ado Ibrahim Atta 111, described Chief Babalola as a Nigerian who has been laboring selflessly for social, educational and economic well being of today, and has planted a growing institutional Iroko for Nigeria’s tomorrow, thereby establishing fame and virtue universally.” For more than five decades, Aare Afe Babalola has dedicated himself to hard work; more hard work with a determination to succeed and excel. Now a grand old man at 84, he personifies a rare role model deep in self- discipline; one who brims with passion, the pursuit of excellence and a commitment to give back to humanity. The legal luminary, unarguably one of the finest in this clime, has left an indelible mark on legal education

and practice. He has made huge fortunes legitimately, but he has chosen to stake all his earnings and work himself to near frenzy, striving to leave a legacy for humanity. And when many expect his energy to wane, the legendary Afe seems unwilling to slow down. The Vice Chancellor, University of London, Sir Adrian Smith, responding to a mail said: “We are indeed delighted that Chief Afe Babalola will be accepting the honorary degree from the University of London because he has an exceptional record in both his personal achievements and in the difference he has made to others, particularly in the legal profession in Nigeria.” Undoubtedly, Aare Babalola made his name and fortune from legal practice; but visit Ado-Ekiti to see the breath-taking strides of one individual who by sheer determination has become a colossus recognised at home and abroad. A fitting testimony to his industry and diligence is the sprawling university built on 130 hectares. •Continued on Page 48

Harvest of honours for Aare Afe Babalola

HE erudite Nigerian Lawyer, Founder and Chancellor of Afe Babalola University, Ado Ekiti; Aare Afe Babalola OFR, CON, LLD, SAN ,FNIALS, FCIArb and recipient of several other Awards, Garlands, Chieftaincies and Accolades including Queen Victoria Commemorative Medal Award, Oxford UK, 2007 shall again at Barbican Centre in London be conferred the LL.D Degree Honoris Causa of the prestigious University of London in recognition of his contributions to the legal profession and numerous humanitarian programs on Education. Camera Laye’s L’Enfant Noir once paraphrased; - “The song of the harvesters transforms the atmosphere of work into an organized ritual ceremony marking the end of one season and the beginning of another.” The 11 th of March, 2015 begins another season of harvest of Awards for the selfmade Babalola, indeed the proposed academic ceremony, unique in the 179 years history of the University of London as the recipient will be the first African to be conferred with LL.D degree of the University. Reacting to the letter of the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Adrian Smith of the London University expressing the interest of the university to confer Doctorate degree, the elated Senior Advocate of Nigeria whose law practice span over fifty two years said ;”He believes that the award was in large measures due to the unprecedented and monumental educational landmarks achieved by his five years old University”. There is an imprint of the invisible creator in the affairs of the Octogenarian Chief Emmanuel Afe Babalola. At every opportunity I decipher his wit, grace and candour and particularly his unerring grit that encouraged the best impulse of all. His faith in Christ, wisdom of age, courage of hope, blend of fantasy, and nobility of spirit has made him One man special Olympics towering above his contemporary elders statesmen and to the unique affection kindled in the heart of millions admirers across the globe. Spit- and -polish product of the old Emmanuel School Ado-Ekiti, neither smokes nor involve in hard drinks as he continually keeps his 5 ft. plus frame, trim at about 70kg. Indeed he is bewitchingly strong, healthy with zero tolerance to indiscipline. Law remains the source of Afe Babalola’s fame; the reason largely for his alienation by some political class. He is a man of complex locution tainted with the philosophy of the late American President

The University of London will today confer on Aare Afe Babalola the L.L.D degree (Honoris Causa). In this tribute AYO FAJANA writes on the legal icon’s contributions to the profession

‘Indeed the legendary battles you had fought in the court room have led to the creation of many Judicial Precedents and landmark decisions, in addition, you are greatly admired and respected for your strong, compassionate spirit and philanthropist activities in this nation’ •Afe Babalola

TRIBUTE J.F Kennedy on Nigerian politics; “men who create power make an indispensable contribution of the Nation’s greatness but those men who question power make contributions just as indispensable, for they determine whether we use power or power uses us”. Babalola believes that unless those who govern the nation are imbued with the spirit of service and honesty of purpose, there could be little hope of surmounting the difficulties of this nation. Hence, his democratic rhetoric was not a mere verbiage aimed as an outer façade for deep seated partisanship as once described in certain quarters. Besides his legal forays, the density and immensity of his vision for the fastest growing private University in Africa; Afe Babalola University is perhaps the major thing that trade - marks him beyond silk and gown. His rich experience as the best Pro-chancellor of Nigerian Universities in 2003 & 2005 and thereafter the Chairman committee of Pro-chan-

cellors of Nigerian Universities 2005 to 2007 brought to bear with ruthless efficiency in the management of his new University. Professor M.L Goodheer of the European Business Assembly found Afe Babalola University as ‘a model which have not been seen anywhere”. True to this the University was established in 2008 at a pristine forest in Ado-Ekiti and today ranks as a world class Educational Centre of Excellence with a philosophy to lead by example. Prof. Adrian Smith obtained exoneration from the fell swoop indictment that “could anything good come out of Nazareth?. Ostensibly, it is an unsavory propensity of human to often brush off accomplishments. The University of London confers honorary degrees on individuals irrespective of race and color, those that had met some identified requirements of being persons of conspicuous merits and outstanding in their fields, command international recognitions by given exceptional services to their communities and those that have made important contribu-

tions to the London University. Indeed Babalola met those prerequisites and has brought honors’ to Africa. Tanto Nomini Nullum Par Elogium; of this great man, no praise is adequate. Nigerians at home and abroad amplified the thunderous encomium been deservedly showered on Chief Afe Babalola and proudly enthused that he is a visionary Nigerian, un-spoilt with pelf of slivery heritage but taught to toil in a world disillusioned with hazy views from slippery stage. He transforms the sands of time , firmly stand and stir while he plan far and near. He is a champion of the cause of Ekiti people and has never relented in that direction, in fact he becomes a rallying point and an enviable reference for the past three decades. He actually facilitated the establishment of the Federal polytechnic Ado Ekiti in 1981 and worked tirelessly for the creation of Ekiti State in 1996. Chief Afe Babalola was an alumnus and a beneficiary of the opportunity offered by the University of London as external candi-

date. He obtained Bachelors degree of the University in Economics in September 1959 and the inter-LL.B in 1960 through private studies. Indeed he is today a maker of history and worthy ambassador of this institution and I say floreat collegiums. Considering his brilliance and unprecedented achievements in the Bar the Nigerian President, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan, GCFR once found him in his letter dated June 17, 2008. He wrote; “indeed the legendary battles you had fought in the court room have led to the creation of many Judicial Precedents and landmark decisions, in addition, you are greatly admired and respected for your strong, compassionate spirit and philanthropist activities in this nation. Babalola is unprecedentedly the 1st African to receive the honorary LL.D degree of London University, although in humanities were the former South African President, Nelson Mandela, honored with doctorate degree in Economics in 1996, and Arch Bishop Desmond Tutu who was also conferred with honorary degree in Divinity on 2 nd Dec. 2008.Others among the list of famous honoris of the university were the celebrated statesman, war hero, distinguished Author and politician; Winston Leonard Spencer Churchill as well as the famous poets and writers. T.S Elliot and Henry Moore. With his long years of reputation and allurement in all spheres of life, Aare still persistently work hard, as a farmer he has the largest tree crop holdings in Nigeria, he keep straight, believing that when wealth is lost nothing is lost, when health is lost something is lost, and when character is lost all is lost. He probably took his strength from one of the planks of Ecclesiastes 9 verse 5 “for the living knows they shall die, but the dead knows not anything neither have they anymore a reward”. Age is a matter of mind to Chief as he does not mind, it doesn’t matter. His door is always ajar to all and sundry for good and ill requests and no matter the ingenuity, such attention would attract a take home stipend. while extended family became extended to infinity as it is almost impossible to differentiate between the biological members and those who suddenly became one. Indeed Aare has achieved a Tripos tripus as a man of erudition indisputably. He is a committed patriot with testimony of eternal essence of a good character and criteria of an eventful existence. Congratulations to a frontline legal icon, intellectual avatar and educationist for yet another harvest of honours.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

The Midweek Magazine

E-mail:- ozoluauhakheme@yahoo.com

PHOTO OF THE WEEK

PEOPLE AND THEIR WAYS OF LIFE A biker and his passenger carrying two tyres on Ozunba Mbadiwe Road, Victoria Island, Lagos

PHOTO: JIMMY RAIMI

ORMER Foreign Affairs Minister Chief Odein Ajumogobia has described two books by Prof Joseph Abugu as very important and timely additions to collections of books on corporate laws in the country. He said the books will help Nigerians navigate the complex subject as Nigeria enters an important stage of political development. He spoke at the public presentation of the two books: Principles of Corporate Law in Nigeria and Company Securities: Law and Practice written by Prof Abugu at the Agip Recital Hall, Muson Centre, Onikan Lagos last week. Ajumogobia commended Prof Abugu for the efforts saying: “I don’t know how he combines teaching at the university with writ-

Abugu offers double for the law By Ozolua Uhakheme, Assistant Editor (Arts)

BOOK ing books.” Lagos State Attorney-General Mr. Ade Ipaye, who represented Lagos State governor, Babtunde Raji Fashola presented the books describing them as additional contributions to critical area of the nation’s economy. “These are giant strides that culminated into two books, which we are to-

day presenting to the public. This is also the essence of a university-teaching and research,” Ipaye said. Principles of Corporate Law in Nigeria is designed to provide in-depth theoretical and practical insight of the subject to the law researcher either as a student or practitioner. To judicial officers, it offers a rich resource material expounding the subject and providing an analytical perspective from an academic. For Company Securities: Law and Practice, which is a second edition it is designed to

further deepen available literature on securities law and strengthen the case for its inclusion in the course curricula of the universities. Among guests in attendance were Deputy Vice Chancellor (Academics and Research) University of Lagos, Prof Jide Alo; Deputy Vice Chancellor (Management Services) University of Lagos, Prof Duro Oni; Prof Akinola Ibidapo-Obe; Prof Aghomon; Matthew Karienren and the reviewers of the books, Dr. A.A Olawoyin and Mr. Val Uche Obi.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

BUSINESS EXTRA

Govt, Reps fret over scrapping of Fiscal Responsibility Commission

HE Federal Govern ment and the House of Representatives are on collision course over the future of the Fiscal Responsibility Commission (FRC). It emerged yesterday that the federal government has concluded plans to scrap the Commission and subsume it under the Revenue Mobilization and Fiscal Allocation Commission (RMFAC). House of Representatives Committee on Finance however insisted that the purported scrapping of the agency by government remains a proposal, insisting that, scrapping the FRC must go through a legislative process since it was a creation of an Act of the National Assembly. RMFAC Chairman, Elias Mbam, while presenting the 2015 budget of his agency, disclosed that added respon-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

sibility of merging FRC to RMFAC would require more budgetary allocation. He said: "I want to say that the white paper of the restructuring of parastatals of MDAs, generally gives additional assignments to the Commission because from that white paper, the Fiscal Responsibility Commission will be scrapped. "The process of winding up of that Commission has reached advance stage. "In fact today (yesterday), we met in my office for a technical session on how to absorb their buildings and personnel was concluded in my office this morning". Mbam however noted that the process would be concluded when the White Paper is approved by the Na-

tional Assembly. According to him, the implication was that Budget Office allocation of N3.29b for 2015 for RMFAC would be inadequate. He requested for N3.82b At this point, Chairman of the Committee, Abdulmumin Jibrin joked that the FRC do not have to be at the budget defense session since it has been scrapped. However in his presentation, FRC Acting Chairman, Victor Muruako expressed fears over the recommendation of the governemnt White paper for the scrapping of the agency. He explained that the effect of the Commission on the Nigerian economy can not be qualified regarding financial discipline and prudence in Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDA).

He disclosed that FRC recovered N360b as Operating surplus for six years from defaulting MDAs. He said: "Before this time, we thought it was over for us, but being here again today I think there's yet a little hope for us. "As public servants, we owe it as a duty to government to ensure that we follow up with the decision of the government. "However, we wish to intimate you that on our own, we strived to see how we can continue to thresh on and discharge our mandate until the repeal of the Act because we are conscious of the fact that the Commission was a creation of the Fiscal Responsibility Act 2007. "We have managed and will continue to see how we can manage until we hear the final hammer by the repeal

of the Act. "It is on record as part of our achievements that we were able to recover over N360b operating surplus from scheduled corporations in the last six years of our operation. "The funding to our operation stood at about N3.6b or 0.6 percent of the fund recovered," he said. In his comments, Chairman of the Committee, Jibrin assured the Commission that the House would do all it could to intervene. According to him, the House has always been in the vanguard of strengthening the FRC and as such would not want to jeopardise it's future. "Our Committee would not support submerging FRC with RMFAC. We believe we should rather continue to empower it and give it more

power to perform its functions. "We will continue to see how to convince government to rescind the scrapping "To us, the purported scrapping remain a proposal because FRC is a creation of an Act of the National Assembly," he noted. The Finance Committee has also ordered the Accountant General of the Federation (AGF), Jonah Otunla to furnish it with the details of a recovered $30m from the country's foreign missions. Otunla, while presenting the budget of N3.2b for 2015 which he complained was not adequate told the Commission that $30m was recovered from foreign missions last year. The budget proposal provided no details which prompted the Committee's request.

ANAN worries over naira slide

HE Association of National Accountants of Nigeria (ANAN) has expressed worry over the decline of the the Naira, saying the development is unhealthy for the economy. Its President, Dr. Shakiru Labode, who stated this yesterday at the opening of the first session of 2015 Mandatory Continuing Professional Development (MCPD) programme at Afe Babalola University, (ABUAD). AdoEkiti, urged the Federal Government through the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to take urgent steps to stem the naira decline by introducing measures that would bring about stability in the currency. The event was declared open by Governor Ayo Fayose, who was represented by his deputy, Dr. Kolapo Olusola. Labode said the crash of the Naira in the international money market could be attributed to the slide in oil prices, pointing out that it is unhealthy for the government of Nigeria to depend on oil which, according to him, accounts for over 80 per cent of Nigeria's export earnings and 70 per cent of government revenue.

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado-ekiti

Labode advised that Nigeria should look inwards and pay more attention to other key sectors of the economy to generate the much needed foreign exchange. Other sectors the ANAN chief urged the government to focus more attention on, are solid minerals and agriculture, regretting that lip service is being paid to the non-oil sector which has boxed the country into a tight corner. Earlier in his speech, ANAN Chairman in Ekiti State, Emmanuel Olatiilu, urged the state government to approve the placement of members of the association on the appropriate grade levels and cadres immediately after their induction as a Certified National Accountant (CNA). Declaring the programme open, Fayose assured all the requests of ANAN would be looked into. He also advocated the establishment of an outreach centre of the Nigeria College of Accountancy in the state.

Eight bills will impact on economy, says BPE

HE Bureau of Public Enterprises (BPE) has said the quickly passage of its eight bills into law by the National Assembly would have a positive impact on the Nigerian economy. The Director-General, Benjamin Dikki applauded the Federal Executive council for hastening the transmission of the eight reform bills to the National Assembly for passage. BPE’s Head, Public Communications, Chigbo Anichebe, In a statement listed the bills as; Railway Bill, Inland Waterways Bill, Ports and Harbour Bill, Federal Roads Authority Bill, National Roads Fund Bill, National Transport Commission Bill, Competition and Consumer Protection Bill and Postal Sector Reform Bill. While exchanging views about the reforms bill during donor agencies coordi-

From John Ofikhenua and Ayorinde Hope

nation meeting on infrastructure and Public Private Partnership (PPP) with the Nigeria Regional Office of the African Development Bank (AFDB) Group in Abuja on Monday, Dikki, expressed the hope that with the necessary stakeholders’ engagement, the Bills would be passed within the current legislative year. He said the purpose of the Bills among others, include the abrogation of existing monopoly laws and to liberalise the various sectors to allow private sector participation, ensure a conducive business climate to encourage private investment, promote competition and institute a sound legal and regulatory framework that would ensure independent regulation.

• From right: Minister of Aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka, Committee Chairperson, Automation of Revenue Generation Committee, Mrs. Janet Adepegba and Perm. Sec.Federal Ministry of Aviation, Alhaji Mohammed Abass during the submission of Automation of Revenue Generation Committee report held yesterday at Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA) Annex, Murtala Mohammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

‘Aviation requires $50b investment to grow’

VIATION Minster, Chief Osita Chidoka said yesterday that the aviation industry requires about $50 billion investment to grow the sector in the next 28 years. Chidoka said that the aviation sector which currently contributes less than one per cent to the gross domestic product, is under-performing because of insufficient funding , weak regulatory institutions, poor performance by domestic airlines, as well as huge indebtedness. He spoke at one day Aviation Executives Business Forum ( AEBF), in Lagos.

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

He said that Nigerian aviation sector would not grow, owing largely to low direct investment , funding deficiencies, untapped regional opportunities for domestic airlines, weak corporate governance, under-utilised bilateral air services agreement, poor incentives for private sector participation and under financed domestic carriers. Chidoka said the aviation industry could only grow if there are appropriate policies, financial incentives , increased foreign direct invest-

ment, stimulation of local direct investment, reduction of industry risks , as well as expansion of aviation financing by banks tailored for the sector’s requirement. He listed equity investments through attractive and competitive incentives across the aviation value chain , facilitation of government intervention and guarantees to boost industry performance, a some of the ways out of the situation. Chidoka said the industry would improve if airline operators and other investors improve corporate governance and enterprise risks of

industry operators , liberalisation of airspace through the implementation of regional initiatives, including the Yamoussoukro Decision , revision of intervention fund model as well facilitation of more robust sector financing framework. He said: ”We have to stimulate the volume of aviation finance to drive the next level of industry growth. Chief Osita Chidoka, Minister of Aviation said that the aviation industry contributed $0.7 billion (N137.9 billion) in the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP).

AfDB approves $174m for Nigeria's ATASP-1

HE African Development Bank has approved $174.85 million towards financing the Agricultural Transformation Support Programme (ATASP-1) in Nigeria. The ATASP-1 will be implemented as a five year plan, financed from the African Development Foundation (ADF) loan and grant resources respectively in four

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

Staple Crop Processing Zones (SCPZs). The Country Director, AfDB, Nigeria Field Office, Mr. Andoh Mensah, said this at the weekend in Abuja during the ATA Support Program 1 and stone laying for the youth in agribusiness center organized by the International Institute for

Tropical Agriculture (IITA). He said: “The Agricultural Transformation Agenda Support Program Phase 1 (ATASP -1) unlike previous interventions which focused on agricultural production will adopt a commodity value chain development approach in four staple Crops Processing Zones. “In other to enhance production and productivity,

farmers comprising mainly of youths and women will be trained and retrained along the value chains through an efficient and participatory approach by IITA, Ibadan. “The entrepreneurship training otherwise called ‘outreach programme’ will be carried out in three training centers, whose construction/ rehabilitation will be supported by the AfDB.”

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 10-03-15

Gombe bond followed due process, says SEC S

ECURITIES and Ex change Commission (SEC) has affirmed that the approval of the second tranche of the N30 billion Gombe State bond followed due process and was in line with the rules and regulations of the Commission and extant laws guiding such issuance. Acting Director, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Mr. Mounir Gwarzo, while reacting to some observations against the bond, said the Commission complies strictly with its procedures before approving the application. According to him, SEC is unique among other capital market regulators around the world in carrying out preoffer and post-offer inspections to ensure that funds raised from the capital market are not misappropriated but applied for the purposes stated in the issuance prospectus. He noted that in the case of Gombe State, the new approval of N10 billion is only the second tranche of a N30 billion bond issuance programme approved by the Commission since Septem-

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

ber 2012 adding that the application complied with all the requirements under the law. Gwarzo explained that the first tranche worth N20 billion was issued in 2012 and in line with SEC’s rules and regulations, the Commission carried out on-site verification inspection of the projects completed from the proceeds of the first tranche and its technical team satisfactorily verified and certified the projects and recommended approval of the second tranche. He said SEC has utmost regard for the rule of law noting that while it is true that the Commission was served with originating summons, there was no injunction from any court of competent jurisdiction restraining the Commission from performing its statutory duty of approving the application by Gombe State. He decried the situation in which disaffected parties file

multiple court cases to prevent statutory government agencies from performing their duties to the detriment of the capital market and the entire economy. “As a statutory body, SEC will continue to carry out its legitimate functions undeterred unless there is a specific court order restricting it,” Gwarzo said. Apart from Gombe bond, SEC also gave approval for N5 billion Oyo State bond, N24 billion Zamfara State bond and N9.3 billion Ebonyi State bond. These applications have been with the Commission for months without approval. A member of the Senate Committee on Capital Markets and Institutions, Senator Magnus Abe had during a budget defense meeting last week questioned the bond approval by SEC in spite of the fact that the matter is presently before a competent court of law. Another member of the committee and a former Governor of Gombe State, Senator Mohammed Danjuma Goje also questioned SEC for approving the bond.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 10-03-15

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

MONEYLINK

$20b investments needed to achieve 10,000MW

LANS to boost power supply to 10,000 megawatts (MW) will require $20 billion investments, analysts at FBN Capital, an investment and research firm, have said. The firm’s Head of Markets, Olubunmi Ashaolu, said the latest figure for peak daily generation as at March 8, stood at 3,941 MW, meaning that a further 1,500MW is unavailable due to gas shortage. He insists that for now, the investments by some successor companies

Stories by Collins Nweze

tend to have been offset by vandalism and insufficient transmission. “The development of the power industry remains patchy, with some positive steps set against the background of continuing vandalism of the gas infrastructure and of inadequate transmission. Rehabilitation at the Egbin power plant, the country’s largest, has restored 220 MW capacity from turbine generators which had been out of order for

eight years, and raised total installed capacity to 1,320MW,” he said. According to him, the Bureau of Public Enterprises put investment by the owners of the Power Holding Company of Nigeria (PHCN) successor companies at N300 billion including N50 billion at Egbin. He said six companies created out of the old PHCN received a total of N40 billion under the distribution of the N210 billion Nigeria electricity market stabilisation facility. According to Ashaolu, the Nigerian

Skye Bank introduces currency exchange transfer

KYE BANK Plc has introduced a self service currency exchange transfer service on its internet banking platform. The product, the bank said in a statement, would allow customers transfer funds from their foreign currency account to their naira account with the bank. The service allows customers to transfer from their foreign currency accounts to other Skye Bank account holders. The lender has also introduced a direct international funds transfer service that enables account holders to transfer foreign exchange from their account to offset payment in any part of the world. The service is known as FX Direct. Skye Bank’s Head of Information Technology, Mr. Richard Amafonye, who made this known, said all the transactions are performed at the bank’s prevailing exchange rate. He said the service provides ease and convenience to customers if they run short on cash in local currency. “All it takes is to choose the foreign currency account you want to transfer from, fill the amount with the Naira equivalent of the amount you wish to exchange and submit,” he explained. Amafonye emphasised that the cur-

rency transfer service is particularly invaluable over the weekends as customers can conveniently exchange foreign values for naira and use the naira to pay for goods and services. Still on the benefits of the service, he said customers now have the discretion and flexibility to hold currencies in the preferred option since

they can readily remit abroad or convert to local currency for their spending convenience. The banker said through its more efficient, customer-focused and innovative offerings, the bank hopes to build a loyal customer base, adding that customers can transact through any of its alternate channels.

Ecobank rewards promo winners

COBANK Nigeria has given out millions of naira in cash prizes to winners that emerged in its “Giant Prize Give Away” promo for current and savings accounts holders. The Giant Prize Give Away Promotion gives participating customers the opportunity to win over N10 million cash prizes and other rewards at both bi-monthly regional draws and grand draws. At a draw held yesterday in Lagos, the lender gave out N2.5 million each to Mr. Ekezie Godson Chigozie, Engr. Basil Ewaen Idahosa and Awala Ebiobowei who emerged the star prize winners during the grand finale. Also, Okoro Oghenevwame, Awoke Mathias and Onwuka Jude Obilor won N1 million each. Other customers of

the bank also won consolation prizes such as four air conditioners, four generators, four LED television, four mobile phones and four washing machines. Also won are two inverters, two ipad air and two smart phones. Head of Advantage Banking, Ecobank Nigeria, Mrs. Dami Oruwari, said the campaign showed that the bank has a lot of loyal customers. “Ecobank is a pan-African bank. We have a lot of products to service customers’ needs. We like to reward our loyal customers. It is a continuous thing, it is not what we do one-off and so I will implore everyone here today to spread the good news. It is real and you can see that what we are doing at Ecobank is genuine,” she added.

owners of the plant are working with Korean technical partners even as the Eko Distribution Company in Lagos expects to have access to 100MW from the rehabilitation at Egbin shortly, and a further 170MW from six embedded plants by end2015. He said that an increase in the electricity tariffs was introduced for commercial and industrial users with effect from last January 1, and has been deferred for residential consumers until July 1, 2015. The analyst said the rise in the tariffs should be welcomed by the privatised distribution companies, judging from the protests from the Manufacturers Association of Nige-

•Power Minister, Chinedu Nebo ria which claimed that the electricity fixed charge had been increased tenfold.

$100m Ekcel project for inauguration today

OVERNOR Willie Obiano of Anambra State will today, commission a site signaling the formal take off of the $100 million Ekcel Farms project in Anambra State. The project, which is part of activities marking his one year anniversary in office, will focus on large scale commercial production and processing of cassava and tomato into bi-products for local and export markets. The project is also consistent with the state’s vision to become a first choice investment destination and a hub for industrialisation and commercial activities. The farm project, sited in Omasi, Ayamelum Local Government Area of Anambra State, is a private sector initiative by Ekcel Farms Limited for the development of full scale mechanised agriculture in the state. The company is expected to partner with recognised global key players in the agribusiness industry, and focus on meeting the millennium investment goals of the state government. The partnership, it said, is

also expected to take advantage of the economic transformation programmes of the state government in order to fully realise her investment potentials. It said Ekcel Farms will enjoy the benefits of being run with internationally recognised and accepted standards, and strong emphasis will be placed on product quality development and control measures. The state government last year signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) with Ekcel Farms Limited which, it said, will create more jobs for citizens of immediate communities. The farm will expose the local farmers to the benefits of agricultural research in areas of crops utilisation, land use maximisation and opportunities optimisation. “The product choice is been determined by the domestic and international demands for these processed agro-allied products and will be focused on target markets where there are currently supply gaps due to inability to meet high demands,” it said.

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH BGL NUBIAN FUND BGL SAPPHIRE FUND CANARY GROWTH FUND CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST CORAL INCOME FUND FBN FIXED INCOME FUND FBN HERITAGE FUND FBN MONEY MARKET FUND FIDELITY NIG FUND • UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

126.04 9.17 1.12 1.19 0.63 1.39 1,744.73 1,104.77 112.34 121.16 1.67 1.29 1.32 0.95 1.17

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.28 1.32 0.93 1.17

AIICO CONOIL IKEJAHOTEL FIDELITYBK TRANSCORP CONTINSURE SKYEBANK NPFMCRFBK RTBRISCOE GUARANTY

O/PRICE 0.89 33.81 4.00 1.44 2.73 0.86 2.38 0.94 0.73 24.51

C/PRICE 0.95 35.50 4.20 1.51 2.86 0.90 2.49 0.98 0.76 25.50

CHANGE 0.06 1.69 0.20 0.07 0.13 0.04 0.11 0.04 0.03 0.99

BETAGLAS CHAMPION COSTAIN UBN ETO HONYFLOUR MANSARD REDSTAREX INTBREW MOBIL FIDSON

O/PRICE 27.08 5.10 0.73 11.50 18.48 2.90 2.97 3.87 19.42 153.00 3.05

C/PRICE 25.73 4.85 0.70 11.05 17.83 2.80 2.88 3.76 18.95 150.00 3.00

Monetary Policy Rate

Interbank ($/N)

199.00

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$33.2b

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR) Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$60.91 N16.42 trillion.

Credit to private Sector (CPS)

N17.2 trillion

Primary Lending Rate (PLR)

16.5%

Tenor 1 Month 2 Months 3 Months 6 Months 12 Months

19 Feb

20 Feb

Rate)%

Rate (%)

0.1735 0.2147 0.2615 0.3841 0.6709

0.1715 0.2108 0.2626 0.3857 0.6744

Nigerian Stock Market Indices NIGERIAN INTER-BANK OFFERED RATES (NIBOR)

Tenor

LOSERS AS AT 10-03-15

SYMBOL

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) February 23, 2015

Inflation: December

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 10-03-15

SYMBOL

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

CHANGE -1.35 -0.25 -0.03 -0.45 -0.65 -0.10 -0.09 -0.11 -0.47 -3.00 -0.05

12-02-15 Rate (%) Rate (%) 13-02-15

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

15.033

15.977

15.809

17.177

16.493

17.908

Transaction Dates

Statistics All Share Index Mkt Cap (NGN’bn) Deals Volume (mn) Value (NGN’mn)

19 Feb 29,282.04 9,770.36 3,385 564,28 6,087.80

20 Feb 29,383.93 9,804.36 3,714 377,75 6,568.66

GOVT. SECURITIES YIELD – SECONDARY MARKET

Tenor

Feb. 13, 2015

Rates

T-bills - 91

12.44

T-bills - 182

13.85

Amount

T-bills - 364

13.92

Bond - 3yrs

15.92

Offered in ($)

Sold in ($)

03/02/2015

500m

499.93m

3/12/2014

400m

399.97m

Bond - 5yrs

17.22

1/12/2014

350m

349.96m

Bond - 7yrs

16.59

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

NEWS ‘N3b budgeted for my impeachment’

Plot to impeach Elechi crashes

HE impeachment proceedings against Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi have hit the rocks. Seven of the 15 legislators, who signed the notice, have backed out. They called themselves the Integrity Group. The lawmakers were led by Minority Leader Enyi C. Enyi of the All Progressives Congress (APC), who represents Ezza North West Constituency. Addressing a news conference yesterday in Enugu, he said: “Our resolution is that we have withdrawn from involvement in the impeachment move against Governor Elechi.” Enyi said their decision was informed by consultations within and outside their constituencies. He added: “We were also touched by the deep political counselling by our leaders and elders, which indicated that the long term demerits of the action would surpass whatever short term merits it might present. “We were alarmed at the discovery that the impeachment, if consummated, would spew deep political bad blood and dichotomy between the two political blocs in the state – Abakaliki and Afikpo.” Enyi said they also realised that if the impeachment was

From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

•Seven of 15 lawmakers withdraw Hearing on governor’s ‘impeachment’ stalled From Ogochukwu Anioke, Abakaliki

HEARING on the substantive suit brought before an Abakaliki High Court by Ebonyi State Governor Martin Elechi, challenging his planned impeachment by the House of Assembly, was stalled yesterday, following the inability of the applicant to serve the respondents. The Speaker, Chukwuma Nwazunku, the Chief Whip, Kingsley Ikoro and the House of Assembly are the first, second and third respondents. Chief Tagbo Ikeh, SAN, who is the lead counsel to the applicant, Governor Elechi, told the court that efforts to serve the respondents were not successful. He accused them of evading service by switching off their mobile phones, while their offices have remained shut. Following the inability to reach the respondents, Tagbo prayed the court to grant the applicant leave to serve the respondents through substituted service, using a national newspaper. After hearing the lead counsel to the applicant, the presiding judge, Justice John Igboji, granted a motion that the respondents be served through substituted service. Justice Igboji noted that the interim injunction issued earlier remained valid till the determination of the substantive suit. He adjourned hearing till March 17. Justice Igboji last week restrained the House of Assembly from impeaching Governor Elechi. This followed a motion ex-parte brought before the court in pursuant to his rights by the Governor. From Chris Oji, Enugu

pursued, each member of the House of Assembly would wear the stigma and badge of dishonour as the lawmakers, who impeached their gover-

nor and the first set of legislators that impeached a sitting governor in the Southeast. His words: “Those of us in the Integrity Group are not prepared to earn any stigma that can outlive our tenure and

•Gov Elechi

political career and even affect our children.” The minority leader said the plan to impeach the governor was hatched last year, but delayed until recently, adding that they were of the opinion that the impeachment had become belated “and should remain dead and buried forever”. The Integrity Group members, however, urged Elechi to unite the state. They said: “It is time Chief Elechi gathered everybody, irrespective of party affiliation, religion, social idiosyncrasies, language, culture or zone. “This is the time for him to set the state on the path of peace and reconciliation. He should consider ordering the release of those clamped in jail, following the Ezza/Ezillo clash, especially the 83 indigent citizens from Ezza clan.”

From Sunny Nwankwo, Aba

Nweke, the APGA Abia Senatorial District candidate, confirmed that vehicles belonging to the party’s members were vandalised. The vehicles include those of the Director of Protocol, Mr. Charles Ijioma and Personal Assistant to Otti, Mr. Chuka Ofili. APGA members were reportedly injuried in the commotion that ensued. Police spokesman Geoffrey Ogbonna confirmed the incident.

•The vandalised windscreen of one of the SUVs

Reps tackle NTA, AIT on ‘hate documentaries’

AWMAKERS yesterday tackled two major television networks and others on airing of ‘hate documentaries’. The Nigerian Television Authority (NTA) and the African Independent Television (AIT) were taken to task over the broadcast of political jingles and advertorials against opposition parties. Officials of regulatory agencies Nigerian Broadcasting Commission (NBC) and Advertising Practitioners Council of Nigeria (APCON) were also qurried by the Umar Buba Jubril- headed House of Representatives Committee on Information and National Orientation. The lawmakers accused the media of jettisoning the Nigeria Media Code of Election Coverage, saying they " seem to allow their outfits to become platforms for the mudslinging tactics of desperate political players." "Despite these well spelt out regulations in NBC, NPC and APCON codes, there seems to be deliberate breaches by media organizations and well as their regulators," the chairman of the committee said in his speech. Speaking before the Commit-

From Victor Oluwasegun and Dele Anofi, Abuja

tee, the NBC Director- General Emeka Mba. Said though the NBC has no pre-knowledge of programmes aired by stations, speeches like "stone them", "burn them" or "kill them", is illegal. The chairman of the committee said: "What we are saying is that a media house puts up a sponsored message and it is bad, you will know, when it is good you will know. And when you sense that there is something bad, does it mean that you cannot do anything on your own? "If someone says stone them, does it fall within the parameter of NBC? Or says: We are not like them, we don't give birth to children that roam the streets and later turn to Boko Haram? does it fall within your power? Mba said: "Its difficult for us at the NBC. We had a situation in which we have been taken to court for not following our own processes. A station has a right to broadcast materials, but if it will lead to the breakdown of law and order, we will stop them." APCON Registrar and Chief Executive, Garuba Bello Kankarufa said the organisation is lim-

Food Concepts partners Pioneer Foods

Thugs attack APGA candidate Otti, others HE governorship candidate of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) in Abia State, Dr. Alex Otti and other chieftains of the party on Monday at Oboro in Ikwuano Local Government were attacked by yet-to-be-identified thugs. The incident, it was learnt, occurred at Ibere, Ikwuano about 2:45pm when Otti and other leaders of the party went there to campaign. In a telephone interview, Chief Ahamdi Emmanuel

BONYI State Governor Martin Elechi yesterday alleged that N3billion had been budgeted by “desperate politicians” for his impeachment. He spoke at the Government House, Abakaliki when members of the National Association of Ebonyi State Students (NAESS) visited him to show their solidarity. Elechi said politicians, who were desperate to govern the state, were trying to dent his image by accusing him of corruption. He added: “As poor as we are, some people who want to take over Ebonyi State budgeted N3billion to ensure I am impeached so that they will have their way. They spent the money recklessly, but God is in control. Let them bring more money and squander it on hooligans to unseat me. They will not succeed. “They are denting my image, knowing that the process of impeachment cannot succeed constitutionally. “This is why they decided on impeachment even before having excuses to justify the decision. We are watching them. I’m yet to be served. Ebonyi people have risen to the challenge and said no. We are watching them. “It is ridiculous that lawmakers are lawbreakers. Otherwise, lawmakers should know that matters in court should be allowed to take their course before reacting. “It is ridiculous that when a House of Assembly approves a borrowing through overwhelming resolution of the members and that borrowing is coming in stages, they said ‘oh, you have violated the laws. You didn’t get our approval’, forgetting that they approved it. “The first thing they say in their programme is; ‘we will complete uncompleted projects.’ They have no dream, no vision of what they want to do. Their only ambition is to complete what somebody has started.” The governor said those calling for his head were jealous of his achievements, noting: “Those militarising the political space will themselves face militarism in due course.” The National President of NAESS, Comrade Fredrick Nwebor, urged the governor to remain resolute and focused in his efforts to move the state forward. They pledged to support his administration.

ited in scope of operations. "We have no right whatsoever outside between 5 secs to 60 seconds materials," he said. According to him, anything beyond that "is no longer advert, its a sponsored programme, its either BON or NBC that has right over that. “Unfortunately the APCON Law is weak and only prescribes a fine." Shola Omole DG, NTA and Chairman of BON said he would take 100 per cent responsibility for content that NTA has power over. He said that he had been fair on the issue of the right of reply." He added that “the adverts helps to pay running bills”. AIT's Tony Akiotu said: "We do not discriminate against any party. We have corespondents covering all the parties. As much as possibly can we have tried to maintain balance. The issue is of advertorials and programmes. We make money through adverts and we give right of reply. There have been cases where people complained and are in court and it will be subjudice to talk about them here." A member of the Committee, Jagaba Adams Jagaba said:

"some of you are owned by government and you are under a tightrope, there is life after office. This election that is coming, we don't know who,is winning, do what is right and have the courage to say no when they bring such things. "Let's be guarded by conscience. Life does not end with this administration, there is life after this administration." Abike Dabiri Erewa accused both NTA and AIT of not giving the opposition party particularly APC a right of reply to all the hate documentary they have been airing. A documentary like that, NTA and AIT can carry it, but when you reply it, they say no they can't air it. All these advertorials against Gen. Buhari are lies, but when APC puts up an advert and respond to all the hate documentaries they say they can't air it. "You mute the sound when opposition rallies are being broadcast. You saw nothing wrong when the First Lady said 'stone them.' You reject adverts that respond to programmes aired by the ruling party. Why?"

OOD Concepts Plc, owners of Chicken Republic, Butterfield Bakery and Free Range Farms, has

announced its partnership in its Baked Good Division, with Pioneer Foods; a leading South African FMCG company. The company recently demerged its Baked Goods Division into Food Concepts Pioneer Limited (FCPL). Pioneer Foods acquired 50.01 per cent of FCPL while Food Concepts Plc retained 49.9 per cent. FCPL will house Butterfield Bakeries, a baked goods business specialising in bread and sausage roll production. This will allow Pioneer Foods to leverage existing infrastructure and brand recognition — both crucial elements of consumer packaged-goods companies. Pioneer Foods will implement several operational changes to the Butterfield bakery to increase its efficiency and consistency. Chairman of Food Concepts Plc Deji Akinyanju said: ‘The partnership will benefit from the combination of the respective strengths which will be used to tap into the vast opportunities in the Nigerian FMCG sector to deliver extraordinary value to customers.”

Fountain of Life Church holds retreat

OUNTAIN of Life Church, Ilupeju, Lagos, will tomorrow hold its annual pastors’ and leaders’ retreat. It is organised by Senior Pastor Taiwo Odukoya. The programme will be held at the Events Place, Darlington Hall, Plot CDE Industrial Crescent, near PZ Industries, off Town Planning Way, Ilupeju, Lagos. A statement said the retreat, which started in 2000, offers an opportunity for Christian leaders to step back and recharge spiritually. It will run till Friday. The programmme will start with an evening session tomorrow at 6pm. There will be two sessions on Friday, with the first session holding between 10am and 12:30pm, while the closing session will be an all-night session, which will start at 10pm on Friday and end at 5am on Saturday.

Books to be unveiled

HE unveiling of two books: “Confront your mountain” and “Spring of inspiration”, written by a public relations specialist and newspaper columnist, Pastor Ayodeji Ayopo, will hold on Saturday at Triumphant Baptist Church, 19, Olufemi Ojo Street, off Shasa Road, Akowonjo, Lagos at 11am. The Managing Director of SUN Newspapers, Mr. Femi Adesina, is expected to chair the event. The Director-General of the Public Service Development Centre, Mrs. Bunmi Fabamwo, the Managing Director of CONSAT, Mr. Mayokun Okunola and the President of Lagos Central Baptist Conference, Dr. Kehinde Babarinde, are expected at the event. The CEO, LASACO Properties Ltd, Mr. Olumide Jaiyeola and the Editor on line, The Nation, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin, are the reviewers.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

NEWS ‘Osunbor must face electoral offences’ trial’ From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

HE National Human Rights Commission (NHRC) has justified its decision to recommend former Edo State Governor Professor Oserheimen Osunbor and some others for trial on electoral offences. The commission argued that its decision was informed by the fact that Osunbor was indicted by an electoral tribunal and upheld by the Court of Appeal, Benin in Edo State. NHRC’s position is contained in its reaction to a suit before the Federal High Court, Abuja, by Osunbor, challenging NHRC’s decision to include him in its recommendation, arguing that he was not accorded the right to fair hearing by the NHRC. The NHRC, last year, recommended to the attorney general of the federation (AGF), the prosecution of Osunbor, former Speaker of the Kogi State House of Assembly, Clarence Olafemi; former Ekiti State Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Resident Electoral Commissioner, Mrs Ayoka Adebayo, and an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Christopher Oloyede for alleged violations of the Electoral Act, 2007. Osunbor was the governorship candidate of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) during the 2007 election. The commission’s recommendation followed the findings of a Technical Working Group (TWG) in 2013, which reviewed cases of those indicted in judgments by the courts and election tribunals. The TWG submitted its initial report, finding out that some indicted individuals and institutions were identified, but were not prosecuted. NHRC said it acted pursuant to its powers under Section 6 (1) of the NHRC Act 1995. Yesterday, parties adopted their final addresses in relation to the substantive suit and the preliminary objection filed by NHRC. Femi Falana (SAN), who represented the NHRC, urged the court to dismiss the suit by Osunbor because the commission acted within its powers. “We have deposed in our supporting affidavit that in the exercise of the NHRC’s statutory power, recourse was made to the judgment of a court and that the holding of the tribunal formed the basis of the defendant’s recommendation, Falana said. The NHRC, in the supporting affidavit referred to by Falana, noted that Osunbor, who was named as the third respondent in the petition before the election tribunal, which sat in Benin, was linked to the act of electoral offences at the hearing of the petition. It said Osunbor “has not been prosecuted for any electoral offence despite evidence against him at the hearing of the election petition No: EDGV/EPF/1/07. The plaintiff has never been tried for any electoral offence.”

Power failure, dearth of computers mar UTME in Bayelsa

ACK of electricity supply and insufficient computers frustrated the Computer-Based Test (CBT) Unified Tertiary Matriculation Examination (UTME) in some of the five approved centres in Bayelsa State yesterday. Two of the centres were located at the Niger Delta University (NDU), Amassoma, while others were in Agudama, YenezueGene, and Otuoke. Candidates for the examination were stranded and complained about the technical challenges they faced during the exam. But state Commandant of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) Mr. Desmond Agu ensured adequate secu-

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

rity at the centres. Agu, who toured most of the centres, praised the Joint Admission Matriculation Board (JAMB) for adopting the electronic system but observed that most of the challenges were technical. “It is one of the mandate of NSCDC to monitor every exam that is conducted in Nigeria. I hail JAMB for making use of this system, but for the technical challenges”, he said. He said his men were mandated to check examination misconduct and advised candidates to report to their centres early. He said the examination would be conducted from

March 10 to March 18. But one of the UTME’s technical employee, Mr. James Oladipo said fluctuating power supply was a big challenge. “Power failure is an issue and the generator we were provided with trips on and off. So we are trying to rectify it. We believe God will give us the grace to do that”, he said. But he said the computers provided for the candidates at the Niger Delta University Centre 1 were enough for the candidates. It was observed that the exam, which was supposed to start at 9 am, began two or three hours later in some centres. One of the candidates, Masa Terry, while praising

the system, said it did not take into cognisance the poor infrastructural development in the country. He also said the system was not favourable to candidates from rural areas, who are not conversant with computers. “This is a modern system and it’s good,but for people who came from the village,it is bad because they’ve never used a computer before. The effect of this is mass failure”, he said. Another candidate, Ezi Rex, lamented that he could not join the first batch in writing the exam because of insufficient computers. “Before initiatives as these are executed, adequate provisions should have been made so that nobody would be em-

Drama as supporters of 18 parties clash in Rivers

HERE was drama, yesterday, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, as supporters of 18 parties scuffled during a protest against the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The protesters are supporters of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and 16 others. They barricaded the INEC office at Port Harcourt-Aba Expressway, accusing the commission of

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

bias in the posting of ad hoc workers. A coalition of 17 parties, Concerned Political Parties, led by Mr Emeka Amadi, said they came to the INEC office to complain but were surprised PDP supporters invaded the scene. In a statement yesterday in Port Harcourt, the group accused INEC of bias, alleging that the Supervisory Officers (SPOs) in the local government

areas were PDP and APC allies. The group said it would continue to protest until INEC reviews the posting. The group said: “We are suspecting that those posted to local government areas are close allies of some politicians. We, the supporters of political parties in the state, will not support any idea that will truncate the democratic progress. “All we want is free, fair and credible elections, though as supporters of

political parties, we still have confidence in INEC but we want INEC to review and re-examine its ad hoc workers.” Mr. Bright Amehule, who led the PDP group, alleged that the test-run of the card reader machine was influenced by some parties. The Resident Electoral Commissioner, Dame Gecila Khan, dismissed the allegations. She said: “If the two parties are protesting against us, it then means INEC is purely neutral.”

•The protesters...yesterday

Protesters block Eastwest Road over $16b compensation

GGRIEVED indigenes of coastal communities in the Niger Delta region on Tuesday blocked the Mbiama axis of the East-West Road to protest $16bn compensation for oil spill allegedly owed them by Mobil Producing Nigeria Unlimited (now Exxon Mobil). The angry victims of the spill that occurred 16 years ago between January 12 and 17, 1998, took over the road at about 9am. The placard-carrying protesters caused heavy traffic gridlock on the busy road that links all the states in the South-South. Drivers and travelers were held hostage for over three hours by the protesters who called for the inter-

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

vention of President Goodluck Jonathan. Some of the placards read: “Chief James Jephta we want our money”, “Exxon Mobil, you are playing games with us”, “Niger Delta people want 1998 oil spill compensation”, “Barrister Wills, Niger Delta youths want their money”. The demonstration which was largely peaceful was coordinated by clan heads of the Ijaw Youth Council (IYC), Ijaw National Congress (INC), Movement for the Survival of Ijaw Ethnic Nationalities (MOSEND) and the Ijaw Survival Movement of the Niger Delta (ISMOND).

Elderly men, women, youths and chiefs from various communities of Akwa Ibom, Bayelsa, Cross River, Delta, Edo, Ondo and Rivers states participated in the protest. In a statement signed by leaders of the protesting communities and groups, the victims lamented that coastal communities in Lagos State which suffered the same 1998 spill had since received their compensation. Reading the statement on behalf of the victims, Mr. Jonathan Robert, said despite being the main victims of the spill, they had been left to languish in pains and penury twelve years after the incident. He said in pursuit of their compensation, the affected

various communities instituted various cases in different Federal High Courts against the oil company. He, however, said after about eight years of litigation, the communities opted for an out-of-court settlement at the instance of Exxon Mobil. He said the victims of the spill later employed the services of Octopus Clan Nigeria Limited owned by Mr. James Jephta as their principal attorneys to handle matters of the compensation on their behalf. He said after waiting in vain for over six years to get the compensation promised them by the company, they decided to confront the company to know the reason for the delay.

barrassed”, he said. Also Mr. Obagua Jonathan, queried JAMB’s shoddy preparations. He said: “They said they were going to use computers, we have been here and the materials are not here for us to write. I have been here for 6 am but this is over 11 am and I have not written because of inadequate computers”. JAMB’s state Coordinator Mr Joseph Oboh said the candidates were always instructed on modalities for answering questions before the commencement of the exams. He said the system was designed to eliminate examination malpractices and to enable candidates get their results in three hours.

Canadian investor tackles NNPC

CANADIAN investor, Stephen Shefsky, has described as unfortunate the decision of the Nigeria National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to abort its $453 million (U.S.) oil deal in the Niger Delta. Despite winning a competitive bid and paying the full $453 million into an escrow account, Shefsky and his partners have seen their new asset subjected to a takeover by NNPC. “I feel absolutely sick about it,” said Mr. Shefsky, president and chief executive of James Bay Resources Ltd., the Toronto-based company that spearheaded the oil acquisition and owns 45 per cent of the company that won the bid. “I went in with my eyes open and I thought we were doing the right thing. Somewhere in the system, something happened.” Competing against several other bidders, Mr. Shefsky and his partners won a bid in June, 2014, to acquire the lucrative oilfield asset from the Nigerian subsidiaries of Shell, Total and Agip, which together owned 45 per cent of the oilfield. But last October, as he was preparing to hire Shell’s former employees at the site, the NNPC announced that it was using its preemptive rights to take over the asset – although those rights should have expired 30 days after the bidding finished. The letter from the NNPC dated October 27, 2014 did not give any reason for the decision. It simply ordered Shell and the other two companies to “assign” and “transfer” their interest to it. Shefsky said he is mystified by the decision, since about 20 similar divestment deals have gone ahead without preemption. He suspects there are more than just business factors at play. “I believe it involves politics,” he said in an interview on Monday. He has hired a high-profile Canadian lawyer, Robert Amsterdam. In a statement, Amsterdam cites the possible role of corruption in the case. “The timing of all of this behavior, right before an election, is very suspicious,” Amsterdam said in an interview in Johannesburg.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY MARCH 11, 2015

NEWS UNIZIK suspends five lecturers

HE management of Nnamdi Azikiwe University (UNIZIK) in Awka, Anambra State, has suspended five lecturers for examination misconduct. UNIZIK’s Director of Publications Mr. Emma Ojukwu confirmed the suspension in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka yesterday. He said the lecturers were suspended on March 2 for three months with half salaries, pending the outcome of the Senior Staff Disciplinary Committee Report. The drector said the lecturers were from the Department of Pure and Industrial Chemistry and the Department of Electronics and Computer Engineering. Ojukwu said they were found to have assisted stu-

•Benue State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governorship candidate, Terhemen Tarzor ( in white), eating with market women during his shop to shop campaign in Makurdi Modern market

dents and awarded frivolous marks to undeserving students in the first semester exams in the 2013/2014 academic session. Other offences were failure to submit examination attendance list, collection of money from students for upgrading of results, sharp practices and irregularities in result sheets. He said administrative verification would soon be conducted in other departments to fish out such culprits. Ojukwu said the ViceChancellor, Prof. Joseph Ahaneku, had warned some heads of department not to collect money from students for registration. The director said a review process had been instituted for administrative action on the matter.

Niger East by-election: PDP, INEC lose appeal •Judgment reserved on Nuhu From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

APC Assembly candidate kidnapped in Bauchi

N All Progressives Congress (APC) Bauchi State House of Assembly candidate for Ganjuwa West Constituency, Yusuf Inuwa Dadiye, has been kidnapped. Dadiye, an engineer, was kidnapped last night by suspected gunmen on his way to Miya from Bauchi, the state capital. Police Area Commander Mr. Bassey confirmed the incident. He said investigation had begun, but could not give details on the kidnap. The driver of the kidnapped

From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

politician, Danliti Amadu Rungo, said: “The abductors drove in a black 406 Peugeot saloon car and forced us to stop at gunpoint. “The kidnappers dragged the candidate out of the car and took him away.” The Nation learnt that the abductors have not established a contact with the victim’s family. The politician’s family and

supporters have called for prayers. They urged security agents to embark on a search to rescue the victim. APC spokesman Auwal Jallam confirmed the kidnap, saying “we have lodged a complaint with the police. We are awaiting their response. “We are ready to support security operatives in their efforts to rescue our party’s candidate. We are also carrying out our investigation.

“We are not ruling out mischief in this kidnap. This is because our candidate is a promising politician, who is loved by the people.” Efforts to speak with police spokesman Haruna Mohammed were unsuccessful. He did not respond to calls and text messages. Danliti is the second APC candidate to be kidnapped. The first was Samaila Darazo, who was abducted last year from his home at Darazo in Darazo Local Government.

Court refuses Adamawa CJ’s prayer to stay hearing in Nyako’s suit T HE Adamawa Chief Judge, Justice Ishaya Banu, has lost in his bid to stay proceedings in the suit filed before the Federal High Court, Yola by ex-Governor Murtala Nyako. In a ruling yesterday, a three-man panel of the Court of Appeal, Yola (now sitting in Abuja), refused Banu’s prayer for a stay of proceeding in Nyako’s case pending the determination of his (Banu’s) appeal. The court, however, abridged time within which parties are to file and serve their briefs of argument. It gave the appellant and respondent one week each. Justice Banu had appealed the decision by Justice Bilikisu Aliyu, the then judge in the fundamental rights’ enforcement suit by Nyako. Banu had applied to be made a party in the suit. But Justice Aliyu refused his application on the grounds that he was not a necessary party, a decision he appealed. Nyako had initiated the suit to challenge the process leading to his impeachment last year. The suit, with the Adamawa State House of Assembly and others as defendants, was one of two suits filed by the governor shortly after his

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

impeachment. Nyako had, in November 2014, alleged that he was denied a fair hearing by the impeachment panel, which recommended to the House of Assembly that he should be removed from office. Justice Aliu concluded hearing in the fundamental rights’ enforcement suit and adjourned till February 12. Before the date scheduled for judgment, the Chief Judge, Justice Auta, called for the file on the grounds that a petition was written against the judge by the Chief Judge of Adamawa State, Justice Ishaya Banu, through his lawyer, Festus Keyamo. Nyako protested Justice Auta’s action in a February 2015 petition to the National Judicial Council (NJC), accusing him of seizing the case file and “thereby forestalling the delivery of the court judgment slated for February 12.” Chief Registrar of the Federal High Court Mrs. Rosemary DugboOghoghorie, on February 18, denied Nyako’s allegation. She said the chief Judge called for the case file to enable him address a

petition dated February 3, 2014, written to his office by Festus Keyamo, who is the lawyer to the chief judge of Adamawa State, a party in

the case. The case has now been reassigned to another judge, Justice M.G Umar of the Bauchi division of the Federal High Court. The new judge has fixed hearing for March 17.

‘Ishaku is most qualified for Taraba’ From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

ARABA students under the auspices of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) yesterday endorsed the candidature of Darius Ishaku, saying he was the “most qualified” for the governorship. The students, coming from universities and other tertiary institutions across the country, spoke when the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) standard-bearer met with them at the pool side of the Jolly Nyame Sports Complex, Jalingo, the Taraba state capital. The SUG President, Salahudden Shuabu, said Ishaku, an architect, has the best credentials for the position, having worked as a seasoned lecturer in the university and as a minister in three ministries, which “he served without any blemish.” He added that among the candidates, Ishaku was the consensus candidate from southern Taraba “where power is officially supposed to shift to.”

HE Court of Appeal in Abuja on Monday dismissed two appeals filed by the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Niger State and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), against the verdict of the National Assembly Election Tribunal, which declared David Umaru of the All Progressives Congress (APC) winner of the Niger East senatorial by-election. The court also reserved judgment in the appeal filed by Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu of the PDP challenging his removal by the election tribunal as the senator elected at the August 30 and September 6, 2014 Niger East senatorial by-election. The independent appeals filed by the PDP and INEC were struck out by the Court of Appeal panel comprising Justice A. D. Yahaya, Justice T. Akomolafe Wilson and Justice J. E. Ekane, on technical ground, as the two appellants failed to transmit the records of proceedings of the lower court that ruled on the matter to the Court of Appeal. The court adopted the briefs by both parties on the appeal filed Dr. Shem Zagbayi Nuhu, which prayed the court to set aside the judgment of the National Assembly Election Tribunal that quashed his victory as the Niger East senator- elect. Nuhu argued that the tribunal erred in law by acting on the dumped documents. He also argued that the petitioner (David Umar) called only 33 witnesses out of 111 polling units during the trial. Counsel to the petitioner, Ibrahim Mujaheed, raised preliminary objection to Nuhu’s appeal. He said the documents presented at the tribunal were not dumped but presented by witnesses on oath and tendered as exhibits after INEC’s confirmation before the court. Mujaheed told the court that the documents were not tendered through the Bar but by witnesses and that they were deemed read in court session after INEC’s confirmation of the documents as certified true copies. The appeal panel, after hearing both parties, adjourned judgment on the preliminary objection and the adopted reply and briefs by both parties to a date yet to be fixed. Reacting, the petitioner said the dismissal of the PDP and INEC appeal suits at the appeal court was a major victory for the rule of law and for democracy. Umaru said he was optimistic of victory in Nuhu’s appeal. The National Assembly Election Tribunal for Niger East senatorial by-election on January 30 in Minna returned Umaru, the APC candidate, as the lawful winner of the by-election after voiding votes in several polling units due to malpractices and non-compliances with the Electoral Act.

‘Fed Govt spends over N34b on tertiary institutions’ From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

FEDERAL Government, through intervention programmes under the Tertiary Education Trust Fund (TETFUND), has spent over N34billion on the provision of developmental programmes and projects in higher institutions in Kano State. Vice President Namadi Sambo spoke on Monday at an interactive session with members of the Bayero University Kano (BUK) community. The Vice President, according to a statement by his Senior Special Assistant (Media), Umar Sani, inaugurated and laid the foundation of projects were yearning for was a in the university. change from bad governance He said education was the to good governance. bedrock of development and The governor hailed the had a pride of place in the people of Kwara North for President Goodluck Jonathan leading in the collection of administration’s transformaPVCs and enjoined the indi- tion agenda, which he said had genes to vote wisely by voting impacted on the education secfor the APC candidates “be- tor in the country and Kano cause the party has performed.” State in particular.

Ahmed cautions voters against selling PVCs

WARA State Governor Abdul Fatah Ahmed has urged voters not to sell their Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to desperate politicians. He spoke to reporters at Banni in Kaiama Local Government during the All Progressives Congress’ (APC’s) campaign tour.

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Ahmed said PVCs was the only weapon in the hands of the electorate to elect leaders of their choice, warning them not to allow any politician to disenfranchise them in whatever disguise. He said what Nigerians

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

LENT

FOREIGN NEWS Ivory Coast court jails ex-first lady 20 years over poll violence

COURT in Ivory Coast on Tuesday in Abidjan, sentenced former first lady, Simone Gbagbo, to 20 years in prison, for her role in a 2011 post-election violence. Rodrigue Dadje, her lawyer, said the trial verdicts were announced after nine hours of deliberations by the jury. He said Gbagbo was tried alongside 82 other allies of exPresident Laurent Gbagbo. “This is purely a political decision to keep her out of the political game,’’ he said. He said they were being tried in a case, in which more than 3,000 people, were killed. Dadje said Gen. Bruno Ble, who headed the elite Republican Guard, and former Navy Chief, Adm.Vagba Faussignaux, were both jailed for 20 years, while the former president’s son got shorter sentence. “The jury members retained all the charges against her, in-

cluding disturbing the peace, forming and organising armed gangs and undermining state security. It’s a shame,” he said. Dadje said the sentence handed down by the sixmember jury, was longer than the 10 years requested by the state prosecutor. He said the former first lady’s rights, were also suspended for 10 years. The lawyer said Pascal Affi-N’Guessan, President of Gbagbo’s Ivorian Popular Front (FPI) party, was also handed an 18-month suspended sentence. The ex-first lady said she had been insulted and humiliated by the prosecution, which, she said, had failed to prove her guilt, adding that she told her part of the truth. “I’m prepared to forgive. I forgive because, if we don’t forgive, this country will burn,” she said. “

Stunned France probes Argentina crash

ROSECUTORS in France have opened a manslaughter investigation after two helicopters crashed in Argentina, killing eight French nationals. Three well-known French sports personalities were among those killed in the collision, which also claimed the lives of the two Argentine pilots. French President Francois Hollande said it was “a cause of immense sadness”.

Both helicopters were involved in the filming of TV survival show Dropped, which airs on French channel TF1. On the show, celebrities are flown into rough terrain and filmed while they attempt to find food and shelter. Yachtswoman Florence Arthaud, Olympic swimmer Camille Muffat and Olympic boxer Alexis Vastine were the show’s celebrities on board at the time of the crash. They all died.

Theme: Lift Him up not to be forced out! Text:”.....Nebuchadnezzar......was driven from men, and did eat grass as oxen.......” (Daniel 4:33)

OD is not only the Ancient of days (Daniel 7:9,13,22) but He is also the Almighty God (Gen. 17:1). He has all powers at His command (Psalm 62:11) and gives it to whosoever He wills (Romans 13:1); in fact, He is the mainstay of any Government. In Proverbs 8:15-16, He said that, “By me kings reign, and princes decree justice. By me princes rule, and nobles, even all the judges of the earth.” More importantly, He has power to install whoever He wills as king and at His prerogative, He can remove installed kings. When the Israelites demanded for a king, He was the One that gave them Saul the son of Kish, but when Saul went against His command, He didn’t consider Samuel’s broken heart outlook to give Saul another chance- He removed and replaced him in a jiffy (1 Samuel 15). King Nebuchadnezzar was a very powerful King over Babylon. He had God’s delegated powers and authorities “... over the nations and over the kingdoms, to root out, and to pull down, and to destroy, and to throw down, to build, and to plant” (Jeremiah 1:10). One day however, King Nebuchadnezzar became so self-conceited about all that God had blessed his life with and appropriated all the blessings to himself - he became so garrulous and egocentric (Daniel 4:29-31). Daniel 5:19-29 records that, “... for the majesty that He gave him, all people, nations, and languages, trembled and feared before him: whom he would he slew; and whom he would he kept alive; and whom he would he set up; and whom he would he put down. But when his heart was lifted up, and his mind hardened in pride, he was deposed from his kingly throne, and they took his glory from him”. King Nebuchadnezzar was chased out of the palace like an animal because of pride! When his senses came back to him, he begged God for forgiveness, gave God the honour due to Him and he was restored after many years in the forest as an animal (Daniel 4:34-37). It was the same with King Herod when one day, he adorned himself in royal apparel, gave an oration that made the people answer him that, “...... It is the voice of a god, and not of a man. And immediately the angel of the Lord smote him, because he gave not God the glory: and he was eaten of worms, and gave up the ghost” (Acts 12:22-23). He died like a flower plucked in its bloom! Beloved in Christ, the only sustaining grace that is available to lift you up, keep you standing and never allow you go down is humility and giving honour to God always. You must always bear it in mind that where you are, what you

NEWS INEC secretary now to hold office for four years Continued from page 4

another period of four years only.” Section 18(1) of the Act states “Whenever a voter’s card is lost, destroyed, defaced, torn or otherwise damaged, the owner of such card shall, not less than thirty (30) days before polling day, apply in person to the Electoral Officer or any other officer duly authorised for that purpose by the Resident Electoral Commissioner, stating the circumstances of the loss, destruction, defacement of damage.” The National Assembly increased the period the owner of lost voter’s card should report from 30 days to 60 days. On Postponement of election, Section 26(1) the principal Act states “ Where a date has been appointed for the holding of an election, and

there is a reason to believe that a serious breach of the peace is likely to occur if the election is proceeded with on that date or it is impossible to conduct the election as a result of natural disaster or other emergencies, the Commission may postpone the election and shall in respect of the area, or areas concerned, appoint another date for holding of the postponed election, provided that such reason for the postponement is cogent and verifiable.” The Senate proposed that the clause in the Principal Act should be retained. The House of Representatives proposed clause (i) which states “In the event of an emergency affecting an election, the Independent National Electoral Commission shall as far as possible, ensure that persons displaced as a result of the emergency are

not disenfranchised.” The additional clause was adopted by the conference committee. Section 28(1) of the Act states “All staff appointed by the Commission taking part in the conduct of an election shall affirm or swear before the High Court an oath of neutrality as in the Second Schedule to this Act. The Senate and the House proposed that Section 28(1) of the Principal Act should be amended by substituting the wards “the High Court” with the words “any court of law or Commissioner of Oaths.” The proposal was adopted by both chambers. Section 52(2) of the Principal Act which states “The use of electronic voting machine for the time being is prohibited” was amended to read 52(2) “Voting at an election under this Act shall be in ac-

cordance with the procedure determined by the Independent National Electoral Commission.” The two chambers made the proposal and was so adopted by the conference committee. The Senate said that the Bill seeks to improve the legal framework for Electoral process by providing the tenure of office for the Secretary of the Commission, increase the number of days for application for and issuance of duplicate voter card, determine voting procedure as well as addressing related issues to facilitate electioneering in Nigeria. The lawmakers added that the Bill further ensures a level playing field for all participants in the electoral process, more transparent process of conducting election and to gain time to prepare voters and candidates for elections.

We're strategising for victory, say PDP governors

FTER the preliminary meeting on Monday night, Governor Babangida Aliyu of Niger State told reporters that the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) governors came to Lagos to strategize for the success of the party at the poll. Aliyu said: “We have forgotten the formula of winning not only the presidential election on March 28 but others scheduled for April 11. “We are here to capture the mind of the people looking for positive change. We are happy that people have start-

By Leke Salaudeen

ed appreciating the achievements of Mr President and our great party Peoples Democratic Party. Ekiti state Governor Ayo Fayose said the target of the two day meeting was to plan for the PDP electoral victory in the south. Our target is southern Nigeria, he said. Lagos State PDP leader, Chief Bode George and the party’s governorship candidate showed up briefly at the meeting. Replying a question whether the PDP candidates abide by the rule that gov-

ernment owned jets and vehicles should not be used for campaigning, Governor David Jang of Plateau State said such policy cannot be enforced here because our democracy has not grown to that level. According to him, it took United States democracy over 200 years to develop. We have not gotten to the stage politicians should not use government aircraft and bullet proof-car, he emphasised. His Ondo counterpart, Olusegun Mimiko defended President Goodluck Jonathan for using presidential jet for his campaign activities when

he said: “The President is in power and he is entitled to the paraphernelia of office. Whenever there was power cut during the programme, Governor Akpabio blamed it all on the All Progressives Congress (APC). “You can see how the opposition- APC is trying to sabotage this programme”, he was fond of saying. The ministers present include that of Power, Prof. Chinedu Nebo, Dr Akinwunmi Adesina (Agriculture) and Mike Onolememen (Works). The Secretary to the Federal Government (SFG) Sen. Pius Anyim Pius attended.

are and who you are, are products of God’s love. Paul told the Ephesians in Ephesians 2:8-9 that “For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves: it is the gift of God: Not of works, lest any man should boast”. Paul commended the kind of humility that Jesus Christ personified to us, in his Epistle to the Philippians in Phil 2:511, who despite being God humbled Himself as man to death on the cross, and was consequently lifted up and given a name that is above every other names; that at the mention of the name of Jesus, every knee shall bow. Humility is very crucial no matter the position you are occupying. It is God’s desire for you to humble yourself in the high position that God has placed you, stop looking down on other people, help the weak and provide support to the helpless. God hears the prayers of the humble whenever he calls (2 Chronicles 7:14) and He gives honour and never forgets the cry of the humble. Besides that, humility provides the key to divine elevation. Jesus Christ had promised in Matthew 18:4 that, “Whosoever therefore shall humble himself as this little child, the same is greatest in the kingdom of heaven.”. Also in Matthew 23:12b, He said that, “.... he that shall humble himself shall be exalted”. Humility was the saving grace for Naaman, otherwise, he would have died a leper. When the man of God told him to go and dip himself into the dirty River Jordan, pride took the better part of him and he refused to go because of the river’s nature. However, when he humbled himself and dipped himself in the river, he was cleansed of the leprosy and his skin became like a baby’s (2Kings 5:1-14). It is common for people, on attainment of power, wealth or position to decorate themselves with a garment of pride. Beloved in Christ, if you don’t want the hand of God to be against you, take off that toga of pride because it only leads to shame (Proverbs 11:2), brings quarrels (Proverbs 13:10), leads to destruction (Proverbs 16:18) and can make a person share King Nebuchadnezzar’s fate (Proverbs 29:23). During this time of lent brethren, let the mind of Jesus Christ be in you, ask for forgiveness concerning the spirit of pride, take stock of areas where you have been exhibiting pride, pray for the spirit of humility, learn to accommodate others, live in love and pray for grace of lift up. Prayers: Father, deliver me from pride and clothe me with the garment of humility all the days of my life, in Jesus’ name.

Card Readers: INEC meets parties tomorrow Continued from page 4

urday, March 07th 2015. “The states were Rivers and Delta (Southsouth), Kano and Kebbi (Northwest), Anambra and Ebonyi (Southeast), Ekiti and Lagos (Southwest), Bauchi and Taraba (Northeast) as well as Niger and Nasarawa (Northcentral). On the mock election last Saturday, the commission said about 59 per cent of the voters had their fingerprints successfully authenticated. It, however, promised to correct all lapses before the general election. The statement added: “Overall, 59% of voters who turned out for the demonstration had their fingerprints successfully authenticated. “ But the Commission, in agreement with registered political parties, had provided in the approved Guidelines for the conduct of the 2015 elections that where biometric authentication of a legitimate holder of a genuine PVC becomes challenging, there could be physical authentication of the person and completion of an Incident Form, to allow the person to vote. “The Commission nevertheless took a serious view of the high rate of the SCRs’ failure to authenticate voters’ fingerprints in some areas, particularly in Ebonyi State, and has decided to thoroughly investigate the cause; as well as repeat the public demonstration in that state. “This demonstration will be conducted in the particular Registration Area involved in the last exercise, namely Izzi

Unuhu (Abakaliki Local Government Area); as well as in Ibii/Oziza Registration Area (Afikpo North LGA). The repeat demonstration will be on Saturday, March 14th 2015.” INEC explained four reasons behind the adoption of the SCRs. It said: “The Commission observed that its decision to deploy SCRs for the 2015 general elections have FOUR main objectives, namely: •To verify Permanent Voter cards (PVCs) presented by voters at polling units and ensure that they are genuine, INEC-issued (not cloned) cards. From the reports on Saturday’s exercise, this objective was achieved 100 per cent. •To biometrically authenticate the person who presents a PVC at the polling unit and ensure that he/she is the legitimate holder of the card. In this regard, there were a few issues in some states during the public demonstration. •The SCRs provide disaggregated data of accredited voters in male/female and elderly/ youth categories – a disaggregation that is vital for research and planning purposes, but which INEC until now had been unable to achieve. The demonstration on Saturday fully served this objective. •The SCR sends the data of all accredited voters to INEC’s central server, equipping the Commission to be able to audit figures subsequently filed by polling officials at the PU and, thereby, be able to determine if fraudulent alterations were made. The public demonstration also succeeded wholly in this regard.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

MAY 29 ...89 DAYS TO GO

•Dr. Jonathan

•Akpabio

•Gen Buhari

•Shehu

‘Lamido’s call for kidnapping of APC leaders reckless’ ‘ Openness in employment will be the

•Continued from page3= Olusegun Obasanjo. But due to the activities of Niger Delta militants then, work was stopped midway and the initial contractor, Julius Berger left the site. ”In 2009, work was restarted on the road, this time to be handled by three construction firms to hasten its completion by 2011 as anticipated. It is pertinent to note that appropriations were made for the construction in 2009 and 2010. But after Yar’Adua’s death, work stopped on the road and the money set aside was diverted. ”I have gone to this length to illustrate to you that the construction of this road has lingered due to the lacklustre approach of the Jonathan administration. Their initial promise to complete the road by 2013 never materialised and till today the East-West road is yet to be completed. “Contrary to the strident efforts of the Jonathan team to assure the people of the Southeast that the Second Niger Bridge has been awarded and now under construction, the truth is that the PDP administration is only deceiving the people. ”If you may remember, President Jonathan anchored his 2011 campaign in the Southeast on the construction of the Second Niger Bridge, but four years down the line, we are now realising that the bridge is still at the drawing board table and may not be realised after all under Jonathan. PPP to the rescue ”We recall that the money set aside for the project was channelled into the presidential election of President

Jonathan. The main problem with the Second Niger Bridge and which the Jonathan administration has failed to respond to is why public private partnership should be adopted in constructing the bridge at triple the real cost, whereas government is in a position to bear the full cost, more so as the project falls under the social contract between the government and the people. ”If this arrangement is not reversed, and the Federal Government takes full responsibility for the funding, the implication is that the Southeast people will perennially remain at the mercy of the investors for a period not limited to 25 years in the first instance.” He further said that contrary to claims that Gen Muhammadu Buhari does not have women in the scheme of things, the APC presidential candidate believes women should be given the opportunity to rise and play prominent role in moving the nation forward. Shehu quoted Buhari as saying: “I will recognise and protect women empowerment and gender equality with special emphasis on economic activities in the rural areas. Women all over the world are playing an ever increasing role in moving their nations forward both in and outside government. “In keeping with the times, my government will ensure that Nigerian women are given the opportunity to rise and play an even more prominent role in moving our great nation forward.” He said “from the above quotes, one can easily read the mind of Gen

norm under a Buhari presidency, unlike the current arrangement where you need a godfather/godmother, and sometimes you need to gratify government officials to get employment Muhammadu Buhari, at least to show that he is not a male chauvinist and that he has a definite and robust programme for women if elected President” Speaking on corruption, the APC campaign spokesman said: “Corruption, as many Nigerians will agree is the major hindrance to our national development, and Gen Buhari with a sterling record of fighting corruption will spare no effort in ensuring that Nigerians have value for their commonwealth. ”To underscore the importance which His Excellency, Gen Buhari attaches to the cankerworm known as corruption, permit me to paraphrase a portion of his speech at the recent visit to Chatham House London. “On corruption, there will be no confusion as to where I stand. Corruption will have no place and the corrupt will not be appointed into my administration. ”First and foremost, we will plug the holes in the budgetary process. Revenue producing entities such as NNPC and Customs and Excise will have one set of books only. Their rev-

‘

enues will be publicly disclosed and regularly audited. The institutions of state dedicated to fighting corruption will be given independence and prosecutorial authority without political interference. ”Openness in employment will be the norm under a Buhari presidency, unlike the current arrangement where you need a godfather/godmother, and sometimes you need to gratify government officials to get employment. Only recently over 300 members of staff were recruited by the National Universities Commission without due process and transparency. ”Mrs. Buhari, as First Lady will not be in the habit of having agents in MDAs for the purpose of collecting kickbacks and gratifications for her.” Shehu argued that President Jonathan has consistently failed in his promises to the people of the Southsouth and Southeast where many believed that he has a strong support base. He said:”Recall that some German partners were to be engaged to build standard airports across the country

including Enugu but by along the line. Jonathan discarded the plan. Today, what is being trumpeted at as Enugu International Airport is a shoddy job done through direct labour and at inflated cost. Serial failure ”To further demonstrate that President Jonathan has serially failed the Southeast, we want to put it on record that late President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua had commenced and indeed reached an advanced stage in the dredging of River Niger, and construction of Onitsha seaport. ”Regrettably, this was again truncated by Jonathan as till today, the seaport which is expected to promote economic development in the region and beyond is yet to take off and the dredging stopped. ”In conclusion, we wish to restate Gen Buhari’s total commitment to the peaceful coexistence of all Nigerians, as well as to the growth and nurturing of democracy in our land. “He is also committed to the peace pact which he co-signed with President Jonathan, and shall indeed use any available forum to impress on his followers on the need for the path of peace at all times. ”And this is in spite of serial violations of the latter by the other side. Above all, Gen Buhari and his administration would practice and promote politics of nationalism, patriotism, character, equity, accountability, religious/ethnic tolerance, morality, justice and fairness and service to humanity. “It is therefore important that the PDP and its campaigners refrain from throwing invectives at our candidate.”

Why Buhari remains best alternative, by ex-Abia governor Onu

BIA State’s ex-Governor Ogbonnaya Onu told Nigerians yesterday why the presidential candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Gen. Muhammadu Buhari (rtd) is the best to rescue the nation. Dr. Onu, who speaking in an interview in Abuja, described the APC standard flag bearer at the rescheduled March 28 as a man of honesty and sincerity with the prerequisite knowledge on how to get Nigeria out of the woods. According to him, Gen. Buhari, with great antecedents and good virtues that speak volumes, has capacity to fight corruption, adding that his commitment to the war against corruption would trickle down to reducing violence and insecurity.

From Tony Akowe and Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

He said the APC was established to create competition in politics and to achieve good governance,. “We felt we needed the competition in the political arena and we believe things have not been going on in the right way. The level of insecurity has never been as bad as it is now in the country as well as unemployment, corruption and poor infrastructure,” he said. Onu also disclosed that the plan was for the APC to offer a better alternative to the people. “If Nigerians have not enjoyed 16 years of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) led administration, the people now have a better alternative where they can exercise their fran-

chise,” Onu explained. Restating the party’s commitment to provide good governance, the former Abia governor said the APC will return the country to its rightful position in the comity of nations. He urged Nigerians to give the party that opportunity to govern them in other to witness genuine change. His words: “We’ll ensure the level of corruption is brought down and we w’ll draw a line. The reason it is important to reduce corruption in the country is that if we do not do that, we will not have enough resources to work on infrastructures, schools, create jobs and we are committed to ensure that those who cannot help themselves are taken care of.” Speaking on how the party’s objectives will be organised, Onu stated that all the presi-

dential aspirants signed an undertaking to ensure that whoever emerged at the polls will be supported to implement manifestoes of the party. He lauded the military for recapturing some of the local government areas hitherto held captive in the Northeast by Boko Haram insurgents. Onu however berated the Federal Government for waking up to its responsibility rather too late, pointing out that lives and properties would have been saved if such steps had been taken at the appropriate time. ”With what has happened, I feel very bad that we had to allow so much sufferings, a lot of sufferings and unimaginable sufferings. It is really sad what they have been allowed to go through,” Onu added.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

SPORT EXTRA TUNISIA 2015 AJC

BUDGET DEFENCE

Reps give NFF 7 days to reconcile account T

HE National Assembly yesterday issued a 7- day ultimatum to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) to give detailed account of how monies realized from other sources besides the Federal Government annual Grant, was spent for the year 2014 in review. The NFF Board and Management Staff led by Vice President Seyi Akinwunmi and General Secretary Musa Amadu were at the National Assembly yesterday where

• Clears NSC From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja they faced the House Committee on Sports for their 2015 Budget Defence as well as account for how monies appropriated to them in 2014 was spent. They are also to present details of various funds the body received from world football ruling body FIFA and confed-

eration of Africa CAF in the outgone year or forget the 2015 appropriation. House Committee Chairman Godfrey Ali Gaiya while rejecting the 2014 budget appraisal submitted by the football federation observed that NFF only touched on budgetary allocation it received from the Federal government. Gaiya stated that “I am

• NFF's Match Commissioners at the Abuja National Stadium Goal Project Center yesterday

NFF to improve Match commissioning standards

HE Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) has vowed to do everything humanly possible to improve the standard of officiating in Nigerian leagues through the improvement of referees and Match commissioners that are arbiters of the game in the country. The Chairman of Zamfara Football Association Ibrahim Musa Gasau made this assertion on behalf of the NFF President Amaju Pinnick at the opening ceremony of the Match Commissioners Seminar in Abuja. ‘’ We are taking the matter of match commissioners very seriously and making it clear to everyone that we want to do things the way it ought to be done. And there is no way we will tolerate any shortcuts. We want to improve the standard of officiating and that is why we are doing our bit. Before the expiration of the four- year tenure of this board we want to actualize the set goals of improving the standard of officiating,” Gasau said. About 450 match commissioners from northern part of Nigeria are attending the two-day course. NFF also generated about N9 million from the sales of forms to the participants. It will be recalled that NFF sent some referees on a 10 days capacity building course to London, while another batch of 15 coaches and former international players that went to the

• Rakes in N9m on sale of forms From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja UK for match reading are due to return to the country today. FIFA and CAF Instructor Paul Bassey was one of the resource persons at the course. Commemorative plaques were also pre-

sented to Pinnick, the Chairman of NFF Match Commissioners Appointment and Games Readers Committee Hon, Sulaiman Kwande and executive committee member and Chairman of the NFF Referees Committee Ahmed Yusuf Fresh.

Nigeria athletes to feature in local races ahead of Okpekpe

IGERIA athletes hoping to be part of the third edition of the annual Okpekpe Road Race will have cause to smile as the organiser of the 10km Road Race have assured them of having some local races to prepare them for the competition. Making this declaration was the coordinator of the event, Yusuf Alli, who said that some states have agreed to organise local race to help the Nigerian athletes. Speaking to our correspondent, Alli said two states have been comfirmed to host road races before the Okpekpe competition in May. “There is need to prepare our athletes well ahead of the competition so that they can compete favourably with their counterpart from other part of the world,” he said. “We are looking forward to a Nigerian winning the race instead of the foreigner that have been winning it from inception. “The target is to have a Nigerian finishing within the top five starting from this year. That is why we are going to be having

some road races prior the competition in May. “We have Akwa Ibom already looking forward to having a road race between now and May, we will be having another one in Port Harcourt. Those are the ones I can confirm now.” Alli also revealed that the level of preparedness for the competition, stating that the prototype for the start and finishing line is ready. The former long jumper said: “We already have the prototype of how the start line map and the finishing line will look like. “Like I said before our ambition is to get the Gold Label, and we need to get the Silver Label first and we can only achieve that if we have a successful competition. “We have contacted an expert in road race from Germany, Walter Mayer, to come and advice us more on the way forward. The target is for him to come and look at the place and advice us on how we can improve on what we have on ground currently."

happy that Musa Amadu is here and he is in a position to know that all the funds from FIFA and CAF ought to be part of what is submitted to Parliament. Going by what you have presented in this document, one can see that you have just presented expenditure profile of funds you received from the Federal government, but it goes beyond that. “We are giving you 7 days to come with details of such grants and funds including dollar components which you received from your affiliates and sponsors. “It is within the constitution ably captured by the section 80 of 1999 constitution that even if a gift is given to any government agency, such amount must be appropriated and accounted for. “I am saying this because Iam touch with sports and I know that NFF gets resources from other sources outside government and I know our football is big brand that has sponsors, like GLO except you tell this committee they have withdrawn from such sponsor. “I know you are affiliated to CAF and I know that CAF and FIFA as your father and your mother give you certain amount of money. I want to wonder if in 2014, no such money was collected. You have to explain to us because the documents before us didn’t capture all of that. The Director General of the National Sports Commission, Honourable Gbenga Elegbeleye who also led other management Staff of the NSC to appear before the House was cleared and took a bow.

Ajunwa to attend Child’s Fountain sports meet

TLANTA 96 Olympic gold medallist Chioma Ajunwa will be the Special Guest of Honour at the 2015 InterHouse Competition of Child Fountain Schools, Gowon Estate, Egbeda, Lagos. A release signed by the Proprietress of the school, Mrs.Christana Owoeye said the event would hold at Kuwait Field, Gowon Estate,Egbeda, Lagos on Wednesday March, 18 at 10:00am. Owoeye said Chioma is expected to inspire and motivate the students to excel in their sporting career. “ "A sports icon like Chioma will indeed raise the morale of our students and pupils who have the intention of becoming world class athlete.” Some of the event billed for the day are 100metres, shot put, high jump, tinytot race, sack race, discuss, 200metres, slipper race, parents race, Alumni race, 400metres, staff race and invitational school relay race.

Ubale charges Nigerian players as championship serves off

HE 2015 Africa Junior Tennis Championship will serve off today in Tunis with no fewer than three Nigerian players scheduled to be in action. National junior tennis coach Mohammed Ubale, who is the leader of the nine-man team that included eight players, admitted that the Nigerian players will have to put up an optimum performance if they are to finish in the medal zone due to the pedigree of countries that are featuring in the clay court tournament. The draws for the matches are due to be made late Tuesday (yesterday) and Ubale while speaking from the North African country said the quality of players from South Africa, Zimbabwe, Egypt Tunisia among others means that victory will not be achieved on a platter of gold by the Nigerian players who dominated the West& Central African championship held in Togo in January. “The AJC is a gathering of the best junior players in the continent and while Nigeria has been the undisputed leading nation in the West and Central Africa Zone which consists of about 16 countries, the high standard of players from across Africa means we

• Oyinlomo have to be at our best to make a meaningful impact here in Tunisia. Ubale however expressed confidence in the form of Oyinlomo Quadri, who accounted for two of Nigeria’s eight gold medals at the qualifier in Lome. “Oyin is in great form and also is McCleod who has kept improving since she shifted her base from Dubai to Lagos last year. “The players just need to push a bit further and also have the belief that they can compete among the best at this level. If they play up to their potentials they will go as far as reaching the medals zone,” Ubale submitted.

THE NATION WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

UEFA CHAMPIONS LEAGUE

Real Madrid qualifies after defeat R EAL Madrid has progressed to the quarter-finals in the Champions League with a 5-4 aggregate win over Schalke 04 after suffering a closely-contested 4-3 defeat in the second leg at the Bernabeu. The visitors had the first chance of the night as Max Meyer played the ball forward for Eric ChoupoMoting, but his finish was a fraction wide. It was Schalke who broke the deadlock though when Klaas-Jan Huntelaar flicked the ball in for Christian Fuchs to smash past Iker Casillas from close range with just under 20 minutes gone. The defending European champions needed just five minutes to get back on level terms though as Toni Kroos delivered a corner, which Cristiano Ronaldo rose highest to head in. The German side restored their lead before the break when Huntelaar headed the ball against the crossbar, before pouncing on the rebound moments later.

However, Ronaldo found the back of the net with another header in stoppage time before the interval after Fabio Coentrao provided the cross for the Portugal international. The La Liga side appeared to put the tie beyond doubt less than 10 minutes into the second half when Karim Benzema burst into the box, rounding the last defender before firing into the bottom corner. The scores were level again though just four minutes later as teenage midfielder Leroy Sane unleashes a curling effort from just outside the box, getting the better of Casillas. Real pushed hard to add a fourth on the night, but Alvaro Arbeloa and Kroos both saw effort saved with a little over 20 minutes to go. Gareth Bale attempted to head in from a Kroos corner after the German's effort had been tipped behind, but the Welshman's finish was a fraction high. Bale was on the attack again a few minutes later, this time getting his shot on

target as he looked for the top corner from 20 yards out, but the Schalke keeper watched it on made the stop. Isco had a chance to put the result beyond doubt with six minutes to go when he attempted a low effort, but it just curled away from the post. The miss allowed Schalke to quickly head down the other end though, with Huntelaar weaving past a couple of defenders before squeezing the ball beneath the crossbar, scoring his second of the night against his former club. Knowing that a fifth would put them through on away goals, Schalke continued to press, but Casillas stretch across to prevent Sane adding his second, as the youngster let a shot fly from range. Huntelaar charged forward again in stoppage time as the Bundesliga side pushed for an aggregate equaliser, pulling it back for Benedikt Howedes, but Casillas made a diving save to keep it out.

• The Portuguese forward heads the ball past Schalke goalkeeper Timon Wellenreuther at the Bernabeu on Tuesday night

‘Israeli League better than Portuguese Primeria’

UT of favour Super Eagles midfielder John Ogu, who now plies his trade in Israel for Hapoel Be'er Sheva, rates the Israeli Ligat ha'Al higher than the Portuguese Primeria Liga, the league he left for Israel. Ogu spent three full seasons in Portugal playing for Unaio De Leiria and Academica before joining Hapeol Be'er Sheva in Israel this summer. He said most people believed he made the wrong choice by moving to Israel, as it is way below the level of the Portuguese league but that assertions according to him are wide off the mark, as the league in Israel is more competitive than most people thought. "Israeli league is way better, because in Portugal it is just three teams (FC Porto, Benfica and Sporting Lisbon)

above all the rest but in Israel all teams have almost equal potential", He told SL10.ng. "Money wise aside the top three in Portugal clubs, Israel pays more than the other clubs in Portugal and they have got massive followership sometimes, over 25,000 fans packed in for a game". So far he has made 28 appearances in all competitions this season, with four goals to his name leading to calls for him to be given a recall to the

RESULTS CHAMPIONS LEAGUE FC Porto 4 - 0 Basel Real Madrid 3 - 4 Schalke

• Ogu

Super Eagles, ahead of the games against Bolivia and South Africa.

EUROPA LEAGUE

Joel Obi out

HROUGH their official Twitter account, Inter Milan have revealed that Joel Obi will not travel to Germany with the squad for the Europa League round of 16 first leg clash against Wolfsburg. The midfielder has failed to recover from an adductor injury, which has ruled him out of the game at the Volkswagen Arena. Joel Obi was an unused substitute last Sunday in the Serie A tie against Napoli ( 2 - 2). The Nigeria international has made 16 appearances for Inter Milan in all competitions, with five of them coming in the Europa League. Ahead of the trip to Germany, the Inter squad trained at Centro Sportivo Angelo Moratti on Tuesday morning.

TODAY IN THE NATION

WEDNESDAY, MARCH 11, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL.10 NO.3150

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

In the tribute I paid to the late Malam Abubakar Gimba last week, I said his open letter to President Olusegun Obasanjo on August 27, 2001 was one of the three best articles I have read in the last 15 years for their precision, eloquence and profoundness of insight. Several of the texts I have received from readers have requested me to send them the articles. I have decided to oblige by reproducing the articles because of the lessons they hold for our politics today. So I will like to crave the indulgence of readers to be absent without leave from these pages for the next three weeks and publish those three articles, beginning with that of the late Gimba today. I have the permission of Professor Femi Osofisan and Eniola Bello to reproduce their articles. I guarantee readers that the journey backwards to the beginning of the current Republic would be worthwhile.

EAR Mr. President I am aware you run a very tight schedule. And you may not have read the front page comment (editorial) of the Daily Trust newspaper of Monday, August 6, 2001. The newspaper’s comment was on the Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission (HRVIC) headed by Justice Chukwudifu Oputa. The current goings-on at the commission’s sittings apparently caused the paper to express its fears and misgivings about the goals the Oputa-led body was set up to achieve. Most of us (have been made to) believe the HRVIC is for truth and reconciliation a la South African Truth and Reconciliation Commission (TRC) under the chairmanship of the Nobel Peace Prize Winner Bishop Desmond Tutu. Daily Trust believes our HRVIC may at the end of the day neither arrive at the truth nor achieve any reconciliation. Indeed, the commission could be swarmed by distortions of truth, falsehoods, and produce new landmines of acrimony, hate and irreconcilable discord. I share the opinion of the paper, and strongly too. The Oputa panel, or its abbreviation, the HRVIC is becoming as frightening as the dreaded virus whose abbreviation it almost resemble, BIV/AIDS. And unless urgent measures are taken to redirect the modus operandi of the commission, the HRVIC will carry the same stigma and lifethreatening consequences for our national body politic as HIV/AIDS. Given the orchestrated threatricals at the HRVIC public hearings, often staged with venomous deliberateness to the applause of a cultivated (and rented) jeering crowd reminiscent of the inquisitorial Roman Coliseum of yore, I don’t see how the commission can achieve anything but a modicum of short-lived reconciliation. Perhaps the commission was never intended to achieve any reconciliation. Nowhere in the panel’s terms of reference is there any mention of a deliberate effort at reconciliation as a main goal. The official name of the commission adequately sums up the commission’s terms o f reference: human rights investigation, at the end of which it is to “recommend measures which may be taken whether judicial, administrative, legislative or institutional to redress the injustices of the past...” Translate: who’s done it? Punish (from an agitated spirit full of vengeance)! And the fact that ab initio, the time pe-

RIPPLES

NIGERIAN ECONOMY NOT GROWING-Expert

HOW would it grow? There are too many HUMAN RATS!

People and Politics By

MOHAMMED H ARUNA ndajika@yahoo.com

Letter to the President

‘

If the South African TRC achieved any success at all, it must be because of the forgiveness factor. Dr. Nelson Mandela was very magnanimous in his forgiveness

’

riod initially meant to be covered by the commission was 1993 to 1999, provided grounds for suspicion and concern that the HRVIC was a camouflaged battle-tank to get the Abacha men (principally), and Abdulsalami’s men. These are certainly no green lights for a reconciliation train. Truth and reconciliation that bind are not made in the disorderly noise of the marketplace, nor forged out of a playwright’s scripts for a grand theatre performance to an audience that knows little difference between reality and the makebelief world of virtual reality. Any meaningful reconciliation requires a proper understanding of the concept (or word) itself: the dictionary (Collins) defines reconciliation as “to cause to acquiesce in something unpleasant; to become friendly with someone after estrangement; to settle (a quarrel)...” And since you are not so secularly inclined (despite the insistent voices that have made you to hold our nation’s flag high as a foremost secular entity), the Holy Bible fully endorses reconciliation, when it says (2 Corinthians 5:19) “that God (the Most High) was in Christ (may Allah’s peace be on him) reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word reconciliation “ (italics mine). And between men, how do we achieve the true reconciliation outlined above? Again the Holy Bible offers some invaluable help: It says (Matthew 18:15.). “Moreover if your brother sins against you, go and tell him hit fault between you and him alone... “ (italics mine). The Alaba market atmosphere and the Hollywood syndrome of the dramatis personae hitherto at its sittings, have pushed our Oputa-led HRVIC far away from the ideal of a sanctified reconciliation.

ation: they only deepen and aggravate acrimony. Over and above individual forgiveness and reconciliatory moves however, there is a great need for the reconciliation of institutions, groups and communities. Let’s remember that even the South African TRC was essentially an attempt to reconcile groups after the apartheid era, reconciling the blacks with the whites. It was not an attempt to settle personal scores per se; it was to assuage the psyche o f a people. We should borrow’ a leaf from the South Africans and keep that at the back o f our mind. No doubt individuals are important, but the interest of the society should be paramount. First and foremost, the military as an institution has wronged the rest of the population ever since the 1966 coup. Who needs any eyidence(s) of their culpability? The present military High Command should apologize to the nation (publicly). The National Assembly should accept or reject the apology, with or without sanctions (if accepted) .We, as a people then should stop blaming the military in our daily litany of songs of our sorrows, and get on with the business of nation building. Then, the reconciliation efforts should shift focus to the suspicions between the North and East, the North and the West, the East and the West, the minority tribes and the so-called major tribes, then communities and tribes, Muslims and Christians, et cetera, et cetera: And by this, I do not mean the highly tendentious Sovereign National Conference (SNC), which is a conference in the mould of the Berlin Conference of the 19th Century where the then European colonial powers balkanized the African continent into its present fractious units: Reconciliation holds our oneness sacred. SNC does not: for the most vociferous of the conference advocates, nothing is sacred. The problem, when all is said and done, is not with the Oputa panel. The problem is with the thinking and motive behind the setting up of the commission. Both are defective. And this is why HRVIC will not live up to our expectations. Hope is far from lost though. The situation can be retrieved. But only you, Mr. President, can make the difference. You can do it. I trust you can do it. And if you want this country to survive in greater peace and harmony than you found it in your second coming, you must do it. Re-evaluate the Oputa panel. Redefine and refocus its objective and procedures, if after the exercise we want to emerge as a stronger nation. Build our nation. You are destined to by God. Think about it: in particular Psalm 118:22, The stone which the builders rejected has become the chief cornerstone. Your Excellency, Mr. President, you were once rejected. Then the Lord restored you to His grace. Now you are our chief cornerstone. You must do the Lord’s will. God bless. And long live the Federal Republic of Nigeria.

Sadly, you have not injected the most important energising tonic into the whole process. The tonic of forgiveness: only you can start the process of injecting this antidote into the rancour that has poisoned our body politic these past years. By word and action. If the South African TRC achieved any success at all, it must be because of the forgiveness factor. Dr. Nelson Mandela was very magnanimous in his forgiveness. He did not make frequent references to his torturers for 27 years when he was in jail. You, unfortunately, have not been able to kick the habit. I don’t blame you. You are just being human. But by proclamation and actions, I know you are a Born-Again Christian. And this has heightened one’s expectations of a high moral standard based on Christ-like principles and ethics. Yes, principles, ethics, and Christian morality. I believe these are what prompted you in the first place to set up the Oputa panel. Not the bug of an imitation syndrome to be like Mandela of South Africa. But even in the South African TRC’s case, morality and Christian values played no small role. For how else do you explain Bishop Desmond Tutu’s Chairmanship of the TRC? If you can forgive Abacha (I do not mean you should stop your efforts to recover anything he undeservedly took from our national wealth), forgive his family, forgive all those who tried you at the tribunal and got you incarcerated (escaping death by whiskers), forgive all, you would have laid a sound foundation for a proper reconciliation in the country. Again, remember the parable of a king and his servant in the Bible (Matthew 18:23-35). Those who benefit from divine grace must never refuse same to others. From the fertile grounds of your example, I believe, would sprout healthy olive plants of predisposition for forgiveness. The Abiola family, the Rewane family, the Dele Giwa family, the Ibru family, the Kaltho family, the Umaru Dikko family, and many, many more such families would want to follow the President’s noble footsteps. This would stem the rising wave of the rancorous showmanship at the Oputa sittings, the antithesis o f the reconciliation Nigeria needs. This would block the agenda of all those with sinister Gimba is the president of Association of Nigeand personal agenda for vendetta, blackmail, ria Authors (ANA) humiliation and even scavengery. These do not enhance the course of reconcili- •For comments, send SMS to 08059100107

HARDBALL HO needs a presidential debate to make a choice between President Goodluck Jonathan of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Gen. Muhammadu Buhari of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the presidential poll rescheduled for March 28? It is noteworthy that Jonathan’s spokesman and media adviser Reuben Abati noted in a statement on Buhari’s alleged avoidance of a debate: “There is no gainsaying the fact that President Jonathan and General Buhari are the main contenders in this election. Every Nigerian would love to see the two of them debate. That would be good for our democracy.” Abati further said on Buhari: “His deliberate avoidance of a Presidential debate is akin to an examination malpractice. It is not god enough for a man who wants to be President of our country. He is short-changing the Nigerian electorate by denying them the opportunity of assessing him properly in an open debate.” He added: “While a Presidential debate is not a constitutional requirement, it is an established convention that deepens and enriches the democratic process.” According to Abati, “President Jonathan is ready to meet him in an open debate, any day, any hour, and at any venue of his choice.”

TONY MARINHO

Abati’s fool’s paradise Now, how would Abati describe the jolting rearrangement of the election dates by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), allegedly influenced by the Jonathan camp? What kind of “malpractice” could this be, and what does it say about a man who is seeking presidential reelection? It is a pathetic reflection of Abati’s distance from reality that he regards “an open debate” as an opportunity for the electorate to “properly” assess the candidates. It is convenient for him to downplay the defining value of electioneering as well as the wisdom of the electorate. Abati must be living in a fool’s paradise to believe that a presidential debate of an hour or two would conclusively convince voters to reelect Jonathan, when his low-grade performance in office and his unconvincing political campaign speak of failure. What this means is that Abati’s promotion of a presidential debate is much ado about nothing. It is highly unlikely that any perceptive

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above voter would need to listen to Jonathan and Buhari debate before taking a voting decision. In case Abati doesn’t understand, and that seems to be the case, the candidates have been engaged in an informal but discernible debate based on their antecedents, their personalities and what they represent; and the people have followed this debate by other means with a keen and concentrated interest. For instance, when Buhari is portrayed and recognised as a game-changing player of unstained integrity, and Jonathan is seen as a cunning champion of corruption, the collision has the ingredients of a debate. In particular, it is evident from Abati’s obsession with a debate that he must number among the parochial who failed to grasp the import of Buhari’s February appearance and performance at the Royal Institute of International Affairs, Chatham House in London. Buhari’s lecture was fittingly titled “Prospect for Democracy Consolidation in Africa: Nigeria’s transition”; and he glowed impressively during the question and answer session that followed. It was certainly not a picture of a debate-shy man. But Abati is clearly reality-shy, which is a way of describing his narrow-mindedness.

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