The Nation May 26, 2015

Newspaper of the Year

Court rejects Kashamu’s request

•AND MORE ON PAGES 4,6,8&56

•Jonathan releases N5billion for cooking stoves •Fayose meets with Omirin, four lawmakers in Akure •Kogi High Court judge abducted, orderly killed •Euros retrieved as troops kill Boko Haram chief, others

NEWS – Page 3

•Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

VOL. 10, NO. 3226 TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

•www.thenationonlineng.net

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

Petrol crisis to ease as govt, marketers settle

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UEL pumps may start flowing again, with senators facilitating an agreement between the Federal Government and oil marketers.

Tankers are to immediately start lifting fuel in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar depots.

The Senate yesterday mandated its joint committee on Petroleum Resources (upstream and downstream) to meet with stakeholders, including the Federal Government, to resolve the lingering fuel scarcity, which has crippled the economy.

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

Banks have cut work hours and mobile firms are threatening to shut down. Transport fares are hitting the roof and airlines are cancelling flights.

The resolutions were read by the Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Downstream), Senator Magnus Abe. Part of the resolutions is the immediate call-off of the National Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas Workers Continued on page 4

•Aviation Minister Osita Chidoka flanked by the Coordinator, Business Solutions for Globacom, Mr. Ike Oraekwuotu and the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Hajia Binta Adamu Bello, at the launch of the premier airport wi-fi facility in Nigeria (Glo FAAN Wi-Fi) at the Murtala Mohammed Airport ... yesterday.

•INSIDE: GUINEA PRESIDENT ARRIVES IN LAGOS P59 EFCC ‘RECOVERED N65.3B’ P5

Power supply collapses Over 2,000MW lost Gas shortage cripples 18 power plants Blackout in Lagos, Oyo, Ekiti, Ondo, Ogun, Abuja, Niger, others

COUNTDOWN TO MAY 29 PAGES 2&3

By Our Reporters

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IGERIANS were yesterday told to brace for more hardship – power supply will get worse.

A terrible fuel shortage has shut down cities and businesses, forcing many who cannot afford the high transport fares to trek.

As the government and fuel marketers battled yesterday in Abuja to resolve the problem, the news was broken that power supply had fallen to 727 Mega Watts (MW) – no thanks to the Sunday system collapse at the Shiroro Power Plant. Power Supply was 1,327 Mega Watts (MW) last week – a far cry from the 200,000MW Nigeria requires.

Shiroro is a 600MW hydro electric plant on River Kaduna in Shiroro, Niger State.

Abuja, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states are experiencing an unprecedented load shedding. The Abuja Electricity Distribution Company (AEDC) has only 15 Mega Watts (MW). Residents are grumbling.

“Up to about 18.50hours (or 6.50pm), only Continued on page 4

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

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The company in the last few days has experienced total blackout throughout the Distribution Network

’

OAD •NO RO AD: Motorists queue for fuel at Capital Filling Station on Lagos-Ibaban Expressway ... yesterday.

NO R

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYOEDELE

More domestic airlines cancel flights•P12

•INSIDE: A PROMO COPY OF THE NEW DIPLOMAT

FRIDAY IS PUBLIC HOLIDAY P6

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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NEWS

The unfinished The March 28 and April 11 elections were not without hitches. Assistant Editor DARE ODUFOWOKAN appraises the flaws and points out the need to learn from the pitfalls of the past for more credible polls.

•From left: Dangote Group Nig. Plc. Chairman Alhaji Aliko Dangote; Group Managing Director, Mr. Graham Clark and Group Deputy Managing Director, Abdullahi Sule at the company’s Annual General Meeting (AGM) in Lagos...at the weekend.

PHOTO: DAYO ADEWUNMI

•Osun State Deputy Governor, Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (second left); Chief Executive Officer, Bank of Industry (BoI), Mr. Rasheed Olaoluwa (middle); Executive Director, Small & Medium Enterprise (SME), BoI, Mr. Waheed Olagunju (second right); Managing Director, Osun Investment Company Limited, Mr. Bola Oyebamiji (left) and Iyaloja-General, Chief Awawu Asindemade (right) at the inauguartion of bank’s Staff Office in Osogbo, Osun State...yesterday.

•From left: FrieslandCampina WAMCO Nigeria Plc. Marketing Manager Dolapo Otegbayi; Director, Tarang Gupta; exinternational footballer, Nwankwo Kanu and Managing Director, Rahul Colaco at Peak’ 60th anniversary at Eko Hotel & Suites...at the weekend.

•Managing Director, WAPCO Operations, Lafarge Africa Plc., Adepeju Adebajo; Chairman, Lafarge Africa Plc., Mr. Bolaji Balogun; former Chairman, Chief Olusegun Osunkeye and Group Managing Director, Lafarge Africa Plc., Mr. Guillaume Roux at the company’s chairman turnover in Lagos...at the weekend.

D

ESPITE being rated above average, the 2015 general elections did not go without the usual controversy of irregularities, allegations of rigging and manipulation. Even after the emergence of winners and losers, reports from the election petitions tribunals point to a number of anomalies that occurred before, during and after the actual voting.

In their reports, both local and international election observers documented what they witnessed as violations of the electoral law and other problems. In states like Akwa Ibom and Rivers, there is deep bitterness over the process up till now. But for the hope that the tribunals will do justice to the numerous petitions filed by aggrieved candidates, the story would have been that of violence and confusion.

As the world continues to congratulate Nigeria for the unexpected successes in the aftermath of the polls that saw a defeated incumbent, conceding victory to his challenger, many analysts have been forced by the few but notable unsavory developments to revisit the pertinent issue of electoral reforms.

The debate triggered by the elections is about the reforms that will remove encumbrances from the path of the electoral umpire in the discharge of its functions, reforms that will enhance the independence and strengthen the capacity of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

Some concerned stakeholders have been calling for reforms in the constitution of INEC membership; the autonomy of its budget; its authority to exert and enforce laws and regulations guiding the conduct of elections.

These reforms, they say, must trickle down to the state and local government levels. They also want a system that will guarantee a transparent and verifiable counting and aggregation of votes.

The renewed calls for reforms are not without reasons. Prior to the last general elections, Prof Attahiru Jega and his commission came under severe attacks stemming from certain lacunas in the Electoral Act. Those atacks went into the records as part of the process that produced the democratic dispensation that begins on Friday.

The first opposition came when INEC announced the creation of additional 30,000 polling units. Prof Jega was accused of favouring a particular geo-political zone. At the end, interested parties, including the presidency, contended that Jega lacked the power to create new polling units as the electoral act was silent on such.

The commission suspended the establishment of the units.

On the heels of that controversy came the allegation that the INEC chief deliberately skewed the distribution and collection of the Permanent Voter Cards (PVCs) to favour a geo-political zone. The critics raised the issue of legality, durability and advisability of the PVCs for the 2015 elections.

The combination of these culminated in the calls from certain quarters that the INEC chairman should

proceed on his retirement leave or be removed by the President, who once told a panel of interviewers that if he hired the professor of Political Science, that he also had the power to also fire him. He, however, added that the INEC chief had not done anything wrong to warrant his sack.

But, for the doggedness and consistency of the average Nigerians, who resisted his removal, the Jegamust-go crusaders would probably have had their way. The anti-Jega vanguards wanted him eased out to pave the way for the appointment of a ‘pliant’ electoral chief to conduct the elections.

The Uwais panel report The country had in the past attempted some forms of reforms in its electoral system. But, the bane of the various attempts had always been abandonment. In the wake of widespread local and international condemnation of the flawed 2007 general elections, former president, the late Alhaji Umaru Yar’Adua raised an Electoral Reform Panel, headed by Justice Muhammed Uwais, a retired Chief Justice of Nigeria.

The panel was mandated to comprehensively reform the nation’s discredited electoral act. The Uwais-led committee traversed the nooks and crannies of the country and gathered a heap of materials. It collected 1,466 memoranda and held public hearings in 12 selected states and in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). No fewer than 907 representations were made in such hearings.

Its final report that was submitted to the presidency on December 11, 2008, was widely acclaimed and Nigerians demanded the adoption and implementation of its recommendations.

As usual, the Federal Government demonstrated open inclination to water down the report in preference to a malleable process that can be conveniently manipulated.

Thrilled by the report, Nigerians kicked against government’s interference in the recommendations. They vehemently demanded for its full implementation. This persisted till the appointment of a new INEC chairman, which was done outside of the recommendations of the panel.

Since 2008, the Uwais panel report has been gathering dust on the shelf at the presidency, leaving many to wonder if it will be confined to the dustbin of history.

The highlights of the Uwais report include:

Independent candidacy Section 65(2) (b) and 106 of the 1999 Constitution should be amended to make provision for an individual to run as an independent candidate

Appointment of INEC Board chairman/members For the above, the National Judicial Council (NJC) should among others: • Advertise the positions, spelling out the requisite qualifications •Receive applications/nominations from the general public • Shortlist three persons for each position • Send the nominations to the National Council of State to select one

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

3

COUNTDOWN TO MAY 29... 3 DAYS TO GO

d project called electoral reforms

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•Dr. Jonathan

•Uwais

for each position and forward to the Senate for confirmation.

Removal of INEC Board chairman/members; The chairman and members of the INEC Board may only be removed by the Senate on the recommendations of the NJC by a two–third of the Senate which shall include at least 10 members of the minority parties in the Senate.

Funding The election expenditure and the recurrent expenditure of the INEC offices (in addition to salaries and allowances of the chairman and Board members) shall be charged on the Consolidated Revenue Fund of the Federation.

Dates of elections Section 132(2) and 178(2) of the 1999 Constitution should be amended to appoint a single date for presidential and governorship elections which should be held at least six months before the expiration of the term of the current holders of the offices.

Similarly section 64(1) and 105(1) of the 1999 Constitution should also be amended to appoint a single date for national and state assembly elections which should hold two years after the presidential and governorship elections

Election tribunals • The number of tribunals should be increased by reducing the number of judges that sit on the tribunal from five to three so that more tribunals can be established per state

•Prof. Jega

• In order to minimise the filing of frivolous petitions, the Electoral Act 2006 should be amended to provide that if a petitioner loses a case, he should be ordered by the court or tribunal to bear the full expenses of the respondent. The onus to prove that there was an election was transferred from the petitioner to INEC.

Determination of election petitions The 1999 Constitution should be amended to specify the period for considering petitions as follows: “the determination of cases by tribunals should take four months and appeals should take a further two months, making a total of six months.

Appraising the 2015 polls

Addressing a news conference recently, Dr. Christopher DanAkhigbe, President of Voters’ Right Agenda (VRA), called for the review of the last general elections. He said the only way the country can build on the gains of the 2015 general elections is to complete the electoral reform process as soon as possible.

Dan-Akhigbe said: “If after these elections we are unable to continue on the path of credible electoral process, all the gains of the last sixteen years will go down the drain and Nigeria will lose prestige in the eyes of the international community.

“Democracy has now become a dominant theme in international discourse. So, it is in our interest as a nation to improve upon this year’s performance rather than decline.

“From what we’ve seen so far during elections since 1999 till the very

last one, we need reforms that will strengthen INEC. To be able to withstand the cunning politicians and political parties, INEC needs to be better fortified by the constitution.

“The commission’s success in the last elections was largely due to the personality of Prof Jega.

“He took so many things upon himself. He used the very little power given to him by the current electoral act to support his personal determination to ensure a credible process.

“While Jega would have done better if the electoral act empowered him adequately, another chairman, without his personal discipline, would have performed woefully.

“This is why we need to complete the reform process before the next elections as we may not be lucky to have someone like Jega in the saddle.

“Importantly, the reforms should not be for the national elections alone.

We need to guard the electoral processes even at the state and local government levels. And there must be evidence of prosecution of violators.

“A climate of impunity will undo the best rules or regulations. Our laws must punish electoral offenders if we want to discourage rigging and other electoral malpractices.”

A constitutional lawyer, based in the New York, United States, Paul I. Adujie, also threw his weight behind total electoral reforms.

Adujie said: “Nigeria crucially needs the reformation of its electoral laws. This should be carried out conscientiously and meticulously, even as speedily and most rapidly as a matter of national priority, especially, as a consequence of the many uproari-

•President-elect Buhari

•The late Yar’Adua

ous outcome of general elections, which were, to say the least, adjudged imperfect by general acclaim and consensus.”

Speaking further, the lawyer-analyst wondered what the country and its leaders have been benefiting or stands to benefit, from the unexplained delay the electoral reform process is subjected to.

He said: “Wouldn’t Nigerians and Nigeria be better served therefore, to engage in Electoral Act reforms? And has INEC or its predecessors, conducted fraud-free and irregularitiesfree elections and produced elected representatives that are truly so and in the true sense of the word?”

Explaining what he called the greatest advantage of completing the electoral reforms, Adujie said: “Once we have free and fair elections, we will have representatives that we can trust as uncompromised and forthright ambassadors. We’ll have elected representatives who are responsive to the yearnings of the electorate.

“We’ll have representatives who are accountable, willing, ready and able to improve the welfare of the entire electorate,” he said.

Action plan But it is not enough to just want an electoral reform. Neither will the much-talked about changes come simply because local and international observers have called the attention of the country to its abandoned reforms.

According to analysts, it will take all stakeholders to be up and doing for effective reforms to take root in

A climate of impunity will undo the best rules or regulations.

Our laws must punish electoral offenders if we want to discourage rigging and other electoral malpractices

‘ the electoral electoral system.

Dan-Akhigbe said: “In revisiting the reform agenda, many entities must be involved. The government has to take the lead, make reform a priority and initiate steps toward enhancing INEC’s independence and budget autonomy, the training of security services, and other official actions.

“But the leadership of the political parties is also critical. The leaders of the various parties and the leading candidates for president and other positions must come together and agree that they all have a stake in improving the system.

“It is only when everybody pledges to work toward reform that the parties will have the incentive to jettison rigging. What is needed is cooperative reform. The incentive for that should be clear.

“No winning candidate will have the leeway to rule effectively if there is guarantee for credible future elections. The civil society has a crucial role to play and it should be welcomed by both the government and the parties. Monitoring, training, assistance and voter education are all roles the civil society can and must play.

“Without that watchdog role, democracy cannot function in this country or anywhere across the globe.”

The onus will, as from Friday, be on Muhammadu Buhari as the President and Commander-in-Chief of the Armed Forces to revist the recommedations in the Uwais panel report and ensure that necessary reforms are carried out the electoral process.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

NEWS

•Lagos State Governor, Mr. Babatunde Fashola, SAN (8th right: sitting) in a group photograph with members of class 2011 - 2015 of the Lagos State Executive Council during their Valedictory Session at the Lagos House, Ikeja, ... yesterday.

Power supply collapses Continued from page 1

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1 •1. One of the vehicles recovered by troops •2. Foreign currencies recovered from the terrorists

Euros retrieved as troops kill Boko Haram commander, 29 others

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HE Defence Headquarters yesterday confirmed that troops have killed one of the spiritual leaders (Amir) of Boko Haram and 29 other insurgents.

Also, some unspecified Euros were also found on the commander, who was suspected to be a foreigner.

But the investigation of the involvement of foreigners in Boko Haram attacks was still ongoing at press time.

Director of Defence Information Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade made these known in a statement in Abuja.

The statement said: “Thousands of Euro currency was

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

found on the body of a terrorist commander after troops successfully repelled a terrorist in Mafa towards the border.

“The terrorist, who is also an Amir by status and believed to be of foreign descent, is among about 30 terrorist fighters who died in the encounter while many others fled with wounds.

“The terrorists also lost a number of weapons and equipment, including the captured 13 rifles, a machine gun, rocket propelled grenade tubes and several other assorted ammunition.

“A Toyota Bufallo vehicle was also recovered from the

terrorists. Two of their armoured vehicles were also destroyed in the battle.

The only casualty on the side of our troops was a damaged equipment. Mopping up operations are ongoing in the general area.

“Meanwhile, the offensive on all terrorists’ hideouts is continuing in many fronts.”

A highly-placed source said: “The retrieval of Euros from the commander has confirmed intelligence report of a likely external funding of Boko Haram.

“Some of these insurgents are also using Thuraya phones to communicate following the interception of their GSM lines.

“We are already investigating alleged involvement of foreigners in Boko Haram attacks nationwide.”

Boko Haram fighters hacked to death 10 people in a remote village in northeast Nigeria, a local government official told AFP on Monday.

Maina Ularamu, local government chairperson of Madagali, in the north of Adamawa State, said the attack happened early on Friday morning in PambulaKwamda village.

“The attackers went into the village around 04:00 while residents were still asleep and used machetes to attack their victims,” he added.

sensitive installations within the Central Business District of Abuja are on electricity supply,” a source said.

The electricity supply became critical in Ogun, Ekiti, Osun and Ondo states in the last one week.

In the last four days, electricity supply in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has been at the lowest ebb. The city has been in total darkness.

The scarcity of petroleum products also compounded the crisis as virtually all petrol stations have closed down.

In some parts of the city including Apata and Odo-Ona, residents said there has been no electricity supply for over two weeks The Benin Electricity Distribution Company (BEDC) which supplies power to Edo, Ondo and Ekiti states, has been running a jingle on Adaba FM, urging the people to bear with it. According to the jingle, the low supply from the national grid is responsible for the problem.

Spokesman of BEDC in Ekiti State Mr. Ilori Brown could not be reached on telephone last night.

Last Thursday, the Permanent Secretary in the Ministry of Power, Ambassador Godknows Igali, was reported to have said that power generation nationwide had dropped from 4,800MW to 1,327MW, leading to the massive load shedding across the country.

The AEDC has been sending SMS to its customers to apologise for the colossal drop in supply.

The source added: “ You may also have received my company’s apology via a Bulk SMS we sent out to GSM subscribers in FCT, Kogi, Nasarawa and Niger states, in which we explained the

Petrol crisis to ease as govt, marketers settle Continued from page 1

(NUPENG) and Petroleum and Natural Gas Senior Staff Association (PNGASSAN) strike.

The resolution said that the strike was called off after the intervention of the Group Managing Director (GMD) of the Nigeria National Petro-

leum Corporation (NNPC), Dr. Joseph Dawha.

The resolution mandated the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister for the Economy, Dr. Ngozi OkonjoIweala, to give an undertaking to the Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) and Depot Man-

agers Association of Nigeria (DAPPMA) that the work of the committee being headed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and Petroleum Products Pricing and Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) will be concluded.

The committee is to verify the N200 billion MOMAN is

claim that the government owes its members.

The resolution said if the committee “concludes its verifications of the outstanding claims before the end of the life of this administration, it would be reflected in the handover notes to the new president.

“If it is not concluded, then, the fact that such a committee was set up and is working, will be reflected in the handover notes and a copy of the letter conveying the existence of this committee will be sent to MOMAN and Continued on page 60

cause of the huge drop in supply to our customers, in view of the heavy drop in allocation to AEDC from the national grid, from about 450MW daily to less than 200MW in recent times.

“In fact, our allocation for Friday, May 22, 2015 was 145MW, while both Saturday and Sunday, May 23 and 24, 2015, was 115.6MW. And the situation has been worsened by the system collapse at Shiroro this evening, which brought our supply down to 15MW.” Also yesterday, the Nigerian Electricity Regulatory Commission (NERC) said 18 of the 23 power plants in the country are unable to produce electricity due to shortage of gas supply for the thermal plants.

NERC chairman Dr. Sam Amadi said : “At present, 18 of the 23 power plants in the country are unable to generate electricity due to shortage of gas supply to the thermal plants with one of the hydro stations faced with water management issue. This has led to loss of over 2,000 megawatts in the national grid.”

According to him, in the last couple of months, electricity supply has been generally poor on account of increase in vandalism in the run-up to the April 2015 elections.

But this bad supply condition, he said, has worsened in the last few days.

The chairman noted that the situation is compounded by the recent industrial actions embarked upon by workers in the oil and gas industry, a development which is taking a toll on other sectors of the economy.

He said gas supplies to the thermal plants had been further constrained by the industrial action in the oil and gas sector.

The statement reads in part: “The Commission had proactively engaged the gas supply companies and its licencees when two weeks ago discussion was held on how to firm up gas supply in order to increase power supply.

Continued on page 60

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NEWS

EFCC: we recovered N65.3b in two years •Commission may declare Ali-Modu Sheriff wanted •‘Fayose, Audu, Goje, Doma, Nyame, Turaki still on trial’

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) yesterday said it recovered about N65.3 billion between 2012 and 2014.

The commission added that it may declare former Borno State Governor Ali-Modu Sheriff wanted for failing to honour its invitation.

It, however, said Governor Ayodele Fayose and five ex-governors are still on trial.

The affected ex-governors are Abubakar Audu (Kogi), Danjuma Goje (Gombe), Akwe Doma (Nasarawa), Saminu Turaki (Jigawa) and Rev. Jolly Nyame (Taraba).

The commission made the clarifications at a briefing in Abuja by its Head of Media and Publicity, Mr. Wilson Uwujaren, following criticisms by the Human Rights Writers Association as well as two of its dismissed staff, Ms Juliet Ibekaku and Michael Nzekwe.

Ibekaku had said: “In the past seven or eight years since EFCC started, we’ve been hearing about governors who have been in the courts for the past eight years, no conviction, nothing! No assets recovered. And we are still (sic) back to square one.

“So, something has to change. And in my mind, what needs to change is the leadership. The second thing that needs to change is the staffing. Who are we hiring to work in this place?”

But, Uwujaren said the commission has not failed in its responsibility.

He said between 2012 and 2014, the EFCC recovered about N65.3 billion and over $245.9 million.

He said: “Between 2012 and 2014, the commission recovered N65,320,669,350. Also, the sum of $245, 952,030.13, £693, 399.00 and •62,600 were also recovered during the period.”

On investigation and trial of some former governors, Uwujaren said Fayose and some ex-governors are still undergoing trial.

He said the EFCC might be forced to declare Sheriff wanted for failing to honour its invitation.

“We invited him (Sheriff) for questioning. As I speak to you, he did not honour that invitation.

“Once the commission invites a suspect in a matter and he fails to honour the invitation, options are opened to us. We might declare him wanted. Yes, we might do that.”

Sheriff is wanted for alleged mismanagement of N300 billion his administration received from the Federation Account between 2003 and 2011.”

He added: “The cases involving former Kogi State Governor Abubakar Audu, former Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje, former Nasarawa State Governor Akwe Doma, former Taraba State Governor Rev. Jolly Nyame are

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation

progressing in courts, as several witnesses have been called by the prosecution.

“Of course, the case against Ayodele Fayose has only been temporarily halted by the fact of his re-election as Ekiti State governor.

“We could go on and on. These records apply to cases involving exgovernors only.

“They do not tell the whole story regarding the prosecution and convictions record of the commission.”

Uwujaren said the EFCC has not abandoned cases involving some former governors, including Orji Uzor Kalu, Saminu Turaki, Lucky Igbinedion and Chimaroke Nnamani.

He said some properties were seized from some ex-governors, including Kalu (10 properties seized, 13 accounts frozen), DSP Alamieyeseigha (12 properties); Lucky Igbinedion (two properties); Nnamani (accounts of six firms linked to him frozen); and Saminu Turaki (six accounts of firms frozen).

He faulted the allegations of nonperformance against the anti-graft agency by Ibekaku.

He added: “However, for Nigerians to see through her lies, it is important to recall some of the milestones achieved by the commission in the investigation, prosecution and recovery of assets of politically exposed persons, including ex-governors.

“Until he was pardoned by the government, it is on record that former Bayelsa State Governor DSP Alamieyeseigha was the first former state governor to be successfully prosecuted by the EFCC. “Over N3 billion, which includes the proceeds realised from the sale of his properties has been returned to Bayelsa State. These properties include Chelsea Hotel, Abuja. Other real estate investment of Alamieyeseigha which accounts were frozen by the commission include:1.Plot 26 Dalhatu Close, Abacha Estate, Ikoyi; 2. 20 Obaji Street, Diobu Port Harcourt; 3. 1. Community Road, off Allen Avenue, Lagos; 4.

247, Water Gardens, London W2 2DG; 5. 14, Mapesbury Road, London NW2 4JB; 6. Flat 202, Jubilee Heights, Shootuphl L, London, NW2 3UQ; 7.

68-70, Regents Park Road, London; 8.

4A, Ilu Drive, Ikoyi, Lagos; 9. 18 Mississippi Street, Maitama, Abuja; 10. V & A Water Front, Cape Town, South Africa; 11. 2, Marcibit Street, Ishaku Rabiu Estate, Off Aminu Kano Crescent, Abuja; and 12.

24, Amazon Street, Maitama, Abuja.

“Another former governor, who was prosecuted and convicted by the Commission, is former Edo State governor Lucky Igbinedion. Apart from

‘The cases involving former Kogi State Governor Abubakar Audu, former Gombe State Governor Danjuma Goje, former Nasarawa State Governor Akwe Doma, former Taraba State Governor Rev. Jolly Nyame are progressing in courts, as several witnesses have been called by the prosecution’ the conviction, the commission equally recovered some properties from him. The properties include: 1.

A property located at 57, Ihama Road, GRA, Benin and 2. Another property located at 24, Izekor Road, Benin “Following the furore generated by the option of fine handed the governor by the trial judge, the commission filed fresh charges against Lucky Igbinedion.

“The action was challenged in court with the trial court ruling that the commission cannot try the ex-governor on the same matter for which he had already been convicted.

“The EFCC appealed against the ruling with the Court of Appeal affirming the commission’s position that Igbinedion really has a case to answer.

“Following that, two of his accomplices, his younger brother, Michael Igbinedion and his Personal Assistant, Charles Eboigbodin, who were charged alongside the former governor, were successfully prosecuted and convicted, just last month (April 29, 2015, precisely).”

He added: “The case involving Chimaroke Nnamani, former Enugu State governor, has been in court since he was first arraigned in 2007 alongside Sunday Anyaogu, his then aide and six firms linked to them: Rainbownet Nigeria Limited, Hillgate Nigeria Limited, Cosmos FM, Capital City Automobile Nigeria Limited, Renaissance University Teaching Hospital and Mea Mater Elizabeth High School.

“EFCC in 2014 sought for a separate trial of the companies and on May 19, 2015, the companies pleaded guilty to an amended 10-count charge. We await the court pronouncement on the fate of the assets.

“Former Governor Orji Kalu’s case is currently at the Supreme Court, where he is challenging the competence of the charge after the court of appeal affirmed the trial court’s ruling that he has a case to answer.

“The commission has, however, seized the following properties belonging to the former Abia State governor. They include: 1. Property at 9A, Queen Amina Road, Ungwan, Rimi

•Corps members matching during the closing ceremony of 2015 Batch A NYSC Orientation Course in Dutse, Jigawa State...yesterday.

PHOTO: NAN

GRA, Maiduguri; 2. Bungalow at 21, Gwari Avenue, Behind Gerau Hospital, Off Kachia Road, Maiduguri; 3.

Parcel of land at Kirikiri Industrial Estate, Lagos; 4. Block of flats at Plot 103A Olumeni Street, Old GRA, Port Harcourt; 5. Identical duplex at Plot 65, No. 7& 8. Orogburn Crescent, Diobu GRA 11, Port Harcourt; 6. 3 Nos bedroom bungalow plus adjourning buildings at Mairi Village, Maiduguri, Borno State; 7. 3 bedroom bungalow at GRA Maiduguri, Borno State; 8. Warehouse at Mairi village, Maiduguri; 9. Former Progress Bank Building, No. 45, Baga Road, Maiduguri; and 10. Former Orji Alex Bakery, Bulunkutu, Seleke, Maiduguri.”

Uwujaren added that several accounts in various banks linked to the former governor’s companies were also frozen by the commission.

“The accounts include those belonging to: 1.Tourism Development Area, Gambia; 2. Slok Investment Limited; 3. Slok USA INC; 4. Slok Nigeria Limited; 5. The Sun Publishing; 6. Astel Offshore; 7. Neva Nigeria Limited; 8.

Reality Organization; 9. Kachi Agwu Enterprises; 10. Menco Resources Limited; 11. Nnachison & Co; 12. Slok Air Nigeria Limited; and 13. Firmbase Inter Limited,” the EFCC’s spokesman said.

He explained that the accounts of companies linked to Turaki were also frozen by the commission.

“The companies are: 1. INC Natural Resources Limited, 7 Civic Centre Road, Kano; 2. Wildcat Nigeria Limited, 31 Kuta Road, Minna, Niger State; 3. Arlek Construction Nigeria Limited, 7 Civic Centre Road, Kano; 4.

Gethel Nigeria Limited, 7 Civic Centre Road, Kano; 5. Wallong Camco

•Sheriff

Nigeria Limited, Tukur Commercial Layout, Dutse; and 6. Gansu Construction Engineering Limited,” he said.

“For Joshua Dariye, who was recently ordered to proceed to trial after the Supreme Court rejected his appeal against the Appeal Court affirmation of the competence of the commission’s charges against him, the following properties were recovered from him: 1. Property at Plot 1802 Ao4, No. 19 Frederick Chiuba Close, Asokoro, Abuja; 2. Plot of land in the name of Jambo Holdings Nigeria Limited, Rayfield, Jos; 3. House No. 11, Rest Road, Jos ; 4. Plot of land at Gada Village, off Adiko Bukuru Road By Pharm Headquarters, Jos; 5. Plot of land at Liberty Boulevard, Jos; 6.Plot of Land at Ibrahim Taiwo Avenue, Jos; 7. Two additional plots along Dogon Dutse Road, Jos; 8.Plot of land at Gold & Base Neighbourhood, Jos; and 9. Plot of land known as Yelwa Club, Bukuru, Jos. “In the case involving former Delta State governor James Ibori, whose conviction in a London court was largely based on the evidence supplied by the EFCC, the commission secured the final forfeiture of the $15 million bribe, which he allegedly offered to a former chairman of the commission, to the Federal Government.

“Let it be emphasised once again, that in apportioning sanctions to Ms. Ibekaku, along with her co-traveler, Michael Nzekwe and nine others who were dismissed from the commission, EFCC was guided by its Staff Regulations and extant Public Service Rules.

“Ms. Ibekaku is challenging her dismissal at the National Industrial Court and we call on her to allow the court rule on her application and not to engage in acts tantamount to self-help, which only highlights among other acts unbecoming of a public officer, the reason she was dismissed from EFCC in the first place: gross indiscipline,” he said.

IBB: state of the nation worrisome From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

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ORMER Military President General Ibrahim Babangida yesterday expressed concern over the state of the nation.

He said he was concerned over the biting fuel scarcity and epileptic power supply.

Babangida spoke when he and former military Head of State General Abdulsalami Abubakar visited outgoing Niger State Governor Mu’azu Babangida Aliyu at his home in Minna.

“I am as concern as you are. I urged Nigerians to support the incoming government on whatever measure it takes to provide solution. Government is doing all it can to make sure the problem comes to an end. We should endeavour to support them during this period,” he said.

On why the problem was coming at this time of transition, Babangida said the problem was peculiar to developing countries, adding: “It is the duty of the government to find solutions”.

“Every developing country has one problem or the other. There have to be a government to solve the problem and the government is on ground,” he added.

Gen. Abubakar appealed to the citizens to sustain the peace being enjoyed in the country, urging the outgoing governor to assist the incoming government with his wealth of experience.

Aliyu lauded the two elder statesmen for their support throughout his stewardship.

He advised the incoming government not to relent in sustaining the level of security attained in the state, particularly with the menace of kidnapping affecting the state.

Aliyu debunked claims that the outgoing administration at the Federal level was responsible for the continued power outages and fuel scarcity in the country, insisting that “nobody can be heartless to arrange such thing”.

He attributed the fuel scarcity to exchange rate, saying: “When the agreement between the marketers and the government was signed, a dollar was captured at N150. But now, the exchange rate was around N200”.

On power, he said there was water shortage in the hydroelectric dams, forcing drop in electricity generation.

“Nobody can sit down to create this type of problem unnecessarily; nobody can arrange such a thing. It will soon come to an end. The problem is not deliberate.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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NEWS We’re ready for questions on handover notes, says Sambo From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

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•From left: Senators Gbenga Ashafa, Pauline Tallen, Sola Adeyeye, George Akume, Ahmed Lawan, at the Retreat for All Progressives Congress (APC) senators-elect in Abuja.

P

Jonathan releases N5b to buy stoves for rural women

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan has released N5 billion to the Ministry of Environment for the purchase of clean cook stoves for rural women, a project which is expected to gulp N9.2 billion.

Minister of Environment Laurentia Mallam, who said this yesterday, added that the President will inaugurate the project today.

Mrs. Mallam said the stoves will be distributed to women in the rural areas through the state ministries of environment.

According to her, the contractor,

From Frank Ikpefan, Abuja

Messrs Integra Renewable Energy Services Limited, has been given N1.3 billion from the N5 billion released by the Federal Government.

She spoke during an inspection visit to the Velodrome at the National Stadium, Abuja, where some of the 750,000 stoves were being assembled.

The minister added that clean cook stoves will help to discourage the use of firewood for cooking, which she said

is one of the causes of desertification in the North.

She said: “We started in the northern parts of the country because of the challenges we are facing there with the desert encroaching into the country and people still cut down trees.

“Now, the President wants it to spread throughout the country and so we have this project.

“The ministry has received N5 billion so far. You know when N9.2 bil-

lion was approved by the Federal Government last year, we told Nigerians that N9.2 billion has been approved by the Federal Government.

But so far, N5 billion has been released to the ministry.

“We have given the contractor 15 per cent, which is N1.3 billion. That is what we have released to the contractor and we still have N3.7 billion in the ministry’s account.”

Mrs. Mallam added that by 2020, most women in the rural areas will have access to the stoves.

Constitution: Supreme Court gives President, HE Supreme Court has adlawmakers ultimatum vised President Goodluck

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Jonathan and the National Assembly to within two days resolve their differences over the amendment of the 1999 Constitution.

The Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), had sued the National Assembly following President Jonathan’s refusal to endorse the fourth alteration to the Constitution.

The President, who sought to restrain the National Assembly from overriding his veto on the issue, is by the suit, challenging the legality of the procedure adopted by the Legislature in passing the amendment to the Constitution, termed Fourth Alteration Act 2015, and urged the court to among others, declare the amendment unconstitutional.

Yesterday, a seven-man panel of the Supreme Court, led by the Chief Justice, Justice Mahmud Mohammed, asked the senior lawyers in the case, including plaintiff’s

Fed Govt declares Friday as public holiday From Gbenga Omokhunu, Abuja

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HE Federal Government has declared Friday as public holi-

day to celebrate the 2015 Democracy Day. The Minister of Interior, Abba Moro announced this on behalf of the Federal Government in a statement yesterday by the ministry’s Permanent Secretary, Abubakar Magaji.

The statement urged Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to support the incoming government and pray for the success of Nigeria’s democratic process.

Moro used the opportunity to congratulate President Goodluck Jonathan and Nigerians for the successful conduct of the general elections.

The Minister congratulated the President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on his electoral victory, wishing his administration good luck.

From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

lawyer and former AGF Bayo Ojo (SAN), and defence lawyer Adegboyega Awomolo (SAN) to broker the settlement talk between parties in the case.

Justice Mohammed suggested that parties should explore settlement following Ojo’s unsuccessful attempt to substitute AGF with President Jonathan as plaintiff in the suit.

The CJN told Ojo and Awomolo that the dispute, which formed the subject of the suit, was not beyond what they could help parties in the suit settle.

Ojo and Awomolo agreed to take up the challenge and help broker settlement talks between the parties.

Ojo consequently withdrew his application for the substitution of the plaintiff.

In a ruling, the CJN struck out the motion for substitution, dated May 20, 2015 and filed by the plaintiff’s lawyer, Ojo, having withdrawn it.

“Meanwhile, suit is adjourned till Wednesday , May 27, 2015 for report of settlement or further hearing. I must emphasise that all the senior counsel in this matter must put head together for the amicable settlement of this matter.”

The Supreme Court had on May 7, 2015 ordered parties to maintain status quo and refrain from doing anything to affect the current state of the subject of the case and adjourned to June 18.

It, however, reversed itself when

Court remands ex-Mint boss in prison From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

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•Jonathan

it relisted the case for hearing yesterday following a fresh application file for the National Assembly by Awomolo, seeking the determination of the suit before the end of the tenure of the 7th National Assembly on June 6.

NLC to Fed Govt: blacklist firms involved in fuel scarcity

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HE Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has asked the Federal Government to blacklist companies involved in the ongoing biting fuel scarcity.

It urged government to revoke their licences as a punitive measure to serve as deterrent to other operators.

The congress said President Goodluck Jonathan should within the few days remaining for his administration, identify the officers, who have failed in performing their duties, “leading to the current mess”.

President of the congress, Dr. Ayuba Wabba, in a statement entitled: “Fuel Scarcity: Let Government Act Now”, said the government after identifying the officers, should hand them over to the incoming administration for further investigation and prosecution.

The statement reads: “The NLC has watched with utter disgust and dismay how business and commercial activities in the country have been brought literally to a halt as a result of the activities of a mindless and cruel cabal that has taken absolute grip of the petroleum import business.

“Clearly, the objective of the cabal in the current impasse is to arm-twist the Federal Government to part with billions of dollars, which it had not earned, in the name of fuel subsidy payments.

“More curious, however, is the fact that the Federal Government has al-

From Tony Akowe, Abuja

lowed this cabal to continue to hold the entire country to ransom, thereby escalating the regime of impunity and unimaginable corruption which had taken complete hold of the operations of our petroleum sector, causing the country to lose billions of dollars over the years.

“As Mr. President has had cause to remind Nigerians in the weeks following the March 28, 2015 presidential election, that he was still in charge of running the country, the NLC hereby call on him to take firm and decisive action by calling to order all those in the petroleum sector that have one way or the other brought this crisis upon the nation.

“The implicit message in such a definitive action will show that no one – business men and women and their collaborators, in and out of government – is strong enough to hold the entire people of Nigeria and its government to ransom.

“We, therefore, urge Mr. President to, in the few days remaining of his tenure, pinpoint the officers in his government who have failed in performing their duties, which has led to the current mess.

“Given that Mr. President has been very active of recent in the sacking and appointment of officers to less significant functionaries of government; we

ICE President Namadi Sambo has expressed the readiness of members of the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to clarify any issue in the handover notes.

He spoke yesterday while presenting copies of the handover notes to the Ahmed Joda-led All Progressives Congress (APC) Transition Committee at the State House, Abuja.

He said the report comprises the activities of the Federal Government between 2011 and 2015.

He said: “The handover notes of the Federal Government of Nigeria of this administration between 2011 and 2015 have been properly articulated and printed.

“The Permanent Secretaries of each ministry have signed each page of this report to authenticate it and it is our pleasure to present it to you and pray that it will guide you, guide the incoming administration towards the achievement of positive objectives, development and progress of Nigeria.

“And I want to add that all of us are always available, after this report between now and May 29, anytime you need to meet with us. We are ready to come and sit and clarify.

“All the (Ministries, Departments and Agencies) MDAs will also be ready to meet with you, give you any clarification that you would want to have on this report that we are presenting.”

He thanked the members of the two transition committees for their support and contributions.

Joda said his committee would examine the report before final submission to the incoming administration.

expect him to within these few days carry out a quick investigation on the matter which should identify the officers behind the current situation and hand them over to the incoming administration to further investigate and made to face the law.

“Secondly, the outgoing administration should blacklist all those private sector companies involved in the massive blackmail of Nigerians and ensure that their licences are revoked as a punitive measure to serve as deterrent to operators that it doesn’t pay to blackmail and hold a nation to ransom.

“The ugly experience of Nigerians in the last four or so weeks regarding this fuel scarcity raises a few questions.

One; what happened to our old habit of maintaining “a strategic national reserve”?

“Two, is the action of the players in the petroleum sector a subtle plot to force the hands of the incoming administration to forcibly deregulate the petroleum sector, and compound the hardship of Nigerians through the increase in the prices of petroleum products?

“As organised labour, we maintain our position that government has absolutely no excuse not to ensure that our four refineries with combined capacity to refine 450 thousand barrels per day to function and operate to full capacity.”

FEDERAL High Court in Abuja yesterday ordered that former Managing Director and Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPM) Emmanuel Okoyomon be remanded in prison.

Okoyomon has been in the custody of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) since May 4 when the court ordered his extradition to the United Kingdom (UK) for trial for alleged corruption and money laundering.

The court gave the Federal Government 30 days within which to extradite Okoyomon to the UK. The court’s order for Okyomon’s extradition was informed by an application to that effect by the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), who hinged his application on an extradition request by the UK government.

Okoyomon is said to be wanted by the UK government over his alleged role in the bribery allegation involving officials of Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the Nigerian Security Printing and Minting Company (NSPM) and Securency International Pty of Australia between 2006 and 2008.

Yesterday, Okoyomon’s lawyer B. Abu told the court that the Court of Appeal in Abuja has fixed hearing in his client’s appeal for May 28, 2015.

He contended that by the development, the trial court no longer possessed the jurisdiction to conduct any hearing in the case, including a pending motion filed by his client for stay of execution of the judgment, pending the determination of the case at the Appeal Court.

AGF’s lawyer Muslim Hassan denied being served with any process regarding the purported applicant’s appeal at the Court of Appeal.

Ruling, Justice Evoh Chukwu ordered the parties to await the outcome of the proceedings at the Court of Appeal and further ordered that Okoyomon be remanded in prison custody.

He adjourned indefinitely.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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NEWS Family accuses Kashamu of forgery

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HE Ambali Bakare family of Ogombo community in Etiosa Local Government Area of Lagos State has accused embattled Senator-elect Buruji Kashamu of taking over their land.

Kashamu, who is embroiled in a dispute with the National Drug Law and Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), reportedly bought 175 acres of the Bakares’ land in 2008.

Addressing reporters in Abeokuta, the Ogun State capital, at the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) Press Centre, yesterday, the family, led by Shafiudeen Bakare, claimed that the land was bought through a questionable source.

Bakare said they have all the documents relating to the land and vowed to challenge the senator-elect in court.

The land, he alleged, was bought by Kashamu in the name of one of his companies from Chief Yomi Adejumo, who is not a member of the Ambali Bakare family.

Bakare also accused Ka-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

shamu of intimidating and harassing them with members of the Oodua Peoples Congress (OPC) from Ijebu Igbo.

Bakare said: “We are here to tell of the fraudulent buying of our land at Ajah by Buruji Kashamu under the business name of Bukas Kasmal International Ltd. “When some of those who purchased parts of the land from us sued us, the court ruled that we, the original owners, should be in court.

“So, we have been making arrangements to revisit the case.”

According to the documents shown to reporters, a Lagos High Court heard the case in 2012.

It had the People of Lagos as plaintiff and three others, including Kashamu’s company- Bukas Kasmal Int’l Ltd- as respondents.

Bakare said the family is returning to court because it is not satisfied with the case being struck out by the trial judge partly on technical grounds.

Resolve arson puzzle, APC tells Fayose

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HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ekiti State has challenged Governor Ayo Fayose to explain how hoodlums defied his dusk-to-dawn curfew to raze the Oja-Oba Market in Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

The party said it was baffling how hoodlums could evade security check-points in Ado-Ekiti to burn down the state’s largest market.

APC’s Publicity Secretary Taiwo Olatubosun said in a statement that the puzzle must be resolved, following insinuations that the arson was government-sponsored.

“We want to know how the market and the surrounding area could be attacked without security agents lifting a

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

finger.

“More shocking is the scale of damage done to the market, which suggests that the operation was not a lone effort as it was carried out in a hurry.

“Also suspicious is the fact that streetlights on major roads leading to the market, went off as early as 8pm that night.

“We have noticed that whenever streetlights go off early like that, an untoward event would follow just as it happened when our secretariat at Ajilosun was attacked.

“The inability of the Fayose administration to service

the streetlights on major roads in the capital is a deliberate ploy to create an atmosphere for government sponsored hoodlums to operate.”

Olatunbosun added that the party was vindicated by the alarm it raised earlier that thugs were being lodged in the Government House.

He explained that linking the Ado-Ekiti jail break escapees with the kidnappings was a confirmation of the party’s earlier claim that the government was complicit in the jail break.

The APC sympathises with the Hausa community and we also commiserate with the hapless traders and other victims.

“We commend former Governor Kayode Fayemi for visiting the burnt market, commiserating with the monarch and the victims.”

Speaking through his Chief Press Secretary, Idowu Adelusi, the governor said his concern was how to provide good governance.

Fayose said: "We are not prepared to respond to every senseless outburst.

"We are much concerned with providing good governance to Ekiti people. This is our focus.

"How can we be responding to utterances of idle minds.

"Let them go and assist their colleagues in other states.”

Oke: I want to build Ondo APC From Damisi Ojo, Akure

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CHIEFTAIN of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Ondo State, Chief Olusola Oke, has said his priority is to join other party leaders to build a formidable

party.

In a statement by his media aide, Rotimi Ogunleye, Oke said he is determined to be a part of a process that will deepen democracy, deliver accountable leadership and bring good governance to the people.

“My priority is to join other APC leaders to build a stronger and formidable party in Ondo State. Contrary to unhealthy speculations from some quarters, I am not chasing any position.

“More than anything, restoration of good governance in Ondo State is my priority. This I am committed to,” Oke said.

Ikuforiji advises lawmakers

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HE Speaker of the Lagos State House of Assembly, Adeyemi Ikuforiji, has advised in-coming lawmakers to be courageous.

Ikuforiji , who was represented by the Deputy Speaker, Kolawole Taiwo, spoke at the opening of a five-day induction workshop for members-elect, which took place at the Golden Tulip Hotel, Festac, Lagos, yesterday.

He said lawmaking is a serious business “where you take decisions daily ans history will judge you rightly if you take the right decision, but not taking a decision at all is bad.

“We have taken some decisions for which we were

By Oziegbe Okoeki

sometimes crucified, for example the Okada law, but today people hail us for the reduction of accidents on our roads.”

The theme of the workshop is “Legislating for the growth and development of Lagos State: Challenges, Frameworks and Mechanisms”.

It was organised by the Assembly in conjunction with Messrs Development Animation Programme.

Speaking in his welcome address, the Clerk of the Assembly, Ganiyu Abiru, said legislation is a serious business for serious minded people.

NEMA feeds 2,000 Hausa in Ekiti

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HE National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has opened a rehabilitation camp to feed over 2000 displaced Hausa in Ekiti State.

The agency set up the camp at Shasha, on the outskirts of Ikere-Ekiti, where the displaced persons were relocated to prevent further clashes between them and commercial drivers.

Apart from feeding the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs), NEMA has also provided them with relief materials.

In a statement yesterday

by NEMA Head of Ekiti Operations, Saheed Akiode, the agency said the relief materials had been distributed directly to the IDPs in collaboration with the Chairman of Hausa Community, Adamu Imam.

While appealing for calm at the camp, Akiode said the

From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

Federal Government cares about the victims and would do everything to improve their conditions on camp.

"The NEMA Ekiti Operations Office moved swiftly to assess the situation on Friday and immediately came in to the rescue of the displaced persons being camped at Shasha market. “ NEMA provided them with beddings, household materials, food stuffs, toiletries and other forms of requisite logistical support to make the camp habitable.

"Since the beginning of the rehabilitation support at the camp, NEMA officials have been on ground providing three square meals to the displaced persons, including women and children.”

•Fashola cutting the ribbon to inaugurate the FACT Centre...yesterday. With him are: Chairman, State Technical and Vocational Education Board, Mrs. Adeyinka Taiwo Oyemade (left), Secretary, State Technical and Vocational Education Board, Olawunmi Gasper (middle), Special Adviser on Eko Project, Ms. Ronke Azeez (second right) and the Head Manager, Festo Automatic Nigeria, Peter Sanpel (right).

Good practice series launched in Lagos

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HE Lagos State government has launched a series of publications on good practices under the administration of Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola.

The nine-book series called the “Lagos State Good Practice Series” cover areas where the government found innovative solutions to problems.

The titles include: Boosting the Energy of Lagos: The story of the Lagos State Electricity Board (LSEB); Imota Asphalt Plant; Opening up the Lagos Waterway: The story of Lagos State Waterway Authority (LASWA); and Protecting Lagos, Saving the Nation: The Ebola Story.

Others are: The Lagos State BRT: Getting the People of Lagos on the move; The Lagos Eko Secondary Education Project (2009-2013); Technical and Vocational Education Training (TVET) in Lagos State; Maternal and Child Care Centres; Lagos State Parks and Gardens Agency Greening of Lagos (2007-2014).

Presenting the books at the Eko FM Auditorium yesterday, the governor said they were inspired by enquiries from other states and countries seeking to learn how Lagos solved some of its problems.

“It was either one country in West Africa or one state in Nigeria that wanted us to help them with how we managed our refuse; they wanted to know how we managed the Bus Rapid Transit (BRT) or wanted to share something

•Books to be distributed free

By Kofoworola Belo-Osagie

that we had done,” he said.

He explained that the series detailed the experiences of the government and are not accounts of perfection because they also contain mistakes that were made.

Fashola said: “Note that we have not chosen (the title) best practice; we have not chosen excellent practice because really and truly what is the best is always relative in time and circumstances.

“We do not by this series suggest that we are the best.

But for me, knowledge sharing consistently improves our capacity to do things better.

“And that is why you may

have heard that even nations who clearly are ahead are still looking to see what we are doing.

“This is about putting together a body of our experiences. And because we are human beings, it contains errors, mistakes that we have made. Those mistakes become very valuable for the next generation.”

To enhance the state’s capacity to make use of its own experience, the governor said the government has strengthened the Public Service Staff Development Centre (PSSDC), Magodo, to train civil servants.

He said it was his dream

that the centre would enlist the services of retired senior civil servants for training and ultimately evolve into a school of governance for Nigeria.

Fashola said the books would be distributed free to schools and libraries but that those seeking extra copies could purchase them from the Lagos State Printing Corporation.

Also yesterday, the Governor inaugurated the Festo Authorised Certified Training (FACT) Centre for Industrial Automation at the Government Technical College, Agidingbi, which he hoped would be a foundation that would provide training for “Made in Nigeria” goods to thrive.

Oyo workers join national strike

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YO State workers will today join their colleagues in other states to begin an indefinite strike.

The state’s chapter of the Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday directed its members to comply with the directive from the national headquarters.

The national leadership had directed its members to begin an indefinite strike but Oyo civil servants were at their duty posts yesterday, awaiting a directive from the State Executive.

The state NLC Chairman,

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

Comrade Waheed Olojede, said the action became necessary in view of the three months salaries being owed workers and pensioners by the government.

Though he acknowledged that discussions were ongoing on the issue, Olojede said the state chapter could not disobey the national leadership.

Olojede said: “You are all aware that in the last few months in Nigeria, many states have owed salaries and pensions.

“Oyo is one of those states.

In the last few months, we have begun negotiation with the government on how best to pay outstanding salaries and pensions.

“We appeal to the government to show understanding on this directive.

The only condition that can make us appear before the NLC leadership is to have with us a mutually agreed Memorandum of Understanding spelling out how best and quickly salary and pension arrears can be paid and how the state will continue to pay them promptly.”

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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NEWS ‘Strike out MPPP’s petition’ From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun and the All Progressives Congress (APC) have urged the Governorship Election Petition Tribunal in Abeokuta, the state capital, to strike out the petition by Mega Progressive Peoples Party (MPPP).

The MPPP is seeking an order of the tribunal to nullify the April 11 governorship election.

The MPPP urged the court to cancel the election, claiming that its candidate’s name and party logo were omitted from the ballot paper printed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC).

When the matter was mentioned yesterday, counsel to Amosun and APC Fagbemi Lateef and George Oyeniyi told the tribunal that a motion on notice requesting it to strike out the petition has been filled.

No date has been fixed for the hearing. But citing grounds for the application, both APC and Amosun said the tribunal lacks jurisdiction to entertain and determine the petition.

They urged the three-man tribunal headed by Justice Henry Olusiyi to dismiss the petition “for reasons that same is frivolous, speculative, gold-digging and unmeritorious”.

Ekiti doctors suspend strike From Odunayo Ogunmola, Ado Ekiti

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HE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) in Ekiti State has suspended its “no-work protest” embarked upon, following the kidnap and threats to its members.

Eleven persons, including health workers, kidnapped in various parts of the state were released on Saturday.

Among those kidnapped were the former Chief Medical Director of the State University Teaching Hospital, Ado Ekiti, Dr Patrick Adegun, his wife, Kikelomo , a nurse working with the Federal Teaching Hospital, IdoEkiti, Mrs. Margaret Aladenika and two other nurses, whose identities were not disclosed.

The NMA, in a letter to Governor Ayo Fayose, said the industrial action was suspended, following the release of the victims and improvement of security.

The doctors called on the government to sustain security of lives and property and propagate laws to punish kidnappers.

A letter, dated May 25, signed by NMA Chairman, Dr. John Akinbote, said the suspension is with immediate effect.

"Sequel to the resolutions of the emergency general meeting of our noble association, we hereby notify you of our decision to suspend the ongoing no-work protest.

"We are using this avenue to request for improvement and sustenance of security measures in place," the statement said.

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (fifth right), his Deputy, Otunba Moses Alake-Adeyemo (fourth right), Commissioner for Justice Adebayo Ojo (third right) and members of the Commission of Enquiry on Urban Renewal Project led by the Chairman, Justice Akintunde Okanola Buade (fifth left) during the submission of the report to the governor in his office.

Fayose meets Omirin, four APC lawmakers in Akure

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KITI State Governor Ayodele Fayose yesterday held a closed door meeting with the Speaker of the House of Assembly, Dr Adewale Omirin and four All Progressives Congress (APC) lawmakers.

The meeting was held at the Sun View Hotel, Alagbaka, Akure, the Ondo State capital.

It lasted for several hours with members of the State Executive Council in attendance.

Fayose and Omirin, however, refused to answer ques-

T

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

tions from anxious reporters at the end of the meeting.

They insisted that “we are not going to answer questions, but only make statement.”

The governor asked if Omirin was willing to answer questions from reporters, but the speaker said “no sir, we will just make a statement.”

Fayose said: “We have met in the interest of our dear state, Ekiti, which is bigger than the interest of any individual or party.

“We are here for peace to reign in our state.

“We are here to find solutions to the problem in Ekiti State. The meeting was between the executive and the legislature and we had deliberated on nothing but the interest of Ekiti.”

Omirin said: “The governor has spoken and he has spoken very well.”

The meeting, which was said to be a continuation of the peace move in the state, however, suggested that the APC lawmakers might have reconciled with Fayose.

A statement by Omirin’s

Special Adviser on Media, Wole Olujobi, said the five lawmakers insisted on their demand for a return to the status quo as at November 11, 2014.

“That means restoring all the principal officers to their positions and all aides of the Speaker, Deputy Speaker, including those of other principal officers.”

He added: “The lawmakers made it clear they were ready to return to their jobs and the governor should provide the atmosphere for that possibility.

“They asked the governor

Fuel crisis: UI shut for two weeks

HE University of Ibadan (UI) has been shut for two weeks, following students’ protest on the lingering fuel scarcity in the country.

A statement from the institution’s public relations office said the authorities have asked the students to vacate the school for two weeks, until the situation improves.

From Oseheye Okwuofu and Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

The statement reads: “Authorities of the University of Ibadan have given the students a two-week semester break from May 25 to June 7, due to the current fuel situation in the country.”

Signed by the University’s Director of Public

Communication, Olatunji Oladejo, the statement added: “At its emergency meeting yesterday, the Committee of Provost, Deans and Directors considered the current situation in the country as is affects the running of the University visa-vis lack of fuel to generate electricity.

“The committee advised

the vice-chancellor, who accepted and directed on behalf of the Senate, that students should go on a two-week mid-semester break from May 25.”

According to the statement, students are expected to “vacate the halls of residence while this break does not affect other nonteaching activities on campus”.

Tribunal to hear Agbaje’s petition today

By Adebisi Onanuga

•Agbaje

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HE Lagos State Governorship Election Petition Tribunal will today begin the hearing of the petition filed by the Peoples Democratic

Party (PDP) candidate, Jimi Agbaje, against the election of Mr. Akinwunmi Ambode of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the April 11 polls.

The registrar of the tribunal, Hafsatu Suleiman, said hearing notices had been forwarded to all parties.

The PDP candidate alleged that there were some irregularities during the election, which contravened the provisions of the Independent National Electoral Commission’s (INEC’s) approved guidelines for the election.

The tribunal, at its last

sitting on May 5, granted leave to Agbaje to inspect all polling documents and devices used for the election.

The tribunal chairman, Justice Muhammad Sirajo, granted the prayer while ruling on an application filed by Agbaje through his counsel, Clement Onwuenmonor.

Justice Sirajo had also ordered INEC to provide certified true copies of all polling documents, including printed data from card reader machines in each polling units.

The two prayers were among the five filed by the petitioner.

However, the tribunal rejected Agbaje’s request to inspect the polling documents and devices used in the March 28 presidential election in Lagos State.

The tribunal also rejected Agbaje’s Freedom of Information request, asking it to order INEC to produce all polling documents and card reader machines used for the governorship election.

According to the panel, the petitioner can request for materials and documents he deems necessary to his own case, by way of subpoena, when the tribunal begin proceedings.

Osun: non-payment of salaries to be resolved soon

T

HE Osun State government has appealed to workers to be patient as the crisis associatedwith non-payment of salaries would soon be resolved.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) yesterday called its members to begin an indefinite strike to protest the non-payment of their salaries for six months.

The state NLC Chairman, Jacob Adekomi, accused the government of non-payment of their contributory pension schemes, allowances, other entitlements and deduction of their

From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

union dues.

He vowed not to call off the strike, until the government meet their demands.

Governor Rauf Aregbesola, in a statement, through his media aide, Semiu Okanlawon, said what was at the heart of all theissues being raised by workers is insufficient funds.

He said: “And regardless of the terrible revenue crisis that has led us to this state, we must bear in mind the very prudent manner the Aregbesola

administration has managed the affairs of Osun.

“Therefore, workers can be certain that once the revenue complications are solved, all these issues will vanish.

“And as a responsible government, we would still appeal to workers to show understanding, bearing in mind that at times when even other states had started experiencing delays, Osun State had ensured it used all it had not to make workers feel the pang of a national revenue crisis.”

to clear the Assembly of thugs and create conditions that would make them do their jobs without any security threats.

“They insisted that restoring the security aides of the principal officers and opening the Assembly for resumption of their legal duties should be the starting point for the restoration of peace.

“We want to make it clear that the resolution of the crisis in the House of Assembly lies with the governor in acceding to our request,” the statement said.

NMA: health workers frustrating govt From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

T

HE Nigerian Medical Association (NMA) has accused Allied Health Workers of planning to frustrate the incoming administration.

NMA President Kayode Obembe said this while delivering the communiqué at the end of their 55th Annual General Conference/ Delegates meeting with the theme: The root 2015; “The Nigerian Health Sector: Current trends, burning issues and what the future hold”, held in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

He said: “We condemn situation where these workers, each time they embark on strike, lock up offices, theatres, laboratories, and vandalise power generating systems and water supply.

“They tamper with oxygen supply systems to patients in critical conditions, including premature and new born babies, in their efforts to impede doctors from continuing to render services during their illmotivated strike actions.”

The NMA boss called on government to treat their acts as genocidal and crime against humanity and bring the culprits to book accordingly.

He also blamed the government for the recurring crises in the health sector by not taking decisive and realistic actions with the inordinate ambitions and self-serving demands.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Commuters groan as fuel scarcity bites harder

T

RANSPORT fares yesterday hit an all-time high in Lagos.

Many spent hours at bus stops in anticipation of likely reduction in the transport fares without luck; they were left with no choice other than to board the available buses when they discovered that the motorists were not ready to shift ground.

Many workers trekked to their offices and businesses groaned under the rising costs of operations.

Transport fares were jerked up between 300 and 500 per cent.

Commuters paid N400 to board a bus from Ikotun to Cele Bus stops as against the usual N50 or N100, depending on time.

A commuter simply identified as Jide described a development where commuters paid N500 from Agbado to Oshodi as “crazy.”

Jide enjoined youths to stand for their rights, saying “this is becoming too much to bear.”

The Nation also learnt that people paid N300 from Mile 2 to CMS and N500 from CMS to Ajah.

“God has to intervene because tomorrow (today) transport fares will be really crazy,” said a commuter via Twitter.

Another one tweeted that commuters paid N500 from Aseese to Berger.

“When will these stops?” He asked.

Bus conductors were seen urging passengers from Lawanson to CMS to enter with N500 against the usual N200, while N150 was charged from Lawanson to Ojuelegba instead of N50.

Olatunde Fasanya, a student of the Lagos State University (LASU) decided not to go to school for lectures, saying N250 demanded by the motorists from Isheri to IyanaIba was outrageous.

“I don’t understand why I had to pay N300 from Ejigbo to Iyana-

•Stranded passengers take to an open-roof truck from Ikorodu to Sagamu...yesterday

By Tajudeen Adebanjo and Akinola Ajibade

Isolo which normally costs N150.

This crisis doesn’t recognise anyone; even policemen begged to buy fuel on Saturday at N200 per litre,” said Segun, a motorist.

There were long queues at various bus stops including Ilasamaja on Oshodi-Apapa Expressway; Oloosa on Agege Motor Road, Agboju on Badagry Expressway; Western Avenue, Orile, Mile 12 and Egbada among others, owing to fewer commercial vehicles on the roads.

Toyeeb Adebayo, a Supervisor at Wheel Oil and Gas in Mushin, said: “I boarded a bus from Ikotun to Cele at N400 instead of N50 or N100 depending on time. If it’s early in the morning, it’s N50, but it increases to N100 around 7am.

From Cele to Iyana-Itire, I paid N100 instead of N30. I don’t know what they would charge at closing time,” he said.

Adebayo sought an immediate end to the scarcity, saying his salary would not meet up with the increased fares.

A worried motorist, Olukayode

Lasisi said the fuel scarcity has demonstrated the visionless leadership of the President Goodluck Jonathan administration.

Lasisi called for the diversification of the economy, overhauling of the oil sector, repairs and building of new refineries.

He said that placement of camera on pipelines for effective monitoring would curb illegal bunkering “The incoming government needs to sideline the marketers and fast-track registration of new ones. It will force them to bring price down because the fuel is available. They are hoarding it to make price reduction impossible.

Government should roll out shortterm policies that will fast-track mass transit project. This can be done strategically and systematically to edge out the fat-fed marketers,” Lasisi submitted.

Eni Olukotun, publisher of an online medium, www.completenewsng.com expressed deep concerns over the crisis, accusing the Jonathan administration of gross ineptitude and corruption.

Recounting how the fuel crisis had crippled his activities,

Fashola, Solomon hail hospital promoters

L

AGOS State Governor, Babatunde Fashola has praised promoters of First Heritage Hospital (FHH), a private primary health care facility in Mushin.

According to him, health facilities in the state are overburdened, hence people in Mushin and environs can now access healthcare at affordable price.

Fashola, represented by his Special Assistant on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina, said there was need for private investors to help government in providing such facilities.

The hospital, he said, would handle

By Wale Adepoju

patients and engage in disease prevention through health education and screening, adding: “This is necessary because our people do not go to the hospital until they are dying.”

Senator Ganiyu Solomon thanked the hospital management for the initiative, which he described as a Corporate Social Responsibility (CSR) by Reddington Hospital because some people could have built the facility elsewhere for financial gains.

He said having the centre in the area is a good omen because lives will no longer be lost to preventable deaths.

Reddington Hospital Chief Execu-

tive Officer, Dr Yemi Onabowale said the facility, which also has a diagnostic centre, is supported by his organisation.

He said Reddington started from the same facility years ago, stressing that the hospital has been reconstructed to meet international standard.

Onabowale said his organisation is collaborating with the hospital in technology transfer, training and referrals, among others.

Treatment, he said, would be affordable and accessible, adding that people should take advantage of the facility.

Odukoya’s wife’s NGO to protect children

N

OMTHI, the South African wife of Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, Pastor Taiwo Odukoya, has established a Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to tackle abuses and other challenges facing children.

Funda Wazi, which means “Learn and Know” in her Zulu mother-tongue, she said, will be involved in activities aimed at protecting the rights and dignity of children.

Mrs Odukoya said many children are faced with challenges that are mainly unattended to.

Some of these including abuse, bullying, deprivation and starvation, she said.

She was particularly concerned that child abuse is assuming a dangerous trend in the society.

The situation, she said, “must be arrested to ensure the physical, social, emotional and mental wellbeing of our future leaders.”

The NGO, according to her, will engage in advocacy and seek to influence policies, practices and processes that affect children.

Children-friendly resources, Mrs

Odukoya added, will be produced to increase the capacity of children and that of the society to defend them.

At the formal launch of Funda Wazi which will hold today, a book titled a bully is not a hero will also be launched in Lagos.

The book, according to the author, is a capacity-building mechanism on how children, guardians, parents and care givers can protect kids against bullies.

The foundation, she assured, would “teach, guide and protect children so they can grow to be responsible and balanced adults.”

Olukotun lamented: “Nigeria has never had it this bad; not even under the military junta of despotic General Sani Abacha. I never imagined buying a litre of petrol for N1,000. I might be forced to suspend our operation if the situation persists.”

The Managing Director, Bulk Chartering and Marine Logistics, George Porbeni said the impasse was having negative implications on his businesses. He said it had been challenging to move goods from the ports in Apapa to other parts of the country where they are needed.

He said many of his clients, especially, importers of goods are not ready to incur additional costs on such activities. ‘’ There has been lull in business activities since four weeks ago, when the fuel scarcity started.

Prior to this, firms engaging in clearing and forwarding business had been finding it pretty difficult to cope due to high duties which made many operators to use ports in Benin Republic and other neighbouring countries. But with the fuel crisis worsening by the day, the problems of the operators have been compounded,” he said.

PHOTO:NAN

He said he had directed workers, whose services are not urgently needed to stay at home, pending when the fuel problems would abate. ‘’Why should one bother drivers to office every day, knowing well that there is no fuel to move goods or containers from Tincan Island or Wharf to their destinations, especially outside Lagos?

Outgoing President Jonathan’s government has shut doors on further negotiations with marketers because he was not ready to pay the balance of N200billion subsidy arrears demanded by them.

Amid this, marketers insist they were not going to resume importation until the Federal Government pay them the N209billion owed them.

Added to this was the strike action embarked upon by oil-transporting bodies to force the government to reverse the transfer of operatorship of Oil Mining Lease (OML), 40 Evecrest Production and Exploration Limited.

However, with the news of the suspension of the strike by the marketers last night, fuel users, especially commuters are expectant of imminent reprieve.

Educationist for burial Friday

T

HE final burial arrangements for the departed Iyalaje of Egbe Akomolede Yoruba, Kogi State Chapter, Chief (Mrs) Christiana Amusitan Akande, begins on Thursday with a wakekeep at her Owode Quarters, OgidiIjumu, Kogi State home at 8pm.

A statement jointly signed by Maji Akande Family and her children, Dele Akande, Deji Akande, Tubosun Akande, Mrs Tinuola Omonayin and Banjo Akande, said the late cultural crusader was 69.

Following a thanksgiving service at Saint Thomas Catholic Church, Ogidi-Ijumu at 10 am on Friday, the remains of the late Mrs Akande, also a retired Education Secretary at Ijumu Local Government, Kogi

•The late Mrs Akande

State, will be interred.

Reception follows immediately also at the church’s premises.

Man, 19, faces N1.3m ‘theft’ 19-YEAR-OLD man, Ibrahim Wasiu, yesterday appeared before an Ikeja Magistrate’s Court in Lagos, for allegedly robbing a motorist of N1.3million in traffic.

Prosecuting Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Eranus Nnamonu told the court that the offence was committed on March 4 at 9p.m., on the Ojo Expressway, Lagos.

He said the accused attacked Mr Stanley Meziem, who was driving.

“The defendant at knife point, forced out Meziem through his car window, assaulted him and obtained his digital camera, Ipad and N1.3m cash”, Nnamonu said.

A

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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CITYBEATS

CITYBEATS LINE: 09091178827

Banker loses $30,000 to ‘fraudsters’

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HE police have arrested two persons for allegedly swindling a bank worker of $30,000 (about N5,910,000).

The suspects, who pretended to be money doublers, fortune tellers and miracle workers are being interrogated by the Lagos State Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) operatives.

They are: Abdullahi Mubarak Ismaihi, 47, a.k.a Miracle Worker, from Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, and Prophetess Bola Ojo, 65, a.k.a Holy Spirit, who claims to be the General Overseer of Botifer Parish of C & S Church in AboruIpaja, a Lagos suburb.

According to a police source, Ismaihi met a lady marketer in a new-generation bank at Ogba, Lagos, and told her that his politician-friend wanted to change N5,000,700 into dollars.

He assured the banker, who is looking for a child, that he could help her spiritually.

The suspect asked the woman to meet him at Egbeda, a Lagos suburb, from where he directed her to his office at 28, Samson Street, Oke Odo. Before going to see the suspect at Egbeda, the banker told her account officer who is also looking for a child of her plan.

The account officer gave her the money, but insisted on following her to the suspect’s place.

At Egbeda, Ismaihi told her he is a native doctor and gave her soap with which to bathe to enable her realise her dream.

He also told her to narrate her problem to Holy Spirit (Prophetess Bola Ojo), who was speaking behind a curtain to convince the woman.

The woman said she wanted a child as well as big money to enable her resign from the bank and set up her own business.

After 30 minutes of prayers, she collected the soap from Ismaihi and went for a bath. When she returned, Ismaihi and Holy Spirit had disappeared.

When she could not find the suspects, she returned to the bank to tell the account officer.

When the money owner

•The suspects

By Ebele Boniface

got an alert, she went to the bank to demand how she was debited $30,000. The account officer begged her to give her time to return her money.

After waiting for a month, the customer petitioned the Commissioner of Police, Kayode Aderanti, who ordered the Officer-in-Charge of SARS, Abba Kyari to handle the case.

Abdullahi told the police: “The woman wanted me to make her pregnant and rich to enable her resign from bank. I told her it would cost her big money and that I would use seven Akumi (camel’s hunch), with each costing N750,000. She brought the money and I gave her soap to bathe and come back for her miracle, but I disappeared. I was later arrested

by SARS operatives. We are three in our gang.

“It took the woman five days to get the money, but I have spent all on hotel accommodation and women.

It was the highest money I made since I started this ‘419’. I used to get less than N10,000; I had never hit millions except in this one.

I gave the Prophetess N200,000 after the deal.

“I am a native doctor and it was the woman who said she wanted to do ritual. I am an Alhaji because I went to Mecca. I am happily married with four lovely children. I used part of the money to offset their school fees.

“It is greed that lured me into 419 because I wanted to get millions of naira as quick as possible. I was tired of getting chicken money that does not solve problems. It is better to be a fraudster than to be an armed robber.”

The ‘prophetess’ said: “I acted the Holy Spirit and got N200,000 as my share. Even when people who were sick came to me to heal them with prayers, I used to consult this Alhaji (Ismaihi) who claims to be a native doctor. He nearly put me in trouble because he claimed to cure all kinds of illness but never succeeded in curing even one. I am from Ekiti. I am the owner of my church. My role was to do prayers and act as Holy Spirit.”

The Command’s spokesperson, Ken Nwosu, a Deputy Supretendent pf Police (DSP), told The Nation that efforts were on to get the fleeing third suspect.

Fuel scarcity: NRC reduces Ogun-Lagos rail shuttle

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HE biting fuel scarcity has forced the Nigerian Railway Corporation (NRC) to reduce its daily shuttle services on the Ogun-Lagos route from 12 to eight.

NRC Lagos District Manager Mr Akin Osinowo, in an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) yesterday, said the reduction only affected the intermediate services.

“Our return intermediate services at 12 noon and 2p.m are being suspended for now.

“We have no option than to suspend these services because we are finding it difficult to run our normal services, due to fuel scarcity.

“We will return to normal services when fuel supply returns to normal,’’ Osinowo said.

According to him, the corporation uses about 32 litres of fuel for its Ogun-Lagos services weekly.

“But now, we are sourcing for fuel everywhere to ensure the running of OgunLagos services even after the reduction in our number of services from 12 to eight.’’

Osinowo, who declined comments on whether the long distance and cargo services would also be suspended, appealed to commuters for understanding.

NAN reports that there was a rush by passengers at the railway terminus at

Ijoko in Ogun yesterday for train services.

A NAN correspondent at the terminus reports that the train was congested as commuters struggled to board.

It was so bad that many passengers resorted to hanging on the locomotive.

Many who could not get places inside the coaches and could not hang on the train were stranded at various stations.

“I’ve no option than to go back home because it’s quite expensive to go to Lagos by public transport,’’ a nursing mother, Ronke Alayo, said.

Commuters went for the Diesel Motorised Unit services, costing N750, which they hitherto shunned because of its high cost.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

‘Why PenCom removed over 3,000 police pensioners’

By Akinola Ajibade

A

S the row over the re moval of 3,326 police pensioners from database continues, the Pension Transitional Arrangement Directorate (PTAD) has said the names of the affected police officers were removed from the pension list to show credibility to its work.

In a statement signed by its spokesman, Steve Omanufeme, the Directorate, an arm of Pension Commission(PenCom), said credibility informed the decision to carry out such activity.

The statement read: ‘The removal of unverified police pensioners from PTAD’s payroll, is to clean up and give credibility to our police pensioners’ database after a nationwide verification in which the affected pensioners did not turn up to be captured.

The removal of the affected names, as well as the call for supplementary verification is necessary to ensure pension is paid to genuine pensioners only. The question is how long are we supposed to pay this group of people who have not turned up to be captured after repeated calls for them to do so?”

Omanufeme said the names of the 3,326 police pensioners will be re-instated after they have been duly verified and their biometrics captured.

It urged the affected workers to come out and be captured during the supplementary verification exercise billed to start soon.

The Directorate said before December 2014 and March 2015, it went to all the geopolitical zones to verify and capture all police pensioners, noting that the exercise was conducted in 18 cities across the country with adequate publicity on national radio, television and print media as well as SMS messages to the targeted pensioners.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil Cocoa

$58/barrel $2,686.35/metric ton

Coffee

¢132.70/pound

Cotton

¢95.17pound

Gold

$1,396.9/troy

Sugar

$163/lb RATES

Inflation

8%

Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending 30% Prime lending

15.87%

Savings rate

3%

91-day NTB

15%

Time Deposit

5.49%

MPR

13%

Foreign Reserve

$34.5b

I always like to emphasise that I am never too keen on bailouts because they are always fraught with malpractices just like waivers and things like that. It’s always better to have a level playing field.

-Managing Director of Cocosheen Nigeria Limited, Henry Boyo

Fed Govt urged to ban rice import

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ORMER Minister of Commerce and Indus try, Charles Ugwuh has urged the Federal Government to declare a five-year import ban on rice imports, a measure he said would save $2.6billion yearly.

He said government should intensify efforts at producing enough of the commodity rice locally to meet domestic demand.

He said within the given five year period, the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) should protect the nation’s local rice output against smugglers.

“All hands should be on deck by the financial sector, local distributive trade, all agencies of government, as well as all stakeholders to support the national initiative on rice,” Ugwuh said.

“If we drive this to success, it would encourage even greater success and confi-

From John Ofikhenua, Abuja

dence to tackling other products and programmes that are relevant to prosperity and the nation’s well-being,” he added.

Ugwuh, who spoke in Abuja, made a strong case for a viable reward system, that would encourage people to strive towards enforcement and compliance by agencies of government, stressing compliance with the measure will help grow the nation’s economy.

He said: “We can grow rice and save over $2.6 billion per year that we currently spend on rice imports,” pointing out that Nigeria could be self-sufficient in rice production in no time.

Ugwuh said : “We call for a total ban on rice imports for at least five years to enable Nigeria produce its own food given the enormous

natural resources and endowments we have. The nation can be self-sufficient in rice.

We can eliminate food imports and save $9billion annually on wheat, rice, sugar, and fish. Nigeria cannot afford to waste such a huge amount and export vital jobs overseas, when massive unemployment is such a great challenge threatening our national survival.

“Nigeria has suitable ecology to grow rice paddy in virtually all over the country. With dedication, perseverance and national commitment, Nigeria can grow and process rice to meet its domestic needs, and indeed, export to other African countries at least, where a ready market exists for over 15 million tons from West through Central and Southern Africa.”

Nigeria, according to him, has been striving hard to

grow its capacity in paddy production and processing through massive investments in production infrastructure, power, water, irrigation facilities, dams and processing industries and technology.

He said Nigeria has made serious progress, adding that more is required, including greater investments to compete with other countries in South East Asia, which have been producing rice for decades and have evolved a culture of rice at low cost and high yields that are difficult to match.

“Unfortunately, each time we make earnest efforts to grow our rice capacity to displace imports, our traditional rice suppliers from South East Asia (India, Thailand, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Cambodia, among others) double up their efforts through Diaspora merchants

to beat us down,” he said.

“With their production efficiencies, low cost of production, better quality milled rice and other trade malpractices and gimmicks, they are able to weaken our resolve and erode our competitiveness, forcing us to buy from them and to abandon all our well-laid plans, investments and import-substitution strategies,” Ugwuh added.

In the meantime, we commit up to $2.6 Billion to buy 3.0 million tons of rice per year, he lamented.

“We export various desperately needed jobs out of Nigeria to South East Asia. We further pauperise our people by collecting additional toll as import tariff of over $1 billion. In the process, we also enrich smugglers and sundry merchants and traders with another $1.2 billion,” he stated.

• From left: Chief Executive Officer/CEO, Dentsu Aegis Network, Iberia & Sub-Sahara Africa, Andre Andrade; CEO, Sub-Sahara AfricaDawn Rowlands; CEO, Media Fuse, Emeka Okeke; Chief Operating Officer (COO), Sub-Sahara Africa, Bevis Hoets and Development Director, Postercope, Sub-Sahara Africa, Bruce Burgess at the media launch of Media Fuse Dentsu Aegis Network in Nigeria.

F

Foreign investors set to finance $8b IPMAN refinery

OREIGN investors have indicated interest in fi nancing the construction of the estimated $8billion refinery being proposed by the Independent Petroleum Marketers Association of Nigeria (IPMAN), it was learnt yesterday.

But the major snag, which the association wants the Federal Government to remove before kick-starting the project, is unnecessary bureaucracy and insecurity in the country.

IPMAN’s Vice President, Alhaji Abubakar Dankingari, who made this known to The Nation in Abuja, said the association has already secured a land for the project in Kogi State .

“The way we (IPMAN) want the Federal Government to assist us in building the refinery is not money, or cash. All that we want the government to do for us is to give us a proper relationship in such a way that we can call our foreign investors. Our foreign investors are ready to sponsor this and construct this refinery for us.

“Just what we need is the security of the country, then the relationship between the government and our partners. That is just what we need from the government.“ He said the proposed modular refinery which can

refine between 100 to 10, 000 barrels of crude per day could also provide employment for over 1,000 Nigerians.

The Vice Chairman said upon the completion of the construction, the refinery will source crude oil from PortHarcourt and Calabar.

On the fuel scarcity in the country, he urged the Federal Government to repair the four national refineries, or construct some modular refineries within them since they all have large expanse of land.

Dankingari said : “Since we have four refineries, the government should intervene to

repair those refineries or they should do modular refineries inside the refineries if they find out that repairing the old ones will gulp huge amount of money without success, a modular refinery can be constructed inside refineries like ours that have large hectares of land.”

He said the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) already in its last week meeting, has pledged its support for private investors to freely participate in the construction and ownership of refineries.

The DPR told us that it will allow us to participate freely and get license and support from the government as quickly as possible, he said.

Fuel scarcity: More domestic airlines cancel flights

T

HE scarcity of aviation is biting harder as more domestic airlines cancel flights.

At the general aviation terminal of Lagos Airport passengers remain stranded as airline officials run around to scout for fuel.

DANA Air yesterday said it was cancelling its flights

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

due to the scarcity of Jet AOne. A statement by the airline reads: ”Dear Esteemed Guest, due to the current scarcity of Jet-A1 fuel, we regret to inform that our flights cannot operate as scheduled.

Visit www.flydanaair.com or

contact the call centre and airport offices for updates.

We sincerely apologize for all inconveniences this might have caused you and wish to assure that normal operations will resume as soon as aviation fuel is available. Thanks for your understanding and patronage.”

Speaking at forum yester-

day minister of aviation, Chief Osita Chidoka said there is need to work a permanent solution to the problem of fuel .

He said Nigeria with its huge potentials should not have problems with fuel supply when countries like Ethiopia without crude oil has fuel to run its airlines.

Lawyers, FIRS partner in tax payment From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

T

HE Chairman, Nigeria Bar Association, Abuja chapter, Agada Elachi has urged professionals to live up to their professional obligation by paying their taxes.

The NBA chief who spoke in Abuja on Legal Education at a one day workshop on taxation in Abuja, said, all they want is to achieve, create, deepen and expand the knowledge-base of lawyers as far as tax administration is concerned.

He said: “As lawyers we must also lead the way in payment of taxes. We call on the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS) to work out a template that supports the payment of tax by Lawyers and other professionals whose earning portfolio are different are different from those in that of salary employment.

“It is now common knowledge that the future of Nigeria can only be secured by the diversification of our revenue base. The need for taxation is apparent and the incoming government has made it a focal point.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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THE NATION

BUSINESS MARITIME

e-mail: maritime@thenationonlineng.net

Promoters inject N157.6b into W Lekki port ORK may soon begin on the Lekki Deep Sea Port following the payment of $792 million (about N157.64 billion) to the contractors by its promoters, it has been learnt.

Part of the cash, it was gathered, was paid to the China Harbour Engineering LFTZ Enterprise (CHELE), a subsidiary of China Harbour Engineering Company, one of the largest maritime contractors in the world.

The port, which is in the Free Trade Zone (FTZ) in Ibeju-Lekki, Lagos, is expected to begin operation in four years. It will be the deepest sea port in Sub-Sahara Africa with a draft of 16.5 meters.

Its Managing Director, Mr. Aswani Haresh, told The Nation that the port would be equipped with state-of-the-art facilities to handle Post-Panamax container vessels of up to 10,000 TEUs capacity.

“The port will commence its operations with an annual throughput capacity of 1.5 million TEUs and shall quickly ramp it up to 2.7 million TEUs. In addition, when completed, Lekki Port will be equipped to handle around 16.7 million MT liquid cargos and 4.0 million MT dry bulk cargos annually.

“The Lekki port project will also

Stories by Oluwakemi Dauda MaritimeCorrespondent

solve the long-standing congestion problem at existing ports, creates an enabling environment and spur massive investments along the Lagos Free Trade Zone corridor and have a direct positive impact on the overall Nigerian economy.‘’ He continued: “When operational, the port will generate direct and induced employment for approximately 170,000 persons and will have an economic impact of $361billion over the concession period.

“This is going to be a gamechanger and we are honoured to be part of this promise. Once again, we thank the Federal Government of Nigeria and its agencies, Nigerian Ports Authority and the Lagos State Government for their support as we look forward to this exciting partnership. We, especially, acknowledge the unflinching support extended by Governor Babatunde Fashola through his promise to expand the connecting road infrastructure between port site and hinterland for

smooth operations.

“We would also like to take this opportunity to congratulate our EPC contractor – CHELE and our container terminal operator – ICTSI, on achieving this significant milestone that pushes the Project from development phase into full construction phase.”

Also, the Managing Director, Nigerian Ports Authority (NPA), Alhaji Sanusi Lamido Ado Bayero, said his agency and the promoters of the Lekki port had resolved to tap into the hitherto huge market occasioned by a port capacity gap.

“As a port authority, we see potential for growth and strive to make it a reality at all times. A port with a depth of 16.5metres will allow bigger vessels to berth and the port will enable our ports be enormously competitive due to economy of scale and will have significant positive macro economic impact on Nigeria in terms of employment, taxes and royalties.

“As we began the consummation of our strategic alliance with the promoters of this project and look towards a bright future, we assure you that the NPA will not waver in its continued support for the project,” he said.

Customs arrests two for breaking seal

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HE Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) has arrested two persons for breaking the Customs seal on five exotic vehicles parked in their compound, The Nation learnt.

The vehicles 2013 BRABUS G800 with Chassis No. 212718; 2009 Maybach 625 with Chassis No. 002513; 2009 Mclaren SLR with Chassis No. 001960; 2009 Aston Martin with Chassis No. 815026 and 2013 Ferrari 458 with Chassis No.195200.

Their documents, it was gathered, were checked at the Customs office and it was found that they were grossly undervalued.

The outstanding duty to be paid on them, The Nation learnt, is N232,964,169.

The unit’s Controller, Turaki Adamu, told The Nation that the suspects violated Section 145(5) of the Customs and Excise Management Act Cap C45 laws of the Federal Republic of Nigeria 2004.

The men, it was gathered, have been charged to court.

The case, findings revealed, is be-

fore Justice Saliu Seidu of the Federal High Court in Ikeja.

The controller said his officers found that the vehicles parked in the suspects’ Ikeja GRA Lagos home were “grossly undervalued” during clearing in violation of the import policy.

The unit, he said, wrote to the suspects that the vehicles did not comply with standard import procedure in terms of due diligence.

“In line with the Service procedure and in our quest to recover appropriate duty accruable to the vehicles, we placed on them Customs seal after raising a detention notice which the surety had undertaken to pay,” he said.

The Controller, however, alleged that instead of the surety to pay the duty, he broke the seal and removed the vehicles.

The Customs, he said, was still investigating some other exotic cars that were evacuated from the same premises to ascertain the appropriateness of their clearing.

The Controller said his officers found one of the vehicles on Victoria Island, Lagos.

Army partners Customs

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HE Commander 9 Brigade of the Nigerian Army, Briga dier General A. M. Sabo, paid a courtesy visit to the Area Controller, Federal Operations Unit Zone ‘A’ of the Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) Turaki Adamu in his office.

The Brigade Commander said his visit was informed by the desire of the Nigeria Army to further strengthen the relationship between the Army and Customs.

He expressed satisfaction with the

cordial relationship between the Military and the Customs, noting that such mutual understanding would further enhance mutual cooperation.

He praised the Customs Management under the Comptroller-General of Customs for the reforms which had been carried out in the Service.

Turaki thanked the Brigade Commander for the visit, adding that it would afford the two agencies the opportunity to further cement their relationship.

Maritime University gets VC, Registrar

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• Some of the exotic vehicles evacuated by the FOU Customs.

PHOTO: OLUWAKEMI DAUDA

RESIDENT Goodluck Ebele Jonathan has appointed Prof Ongoebi Maureen Etebu as Vice Chancellor and Mr Anho Nathaniel Esoghene Lucky as Registrar of the Nigeria Maritime University in Okerenkoko, Delta State.

In a statement, the Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Education, Dr. MacJohn Nwaobiala, noted that Mrs. Etebu is a Professor of Mechanical Engineering in the Department of Mechanical Engineering, College of Engineering, University of Port Harcourt.

She graduated with a B.Sc from the University of Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, United States, in 1982, and went on to obtain a Ph.D in Mechanical Engineering from the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), in 1997.

The Vice Chancellor also obtained an M.Sc in Engineering from the same insitution and an MBA from the University of Port Harcourt with a bias in Management.

She has extensive working experience in the university administration and the Public Service and is occupying a Professional Chair for Engineering Management.

The Registrar, Lucky, obtained a BA (Education) History/Foundations from the University of Port Harcourt and a Masters in Industrial and Labour Relations.

He has held several positions in the University management spanning from Senior Assistant Registrar to the position of Deputy Registrar/College Secretary, College of Health Science, Delta State University, Abraka, a position which he held until his appointment.

Buhari cautioned on auto policy implementation

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ROM maritime stakeholders have come a piece of advice for the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration – do not implement the National Automotive Policy in a hurry.

The policy was introduced in 2013 by the outgoing President Goodluck Jonathan administration to build Nigerian-made vehicles.

The stakeholders, at a Town Hall Meeting by Ships & Ports Communication in Lagos, urged the President-elect to ensure that auto assembly plants roll out locally assembled vehicles before the policy is implemented.

Some of them alleged that some of the approved auto assembly plants are hiding under the policy to import fully-built units of vehicles as semi-knocked down (SKD)

units to shortchange the government and evade Customs duty.

Comptroller-General of Nigeria Customs Service (NSC) Alhaji DIkko Abdulahi, represented by the Assistant Comptroller-General, Tariff & Trade (ACG) Banke Adeyemo, said in the past Customs men caught importers who removed some imported vehicles’ tyres, claiming that they were SKDs so as to pay less duty.

“Of course, we won’t allow that to happen, so we raise the proper duty and ask them to pay,” she said.

National Automotive Council (NAC) Director-General Aminu Jalal said Nigeria imported about $7.5 billion new and used spare parts in 2013.

The country, he said, has a growing middle class of 40 million peo-

ple, with a potential vehicle market of one million units yearly.

The NAC helmsman, represented by the agency’s Director of Industrial Infrastructure,Kolapo Odetoro, however, said the country must check the huge foreign exchange used in importing vehicles.

“The local manufacturers of vehicles will therefore not only create wealth but generate a large number of Small and Medium Enterprises.

“It would create employment, boost our local engineering capacity through spillover effects and develop our local raw materials.

“NAC is already working with the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) and the Nigeria Customs Service on this issue. Measures to

control vehicles smuggling through the control of vehicle registration system are being worked out,” he said.

Chairman, Nigerian Ports Consultative Council (PCC), Otunba Kunle Folarin, said: “We should ask ourselves whether the investors can sustain competiveness, slow growth economy or change in the mobility of people.”

The Deputy President, National Association of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAFF), Mr Fred Akokhia, said the auto policy is a catalyst for industrialisation.

He advised the incoming government not to rush into implementing the policy.

“The government should not rush into implementing the policy; rather, they should check for what led to the

mistakes of the past in order not to repeat it. We should do it in a way that when we come out of it, it would be a near perfect policy,” Akokhia said.

The National Publicity Secretary, Association of Nigerian Licensed Customs Agents (ANLCA), Mr Kayode Farinto, described the auto policy as “dead on arrival”.

He wondered why NAC failed to use the money realised under its two percent levy to develop the industry.

“NAC should empower various higher institutions so that they could do research and develop new technologies.

“We must ensure that there is stable electricity because without stable electricity, we can’t get the policy right,” he said.

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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THE NATION

BUSINESS TRANSPORTATION

E-mail: ynotaderibigbe@gmail.com

N29b Mile 12-Ikorodu Road excites Lagos govt, residents T HESE days, Mr. Olawunmi Solomon, a marketer with a firm in Mushin, is one of the first to get to

work.

For Solomon, who has been living in Ikorodu, Lagos, for over two decades, this is a refreshing experience. But it was not so a few months ago, during construction of the road. Then, he not only got to work late, he usually agonised over the nightmare that awaited him on the road.

But with the road compeleted, his efficiency has improved. He now relishes the road and prays for the government that made it possible.

Solomon is not alone. Each time she drives on the smooth road, Mrs. Angela Audu feels she’s in some foreign land.

She found it difficult to believe that she’s in Lagos. She has lost count of the number of times she lost her car’s shock absorber to the poor state of road.

However, all that is over, as the state government, through the Lagos Metropolitan Area Transport Authority (LAMATA), has transformed the road.

These are experiences of people on the new Mile 12-Ikorodu Expressway, which reconstruction came 50 years after the road was first built by the Federal Government. The last time respite came for the people was when the Military Administrator of Lagos, Lt.-Col. Mohammed Buba Marwa (rtd), expanded the road to a dual carriage way about 18 years ago. But the road soon fell into a deplorable state with craters and bumps, leading to intractable sufferings as a result of the gridlock that could take one eight hours to get to Ketu, a journey that could be made in 45 minutes. It was so much that the state government had to wade in to; it would be handing it over to the people soon.

Work began on the road in August 2012, with the China Civil Engineering Construction Company (CCECC), given the N29 billion to fix the road.

The road, a World Bank project, was supervised by LAMATA. It was designed to accommodate a BRT route for mass transportation of commuters. The Mile 12-Ikorodu town BRT Extension is conceived to extend BRT service from Mile 12 to Ikorodu while also improving the Ikorodu road network infrastructure.

Earlier, the road was a two-lane dual carriageway linking Mile 12 to the fast growing Ikorodu Town. The project includes expanding the road and provision of complementary BRT infrastructure. The corridor covers a distance of about 13.5km.The width is 7.5 metres, with median 2m width. The BRT is designed to be implemented as median running with bilateral bus stations’ configurations linked to bridges for pedestrian access. Two new lanes were constructed to accommodate the BRT system. The Mile 12-Ikorodu Town BRT Extension is tagged BRT Classic with the lanes running in the middle without any interference from other traffic except at designated U-turn points.

The road is about 98 per cent completed and will be inaugurated any moment, maybe, before the government of Governor Babatunde Fashola winds up. The road has about 15 bus stations - seven on either side with one at Mile 12. The stations are integrated with pedestrian foot bridges. The bus stations/shelters are at Mile 12, Owode Onirin, Owode, Irawo, Majidun, Ogolonto, Agric and Aruna. The road comes with 12 new uturn points to and from Ikorodu Town and also three terminals located at Mile 12, Agric and Ikorodu.

The smoothness of the road is second to none in the state. The pedestrian

• Owode Bus shelter, one of the several on the road. Inset: From left: Mr. Yusuf, Olukoga, Dairo and Odofin of Ikorodu Prince Kabiru Shotobi, during the enlarged stakeholders’ meeting on the Mile 12-Ikorodu Road in Lagos.

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

bridges are the best in Lagos and in the country with their aesthetics. Motorists can heave sigh of relief that the road has been completed with travelling time reduced.

Managing Director, LAMATA, Dr. Dayo Moberola, said the road has lots of benefits, which include provision of affordable transport, better road network, faster and reliable journey times, clean and better quality buses, reduction in waiting time for buses with limited queues through improved bus frequencies and the provision of a safe and secured transportation system.

Others, he said, were the provision of a regulated transport system where queries and complaints could be addressed, reduction in unregulated public transport vehicles on the corridor while road side activities which slows down traffic would be prevented, adding that there would also be improved lifestyles of people and businesses along the corridor with good linkage to major activity and recreation centres. He added that the project created over 2,000 direct jobs and 5, 000 indirect jobs.

To ensure that the road is not abused, LAMATA held a stakeholders’ meeting with some residents and motorists. During the event, it allocated market spaces to about 500 traders displaced during the construction.

Director, Transport Services, LAMATA, Gbenga Dairo, said the bus stands for the BRT are ready and the entire project is nearing completion. He disclosed that about 400 buses would be deployed for the take-off of the BRT scheme around June and July, this year.

It is expected that over 160,000 passengers will commute daily through the BRT on the route.

At the meeting, traders, transporters and others were told to keep the walkways free by not parking, hawking or selling on them, as well as desist from displaying merchandise and repairing vehicles, motorcycles and furniture on the walkways.

Stakeholders were warned not to cut the road on the BRT corridor while commercial motor cyclists should not ply the route in line with the Lagos Road Traffic law.

Specifically, they were warned that the bus shelters, terminals and lay-byes were for picking and dropping passengers and not sleeping areas while loading and unloading of goods were not allowed on the main carriageway. The stakeholders were also told that hawking and selling are prohibited around the bus shelters and the BRT terminals.

Also, motorists were urged to obey traffic signs and stop changing lanes recklessly. They were urged to allow pedestrians to cross at designated crossing points without harassing them and that they should desist from carrying out repairs on the carriageway as oil spillage on the asphalt could damage the road surface and reduce its lifespan, among others.

Speaking at the meeting, Governor Fashola said before the road was approved at the State Executive Council meeting, it was rejected on three occasions so that more input could be put into it before the execution, saying that the road project was massive and it must be maintained.

The governor, who was represented by Otunba Fatai Olukoga, Special Adviser on Education, said: “It is pertinent to have this kind of discussion so that when the road is opened, there will be no problem. This road can only be compared with roads in Dubai and it is built

‘To ensure that the road is not abused, LAMATA held a stakeholders’ meeting with residents and motorists. During the event, it allocated market spaces to about 500 traders displaced during the construction of the road’

with taxpayers’ money. We need to obey the traffic rules on this road. Don’t sell on the walkways or display spare parts on it. ”One-way drive is prohibited on this road and you have to obey all traffic signs and pedestrian crossing. Okada riders should not ply this road. We have many roads which they could ply in Lagos State. LAMATA will soon put signs on this road to help people obey the law.

We don’t expect traders to trade on this road.”

On the displaced traders, Fashola said they would be allocated shops in the newly constructed market. According to him, “They were displaced during the construction of the road and that was why we have decided to construct Oluwo-Idikan market to relocate the traders. This is in fulfilment of the promises made during the demolition of the market. Our aim in Lagos is to ensure that everyone has a source of income.”

Bisi Yusuf, a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly, said when the idea of rebuilding the road was first conceived, many people thought it would be impossible, noting that the rebuilding of the road had become a reality.

“What you are seeing on this road today is a replica of what is happening in Dubai. With this road, the value of property has gone up. This is what APC government is capable of doing because anywhere you have an APC government, this kind of road is what you get. We have just started. Most of our market men and women displaced during the construction of this project have now been relocated to a new market. ”We have not repealed the Road Traffic law; so we don’t want okada to ply this road. All forms of driving against traffic must not happen on this road. If you drive against traffic, it is either that you are a murderer, on a suicide mission or you are a drunkard,” he said.

Administrator of the Kick Against Indiscipline (KAI) Deji Badejo said the brigade would ensure that traders are kept out of the road and that it does become like Oshodi and Ketu where traders have converted the roads to marketplaces.

He said the state government has purchased 100 new vehicles for the agency to carry out its enforcement on the Mile 12-Ikorodu corridor.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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COMMENTARY EDITORIALS

LETTER

Agenda for Buhari (2)

Fixing security • Under Jonathan, Nigeria got as close to state failure as it could ever be. Buhari must banish all that

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ECURITY is the hallmark of a state. It is all a throw-back to the Social Contract theory, under which the people surrender part of their rights to a sovereign in exchange for security.

But under President Goodluck Jonathan, Nigerians experienced a reverse: the Nigerian state literally cowered before blatant insecurity; and there was no Leviathan to the rescue. Under massive and relentless threat from Boko Haram terror and sundry violent crimes, Nigeria, since independence in 1960, came closest to state failure.

Worse: the outgoing government’s feeble response was to negotiate down its monopoly of coercion. Examples abound in the oil pipeline protection contracts it signed with firms floated by former Niger Delta militants and the Oodu’a People’s Congress (OPC) cadres. Even the brave Civilian Joint Task Force (Civilian JTF) in the North, which though is playing an admirable role in current efforts to curtail Boko Haram, if not well managed, could be a source of serious future security crises.

When the government, as the Jonathan Presidency has done, starts ceding part of its coercive powers to groups of citizens, the alarms should start clanging. That is why

‘The incoming government must ensure the Police Force is adequately funded; and its budget weaned of the cankerworm of corruption, now widespread. It might also want to consider public-private collaboration, as Lagos State, under Babatunde Fashola, SAN, had gloriously pioneered’

all that must stop under the Muhammadu Buhari government. What is called for is a new, more efficient and more effective security architecture.

But the Buhari Presidency cannot do that unless and until it appreciates the roots of the crisis. Over the years, there has, trustwise, developed a gulf between the central primal security agencies like the Police; so much so that local communities tend to view the Police with suspicion, if not outright hatred. Also, grinding poverty of the majority had steadily alienated the Nigerian state from a big chunk of its own citizens, so much so that state security organs were only the hated faces of the hated state.

That singular factor drove militancy in the Niger Delta. It also aided the initial growth of Boko Haram, when budding terrorists on motor-bikes attacked police personnel and torched police facilities.

So, if Nigeria’s centralised primal security agencies appear too far to be trusted by Nigerian local people and communities, the first thing to do is to federalise those forces and agencies. What that means is that the Buhari Presidency must urgently work towards amending laws to legalise state police.

But since that would require constitutional amendments that could take some time, the incoming government could adopt a deliberate policy of community recruitment of intelligence personnel, both for the police and even the military, and, as much as possible, make those recruits work within their communities.

That would score two goals: avert crimes before they are committed; and eventually bolster mutual trust between communities nationwide and the security forces. Gradually, therefore, total state authority would be restored, without even appearing authoritarian.

Beyond federalisation, however, the incoming government must ensure the Police Force is adequately funded; and its budget weaned of the cankerworm of corruption, now widespread. It might also want to consider public-private collaboration, as Lagos State, under Babatunde Fashola, SAN, had gloriously pioneered.

Federalisation, however, can only apply to the civil security agencies like the Police, Department of State Security (DSS), the National Security and Civil Defence Corps.

For the military, the Buhari Presidency should opt for a clear revamping. From their clear feebleness against the Boko Haram onslaught, the Jonathan years have left the Army, Navy and Air Force in a shambles, jaded and disoriented.

So, the new government should re-arm the military, fix the morale of its personnel and make recruitment more transparent. More so, it should further professionalise the military. Since the weeding out of “political soldiers” at the advent of the Olusegun Obasanjo Presidency, it would appear Jonathan’s crass politicisation of state institutions has brought the once great military very close perdition. That must not be tolerated.

Since there are hardly bad soldiers but bad officers, the Buhari Presidency should take a very close look at its officers’ corps and weed out everyone found to have compromised their military essence and betrayed their service oath. That done, military budget too must be sacrosanct. That is the only way fresh investments in ordinance and even training would restore the military’s pride.

Still, after all said and done, the greatest security of security is a good economy. A sound economy greatly reduces mass poverty; therefore removing the nursery from whence tension breeds.

Making the rich pay •New FG regulations will charge private jet owners and priority air travellers

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N view of the prevailing financial crisis owing, first, to the mismanagement of the nation’s economy, and, second, to the slump in crude oil prices, the Federal Government has woken up to its responsibility of making wealthy Nigerians pay taxes for the luxury they enjoy.

Under the new dispensation meant to generate money, the Federal Government is expected to earn about N37.9bn annually from luxury tax to be imposed on private jet owners. This measure is also extended to air travellers in first class and business class passengers of aircraft.

In order to increase its revenue profile, the Federal Government had, in April, 2015 announced, through its minister of finance, that all local owners of foreign and private jets in the country would pay a surcharge of N3,200 per kilogramme on the weight of each aircraft annually. From the increasing foreign travels by Nigerians, all first class and business class passengers would pay a flat rate of N15, 000 each as surcharge for overseas trip.

This means that on the Lagos-London route, economy tickets sell currently for between N220,000 as the summer approaches; business class tickets sell for between N850,000 and N1.2m, and first class tickets sell for between N2.5m and N3.5m depending on the airline. On private jets, it is estimated that all private jet

owners in the country will pay an approximate of N7.9bn on luxury tax annually, while overseas passengers travelling in first class and business cabins will pay about N30bn as travel surcharge adding up to N37.9bn (approximately N38bn) from air travel sub sector. According to available statistics from the Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority, there are over 190 local and foreign private jets in the country as of today.

This is a good, even if belated move by the Federal Government. In many countries, wealthy people pay, sometimes through their nose, for the luxury they enjoy. With the country’s economy in dire straits, and about $60bn debt left for the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration, the government surely needs a lot of money now. In this regard, we expect the Federal Government to be more creative in getting money from wealthy Nigerians who hardly pay correct taxes on their investment on landed properties, especially luxury buildings that dot our major cities. We should not forget individuals who own yachts, speedboats, polo grounds, golf fields and similar luxury items. They too should pay something into government’s coffers.

Be all these as they may, we warn that no amount of taxes generated from oil and tax on all luxury items will solve our

financial problem unless the Federal Government has the political will to block all the leakages that lend themselves to corruption. We all know that the country has made a lot of money from excess crude oil earnings over the years, yet the country is broke as a result of corruption.

The bottom line, therefore, is for the Federal Government to tame corruption in all areas of our economy, bring more people who presently evade tax into the tax net because tax is an important revenue generation platform. Above all, the government must be ready to pay more than lip service to diversification of sources of revenue generation, apart from crude oil.

‘We warn that no amount of taxes generated from oil and tax on all luxury items will solve our financial problem unless the Federal Government has the political will to block all the leakages that lend themselves to corruption. We all know that the country has made a lot of money from excess crude oil earnings over the years, yet the country is broke as a result of corruption’

Memo to incoming legislators

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IR: Surely, night is longer than day for those who dream; whilst, day is longer than night for those who make their dreams come true. But as you endeavour to make your dreams come true, don’t be pushed around by your plights, rather be led by the dreams in question.

Dear incoming legislators, endeavour to take your legislative activities very seriously because that is the only reason you were sent by your constituents to represent them. In other words, any other thing outside legislation ought to be considered as secondary.

In the same vein, please endeavour to revive constituency briefing, which is gradually fading out in the Nigerian polity. Constituency briefing is a platform on which a legislator, either state or national, establishes a cordial relationship with his or her constituents. It is only through this medium that the members of your constituency would get to know what your office has done so far as well as what you are up to. If you are not close to them, they wouldn’t realize your intention or what you have been able to accomplish since you assume duty. It is so pathetic that most of our current legislators cannot boast of even a constituency office; let alone creating an avenue for regular meeting/talk with his or her constituents.

I urge you to be vision-oriented while dishing out your duties. Do not be deterred by any challenge you might be facing in the office, rather let your electioneering campaign promises or manifestoes remain your driving force. You must regularly tell yourself that your people cannot afford to receive excuses from you.

The interest of your people must come first or be placed as a priority before any other one including your personal interest. Don’t be bought over by the executive arm; remain firm, determined, focused, and above all independent, in any legislative occasion you find yourself.

Mediocrity should be thrown to the waste bin because that is where it rightly belongs. Please, let it not be business as usual; this time, we anticipate only quality laws and motions on the floor of the House or the Senate as the case might be. Nigeria deserves nothing but the best; so the best must be given to her, come rain, come shine. We do not care for second best, rather second to none.

I enjoin you to revisit most of the already existing laws with a view to addressing some lapses or putting up an enhancement where necessary. Bear in mind that some of our laws are outdated or inactive, thus must be reviewed for the interest of the country. Also, you ought to be ready, either in your individual or collective capacities, to enact new formidable laws.

Thus, all the promising bills presently lying on the floor of the various parliaments at federal and state levels should be given urgent and adequate attention as soon as you take over the helm of affairs.

Similarly, late passage of the appropriation bill, which has become a tradition, requires radical and dogged reconsideration. An appropriation bill that is supposed to be passed into law prior to the commencement of the concerned fiscal year is now being passed at the first, or even second, quarter of the year.

Isn’t it ridiculous? How can a budget meant for a certain year be made available at the second quarter of the year in question? It is indeed laughable, hence unacceptable. Frankly the Nigerian pattern of legislation needs a total overhaul. Let’s have this at the back of our minds, because that is the only way out. Please do not compromise any of the aforementioned anomalies if you are truly prepared to ignite a positive change, which everyone yearns for.

• Comr Fred Nwaozor Lagos

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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CARTOON & LETTERS

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IR: Recently, the Chief Justice of Nigeria (CJN), Justice Mahmud Mohammed, disclosed that the era of appointing persons considered as unfit, questionable and improper as judges had gone. He said the National Judicial Council’s newly revised guidelines of appointment of judicial officers had provided for a more detailed, robust and transparent method of appointment in the council’s new Extant Guidelines and Procedural Rules for the Appointment of Judicial Officers of All Superior Courts of Record in Nigeria.

The Nigerian constitution generally provides that a person shall not be qualified to hold the office of head of the respective courts unless he is qualified to practice as a legal practitioner in Nigeria and has been so qualified for a certain period of time. In the new NJC guidelines, Rule 4 (i) (a) specifically provides that the candidates seeking to be appointed as judicial officers must be of good character and reputation, diligent, honest, hardworking, and versed in the knowledge of law and consistently adhering to professional ethics.

Due to the uniqueness in the duties of judges - administration of justice and interpretation of the laws

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

Cleaning judiciary’s Augean stable - their mode of appointment has remained one of the most debated issues in the legal profession.

Hence, selecting men and women of integrity, who would sit at the Bench to interpret the laws, uphold the rights and frameworks within which the state functions, should certainly attract more than a passing interest. To say the least, judicial corruption desecrates the temple of justice, undermines the rule of law, allows impunity to flourish, leads to unfair trials and makes fighting of corruption unnecessarily herculean and even impossible.

Routine perversion of the course of justice has been damaging to the image of the judiciary.

No doubt, there are many hardworking, respected and honest judicial officers in the country.

However, overall, many people believe that the image and reputa-

tion of the Nigerian judiciary is not be the best at the moment. That is why the decision of the NJC to allow ordinary Nigerians to contribute to the appointment of judges is appropriate. This would reduce the likelihood of allowing questionable characters from infiltrating our Bench.

Beyond public advertisement for the appointment of judges, there is the need to embark on an overhaul of the system due to these observed lapses. It is not a secret that litigants still undergo excruciating delays despite the fact that they are in the courts to seek succor and be lifted out of their nightmares bearing in mind that justice delayed is justice denied. The CJN should do his best to fast-track and revive our justice delivery system. The advent of digital technology is meant to help courts around the world to deliver

Pitfalls Buhari must avoid IR: The epochal May 29 week is here and President-elect Muhammadu Buhari will be stepping out to take the Oath of Office and related affairs. Before now, he has stated how he wants to be addressed: Muhammadu Buhari, President, Federal Republic of Nigeria, and Commander in Chief, Armed Forces of Nigeria.

Buhari wants simple title and indeed, simple makes great and is the right way to start or go. But he needs also do away with superficialities and one such artificiality is the irreverent title: His Excellency.

Despite his personal worthy credentials, Buhari is human, not God. God alone is excellent. Calling leaders Excellencies has been a na-

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tional blasphemy; not when everyone knows most of the title holders are nowhere near being good but engage in dubious acts.

To give our leaders a title that belongs to God is one of the worst sins of Nigeria which Buhari must end forthwith and heaven will bless him for it!

Buhari must make this CHANGE which will unleash quality changes down the line. Governors will take their cue; so the lawmakers, ministers and lesser mortals that have all elevated selves to artificial heights. Quality CHANGES are what Nigerians expect from Buhari – changes that impact positively or widely.

Part of the swearing-in ceremony is the National Pledge that ends

with So help me God. This declaration is a national embarrassment and irreverent of the Most High. It is the same as saying: Therefore help me God which is a DEMAND, borne out of conceit.

Human beings must beg and never demand of the Almighty Creator. Good children plead or beg while bad children demand, even order their seniors and teachers, and on top of it, they lack the humility to say thanks.

The US president is not addressed as His Excellency; the same prevails in Europe. Leaders should earn their respect by their performance not by mere appointment.

• Richard Anyamele, Lagos

rulings in record time. It is imperative to modernise the system. The judicial system needs to adopt integrated technology network that will aid the judges in discharging their duties.

Nigeria should also work hard towards having a vibrant Alterna-

tive Dispute Resolution (ADR) mechanism as a way of decongesting the courts.

Finally, to save the system from itself, the NJC needs to weed out judges who have tainted their robes alongside other judicial personnel that have also been indicted for being accomplices in corrupt practices. When this is done, it would send the right signal that we are getting it right as a nation and this would undoubtedly go a long way in restoring public confidence in the Nigerian judiciary.

• Adewale Kupoluyi Federal University of Agriculture, Abeokuta

What shall it profit politicians?

S

IR: About six months ago when political parties began their primaries to choose their representatives for the various elective posts, many didn’t know where the pendulum would swing.

To the outgoing PDP, they thought it will be business as usual; all they needed to do was to clinch their party’s ticket for the various elective posts and wait till they get to the overcrowded bridge before thinking of crossing it.

The emergence of General Muhammadu Buhari as APC’s presidential candidate turned the tide which led to a band wagon effect across the federation coupled with INEC’s boss, Prof. Jega’s uncompromising stance on the use of permanent voter’s cards and card readers.

When many politicians embarked on this political journey, they never gave it a thought that General Muhammadu Buhari and his wind of change mantra would gather as much support as he did in previous elections. Buhari’s overwhelming victory at the presidential polls shattered their plans at the state level. In order not to be swept away by the political tsunami raging from the centre, a good number of deviant political actors manipulated and rigged the elections in their states.

How long will many of these about-to-be sworn in officials last in

office? The emergence of the incorruptible General Buhari as Presidentelect is already sending shivers down the spines of many. So far, revelations at the ongoing election tribunals are too damning and outrageous.

I don’t need a political clairvoyant to foresee what will happen in the next six months; my wager is that less than six months from now, both the state tribunals and law courts will start upturning the electoral victories of some elected governors, senators and honourable members. They will vacate the seats they have been illegally occupying for the legitimate occupants. It has happened in the past, we have seen an elected governor that didn’t last up to a month in office. What still baffles me is that no one has been jailed for electoral malpractices in the past. Will the incoming change at the centre break the jinx by enacting laws that will send electoral offenders to jail?

What shall it profit politicians to instigate their people to rise up against each other and turn their states into theatres of internecine wars, motivate vulnerable youths to go risk their lives in the field, disrupt the electoral process, snatch ballot boxes and at the end of the day lose their seats in the courts of law?

•Joe Onwukeme, Enugu.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

21

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bing Candidate Omisore presented himself as the ultimate cynical man of the people.

Still, Osun rejected him. Now, Ekiti and Osun live with the consequences of their electoral choices.

But that is cold comfort to the Ekiti Plato philosophical school, to which the professor counts himself an esteemed member, who believe — and rightly too — that “stomach infrastructure” maroons you in the past, even as “mind infrastructure” catapults you into the future.

WITH barely three days left to depart from office, not a few Nigerians, it appears, would rather see the back of the Jonathan administration today. With fuel queues springing up in every corner of the federation, coupled with the regression in the power situation that has since assumed a frenetic pace, the Jonathan administration would appear to have become one rod of affliction too many for the long-suffering Nigerians. Today, an administration which only weeks ago could have managed a decent exit has since sunk to such depths of ignominy in the eyes of the populace that the single factor of its redemption is the knowledge that it has hours left in office!

Exactly two weeks ago on this page, I wrote of the Jonathan administration as having gone on AWOL. The situation, I believe has since gone from bad to worse. No thanks to the contrived fuel crisis, the entire nation is in virtual lockdown.

Businesses cannot run because there is no energy to power their operations; many industries – particularly those that depend on alternative power wholesale – have joined other Nigerians in the fruitless chase for fuel for the most part of three weeks. With the naira dancing yoyo against major international currencies particularly the dollar of which it now trades at N222 to the USD, and with interest rates hovering between 22-25 percent, one does not require advance lessons in economics to appreciate why our industries have remained endangered species. All of this happening in the twilight of a regime that only few weeks back sought a renewal of its mandate based on claims of stellar achievements.

Suddenly, Nigerians are asking – what happened to those superlative claims of economic growth – the textbook stuff macro-economic fundamentals said to be so strong and impregnable to withstand any shocks? The claims of achievement in the power sector said to have berthed in power stabilisation – in what is supposedly the turning point in that long dark tunnel. The unprecedented reforms said to have delivered the magic in the fuel distribution chain (minus the refineries of course) – the song of which the Transformation Ambassadors of Nigeria (TAN) regaled us with a little less than two months ago? Is it a case of sabotage or were Nigerians sold a dummy?

With the events of the past few weeks, Nigerians ought to, by now, have a better appreciation of the Jonathan legacy.

The lies have been laid bare but then, only because the evidences of serial failures have long passed deniability. Before now, it was sufficient for the administration to throw figures in our faces as evidence that the country was working. Now we know why: while oil price remained stable, and growth rate said to have averaged seven percent guaranteed, all seemed fine – except the missing factor of unemployment – particularly youth unemployment – which actually hit the roofs at over 50 percent under Jonathan! Nothing has changed.

Paris Clubs debts. Under late President Yar’Adua, the external debts grew marginally from $3,348.22 billion to $3.94 billion. This climbed steadily under President Jonathan to $9.3 billion – nearly a triple. By Friday, the administration will be leaving a whopping $60 in debts – domestic and external with nothing on ground as proof of where the funds went.

As for the foreign reserves, it is also worth recalling that President Obasanjo at his exit in 2007 left $45.0 billion. Although the reserves grew to $63 billion in September 2008 under Yar’Adua, it slipped to $47. 7 billion when Jonathan took over in 2009. Today, it is hovering around the $30 billion mark despite the Jonathan administration’s record earnings.

The power sector is perhaps where the administration’s non-legacy would appear better pronounced. President Obasanjo it was who prepared the institutional basis for an enduring reform via the Power Sector Reform Act 2005; indeed, the National Integrated Power Projects (NIPP) were initiated by him. President Jonathan, no doubt, could claim credit for the Power Sector Roadmap; the same could be said of the completion of the privatisation exercise. However, if the results are anything to go by, the exercise would appear to have been bungled. In place of the centralised chaos of the past, what we have now is a sector of disparate players with no clue on how to proceed, a sector that has delivered more units of excuses than electric energy. While the nation is in virtual darkness, the administration does not even pretend to have a clue on how to get the nation out of the mess. From 4,000Mw advertised few months ago, the administration is barely leaving 1,000MW after pouring billions of dollars into the sector.

If merely by the anger in the street corners, it would seem that not many Nigerians would have kind words for their departing President; at least not at this time. However, he can take solace in Nigerians legendary capacity for forgiveness.

Trust Nigerians, they will sooner pass off everything to distant memory in due time.

“You see this card [PVC]? It is what we shall use to sweep out this government of thieves. If the coming government is not better, we shall use it to sweep them away too” — Two unlettered Nigerian female voters, as captured in Prof. Niyi Osundare’s May 17 lecture in Lagos.

I

epublican ipples

T wasn’t quite Alan Paton in his 1948 classic, Cry, the Beloved Country; on Olakunle his native South Africa, soon to lordbeek1@gmail.com, 08054504169 (Sms only, please) Abimbola formalise apartheid, to which, though White, he was uncompromisingly opposed.

It is a big irony though, that South Africa survived apartheid, only to convulse in murderous Black-on-Black xenophobia. ings about democracy.

That probably explains Osundare’s pithy wailing of the dire It was rather Niyi Osundare, professor of English, ace poet But Fayemi’s imperial governorship only grated as imperisymptoms of Fayose’s pact with the past and the conspiratoand 2014 Nigerian National Order of Merit (NNOM) laureous, on the Ekiti electorate; hence the Fayose comeback. So rial support from the Jonathan Presidency, with uproarious ate, rhapsodising Nigeria’s new-found voting power, which came Plato’s worst democracy fears: a rude mob just sacked cheer from Fayose’s Ekiti electoral captives. the two unlettered women quoted above enthuse. polite government, simply because they had the numbers!

It “Today, one of those two sons is living out the vote of But even as the rest of Nigeria rejoice, can Osundare’s nais the fatal cross-over from electoral sovereignty to electoral confidence ... There is no crime of his that is wrong in the tive Ekiti, in all good conscience, join them? captivity. president’s eye, no violation by him is considered outraThat was why, even with his Nigeria civil rhapsody, Anytime that happened, as Plato feared, the first scalp the geous,” he rued in his lecture. “As governor-elect, he led a Osundare decried the haunting evil, gripping Ekiti under mob claimed was polite society. crowd of ‘party faithful’ (called thugs by some ignorant opAyo Fayose.

That would explain Ekiti today. In Fayose’s Stone Age position media), beat up judges, tore up their robes, destroyed Cry, his beloved country! “democratic” empire, Okada riders, burly transport union staltheir dockets, trashed the proverbial temple of justice, and Prof. Osundare’s lecture was in 21st century Lagos. Yet you warts, with weather-hardened denizens of the street and algot all the workers fleeing in different directions”. could swear Plato, the old Greek and democracy cynic, was lied muggers, not coffee-sipping policy geeks of Fayemi’s Even as governor, Fayose has moved from outrage to outensconced, having a wry laugh, in that Nigerian Institute of ilk, rule the roost. rage, sacking parliament and even suborning a segment of International Affairs (NIIA) hall, that Sunday evening.

In Osundare’s own words, it was “ruling one of the nation’s the thinking class and elders, royal and common, to cohabit Plato, the philosopher, had no faith in democracy. He would most enlightened states like a medieval jungle”! in his Mephistophelean empire. rather have philosopher kings, high in wisdom and deep in The pro-Fayose lobby would scoff: despite Dr. Fayemi’s Even the bluest of Ekiti blue bloods and most iconic of its knowledge, rule over the rabble. To him, the borderline much vaunted policy brilliance, his politics, to both friend legal icons, appear more impressed with “amicably settling between electoral sovereignty and electoral captivity was a and foe, was toxic. Anti-Fayose forces would gamely counter: the problem” than lambasting Fayose’s constitutional outspider’s web too thin to risk! despite the Osoko’s brilliant demagoguery, all is assured is lawry”!

Contemporary Ekiti provides both the Plato dream and Ekiti’s future toxicity, the Ekiti electoral captives with it! So, But again, Ekiti would follow the natural order: stimulus Plato nightmare. That would appear glaring — at least to the the proverbial slip from fry pan to fire? and response, acts and consequences, crime and punishment. perceptive — at that May 17 lecture.

The paradox of the putative regress of his native Ekiti, even Goodluck Jonathan exits in a haze of total paralysis: no Osundare, himself an alumnus, spoke to the cream of Ekiti, while hailing the probable advance of Mother Nigeria, both fuel, no electricity, no movement, no nothing — a complete distinguished alumni of the elite Christ’s School, Ado Ekiti hinged on conscious and deliberate electoral choices, was not gridlock! It’s the telling result of a daft electoral choice, four and friends; men and women of solid achievements and relost on the distinguished lecturer and stubborn believer in years ago. finement. They would have been Plato’s contemporary dream Ekiti as “one of the nation’s most enlightened states”. crowd: philosophical kings — and queens.

The poet was right: “Every thinking and feeling human All too fitting, Kayode Fayemi, former governor of Ekiti, But again, to him, it’s all a throwback to the basis. An being knew for sure,” he said in his lecture, “that four more was among the high table. When called to make a brief illegitimate foundation, even with the mediation of the vote, years of the PDP government would reduce Nigeria to a state remark, his elocution, poise and gait were simply imperial seldom anchors a legitimate fortress. more horrifying than the one the world had ever witnessed — and Plato would have cheered, despite his grim misgiv“When the governorship race was about to start in Ekiti in the failed states that litter the African landscape.” and Osun states, and the ruling party’s field was swarmed by But the pan-Nigeria electorate has at least made amends for manner of gubernatorial hopefuls,” Prof. Osundare delved its gargantuan mistake of 2011. Yet, it is still conked by “Goodluck Jonathan exits in a haze all into very recent political history, “the largest political party Jonathan’s gargantuan exit paralysis. of total paralysis: no fuel, no electric- in Africa reached out for the most tainted of the lot and told The reverse, however, would appear the Ekiti case. While Nigeria, ceteris paribus, has tried to negotiate itself out of a bewildered world: these are the two sons in whom we are ity, no movement, no nothing — a the cul-de-sac, Ekiti appears to have rammed itself straight into well pleased.” complete gridlock! It’s the telling reone.

These two sons, also named in the Ekitigate audiotape rigPray, ace poet: will Ekiti still be “one of the nation’s most scandal, were Ayo Fayose (Ekiti: who won) and Iyiola sult of a daft electoral choice, four ging enlightened states”, after four years of Fayose?

Omisore (Osun: who lost). So stunning was Fayose’s grand years ago” Cry, his beloved country! winning philosophy of stomach infrastructure that corn-grub-

Cry, his beloved country

W

Policy Sanya Oni sanyaoni@yahoo.co.uk 08051101841

GEJ: Not in blaze of glory What the oil price crash has done is lay waste the dressed up statistics – showing the economy for what it truly is – despite the administration’s claims to the contrary.

I recall when we complained about the administration’s humongous appetite for foreign credit at a time of bumper earnings; then we were told that the country –still doing fine with crude oil exports – was under-borrowed. Lost to the profligate administration were the bitter lessons of the Paris and London clubs debt peonage which the country exited in 2005 after shelling a whopping $12 billion from the treasury.

Today, the chicks have since come to roost earlier than one could have imagined. And while it seems a long way from the crisis of the 80s when the country plumbed into severe balance of payment crisis as a result of oil price collapse, our country, to all intents and purposes, aside being practically bankrupt would appear set on that same course. Evidence: More than 24 states are said to be in arrears in wages and salaries; not even the federal government is exempt with several parastatals and agencies said to owe their workers.

Trust the administration ever so ready to deflect responsibility from itself, it has has passed off the challenges to the single factor of oil price slump rather than own up to its culpability in foisting the free-for-all climate under which the theft of Nigeria’s crude festered, its terrible legacy of public accounting, and the mindless looting of the commonwealth!

Is one being uncharitable to the departing administration?

The facts tell the story better. In 1999, former President Olusegun Obasanjo inherited $30 billion foreign debts. At the time of his exit in 2007, the amount outstanding was $3,348.22bn after the administration paid off the London and

‘When we complained about the administration’s humongous appetite for foreign credit at a time of bumper earnings; then we were told that the country –still doing fine with crude oil exports – was underborrowed’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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INCE the March 28 and April 14 General Elections, our nation has recorded about 23 trekkers and bikers, the young and the old alike, traversing the nation, doing unimaginable distances with glee, some in support of Buhari, some Goodluck Jonathan for his presumed love for peace, ditto the concession of defeat at the polls. In all of this, the score is manifest; democracy is the winner and Nigeria the victor. By this Nigerians have said in no uncertain terms that we want to remain together and make our fatherland great.

The profound euphoria that inundates the public space makes the template for a better Nigeria less tenuous; it leaves our nation with great faith in the oneness or so of our people. The truth is that we have more reasons to stay united than the scores that disunite us. We have shown an unrivalled bond for national affinity and consanguinity than we have of our differences.

Yes we can make the best of this halcyon moment; we can like the Phoenix recreate Nigeria.

A new national orientation paradigm must seek inclusivity and genuine brotherhood predicated on no less a margin than the development of the human capital, excellence must be the watch word. We must cease to permit and pardon mediocrity on the altar of the federal character normative. We must begin a rework of our morals and mores such that all Nigerians will embrace patriotic proclivities and enable a progressive redefinition of citizenship. We must sediment values that confer pride in this collective constituency knowing that we have got no other but Nigeria.

The zoning and power-sharing normative are only stop-gap measures, they are values that appear conciliatory and inclusive but in actuality they divide us and deepen our differences. The defeat of the PDP at the last general polls and the fact that for the first time since the Nigerian Civil War, we saw an ethnically divided and polarised polity is a lucid manifestation of the failure of the zoning, powersharing cum Federal Character ordinance

T

HE time was a little before midnight on Friday, May 22. The place was a small, quiet, almost rural city in the British East Midlands. Apart from a brief stroll to the university library to pay some fines and renew some long over-due school books, and the inevitable cross-over to the nearby Morrisons’ supermarket to buy a few groceries, I had been sitting up in my apartment all day, and all night, battling with a chapter in a long overdue PhD thesis.

When I found that my mind was beginning to wander off the topic of my chapter, I went to the kitchen, unpacked the few groceries I bought at the supermarket and took a couple of bananas – my favourite fruit. I looked around the fully-fitted kitchen in the self-catering apartment. What a waste – I sighed ruefully. Yes, the kitchen was a veritable waste.

When I felt I had had enough for the night, I closed the chapter and, before unplugging the laptop, I went to the Internet to read Nigerian newspapers online – a veritable companion when you are out of the country, and out of reach of hard newspaper copies. Then, as I browsed leisurely through the papers, I saw an interesting piece of news: “Buhari Jets Out on Private Visit to Britain”. The story went on to say that: “The President-elect, Muhammadu Buhari, on Friday left for Britain on a private visit, his first such trip outside the country since winning the March 28 presidential election.

“In a statement issued in Abuja on Friday by its head, Mallam Garba Shehu, the Media Team of the President-elect said General Muhammadu Buhari will use the opportunity of the visit to take a much-deserved rest ahead

‘If President-elect Buhari was to have such an important scheduled meeting in Britain with the Right Honourable Prime Minister David Cameron – surely, that is work, not rest, or isn’t it? I have not heard it said that Buhari was just walking past the doors of No. 10 Downing Street – and then, on a whim, decided to stroll into the Prime Minister’s residence to say hi to Mr. Cameron’

Time for new national paradigm

By Nwaokobia Jnr and normative. It is a copious minus for debaters who insist on zoning and power sharing as the path to effective national integration.

Thankfully with a change driven regime, I’m confident that we shall begin the excavation of the needed pebbles that must unite us as one great people. I’m convinced that when we make the development of the human capital the major thrust of governance every other thing will follow. With sound education and technological growth comes the realisation of a universe without bounds, and by Jove a nation with fewer dichotomies, bias and variegation, and such is the minimum template.

When we begin to see Nigeria as our major collective; when we begin a collective overhaul of our morality in and out of power; when service to nation becomes the narrowest permissible margin for leadership; when East, West, North and South or if you like our six geo-political zones make dedicated service to the people the governmental minimum; when making real the promises of democracy becomes the summum bonum; when creed and clan regresses to personal loyalties rather national mantra; and when change deals with all Nigerians as equals, then the profound voyage to our Isles of Good Hope shall have commenced.

As a people we have reached that turn in history where quick-fixes and stop-gap measures at enhancing national cohesion must be jettisoned. We cannot afford the luxury of un-researched response to serious national questions. The greatest threat to our nationhood is not in our differences but in the politics thereto, it is in corruption and in the corruptive demolition of our values, it is in the egocentric invocation of ethnic prejudices, it is in the de-

valuation of the allowable leadership minimum, and it is in the deficiency of organisational quid pro quo such that mediocrity and compromise have become the benchmark for a successful climb on the ladder of power.

We must begin a rework of the values on which we predicate our National Honours. We must remove our National Honours from the platform of political freebies.

We must deepen the measure of value and price the Green-White-Green as our grandest prize. We must not only insist on political appointments that adhere to the ‘round peg in a round hole or square peg in a square hole’ normative but on appointees whose love and passion for nation is manifest and profound.

The urgency of the now is hinged on the vote for change which the Nigerian people made when a new order was thumbprinted into time, we cannot overlook or undermine this reality, Nigerians are congregated at the mount of great hope where it will no longer be business as usual, anything short of this will fuel a national angst that may just fritter away the pervasive goodwill that the GMB magic enjoys. The leaders of the APC may well take heed of this profound urgency; we must hit the ground running and rightly so.

I have chosen faith over despair; I have elected change over business as usual; I have studied the Nigerian resilience and the Nigerian brotherhood; I have more than enough reason to conclude that it may not yet be Uhuru, but we are getting there.

It was said that incumbents scarcely lose elections in Africa but Goodluck Jonathan lost. It was said that only a moneybag can win a Presidential election in Nigeria but GMB isn’t a moneybag. In all of this none of the chief gladiators is the winner or the

I wanted to see Buhari in London...

By Kelechi Onyemaobi of his inauguration on May 29th. He is expected back in the country a few days before the inauguration, refreshed and ready to hit the ground running once he is sworn into office,’’ he said.

Suddenly, my lethargy was gone. The journalist in me kicked in quickly. As they say, “once a journalist, always a journalist”. As a soldier and a politician, General Muhammadu Buhari was news, any day, any night. And now, as the President-Elect of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Buhari is news, any day, any night – at home or abroad. Would he have any public engagements in the UK? Would he make another appearance at the Chatham House – to make a post election speech? I wanted to be there – to report it.

My desire to see the newly-minted President-to-be in London was not for any frivolous purpose like organized visits and courtesy calls. The Taciturn One does not suffer frivolities gladly. It was for the purpose of journalism work: to see if I could do a couple of reports on the President-elect’s visit for a couple of Nigerian newspapers I sometimes contribute to. Journalism is a stern and jealous god...

I hit the internet and started checking if I could find any public engagement listed for the President-elect in the UK. I drew blanks. I started working the phones. It was already Saturday morning. I called Akintayo Adetokunbo, a popular news anchor with the VOX television in London – and my erstwhile classmate in the PhD programme who has had the courage to complete and submit his thesis.

Tayo called back a few moments later. He was also very interested in the news of the President-elect’s visit to the UK and would love to cover it – but he did not yet have any details of the programme.

I called the London office of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), listed on a second floor apartment on the famous Grays Inn

Road. The line failed to connect repeatedly.

They had probably changed lines. But I hoped they had not closed shop – with the funding problems NAN is reported to be having. I sent an email to NAN head office in Abuja to Isaac Ighure, NAN’s Editor-in-Chief and an erstwhile very good friend of mine who I have woefully failed to keep in contact with. My email promptly bounced back as “undeliverable”.

Then I sent an email also to T.G. Adeniyi, the Minister / Special Assistant to the Nigerian High Commissioner, Dr. Dalhatu Sarki Tafilda – seeking information on any scheduled public engagements of the President-elect in the UK. Then I checked my train cards and bus tickets and settled down to wait – ready for a quick shuttle to London to see Buhari...

And, sooner than later, the news broke on Saturday, May 23: President-elect Buhari had had a meeting in London with Prime Minister Cameron. In a press statement issued from Downing Street, a government spokesman said Prime Minister Cameron met with President-elect Buhari of Nigeria and the two leaders discussed the challenges facing Nigeria.

The Statement said in full: “The Prime Minister welcomed President-elect Buhari of Nigeria to Downing Street this morning. Both leaders congratulated each other on their recent election victories and discussed the challenges facing Nigeria. The Prime Minister stressed the UK’s wish to work for a stable, prosperous and secure Nigeria.

“The leaders discussed security in the region and the fight against terrorism, particularly the threat posed by Boko Haram. They discussed the need for a regional approach and agreed to continue working together to build the capacity of the Nigerian army, with the UK continuing to provide military training and intelligence support.

“On tackling corruption, they agreed this was a priority to ensure Nigeria’s prosperity and success. The Prime Minister agreed to look at what technical assistance and support the

loser, Nigeria is definitely the winner, so I cannot be more hopeful.

We must take the National Orientation Agency and its message to the streets; we must encourage the emergence of national corps and volunteers to whom our national flag and memorabilia will count hugely. We must raise our National Anthem and the pledge to the status of our national prayer such that the Christian, and or the Muslim opening and closing prayer normative will cease to occupy our socio-political stage; creed should be treated as personal and denied its national vehemence, that way we can diminish all political allegiance to faith, and that way our politico-social allegiance will be to country first.

Countrymen and women, we cannot continue to trade blames, we cannot overlook the fact that every region has its share of guilt in the national drift. We cannot excuse the collateral damage that un-studied policies and un-researched cum emotive programmatic has brought Nigeria, what Nigeria needs is responsible and responsive leadership not ethnic jingoists and religious fundamentalists. What Nigeria needs are good men who must redefine our values and deepen our morals.

What Nigeria needs are leaders who will kill corruption and give life to committed service to fatherland. And what Nigeria needs is a new regime of rectitude and patriotism.

• Prof. Nwaokobia Jnr writes from Lagos.

‘What Nigeria needs are leaders who will kill corruption and give life to committed service to fatherland. And what Nigeria needs is a new regime of rectitude and patriotism’ UK could provide to the Nigerian government as it looks to undertake its reforms. They also discussed the need to tackle organised crime and the links between the UK and Nigeria.

Finally, they talked about the challenges posed by migration from Africa to Europe and the President-elect said he would do all he could to secure Nigeria’s borders.”

If President-elect Buhari was to have such an important scheduled meeting in Britain with the Right Honourable Prime Minister David Cameron – surely, that is work, not rest, or isn’t it? I have not heard it said that Buhari was just walking past the doors of No. 10 Downing Street – and then, on a whim, decided to stroll into the Prime Minister’s residence to say hi to Mr. Cameron.

When the story broke here in England about Buhari’s visit “to rest” and to “refresh” himself before his inauguration, it became a major talking point for many Nigerians here.

Two Nigerians I met who were having lunch in a small, roadside Asian “chicken and chips” restaurant near the city centre were deeply engrossed in a discussion of Buhari’s visit.

“These our leaders have no shame: from Governors, Senators, Ministers to Presidents.

They jet into Western Europe and North America to ‘rest’ or to treat every minor ailment – from common colds to headaches. But they cannot bring themselves to provide the same facilities in Nigeria.”

I finished my modest “meal deal” quickly and left – after exchanging brief banters with the Nigerians. I did not have the time, or the energy, to engage in a tedious discussion of Nigeria’s many ills. But as I walked away from London Road, back towards the University Road, I kept worrying about the import of Mallam Garba Shehu’s strange statement about President-elect Buhari’s visit to the UK “to rest”.

The Taciturn One is not also the Soft One. On the contrary, Buhari is known as a tough, lean, no-nonsense general, given to a very austere, Spartan lifestyle. His media handlers do him a great disservice, so early in the day, if they create the general impression that he flew into the UK, at public expense, no doubt, just to rest and to refresh – in readiness for his inauguration – while the President-elect came obviously on a national assignment.

• Onyemaobi, a journalist and development communications specialist, writes from the UK.

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

25 A number of suspects are convicted of of’fences they know nothing about because police tricked them into pleading guilty when they should have pleaded otherwise

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E-mail:- law@thenationonlineng.net

See page 26

It is meant to serve the poor. Can the pro-bono legal service introduced by the Lagos Public Interest Law Partnership (LPILP), in conjuction with the government said to have achieved its aim?

Stakeholders gathered in Lagos last week to review the initiative, reports ADEBISI ONANUGA • From left: Rotimi, Ironsi, Anaba, Agbonika, Ibirogba and Vivour-Adeniyi.

Taking free legal service to new heights T

INSIDE:

HIRTY months ago, Lagos Public Interest Law Part-nership (LPILP) and the government introduced free legal services for the indigent.

Last week in Lagos, stakeholders gathered to take stock of the pro-boro services, two- and-a-half-years after.

The 2nd Annual Stakeholders Conference was held at the Agip Recital Hall, MUSON Centre, Onikan, Lagos with the theme: Developing the Culture of Pro-Bono in Nigeria. Moderators at the conference included Professor of Law, Lanre Fagbohun (SAN) of the Nigerian Institute of Advanced Legal Studies (NIALS); Ore Olajide, partner in Olaniwun Ajayi LP and Coordinator, Domestic and Sexual Violence Response Team (DSVRT) and Titilola Vivour-Adeniyi.

Speakers, who were carefully selected from various sections of the Justice sector, included Justice Atinuke Oluyemi of the High Court of Lagos State; Director, Prisoners’ Rights Advocacy (PRAI), Ahmed AdetolaKazeem; Rotimi Oladokun, a legal practitioner in the Nigerian Prison Service in Lagos; chairman, Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Alex Mouka; Director of Academics, Nigerian Law School, Lagos, Gbemisola Odusote; a partner in Olaniwun Ajayi LP, Dr. Khrushchev

N1b subsidy fraud: EFCC rearraigns Alao Arisekola’s son, others -Page 27

Ekwueme; Company Secretary and Legal Adviser, Sterling Bank, Justina Lewa.Others were Legal Counsel(East & West Africa) Hewlett Packard, Eno Ebong; Commercial Legal Manager, MTN, Abi Ahmed Haruna; a Corporate Governance Trainer, Dr. Nkechi Ezeako; Director, Citizen’s Right of the state Ministry of Justice, Clara Ibirogba; Director, Office of the Public Defender (OPD), Omotola Rotimi; Executive Director, Partnership for Justice, Itoro Eze Anaba; Executive Director, Women’s Right and Health Project, Bose Ironsi and CSP Monday Agbonika of the Nigerian Police.

Attorney-General and Commissioner for Justice, Ade Ipaye set the tone for discussion. He disclosed that in spite of the position of Lagos State as number one state in Citizens’ Rights initiatives, a 2014 Needs Assessment Survey commissioned by the state and some of her technical partners revealed a shocking 80 percent of the respondents not being able to receive probono legal services from formal structures put in place by the Lagos State government simply because they could not get access to justice. He said this development makes it imperative for them to keep exploring innovative ideas with which to close this obvious justice gap. “ One can infer based on the statistics obtained from the US and the

• From left: Justice Doris Okuwobi, Ipaye, Justice Abidemi Okikiolu-Ighile

UK that we are not alone when it comes to the issue of a gap in access to justice. We are, however, particularly disadvantaged because even educated citizens are helpless in understanding and navigating our borrowed legal system. With language, logic and philosophical barriers, self-representation is just not a fair option for the average Nigerian”, he said.

The Commissioner for Justice emphasised that the desire to provide access to justice to those in need remains a policy thrust of the Lagos State Ministry of Justice and that Lagos State Government, under the current administration, conceived and inaugurated the Lagos State Public Interest Law Partnership (LPILP) in November, 2012 for this purpose.

Legal framework for the prevention of terrorism in Nigeria -Page 37

He said the LPILP functions as a platform where the state partners with private law firms and NGOs to enhance the avenues for accessing justice for the disadvantaged in the state.

According to Ipaye, a variety of sources lend credence to the fundamental importance of adequate and effective access to justice in Nigeria.

He said the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, section 36 provides for the fundamental right to fair hearing. He cited a 1987 Nigerian Supreme Court case of Adigun v. Attorney-General of Oyo State to buttress his view on the right to fair hearing and ability to obtain professional assistance. He explained further that Rule 38 of the Rules of Professional Conduct for Legal Practitioners 2007 also pro-

Buhari and the National Assembly -Page 39

PHOTOS: ABIODUN WILLIAM

vides that “a lawyer assigned to defend an indigent prisoner shall not ask to be excused except for substantial reason, but shall exert his best effort in the defence of the accused”.

He reminded stakeholders that the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) also on January 1, 2009 adopted a pro-bono declaration which stated that members of the NBA have a responsibility to provide pro-bono legal services and explained that the responsibility stemmed from the profession’s role and purpose in society, and from its implicit commitment to a fair and equitable legal system, adding that Law faculties and Law schools in the •Continued on page 26

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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LAW COVER CONT’D

Taking free legal service to new heights •Continued from page 25

country, having regard to recent inclusion of clinical studies in their curricula, are also encouraged to carry out pro-bono work”.

He said when compared to the history of legal aid and the provision of pro-bono legal services in a number of countries, Lagos State is relatively new. This, he said, means that there are opportunities to consider the various schemes utilised in several parts of the world and create a module that we believe is most suitable for us. He said this was why the Lagos State government decided it was necessary to explore opportunities outside state-funded free legal assistance, adding that it was this development that led to the policy of developing a pro-bono culture in the state.

Although, he admitted that many legal practitioners and law firms have already devoted a substantial proportion of their resources to providing free or almost free services to the indigent in the society, he noted that these services are usually done on an ad hoc basis and that it is only the particular beneficiaries that are aware of what has been done.

With the implementation of a policy like the LPILP, he reasoned that law firms can now look at government as a key stakeholder of their operational structures and become more aware of the public sector’s efforts to promote pro-bono services stressing, “by engaging with governments, law firms can increase the impact of their probono strategy and improve the sustainability of their own programmes.

The LPILP model will also provide opportunities for legal practitioners working in different capacities to gain valuable experience in vast fields while providing a medium whereby lawyers in the public sector work with their counterparts in the private sector, gaining valuable exposure and experience in the process.

“Indeed, the situation in Lagos is a promising one and is one that can be replicated in other states of the country as early indicators show that the scheme is proving to be a success. With over 558 indigent persons provided with legal representation by private legal practitioners, free of charge, it is no doubt that the LPILP was the focus of a panel of discussion at the most recent European Pro Bono Conference which held in London, UK in November 2014”, he added.

Prof. Fagbohungbe set the tone for discussion on the topic: Pro-Bono Legal Service and Nigerian Society: Bridging the Justice Gap. Activist AdetolaKazeem identified funds and illiteracy as part of the factors militating against effective pro-bono services in the society. According to him, most people couldn’t access justice because they are poor. He said some others are not knowledgeable of the laws, adding that that a number of suspects are convicted of offences they know nothing about because police tricked them into pleading guilty when they should have pleaded otherwise. He suggested a lot of education for the masses by both the government and NGOs to reverse the trend.

Oladokun aligned himself with the submission of Adetola-Kazeem but also added ignorance as a factor militating against access to justice. He however blamed legal practitioners for not being responsive enough to pro-bono services.

To encourage more participation of lawyers, Mouka said the NBA at the narional level has mandated legal practitioners to take up at least five pro-bono cases per year.’ He said this

would be in addition to whatever is recommended by the LPILP. Mouka stated further that a meeting of the association has been scheduled to hold soon in Sokoto to roll out guidelines to deepen the culture of probono among legal practitioners.

Odusote, aside from aligning with the plans of the of the NBA, also suggested a-catch-them-young approach for law students. He said they should be made to start giving pro-bono services during holidays. He noted in addition that only lawyers who are comfortable are in good stead to offer pro-bono services compared to those struggling in the practice.

To fund pro-bono services, he alongside Adetola-Kazeem suggested that the NBA should mandate members to contribute to funds set aside to promote the service; that the association should set aside a percentage of money realised from its conferences to prosecute pro-bono services while the private sector should be approached to contribute to a trust fund for pro-bono as they do for security fund.

Federal Commissioner for Lagos State, National Complaints Commission, Funso Olukoga suggested that in-house counsels should work towards ensuring that corporate organisations made provision for probono services in their yearly budget as part of their Corporate Social Responsibility. He submitted that probono services would be better delivered with the support and participation of corporate organisations.

Justice Oluyemi, in her contribution, explained that judges are beginning to realise the need for everybody who comes to court to have legal representation. She said that judges have not allowed their oath of office to tie their hands in ensuring that everyone who comes to court gets justice. She denied that judges delay dispensation of cases but that they are being careful and cautious in speeding up cases to avoid miscarriage of justice.

Olajide prepared the stage for discussion on whether or not in-house counsels should engage in pro-bono.

To Ebong, the objective was for them to render 15 pro-bono cases per annum. She claimed to have done a lot of pro-bono work for indigent persons and researches for NGOs for free.

Haruna aligned with Ebong when he supported more participation of in-house counsels in the service, which he said should not be limited to criminal matters alone but to include civil, marital and other issues.

Dr. Nkechi argued that there other ways of providing pro-bono services other than court appearances, by in-house counsels. She cited United Kingdom where she said a robust environment was provided for them to handle probate matters, for instance, for indigent persons. She said the environment is such that they engage in many areas of legal matters at no cost to the beneficiaries. “We need to enhance the law to support in-house counsel to do more in area of probono. They can for instance choose to work with law firms and NGOs”, she said.

Lewa said the purpose of getting involved in the service should be for the common good and not for the benefit that would accrue to the practitioner.

To make the service effective, Dr. Ekwueme said those engaged in it should not discriminate on who benefits from it.

Ebong supported his position and added that benefits of rendering probono service cannot be quantified, stressing that there is satisfaction in helping another.

Vivour-Adeniyi, who led discussion on how to deploy pro-bono services to stem sexual and gender base violence and other societal ills, sees

• From left: Prof. Fagbohun, Justice Oluyemi and Mouka.

• From left: Oladokun, Odusote and Adetola-Kazeem

• From left: Ipaye, Justice Oluyemi and Solicitor General Pedro Lawal (SAN)

the issue as part of the contributions legal practitioners owes the society to make it a better place to live.

Chief Superintendent of Police(CSP) Monday Agbonika said that the force has taken it as a challenge to train some selected officers on issues of sexual and domestic violence. Agbonika said that apart from Ilupeju and Adeniji-Adele Police stations, there are plans to set up more desks in other stations to handle incidences of such crime. He said that contrary to what obtained in the past, some lawyers have been scheduled to pay regular visits to police stations and ensure that the rights of victims are not in any way infringed upon. He said the lawyers are given access to suspects and victims alike and that they advise Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) where legal representation is required.

Rotimi lamented that most victims of sexual and gender based violence are prevented from seeking redress in court when they are threatened.

She said they, in the OPD, took it upon themselves to embolden the victims and ensure that trial goes on where they are involved. This, she

said, explained why they removed victims to safe houses to free them of psychological influences and thereby ensure diligent prosecution.

She said that her department rehabilitates victims after trial as provided for in the Child Rights Act that the interest of the child should be paramount in all given situation. She also said that her department has taken steps to preserve evidences where they are available to ensure successful prosecution.

Ibirogba urges lawyers to take up cases on behalf of victims especially where assailants want to pervert the cause of justice through financial inducement to victims. Ibirogba who stated that she interacts with the NGOs daily, lamented their deficiencies in funds to fight violent cases in court. “Even where we are able to get matters to court, we have to ensure that the case does not suffer long adjournments and prosecution does not get tired of coming to court by providing transport expenses to ensure diligent prosecution”.

Ironsi also regretted the lack of knowledge of the law of the people at the community level. She said the

situation requires lawyers to be very knowledgeable in family laws and Child Rights Act to complement their activities.

She noted however that the Lagos State law against domestic violence and child abuse has helped tremendously to reduce such incidences. She noted that most states put similar laws in place but lack enforcement, thus encouraging prevalence of sexual and domestic violence and child abuse in such places.

Eze Anaba lamented that victims suffer undue pressure from communities pressurising them to drop cases against their assailants for paltry sum as low as N100,000. ‘’We need a lawyer experienced enough to make them realise the consequences of their action. We need lawyers that would make them realise that when you rape a child, that child lives with the consequencies of that rape for the rest of her life”.

Ibirogba, Rotimi, Eze Anaba and Ironsi were on the same page on their need for experienced and sympathetic pro-bono lawyers who can draw out victims from their shell so that they could speak out, thereby making Lagos safe.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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LAW & SOCIETY Ex-partners, Phoenix Tide Offshore Nigeria Limited and Tidewater Marine International Incorporated are currently in court over disagreement on how to end their business relationship. The dispute mainly result from the insistence by local investors in PhoenixTide, led by former Commerce Minister, Mrs. Bola Kuforiji-Olubi that due process must be observed to avert the possibility of future liabilities for parties. ERIC IKHILAE reports.

Why ex-minister, Kuforiji-Olubi’s firm sued former foreign partner, Tidewater

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ORE facts have emerged over why former Minister of Commerce and other local shareholders of Phoenix Tide Offshore Nigeria Limited are in court against the company’s estranged foreign partner, Tidewater Marine International Incorporated.

Parties are currently in courts in Nigeria and London over a dispute which resulted solely from Tidewater’s alleged non-commitment to the terms of their agreements.

According to court documents filed in relation to a suit initiated by PhoenixTide before the Federal High Court, marked: FHC/L/CS/609/2013 both companies formed a partnership after the Cabotage Act of 2003 came into effect. Under the new law, foreign firm had to operate in the marine services for oil and gas in association with a wholly owned Nigerian company.ý In furtherance of the business relationship with Tidewater, Technical Services Agreement, Bareboat Charter Agreement and Marketing Agreement were signed and executed between PhoenixTide and Tidewater to regulate the relationship.

Under a power of attorney, Tidewater was allowed to manage and control PhoenixTide which did not have marine expertise in the belief that Tidewater will pass technology to Nigerians directors in PhoenixTide in fulfillment of the Nigerian content requirements which sought to empower indigenous citizens to grow capacity and become active in the industry, subject to Tidewater’s duties of accounting, transparency and fiduciary responsibility.

Shortly after the take-off of the relationship, local shareholders Phoenix, including the former minister said they began to notice some suspicious conduct on the part of Tidewater and raised questions, demanding that Tidewater should provide information about its operations.

Despite persistent demand for information by local shareholders, Tidewater was said to have persisted in its failure to make full disclosure and deliver all paper trails on its manage-

ment, operations and revenue in US dollar and naira.

In 2011, the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) moved against PhoenixTide (operated by Tidewater) for alleged economic sabotage, capital flight, aiding and abetting and money laundering, leading to the arrest and detention of its he Managing Director.

The Managing Directed was only left off the hook after Tidewater Marine and its local subsidiary, Tidex Nigeria Limited executed a term of settlement/non-prosecution agreement with the Nigerian government through the Attorney General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke (SAN). Tidewater Marine and Tidex paid US$6million in penalty in addition to undertaking to they conduct their businesses in accordance with applicable laws and regulations.

Earlier in 2010, the United States’ Department of Justice found Tidewater wanting for engaging in unethical practices in its operations in Nigeria and Azerbaijan. The US’ Security and Exchange Commission (SEC) equally indicted the company for allegedly falsifying its accounts and returns. It was made to pay penalties of about $15million to both agencies.

PhoenixTide’s local shareholders/ directors stated that they had, since 2010, made frantic and relentless efforts through various meetings and correspondences to engage Tidewater Marine in amicable settlement of issues relating to wrongful technical management of PhoenixTide’s shipping business, financing a restructuring exercise and reaching a compromise that will not violate Nigerian’s laws, particularly the Cabotage Act and Nigerian Oil and Gas Industry laws.

They added that rather than “open up its operations,” as sought by the Nigerian shareholders, Tidewater in 2012 sought to exit the relationship, a move Mrs. Kuforiji-Olubi and others objected to and insisted that Tidewater must first account for its running of Pheonixtide and settle all outstanding tax liabilities to relevant Nigerian agencies or indemnify them against

any future liabilities before the relationship could be terminated. This, they said, informed the various complaints they raised to relevant agencies.

Some of such complaints are contained letters authored by the ex-minister, who was Chairman of PhoenixTide to the Attorney General of the Federation (AGF), Mohammed Adoke (SAN), dated February 19, 2014; to the Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala (dated October 8, 2014); to the Comptroller of Customs (dated June 28, 2013); to the Nigerian Maritime Administration and Safety Agency (NIMASA) – dated September 18, 2014; to the Rivers State Board of Internal Revenue (dated September 12, 2014, among others.

The letters complained about the operational activities of Tidewater, which was suspected to be detrimental to the revenue of the country, as taxes were allegedly not paid as and when due, and sought that the necessary agencies assess Tidewater’s operations and its tax liabilities to date.

Of all the institutions and agencies written to, it was only the Rivers State’s Internal Revenue Board that came out with a conclusive responce, indicating the Tidewater was indebted to the state to the tune of about N42 billion in unpaid taxes while doing business in the name of PhoenixTide.

In a letter dated September 17, 2014 signed by the Executive Chairman, Rivers State Internal Revenue Board, Onene Osila Obele-Oshoko, it was stated that “this letter confirms that the established liability of N4,150,300,529 being the liability of PhoenixTide Offshore Nigeria Limited to the Rivers State Government in respect of expatriate crew PAYE liability relating to the manning of the Fleet of 40 vessels under PhoenixTide’s charter arrangement with NIMASA and other activities stated in our demand notice are still outstanding.”

Neither the AGF, Minister of Finance acted. For unknown reasons, NIMASA has been reluctant to produce a conclusive report on the actual state of PhoenixTide tax liability while it rela-

N1b subsidy fraud: EFCC re-arraigns Alao Arisekola’s son, others

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HE Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), has re-arraigned three oil marketers, Opeyemi Ajuyah, Abdullahi Alao and Olanrewaju Olalusi over allegation of N1.1 billion fuel subsidy fraud.

They were re-arraigned on an amended eight count charge alongside their companies; Majope Investment Limited and Axenergy Limited before Justice Lateefa Okunnu of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja.

The defendants were initially arraigned on October 10, 2012 on a nine count charge bordering on alleged conspiracy, obtaining money by false pretences, forgery and use of fake documents.

They had pleaded not guilty to the charges and were subsequently granted bail by the court.

During trial last Friday on the matter, counsel to the EFCC, Seidu Atteh, intimated the judge that the commission had amended the charges.

tionship with Tidewater lasted. It was learnt that the Rivers State Government had also contemplated court option to recover this debt, but was hampered by the fact that the state’s High Court has been on strike for about a year now.

While parties were yet to agree on how to formally end their relationship, one of the venture clients, in a proceeding it initiated before the Federal High Court, Lagos (FHC/L/CS/274/2013), was in a November 8, 2013 judgment, ordered to pay all money due to the joint venture to court. PhoenixTide, a decision its Nigerian directors agreed with on the ground that it support the intention of suit they had filed.

The local shareholders stated that following lgal advice, the former minister and other local directors of PhoenixTide declined to sign documents that will allow Tidewater access funds that ought to be utilized to settle all existing debts.

Rather than accede to the request by the local shareholders, Tidewater proceeded to sue Mrs. Kuforiji-Olubi and her son, Olotokunbo in London, got a default judgment with an order to compel them to sign the documents that will allow Tidewater access the funds that are still with Total Nigeria Limited, and which the Federal High Court had ordered it to pay to court.

Rather than await the outcome of the appeal it filed against the November 8,

•Ibrahim Lamorde

nal Law of Lagos State, 2011.

All the defendants again pleaded not guilty to the new eight count charge preferred against them by the commission.

Justice Okunnu adjourned the matter till October 20, 2015 for trial.

2018 judgment or the determination of the suit instituted by PhoenixTide, Tidewater went back to the London court, initiated contempt proceedings against Mrs. Kofotiji-Olubi and her son, and obtained an ex-parte order purporting to freeze Kuforiji-Olubi and some of her family members’ assets. These orders now form the basis on which the ex-minister is allegedly being held hostage in London.

Tiewater has however denied any wrongdoing in spite of all the weighty allegations made against it.

The company, who is now operating with another local company, T1 Marine Services, admitted it had compliance issues with the US and the Nigerian authoritiesý in 2010 and 2011, as noted by the plaintiff.

Tidewater insisted that it self-reported itself to the authorities after it discovered the irregularities in question. It equally denied the allegation that it planned to leave Nigeria after severing relationship with PhoenixTide, saying that it had no such plans but would continue to partner with other companies to operate in Nigeria in accordance with the law.

Tidewater insisted that the indemnity against future liabilities, sought by PhoenixTide’s local shareholders has been captured in the earlier agreements between parties.

Don, legislator, sue Benue govt over last minute actions

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By Adebisi Onabuga

The lawyer consequently prayed the court to order the defendants to re-take their pleas.

He alleged that the oil maketers fraudulently obtained N1billion from subsidy fund of the Federal Government between January 2011 and April 2012.

Atteh said that the money was for subsidy payments from the Petroleum Support Fund for the purported importation of 15 million litres of Premium Motor Spirit (PMS).

The commission also alleged that the defendants forged a bill of lading, cargo manifest and other documents which it claimed were utilised to have facilitated the fraud.

Atteh said that the offences contravene Sections 1(3) of the Advance Fee Fraud and Other Fraud Related Offences Act of 2006. The offence is also said to violate Sections 363(a) and 364 of the Crimi-

•Chief Kuforiji-Olubi

UNIVERSITY Don Professor Aloysius Ihuah, and member of the State House of Assembly, Mr Benjamin Adanyi, have sued the state government under Governor Gabriel Suswam over last minute employments, appointments, and sale of government property.

In separate writ of summons filed

by Prof. Tony Ijohor, a Senior Advocate of Nigeria, SAN, Professor Ihuah, of the Benue State University and Minority Leader of the state assembly, Mr Adanyi are praying the Makurdi High Court to restrain the state government from employing 4,500 workers and making further last minute appointments.

Professor Ihuah averred that as a public servant duly employed by the state government, he has not been paid his salary for the past three months while other workers have not been paid for over five months yet the government was seeking to employ over 4, 500 staff and further compound the situation.

He stated that the first defendant has also concluded arrangements to lease some state owned companies including the Benue Fertilizer Blending and Chemical Company Limited, adding

By John Austine Unachukwu Legal Editor

that the actions would put the state into more difficult financial state.

According to the plaintiff, the current market value of the Benue Fertilizer Blending and Chemical Company with its machinery, warehouses and other facilities is above N200 billion while the current market rate of leased properties such as the plant is N250 million per annum, pointing out that it was being leased out to a crony at a give away N2. 5 million per annum.

The Minority Leader of the state assembly said the appointment of some members of the Local Government Service Commission whose appointments Governor Suswam sought to replace or reappoint had not expired and sought the court to restrain the governor from carrying out the action.

Also joined in the suits is the Attorney General of the state while AT & S, the firm that has been earmarked as a beneficiary of the lease has been joined in the suit challenging the lease.

No date has yet been fixed for hearing of the motions in respect of the cases.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

LAW & SOCIETY Court assumes jurisdiction over Court bars Attorney-General N100m suit filed against developer NAPIMS, Total, others from implementing oil field contract A

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FEDERAL High Court in Lagos has restrained AttorneyGeneral of the Federation, National Petroleum Investment Management Services, (NAPIMS) Nigeria Content Development Monitoring Board, (NCDMB), Samsung Heavy Industries Nigeria Limited (SHINL), and Total Upstream Nigeria Ltd, and their agents from implementing the Floating Production Storage and Offloading Unit (FPSO) contract. The FPSO is in the Egina Field within OML130.

The order will subsist pending the determination of the substantive suit.

The court also restrained the defendants and their agents from implementing the contract either Justice Okon Abang gave the order after listening to the opposing counsel.

In an affidavit sworn to by the plaintiff, Mr John Iyene Owubokiri, had averred that the scope of Egina FPSO oil field which is expected to produce 200,000 barrels of oil per day as stated by SHINL is expected to create 50,000 jobs, saying this is strategic to the future.

Owubokiri averred that there are established guidelines by the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) for tendering and awarding of fabrication projects in the oil and gas industry. These guidelines were not complied with in the award of the Egina FPSO to Samsung,he alleged, adding that there were breaches of extant laws in the contract award. The defendants breached provisions of the Nigeria Oil and Gas Industry Content Development (NOGICD)Act 2010 and relevant laws guiding the fiscal regime of the oil and gas

•AGF Mohammed Adoke (SAN)

By Precious Igbonwelundu

industry.

The NOGICD Act stipulates that NCAMB should supervice, coordinate, monitor and implement the local content plan in the oil and gas industry. It shall also approves advertisement, qualification criteria, technical bid document, technical evaluation criteria and the proposed bidders list in bids for project in excess of $1 million. The Egina FPSO contract is worth $3,143,499,498.

Owubokiri claimed that Total Upstream covert launch by its call tender without approval of technical stage and commercial template broke the law, standard practice and the established process for

tendering in the oil and gas industry.

The establishment of a fabrication yard in Bayelsa State was part of the local content plan by Samsung to get the award contract, he averred, adding that this could have created thousands of job, enhanced transfer of technology and skill acquisition for Nigerians.

But, after the contract award, Samsung, he claimed, abandoned the establishment of the fabrication yard and now plans to carry out in South Korea the fabrication work meant to be done in Bayelsa to the detriment of the economy.

In a counter-affidavit, a lawyer, Mr Olajide Oyewole, on behalf of Samsung while denying some of the plaintiff’s averments deposed that Owobokiri’s rights have not been infringed. ‘’He has not shown that he has suffered any special damage peculiar to himself apart from the public,’’ Oyewole claimed, urging the court not to grant the plaintiff’s application.

Total Upstream, in an affidavit sworn to by its lawyer, Chidiebere Ejiofor, urged the court to dismiss the plaintiff’s application because his client is challenging the court’s jurisdiction to hear the suit. The court ought to hear and determine the preliminary objection first, before entertaining any further motion of the plaintiff, he said.

Attorney General of the Federation, NAPIMS and MCDMB did not file any response.

Justice Abang, in his ruling adjourning till Thursday, and restrained the defendants and their agents from implementing the contract.

Court upholds the nomination of Odofin as Oba-elect of Ikorodu

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USTICE Akintunde Savage of a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikorodu has upheld the election of the Odofin of Ikorodu, Chief Kabiru Shotobi as the oba-elect to the stool of Ayangburen of the ancient town.

Justice Savage gave the ruling after taking the arguments of counsels to claimants and respondents in a suit contesting the selection of the oba-elect by the kingmakers of the town.

The judge held that the nomination of Shotobi was valid and that he was duly elected by the kingmakers to ascend the throne as the next Ayangburen of Ikorodu and not in breach of the consent judgement in suit IKD/57/ 2007.

The court ruled that the first to third respondents and all other defendants in the matter are also not in breach of the judgement in suit IKD/57/2007.

The applicants, Mathew Adetayo Shodipo, Omobo Sokelu, Shakiru Shodipo, Nurudeen Fakomaya and Albert Aina had filed a suit, IKD/ 454GCM/2014 (for themselves and on behalf of the Lambo branch of the Lasunwon ruling house of Ikorodu) and through an originating summon challenged the nomination of Shotobi by the kingmakers as the oba-elect of the ancient town of Ikorodu.

Joined as respondents in the suit are Ezekiel Shodipo, Tajudeen Odofin (for themselves and on behalf of the Adegorushen branch of the Lasunwon ruling house of Ikorodu), the Odofin of Ikorodu, Chief Kabiru Shotobi; the Olisa and regent of Ikorodu, Chief Zacheus Oludele Odusoga; Solomade of Ikorodu, Chief Afolabi Adekayaoja; Apena of Ikorodu, Chief Karimu Ore

By Adebisi Onanuga

and Oponuwa of Ikorodu, Chief Jacob Kolawole Adaraloye (for themselves and on behalf of the kingmakers of Ikorodu).

Others are Ikorodu Local Government; Ikorodu division of council of Obas and Chiefs; Secretary, Ikorodu Chieftaincy Committee, Ikorodu Local government: Lagos State Ministry of Chieftaincy Affairs and Attorney General and Commissioner for Justice, Lagos State.

The applicants, in their application, had prayed the court to determine “whether the consent judgement 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 judgement until same is set aside on appeal; whether fourth to eighth respondentskingmakers are bound by the aforesaid judgement being parties in suit no IKD/57/2007 and whether eighth and ninth respondents are not bound as well being parti/privies thereon”.

They had also prayed the court to determined “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?” among others.

They sought a declaration that the consent judgement of the Lagos High Court dated April 1, 2009 in suit IKD/ 57/2007 is subsisiting, binding and in force; a declaration that by clause 2 of the consent judgement, 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 judgement, been installed as Odofin of Ikorodu cannotin defiance of the judgement, 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 had therefore prayed the court for an injunction restraining the fifth to tenth 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 Ayangburen.

But delieviring his ruling in the matter, Justice Savage said the defendants have not breached the order of the court and therefore declined to restrain them.

LAGOS State High Court sitting in Epe has assumed juris diction over the suit filed by Homeowners within the Pearl Garden Estate situated at Sangotedo Village in Eti-Osa Local Government Area of the state against a property developer, Oyetubo Jokotade Estate Resource Limited.

The claimants had sued the property developer before the court over alleged incessant harassment and imposition of arbitrary charges.

Joined as second defendant in the suit is CMB Building Maintenance and Investment Company Limited, which is in charge of providing estate management services.

The N100 million suit was instituted

by Messrs Francis Adesuyi, Felix Obiakor, Martin Ajayi-Obe and Peter Afenotan on behalf of themselves and all interested homeowners within the Pearl Garden Estate.

The trial judge, while assuming jurisdiction over the suit, dismissed the defendants application which prayed for the matter to be referred to arbitration.

The judge in his ruling, held that the defendants had already taken certain steps in the suit which had conferred jurisdiction on the court.

Justice Bashua also fixed June 15, 2015 for hearing of an interlocutory application dated February 19, 2015 which was filed by the claimant’s counsel, Mr Adeyinka Adeyemi.

He directed the defendant’s counsel, Mr. Gabriel Uwaifo, to file his reply in order for the court to hear arguments on the said application.

In the application, the claimants are asking the court for an Order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from harassing or restricting the movement of the

By Adebisi Onanuga

homeowners within the estate, pending the hearing an determination of the substantive suit.

They also asked for:”an Order of Interlocutory Injunction restraining the defendants and their agents from interfering with the rights of the homeowners in providing safe and drinkable water for themselves and their family members, pending the hearing an determination of the substantive suit.

“An Order of interlocutory injunction restraining the defendants and their agents, further demanding or collecting reticulation charges in the sum of N650,000 or any other sums from the claimants contrary to the express terms of the Deeds of Assignment and the Sale and Management Agreement, pending the hearing an determination of the substantive suit.”

The claimants further asked the court to restrain the defendants and their agents from further collecting the unilaterally imposed N35,000 fee from the homeowners, pending the hearing an determination of the substantive suit.

• Lagos Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade

Bank appeals court’s order on N5 billion judgment sum

G

UARANTEE Trust Bank (GT Bank) has appealed against the judgment of a Federal Capital Territory (FCT) High Court , Abuja, which ordered it to pay the sum of N5,240,516,186.21 to an Abuja based lawyer, Dr Ted Isegholi Edwards.

Justice Valentine Ashi of the FCT high court gave the order after considering the submissions of counsels to the applicants and defendants in an application brought by Edwards against the bank.

In the notice of appeal filed before the Abuja division of the Appeal Court, , the bank through its counsel, Chief Anthony Idigbe (SAN) stated that the first respondent has no locus standi to institute the suit as constituted and has not disclosed a reasonable course of action against the appellate (GT Bank) The appellate also argued that the lack of locus standi and/or reasonable course of action on the part of Dr. Edwards robbed the trial court the jurisdiction to entertain the suit and therefore all proceeding conducted without jurisdiction is a nullity.

The bank stated further that the judge erred when he held that the appellate (GT Bank) has not disclosed a prima facie defence to the first respondent’s suit.

The appellant is therefore seeking an order of court allowing the appeal and setting aside the judgment of the lower court made on Monday, May 18, 2015.

The bank is also seeking an order remitting the matter suit N0 FCT / HC/CV/939/15 to the Chief Judge of the Federal Capital Territory for transfer to another judge of the FCT, Abuja for retrial.

Apart from the notice of appeal, the bank is also asking for an order of the Appellate court staying execution of the judgment of the lower court delivered on Monday May 18, pending the determination of its appeal filed at the Court of Appeal against judgment of the lower court.

By Adebisi Onanuga and Precious Igbonwelundu

The bank submitted that the trial judge erred when he held that he has jurisdiction to determine the suit filed by the first respondent , Dr Edwards.

According to the bank Order 21, Rule 3 of the Federal Capital Territory High Court Civil Procedure Rules 2004 stated that where the defendant discloses a defence on the merit to a suit filed under undefended list Procedure, leave should be granted to the defendant to file its defence..

The appellate’s notice of intention to defend, the bank argued, discloses a defence on the merit to the first defendant’s suit.

It therefore stressed that the court failed to properly evaluate the affidavit evidence placed before it before reaching the conclusion that the appellate’s notice of intention to defend discloses no defence on the merit of the first respondent’s suit.

No date has been fixed for the hearing of the applications.

Justice Ashi, had in a judgement delivered Monday May 18, 2015, in a suit filed

by Dr. Ted Isegholi Edwards against the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mr. Jonah Otunla, the Accountant General of the Federation, Ambassador Bashir Yaguda, Minister of State for Finance, GT Bank, Anaocha Local council in Anambra State and Incorporated Trustees of Association of Local Government of Nigeria (ALGON) ordered GT Bank to pay the plaintiff the sum of N5,240,516,186.21, for debiting the Plaintiff’s account without his consent.

The judge who struck out all the other defendants apart from GTB bank for lack of jurisdiction and ordered the bank to pay 21 per cent interest per annum on the judgment sum of at the prevailing interest rate whichever is higher calculated from December 12, 2014 up till date of judgment as well as post judgment interest of ten per cent from date of judgment until the judgment sum is liquidated.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON NORTHERN STATES

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

PAGE 29

INSIDE Refuse takes over Jos

PAGE 30

Taraba Ag. Governor’s ADC promoted

PAGE 31

•Some women put to birth at an Abuja camp

‘Some rescued Boko Haram victims have gunshot, blast injuries’

IDPs’ plea to Fed Govt: wipe out Boko Haram

National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) Director-General Muhammed Sani Sidi, in this interview with TONY AKOWE, provides insights into the condition of women and children freed from insurgents in the Sambisa Forest. Among other things, the DG said most of the former captives came very ill, some with gunshot and bomb blast wounds. Excerpts:

T

HE insurgents began to hurt Nigerians since they hurled their first bomb and fired their first bullet. Graduating from public nuisance to claiming swathes of territory, Boko Haram fighters have assaulted everything Nigerians hold dear, giving new assignments to emergency workers.

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) have had its role scaled to unknown levels. Its Director-General Muhammed Sani Sidi knows how much the agency’s duties have changed, how demanding they have been, especially since troops rescued many captives from the terrorists’ lair.

What has been NEMA’s experience managing the rescued victims of insurgency?

I must say that the security agencies in Nigeria have done very well in the fight against insurgency. Just recently they recorded

‘The security agencies in Nigeria have done very well in the fight against insurgency.

Just recently they recorded huge successes by rescuing about 300 women and children from Sambisa Forest who were under the captivity of Boko Haram.

Whenthey were rescued we received a call from the military authorities that they would be handed over to the National Emergency Management Agency’ huge successes by rescuing about 300 women and children from Sambisa Forest who were under the captivity of Boko Haram. When they were rescued we received a call from the military authorities that they would be handed over to the National Emergency Management Agency. Don’t

forget we have about 14 camps in Adamawa State alone and because of the successes recorded by the military in the fight against insurgency, most of the communities that were under the occupation of Boko Haram have been recovered and now peace has returned so the IDPs are begin-

ning to move back to their various communities, making it necessary for the agency to begin to reduce the camps.

At the moment we have six camps which we call residential camps that are presently hosting about 27,000 IDPs in Yola in particular and we have over 200,000 living within the host communities. We see the receipt of this rescued women and children as just an added responsibility to what we have been doing as an agency with IDPs. We consider them special because they have been under captivity for a long period of time. Obviously most of them are women and 70% are children below the age of five. Out of the 275, sixty-three came unaccompanied and that is very worrisome; it is a terrible situation to have children under the age of five unaccompanied, meaning they have lost their parents and we cannot link them with their parents at the moment, six of them came with preg•Continued on page 30

PAGE 33

Jonathan and the President’s Cup

PAGE 36

30

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

THE NORTH REPORT

‘Some rescued Boko Haram victims have gunshot, blast injuries’ •Continued from page 29 nancy and that is a sympathetic situation.

That contradicts the claim that most of the women returned pregnant That is not correct. I must put it on record that only six of them came with pregnancy and we must add, however, that we must be very careful not to stigmatise these innocent Nigerians who were under captivity and came back with pregnancy so that we don’t end up stigmatising the child that is yet unborn. I think we must respect their rights and be careful of the way we talk about the issue.

Who is responsible for these pregnancies?

I think we must really deemphasise the issue of these pregnancies; what is important for us as an agency is the welfare and wellbeing of these women and children, and that is what we have been focusing on. You recall we received them in the middle of the night and our staff waited for them like for two days because of the logistics of transporting them from Sambisa Forest to our camp in Yola. When they came they were very weak and sick. Out of the total of 275, about 158 came very sick, so we had to do an assessment, profile them and some that had serious ailments were transferred to the Federal Medical Centre in Yola. Those that could be taken care of in the camp within the capacity of doctors and nurses were taken care of in the camp.

What was the nature of their ailments?

Most of them came especially the children had eye diseases, malaria, fatigue; they came looking very hungry, tired and traumatised. You can imagine people living under that kind of horrible condition. We had to immediately organise for trauma counselling and other requirements like feeding, clothing and even personal hygiene.

Have you been able to assess the true identity of these rescued women?

We have carried out assessment of the rescued women and children and before they were even delivered to us in our camps, the military have done profiling to ensure

that they are not security risks and that they are innocent people captured by the insurgents and rescued by the military. What is left for us is to identify where they came from and that we have done and then we have assessed them medically and we shall continue to monitor them, especially the children. Some of them have also sustained various degrees of injuries, from gun shots, bomb blasts and they have been referred to Federal Medical Centre where they are receiving treatment.

What were the specifics of the military profiling, and has NEMA carried out its own independent assessment?

Our assessment is limited to their conditions, we are not a security agency; the military have done their job by profiling them and ensuring that they are not security risks. They could live in our camps like any other IDPs but they are special to us. They are different from the normal IDPs that are resident in our camps because these are people who were under captivity for a long time, they are traumatised so they need counselling, they need support so as to be rehabilitated back into the society.

What is the humanitarian condition of the rescued women and children?

Emphasis is now giving to the rescued 275 women and children, but before their arrival we have been managing IDPs. Like in Borno we have over 10 camps; in Adamawa we have six residential camps and we have IDPs in host communities who are more in number. We have been managing these IDPs for the last five years and we have enjoyed tremendous support from the Borno, Adamawa, Yobe and Gombe state governments, where we have camps in the Northeastern part of the country. Humanitarian activity cannot really be done effectively by one agency, so there has to be collaboration and synergy between all the humanitarian actors. I must say that we have been receiving tremendous support from other actors. We have received training and support for our personnel from the UN system, the Nigerian Red Cross Society has been with us throughout these trying periods, they have been in all our camps and all the other state emergency managements agencies and indeed NGOs and civil societies. It has been

•Sidi attending to one of the women at the camp

‘Humanitarian activity cannot really be done effectively by one agency, so there ‘has to be collaboration and synergy between all the humanitarian actors. I must say that we have been receiving tremendous support from other actors.

We have received training and support for our personnel from the UN system, the Nigerian Red Cross Society has been with us throughout these trying periods’ a close collaboration and I must say they have all done very well.

Is there any peculiar challenge in managing these special IDPs? Indeed they are special IDPs because, like I have said, they are people who need special attention. Most of them are children and our greatest concern are those 63 children that came unaccompanied and we have to find the ways and means of unifying them with their parents or families and that is a huge challenge. They can hardly speak, they are small kids just following the other groups looking lost and we are working side by side with all the other agencies working with us to identify their parents.

Has there been any effort to trace their roots?

Certainly, the first step is to establish information centres where people can give information, where the IDPs too can pass information to the camp management on matters that affect their situation. What I am saying is: it is going to take time.

Just a few days ago some people came and identified their children, they are not among the 63 but we have other unaccompanied children in almost all the camps. Sometimes we are lucky we have people coming to identify such children as their parents and once the authorities [establish such claims] we hand them over to the par-

ents.

Are you saying some parents have shown up?

Yes, but not in the case of the 275 children and women.

What is the proof of parentage claims?

There are procedures of verification before the children are handed over to parents in accordance with international best practices.

How are those that came with ailments responding to treatment?

I must commend caregivers in the camp because as at the time they arrived, most of them could not even stand on their feet. Now they are gradually recovering, even the mothers were so malnourished that they could not even breastfeed their children. It was terrible but now we noticed significant improvement and we have other agencies with specialty in nutrition that are assisting the nursing mothers and children to see that they recover quickly.

Are the camps good enough to help the IDPs get back to their feet?

I must say that the environment which they live is to a larger extent conducive. All the facilities required to live decent life are provided. We have electricity, water supply, sufficient toilets, adequate sanitation and hygiene and most importantly we have enough food to feed the IDPs.

Refuse takes over Jos

R

ESIDENTS of Jos, the capital of Plateau State, are paying the price of the strike action declared by civil servants in the state since May 5. The stench from mounting refuse hangs thick in the air, to say nothing of the unsightly streets.

There is no aspect of the state government that is working including government-owned hospitals. The striking union did not only shut down the entire government establishments, they stationed their men at those offices to make sure nobody broke the rule. They want every minute of the strike to count.

And it is.

The worst aspect of the strike is the accumulation of refuse dumps that have formed mountains on major streets of the city. There is hardly any street that is spared of this refuse attack. In some places the heaps have closed off the streets. Rwang Pam Street and Old Bukuru Park, by AP Fuel Station, are examples.

•The refuse

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

The worst hit are such commercial streets as Ahmadu Bello Way, Murtala Muhammed Way, Tudunwada, Terminus market, Hwolshe, Dogon Karfe, Rikkos, Bauchi Road, Jenta Adamu and several other places. Apart from the ones in the market areas and major streets, there are more in most residential areas that have put lives in danger of epidemics.

Staff of the state Ministry for Environment usually placed large containers in most parts of residential areas of the state.

When they are full, they are emptied into refuse trucks and disposed of at a location on the outskirts of the city. But now that the workers have laid down their tools, the containers are running with waste. Yet, residents having nowhere to turn to, still aim their waste at the overflowing contain•Continued on page 32

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

31

THE NORTH REPORT

Taraba Ag. Governor’s ADC promoted

T

HINGS are looking up for Mr Mahmood Mohammed Dahuwa, police aide to Taraba State acting Governor Abubakar Sani Danladi. Dahuwa is now an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP).

His steady rise through the ranks has been a product of discipline, punctuality, hard work, honesty, humility and dedication to service, but above all, his unconditional love for his job.

Born on September 26, 1976, Dahuwa kept his dream of securing a job with the police alive while growing up in his rustic town of Katagum, Bauchi State. Fighting crime to protect lives and property motivated him. His beloved and most favorite career was to be a police chief.

Thus, when the opportunity came on February 2, 2000, he promptly enrolled in the NPF as a recruit Constable. He was indeed a happy man.

But his happiest moment, he told The Nation, came when he was promoted to the rank of an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) at the prestigious Police Staff College, Jos, Plateau State seven years after joining the police. He said he was highly elated to be decorated by the then Inspector General of Police (IGP) Sunday Ehindero, ably represented by the then DIA Administration Mr. Ogbonna Onovo, who also was later appointed to the IG post.

To master his job, Dahuwa trained at the Police Training School Farfaru, Sokoto State. He obtained an HND/PGD in Public Administration from Abdu Gusau Polytechnic Talata Mafara,

E

VERYONE knows Kasuwar Barci in Tudun Wada in the heart of Kaduna metropolis. And they know why they love to patronise it. They get a good measure of grains there, as well as a fine piece of furniture, even a rug or mattress.

That is not all. They love the used clothes of Kasuwar Barci.

They stand the test of time, long after some so-called brand new ones have worn off. Students pour in there, as do even the well-off in the society, some coming in from as far as other parts of the North and beyond.

Kasuwar Barci has since become the hub of secondhand clothing

•A loaded car with materials

From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

Zamfara State. He further did an Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) promotion course at the Police Staff College, Jos in 2006, and on February 1, 2007, he became and ASP. He said: “Police was my most favorite job, and that was why I joined the Force as a Constable. Then I had an O’Level Certificate with nine credits and a National Diploma (ND) in Business Administration.

“Because of my love for the job, I enrolled into a Post Graduate class, even as a Constable.”

Rising systematically from the ranks, DSP Dahuwa served as a Divisional Crime Officer (DCO), Low Coast in Gombe State, Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Karimlamido local government area of Taraba State. As DPO, Dahuwa ensured Karimlamido became stable and secured. He brought crime in the area down to the barest minimum by initiating new crime fighting strategies, and using a wide range of technology to identify, track down and punish perpetrators of crime to protect the masses. Witnesses said he succeeded because he made the police friends of the community.

However, while as DPO in Karimlamido, his saddest moment came amidst successes. “My saddest moment in the police was the day I was attacked by mobs in a police station in Karimlamido where I was the DPO. Two suspects under my custody were killed by the invading mobs,” he regrettably said.

From DPO, he became the State Traffic Officer of the Central Motor Traffic Division in Jalingo. From

•Dahuwa being decorated with his new position

‘He brought crime in the area down to the barest minimum by initiating new crime fighting strategies, and using a wide range of technology to identify, track down and punish perpetrators of crime to protect the masses’ there, he was posted to Acting Governor Abubakar Sani Danladi as an aide de camps (ADC) on November 20, 2014, a post he has held sway till date.

DSP Dahuwa said he remains grateful to the Taraba Acting Governor Abubakar Sani Danladi. He spoke well of his boss, saying: “the Acting Governor is not only my

official principal, he is an elder brother and father to me. Our union is beyond an ADC-Governor relationship. He is like an elder brother who is from the same mother and father with me.”

The acting governor on his part, has always said his ADC is one of the best, having “served well” without a blemish record.

The new DSP was decorated by his boss -the acting governor and the Commissioner of Police Nyats Jatau. The event took place at the Executive Council Chambers of Government House, Jalingo.

Dahuwa’s advise to upcoming police personnel is for them to “shun all forms of indiscipline, be punctual and dedicated to duty.”

Inside Kaduna’s expensive used clothing market Its name, Kasuwar Barci, meaning sleepy or quiet market, belies the fact. The market in Tudun Wada, Kaduna State, boasts of almost every household item, including foodstuff, but its used fabrics are sometimes costlier than new ones. ABDULGAFAR ALABELEWE tells why in the region.

The reality at the market seems to stand common knowledge on its head. Used fabrics at the market are, in many cases, much costlier than

the ones bought brand new.

Why? Blame it on the popularity of the market and also on the durability of the items on offer.

Kasuwar Barci, which means a

market of sleeping traders, is well known within and outside Kaduna as a place where clothing material needs are met. You can buy textile material and have them sewn and designed by some of the best tailors and designers in the state. The market caters for both new and secondhand textile materials while also serving the needs of residents in the area of new and used rugs and carpets, used and new household furniture including beds, mattresses, cabinets and even electronic

appliances. The market also serves foodstuff needs of the community, offering Irish potatoes, yams, guinea corn, maize, beans, rice in bags and other measures, soup ingredients.

Cooking utensils such as stoves, mortars and pestles, sieves of various sizes, pots, aluminum, iron and earthenware, food warmers, warmers and preservers, animals like •Continued on page 32

‘Kasuwar Barci derived its name from the fact that in its early days, the market recorded such low patronage that traders often slept most of the time, waking up for the Muslim prayers. He said a trader from Kano known as Alhaji Jayawa gave the market its name when he saw that his fellow traders often dozed off’

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

32

THE NORTH REPORT Continued from page 31 chicken, goats, sheep, dry fish, fresh and roasted bush meats.

Jewelleries and other ornaments, slippers and children and adult’s sandals, plastic materials and containers, buckets as well as school materials such as exercise and textbooks, bags of various makes and sizes and school uniforms and children wears are also found in the daily market.

The market is divided into sections, each having a sectional head, though there is an overall chairman of all the traders. The sprawling market, in a mixed neighbourhood of residents and commercial workers, is linked by Chawai, Dustsinma, Powa and Poly roads.

Said to have existed for more than four decades, it competes for volume of business with Sheikh Mahmud Gummi Central Market, and also serves traders from Funtua, Zaria, Abuja and Katsina.

The state government built over 2,000 shops, some in storey buildings in the market, which boasts over 3,000 traders, artisans and other workers operating daily.

The Nation gathered that when it was decided to reconstruct the Central Market, the then military administration of the North Central State under the leadership of Military Governor, Brigadier Abba Kyari (rtd), evacuated the traders to other locations for the builders to do their work without hindrance. The government resettled the traders temporarily at two locations, namely the Police Barracks at Tudun Wada Poly Road by Chawai Road and the then Tudun Wada Market which later became Kasuwar Barci, according to the former secretary of the Central Market and now Sarkin Marna Sabongari, Alhaji Bello Rilwan.

Alhaji Bello served as Secretary of the Central market between

‘I don’t have any regret patronising this secondhand clothing market because this is where you get the desired quality. You see this belt I’m wearing, I bought it here about five years ago and I have about four of them, but if you buy the so-called new belt, be rest assured that you will change it in less than one year. But, my disappointment is that unlike before, clothes have become expensive here’ •Kasuwar Barci market

Inside Kaduna’s expensive used clothing market 1973 and 1990 before becoming the Sarkin Kasuwar Barci, an office he held for 13 years.

He told our reporter that Kasuwar Barci derived its name from the fact that in its early days, the market recorded such low patronage that traders often slept most of the time, waking up for the Muslim prayers.

He said a trader from Kano known as Alhaji Jayawa gave the market its name when he saw that his fellow traders often dozed off.

Alhaji Bello Rilwan said, “Kasuwar Barci came into being on

May 8, 1973 when the market was moved from Central Market to Kasuwar Tudun Wada.

Those early days presented challenges for Kasuwar Barci traders.

Few customers stopped by their shops. Other markets such as the in Dutse were thriving, but Alhaji said they took it in their stride. In time, the table turned.

“When Kasuwar Dutse was making brisk business while traders in Kasuwar Barci had nothing to do other than to sleep, we believed it was God’s will because we really

could not fathom why the situation was so. But now there is no market in Kaduna State that enjoys business patronage better than Kasuwar Barci, not even Sheikh Mahmud Gummi Central Market,” Alhaji Bello said.

Students of Kaduna Polytechnic, Kaduna State University, Ahmadu Bello University and others enjoy patronising Kasuwar Barci. One thing they like the market for is the quality of clothing materials they obtain there. Some of the students our correspondents came across at

ahead. Dr. Samuel Gyang said, “The situation in Jos here is risky for human beings; people are exposed to several diseases already. In this situation, cholera is very likely and when it comes, it is going to affect the entire population because we live with these refuse at home and on the streets. No one is safe.”

The fear of epidemic is higher at Old Bukuru Park, Tudun Wada, Zaramaganda, Bukuru and

Kabong.

However, given the strike, government officials have no access to their offices; they are hunted by the aggrieved labor union. So it is even impossible to get reaction from relevant environmental ministries and agencies.

Residents have resorted to personal protection. No one seems to know when the strike will be called off and the evacuators back to duty.

Refuse takes over Jos Continued from page 30 ers.

Most residents who live close to such containers can no longer enjoy a good breath; they can hardly sleep, with the stench so thick in the air. In such environments, passersby and residents battle with flies that are feeding on the refuse. Some residents have even taken advantage of the heaps of refuse to defecate there.

Given this scenario, observers worry about the health hazard residents. There used to be workers responsible for sweeping the streets of Jos on a daily basis as a deliberate measure to keep the state capital clean. But with the ongoing strike, no one sweeps any more.

The crux of the matter is workers’ welfare. Even before the strike, the workers were without salaries for several months, their morale so low that most of them willingly abandoned their duty post since January this year. Invariably, the mountain of refuse residents are battling may have been accumulated for a period of three months prior to the declaration of the strike.

Now the entire city is filthy, making driving or walking along the street dangerous in more ways

•A street blocked by refuge

than one. Motorists often wind up their glasses to avoid the odour on the street. But passersby have no option but to inhale the unhealthy air. Certainly you can’t avoid the flies that probably see the walkers as intruders. They slap with their wings and kick with their legs until you move far away from the zone.

Medical experts have expressed fear of major health challenges

the market said unlike before, traders in the textile market have realised that students and elite have come to like their products, so they have hiked the prices.

Abdulwaheed Yunus, a student of Kaduna Polytechnic, ýsaid, “Look, I don’t have any regret patronising this secondhand clothing market because this is where you get the desired quality. You see this belt I’m wearing, I bought it here about five years ago and I have about four of them, but if you buy the so-called new belt, be rest assured that you will change it in less than one year.

But, my disappointment is that unlike before, clothes have become expensive here. A pair of shoes that we used to buy for, say, between N1,000 and N1,200, they tell you now sells for between N3,500 and N4,000.

Because they know students and even the elite now patronise them. But, one thing you cannot still take away from them is quality. I hardly buy shirts and trousers here, except I get a very unique one, but for my shoes, caps, belts and sport dresses, I can’t miss Kasuwar Barci. I also patronise this market for all my bed sheets and blankets because you get the best of them here rather than at Central Market.”

Another customer, Miss Mary Jatau, a student of Kaduna State University, said, apart from her native dresses, she gets all others from Kasuwar Barci. Why? She said, “I have been patronising this market since I was born. My mum used to buy clothes for us from here to complement the new ones and they were always very nice”.

A secondhand clothes dealer who preferred anonymity, said, “Our products are now expensive because the government said it is contraband and so it has become more difficult and expensive to [bring] down to the country”.

He said, “I am not supposed to talk to you because it is our policy not to talk to the press, because we don’t want to expose our business to risk from government. We also enjoy patronage when our products were cheaper, but now, we don’t have any option other than to sell according to our expenses”.

The market is not without its challenges. Traders said they lack potable water and that their environment is dirty. That is not all.

They also complained of insecurity at Kasuwar Barci.

Website: http://www.thenationonlineng.com

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

Page 33

•Children of Boko Karam victims

I

T is tough being a victim of Boko Haram. They wrecked lives, torn families apart, anihilated whole communities and sent victims to places they never wished to be. One such place is a displaced persons camp, where the victims live on charity and public goodwill.

Happy to survive the terrorists, the Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) at the New Kuchigoro camp along Games Village Abuja, over 8,000 of them, have pleaded with the government to crush the sect. Perhaps, that will be the best way to recover from the insurgents’ horrors.

The Foundation for the Victims of Child Abuse (VCAF), which has been helpful to the displaced persons, also has a plea of its own: successful and well-meaning Nigerians should give back to the

S

EQUEL to the upgrading of four traditional rulers to resolve the lingering chieftaincy crisis in Kwali Area Council, the chiefs of Pai, Wako and Gomani have been presented with staffs of office.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Senator Bala Mohammed presented the staff of office to the newly

IDPs’ plea to Fed Govt: wipe out Boko Haram They may never recover what the insurgents took away from them, but they do have one wish: the Federal Government should do everything possible to keep the terrorists out of business. GBENGA OMOKHUNU reports society by investing especially on the women and children in the IDPs camps.

The foundation gave the advise while donating relief materials to the Boko Haram victims.

VCAF assisted by another foundation, Daughters of Abraham, do-

nated relief materials which included bags of rice, noodles, roofing sheets, writing materials, Tshirts and mosquito nets.

President of the Foundation, General Abdulmalik Jibril (rtd), said any nation that wants to nurture its future must take the care of

women and children seriously.

He said: “For many of us who have benefited from this country should at one point or the other give back to the society. Any nation that cherises its future should invest extensively on women and children so that at the end of the

day we will be better for it.”

He added that the gesture is only a token donation to the victims who have been afflicted with the insurgency.

“Our organisation deemed it fit to make this donation. Taking a look at the commonest issues we have today, the children. We thought of how to touch the lives of the children and encourage the mothers not send them hawking.”

He urged the government to do more in the fight against Boko Haram so as to enable the IDPs return to their various homes.

“Government has been doing well by even providing this environment. They have made good contribution but government should do more so that they can •Continued on page 34

Four Kwali chiefs get staff of office From Gbenga Omokhunu and Grace Obike

upgraded chiefs.

The new chiefs are Alhaji Audu Sha-aban Nizazo III-Kwali; Alhaji Abdullahi Bala-Pai; Alhaji Ibrahim D. Usman-Wako and

Alhaji Adamu M. Saba-Gomani.

Mohammed said that the delineation of new chiefdoms in Kwali Area Council became necessary in order to do justice to the multiethnic nature of the indigenous populations of the Area.

The minister stated that this

was pursuant to the recommendations of the ministerial committee set up to look into the issue of chieftaincy disputes in Kwali Area Council.

He remarked that the ministerial committee confirmed the appointment of the Etsu of Kwali

into an already existing graded chiefdom as second-class chief, while delineating and upgrading three new chiefdoms in Wako, Gomani and Pai as third class chiefdoms.

•Continued on page 34

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

34

ABUJA REVIEW

IDPs’ plea to Fed Govt: wipe out Boko Haram •Continued from page 33 go back and settle in their respective homes” Speaking also, the vice chairman of the board, Prof. Tajudeen Akanji who represented the former Chief of Army Staff and chairman of the Board, General Abdulrahman Dambazau, said this is just to show kindness to the less privilege in the society and the focus is the children as just a token to their well being.

“The broad objective of our organisation is to as much as possible make the children and women have a livelihood. We are going to serve camps where there are victims of child abuse anywhere they are to see where our foundation can assist.

He promised that the foundation will remain supportive of the IDPs for as long as they are in the camps so as to give them a means of livelihood.

“We have come here with food items like rice, Indomie, roofing sheets because we can see that they are living in a makeshift tent. Exercise books for the children to be able to work, T-shirt, so that they can dress properly as members of the society and mosquito nets” In his response, Chairman of the IDPs Camp, New Kuchigoro, Philimon Emmanuel, expressed appreciation to the foundation while calling on the “federal government to try and do something about Boko Haram.

We are suffering here. We thank God, we have one school here for our children and the people are helping us with food items. We want the government to pursue the Boko Haram from our villages” adding that all the 873 IDPs in the camp will get a share of this donation.

However, he urged the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to build a special camp for them as promised. Saying that “we have been here since January last year and up till yesterday some of our people are still coming to the camp”.

An eight-year-old boy Ibrahim Musa told Abuja Review that things are really difficult for them and that they find it difficult to eat even ones a day.

His word: “Government has abandoned us. Only some Nigerian do remember us. We are happy that these gifts will go a long way to alleviate our suffering. Here” Another girl simply known as Mary said government should try as much as possible to tackle Boko Haram so as to enable them go back to their states.

From the look of things only God knows when the Boko Haram saga will end to enable victims relocate back to their states.

•Victims of child abuse

‘For many of us who have benefited from this country should at one point or the other give back to the society. Any nation that cherises its future should invest extensively on women and children so that at the end of the day we will be better for it. The broad objective of our organisation is to as much as possible make the children and women have a livelihood. We are going to serve camps where there are victims of child abuse anywhere they are to see where our foundation can assist’ •Some of the items displayed

Four Kwali chiefs get staff of office •Continued from page 33

•From left: Program Manager, CLEEN Foundation, Daniel Gondyi; Board member CLEEN Foundation, Frank Odita and Executive Director CLEEN Foundation, Kemi Okenyodo during the roundtable discussion on Findings on Security and Armed Extremism in Nigeria at Denis Hotel in Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

The Minister explained that though their respective kingmakers select traditional rulers, the ratification of their appointment rests with Mr. President through the FCT Administration.

According to a statement issued by the Asst. Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, the minster called on all the traditional rulers in the FCT to continue to show responsibility by maintaining law and order in their respective domains together with ensuring harmonious coexistence among all Nigerians living within their communities.

He reminded them to always keep in mind the vision of Abuja as the centre of unity, a home to every Nigerian.

He therefore called on traditional rulers and the entire people of FCT to continue to show the same support and loyalty to the incoming Administration because governance is a continuum.

Also speaking at the occasion, the FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide said that the upgrading, installation and presentation of staff of office is to fulfill the campaign promises.

Responding on behalf of others, the new Etsu Kwali, Alh. Audu Sha-aban Nizazo III promised to live up to expectation and thanked the Minister for this uncommon gesture.

The FCT Permanent Secretary, Mr. John Obinna Chukwu, Emir of Lapai in Niger State, Alhaji Umaru Bago II and other top government functionaries of the FCT Administration also attended the occasion.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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ABUJA REVIEW

F

ORMER national chairman of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Senator representing Benue Northeast senatorial zone, Chief Barnabas Gemade, has admitted that the recent election of Muhammadu Buhari has altered negative perception about Nigeria, especially at the global stage.

The Senator who spoke in Abuja during the official unveiling of a book, ‘Fragrance of Diversity’, urged Nigerians to sustain the momentum engineered by the successes recorded in the elections in order to move the country forward.

‘Fragrance of Diversity’ is a book written by Mr. Nosike Ogbuenyi, the Special Assistant to the FCT Minister on Media. The book demonstrates how some of Nigeria’s cultural traits and diverse names which have often been misapplied as divisive tools can be transformed into positive instruments of unity.

The book further explains meanings of names of Nigerians across ethnic, religious and geographic divides.

“That way, our names can become

Gemade, others call for national cohesion Stories from Gbenga Omokhunu

instruments for bounding and integrating our people irrespective of our ethnic, cultural, religious and linguistic diversities,” the author, Ogbuenyi explained.

Senator Gemade took Nigerians through memory lane, recalling how series of internal crises have threatened to undermine national peace and security.

“Since 1960, Nigeria has witnessed many costly internal conflicts. The notable ones include the civil war, Zango/Kataf in Kaduna state, Hausa/Beron in Plateau, Tiv/ Jukun in Taraba and Benue, Ebira/ Bassa in present day Kogi, Ife/ Modakeke in Osun, Ijaw/Itserkeri in Delta, Ezza/Izzi in Ebonyi, Umuleri/Aguleri in Anambra, Ombatse in Nasarawa.

“In recent years, we have seen the more devastating crises of militancy in the Niger Delta, Boko

‘The Benue-born senator explained that a major threat to our unity, tolerance and peace is the lack of deep understanding and appreciation of one another by Nigerians.... the need for inter-cultural marriages, provision of Unity Schools for younger generations, understanding languages and bearing names across cultural, political and geographical divides will encourage tolerance, acceptance and proper integration in Nigeria’ Haram in the Northeast and the Fulani herdsmen, many communities recurring clashes in the middle section of the country and others.

“The crises have in some cases snowballed to the extent that not a few people are beginning to be skeptical about the prospects of continuing to exist as one country

if we are capable of building and sustaining peace and unity,” Gemade noted.

The Benue-born senator explained that a major threat to our unity, tolerance and peace is the lack of deep understanding and appreciation of one another by Nigerians.

He equally emphasised the need for inter-cultural marriages, provision of Unity Schools for younger generations, understanding languages and bearing names across cultural, political and geographical divides will encourage tolerance, acceptance and proper integration in Nigeria.

Also speaking, representative of the FCT Minister, Mr. Emmanuel Awodu in his brief remarks, urged Nigerians to embrace the message of peace, propagated by the author, Mr. Ogbuenyi in his book.

Some of the dignitaries at the event include representatives of state governors, senators, directors and heads of agencies of FCT administration, among others.

“When Nosike told me about the book, I encouraged him to go ahead. What he has done is the first of its kind in Nigeria and he has captured the whole country. The work is excellent.”

Security: FCTA begins online tracking of buildings

T

HE Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Administration through the Department of Development Control has begun the process of tracking online all on-going building developments in Abuja.

The scheme which is known as Development Control Information System (DevCIS) and Mobile App for an on-line transfer of Site Assessment Reports (SAR) is to ensure total computerization of all the Development Control activities.

The FCT Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed while launching the scheme in Abuja yesterday directed that all land related departments in the Federal Capital Territory must work together to further reduce business time of developers.

Mohammed reiterated that the closer collaboration between the Development Control; Urban & Regional Planning; Land Administration; Survey & Mapping as well as the Abuja Geographic Information Systems (AGIS) would go a long way in fast tracking development of the entire 8,000 square kilometers of the Federal Capital Territory.

The minister insisted that this collaboration has become necessary to reduce friction and man hour wasted on ironing out issues related to land application, building approval and development in the FCT; emphasising that it is a com-

‘All technical and professional staff involved in this knowledgedriven and experience-sharing process to embrace the innovation with the highest sense of responsibility for an improved service delivery’ petitive world with diverse interests.

His words: “I want you to take further steps to reduce drastically the time taken for approval of building plans and enhance monitoring of development towards bequeathing a safe, healthy and convenient city-system to the residents of the FCT and visitors alike.

You are equally to ensure speedy and orderly city growth into the future.”

The minister noted that the establishment of a wholly indigenous Development Control Information System as well as Mobile App for an on-line transfer of Site Assessment Reports, which according to him, are base-line requirements for taking decisions on the

approvability or otherwise of building plans for all categories of development.

According to a statement issued

by Asst. Director/Chief Press Secretary to the FCT Minister, Muhammad Sule, while commending the ingenuity of the staff of FCT Development Control, Senator Mohammed urged all technical and professional staff involved in this knowledge-driven and experiencesharing process to embrace the innovation with the highest sense of responsibility for an improved service delivery.

The co-ordinator of the Abuja Metropolitan Management Council, Architect Reuben Okoya said that the Agency embarked on this ICT project because it would con-

•General Secretay, Bible Society of Nigeria (BSN), Rev. Dare Ajiboye flanked by the society’s Assistant General Secretary, Pastor Victor Oluwadamilare (left) and Deputy Manager, Public Relations, Mr. Benjamin Mordi at the unveiling of the Hausa Bible.

tinue to play prominent and pivotal role as key enabler of reward and sustainable growth of emerging city.

Architect Okoya restated that ICT has become an essential element of infrastructure underpinning competitive economies world over.

In his remarks, the FCT Director of Development Control Department, Yahaya Yusuf explained that the Development Control Information System was conceptualized to capture not only the records but the entire process of registering the building plan applications, managing and approval of same through a secure ICT driven platform.

Yusuf enunciated that the

Department’s Web Portal is designed to provide developers and the entire public with a platform for online submission of applications, online tracking of progress made on the said applications, electronic payments as well as a solution for internal operations in processing the application.

The FCT Minister of State, Oloye Olajumoke Akinjide; FCT Permanent Secretary, Engr. John Obinna Chukwu; FCDA Executive Secretary, Engr. Adamu Ismaila; some Mandate Secretaries, Coordinator of the Abuja Infrastructure & Investment Centre, Faruk Sani and top government functionaries of the FCT Administration also attended the occasion.

Women beg Buhari for gender parity

P

RESIDENT-ELECT, Gen. Muhammadu Buhari has been urged to consider more women in his administration.

The president of Women in Politics Forum (WIPF), Mrs Ebere Ifendu, a lawyer, gave the advise at a press briefing in Abuja, where she said the inclusion of women and men perspective and experience into the decision making process would lead to solutions that are

From Gbenga Omokhunu

more viable.

Ifendu said the in-coming administration should remember that the “observer reports highlighted large turnout by women to the polls that saw All Progressives Congress (APC), victorious in the 2015 general elections and should •Continued on page 36

•Vice President Namadi Sambo (right) receiving a souvenir from the Director-General, Bureau for Public Enterprises, Benjamin Dikky while others applauded during the valedictory Board meeting of the BPE at the State House in Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

36

ABUJA REVIEW

E

VEN as things may not look too bright in all other sectors under his tenure, President Goodluck Jonathan has been described as the top in sports ahead of all the past Nigerian leaders.

The Nigerian sports has been claimed to have won more trophies and laurels under his administration.

His close exit from power has not diminished his love for sports as he is supporting the ongoing President Cup holding in Abuja.

The President Cup is an annual football competition aimed at discovering new talents to feed the various Nigeria’s national football teams.

Jonathan through the Minister of Sports, Tammy Daminagogo kicked-off the opening football match of the maiden President Cup competition between Kano and Kaduna teams at the main bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja last week Monday.

Total of sixteen teams in four groups are slugging it out in four venues in Abuja including the National Stadium, Old Parade Ground Area 10, FIFA Goal Project and Sports centre Area 3.

Other states featuring in the competition are Lagos, Plateau, FCT, Imo, Abia, Oyo, Benue, Ondo.

Also featuring in the competition are Zamfara, Bauchi, Taraba, Akwa Ibom, Rivers and Enugu.

President Jonathan, who will be busy with preparations for the handover and inauguration of the incoming government, is again expected to be represented at the final match of the competition billed for the main bowl of the National Stadium, Abuja by 3.00 p.m tomorrow, 27th of May. There is no doubt that the football competition has offered the youths some fun and some level of exposure towards selling them to the world.

Besides picking some injuries during the competition, some of the players may get the opportunity to sign up for some local football clubs as many football coaches throng the venues of the competition, scouting for young, talented players.

Some of them might even get luckier to be called up to any of the national teams at the end of the competition.

But with the Jonathan’s administration ending in the next three days, there is anxiety among the players if the competition will go beyond this first edition.

When Jonathan, Aso Villa worshipers part ways Last week Sunday was not only the last church service President Goodluck Jonathan attended at

Jonathan and the President’s Cup the Aso Villa Chapel under his tenure, but it was the last service to be conducted by the Anglican Communion under the leadership of the Chaplain, Ven. Obioma Onwuzurumba.

This is because Sunday service was not held at the Chapel two days ago as May 24 has been scheduled for an interdenominational service at the National Christian Centre as part of programme for the inauguration of the incoming government.

To say that the service in the Chapel last week Sunday was emotion-filled is understatement as the key players managed to keep tears away from the thanksgiving and farewell service.

Apart from friends and well-wishers of the first family attending the service in large number which warranted an extension outside the hall with canopies and chairs, the choir, ushers and other members of the chapel were colorfully dressed for the day.

While Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience Jonathan confessed that they were going to miss the Chapel, the choir and other departments in the church, every minister who handled the microphone during the service also did not hide their feelings that they were going to miss the first family.

The ministers recalled that the first family had never failed them any time they were embarking on any project in the church.

Women beg Buhari for gender parity •Continued from page 35 therefore be appropriately represented in decision making process.”

She said despite having very low number of women in the 8th assembly that there are capable women that could be appointed to the post of deputy Senate President, deputy speaker and even Secretary to the Government of the Federation.

Ifendu, however, called on the incoming administration to implement its commitments to the Nigerian women.

She also emphasised that appointment of women in key positions should target women with proven competence in their various fields of endeavour, stressing that the 35 per cent affirmative action should at least stand.

Her words: “We draw the in-coming administration’s attention to the statistics published by the inter-parliamentary union as at April, 2015, Nigeria is ranked second last in Africa and at 132nd out of 190 countries that submitted data on percentage of women in parliament. It should be noted that Rwanda, Senegal, South Africa and Namibia are in the top ten countries.”

From the Villa

By Augustine Ehikioya What even excited the church most was the fact that Jonathan and the wife were leaving the State House, Abuja healthy and alive against evil predictions.

Their safety and divine protection to the end of their tenure, some of the ministers noted, contrasted the experiences of former President Olusegun Obasanjo, who lost his wife, Stella Obasanjo in office and former President Umaru Musa Yar’Adua who died in office in 2010.

Highlight of the service was presentation of gifts to the first family by the Aso Villa Chapel Committee and the children department.

After May 29, the Vice Presidentelect, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo, who is the highest Christian public office holder in the incoming government, is going to be the political leader of the Chapel.

He is expected to take over the Chapel and move in clergy men from the Penticostal segment of the Christiandom to provide spiritual leadership.

Being a pastor of the Redeemed Christian Church of God (RCCG), he may also try to provide the leadership himself.

Villa set for Buhari With three days to the handover of governance from President Goodluck Jonathan to the Presidentelect, Muhammadu Buhari, the seat of power seems set to receive Buhari and his Vice, Prof. Yemi Osinbajo.

Apart from various repairs, cleaning and paintings done to some of the facilities in the State House in preparation for the new government, there is a mixed expectations

from the staff in the Villa.

Some of the key presidential aides closed to the out-going President, who have really enjoyed the tenure, are not too happy that the administration is coming to an end.

Those among them, who are yet to fully clear their tables, have almost removed all their personal belongings from their offices as they are leaving the Villa with the President.

Some top management civil servants, who have also enjoyed the outgoing government, have hoped that the administration will never come to an end. They are not too sure of what the future holds for them.

But majority of the State House staff are in high spirit as May 29 draws near. They are full of expectation that the coming change of government will change their fortunes for good in no distant time.

Most of the residents surrounding the Presidential Villa, who happen to come from the northern part of the country, are also excited with the coming change.

To inspect and familiarize themselves with what is on ground before the handover date, President Jonathan is billed to lead Buhari and Osinbajo on tour of the Presidential Villa on Thursday 28th May.

•From left: Minister of FCT Senator Bala Mohammed; Minister of Works, Mike Onolomemen and Minister of Special Duties, Alhaji Taminu Turaki at a meeting in Abuja.

PHOTO: AKIN OLADOKUN

37

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

LAW & SOCIETY

Legal framework for the prevention of terrorism in Nigeria Being the text of a lecture delivered by Hon. Justice Alaba Omolaye-Ajileye at the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lokoja Branch 2015 Annual Bar Week.

‘Lawmakers should also appreciate that there is accountability in the process of lawmaking such that demands of them, the need to strike a balance between the protection of the people they represent on the hand and their personal or religious and ethnic inclinations on the other hand’

Introduction

T

HE topic for discussion: Legal Framework for the Prevention of Terrorism in Nigeria is, undoubtedly, one of utmost importance to the peace, security and stability of this country and the global community at large. Terrorism, it is to be admitted, is however, an emerging and recondite aspect of our jurisprudence.

There is yet a dearth of judicial authorities on the subject in Nigeria, as our courts have not been sufficiently engaged to proffer views and opinions on it.

Be that as it may, the legal framework for the prevention of terrorism in Nigeria is essentially embodied in two enactments: the Terrorism Prevention Act (TPA) 2011 and Terrorism (Prevention) (Amendment) Act 2013.

The two laws shall hereinafter collectively be referred to as Terrorism (Prevention) Act 2011 (as amended) or simply TPA 2011 (as amended), as the context so admits. The TPA 2011 (as amended) was enacted, essentially, to prevent and deal with the wave of terrorism erupting in Nigeria. Section 4 (2) of the 1999 Constitution (as amended) empowers the National Assembly to make laws for the peace, order and good government of Nigeria. Section 11 also provides that the National Assembly may make laws for the Federation or any part thereof with respect to the maintenance and securing of public safety and public order and providing, maintaining and securing of supplies and services as may be designated by the National Assembly as essential supplies and services.

1 Cap C38 Laws of the Federation of Nigeria (LFN) 2004. 2 Cap 89 Laws of Northern Nigeria 1963 Before the enactment of the TPA (as amended), the Criminal Code [1] (in the South), and the Penal Code [2] (in the North) and other statutes [3] dominated the criminal justice system in creating, defining and prescribing punishment for criminal acts. Significantly, while both the Criminal Code and Penal Code do not contain specific provisions for counterterrorism, they criminalise specific acts of violence such as murder, homicide, rape, riot e.t.c.

Background to the enactment of anti-terrorism legislation in Nigeria The road leading to the enactment of TPA 2011 (as amended) has been longwinding, dilatory and chequered. It took Nigeria a period of 10 years after the devastating September 2011 terrorist attacks on the World Trade Centre (Popularly known as 9/11 attacks) to come up with a comprehensive antiterrorism legislation in the form of TPA 2011 (as amended). Some writers have attributed Nigeria’s delay in enacting an anti-terrorism legislation to the relative newness of terrorism to the country . This position certainly overlooks certain national and international events that took place between 2001 and 2011.

In attempting to trace the historical antecedent of the making of the law, we must necessarily take our bearing from the point of the 9/11 attacks, as the event marked a turning-point in the global perspectives of what terrorism portends and the necessity to wage a concerted war against it globally.[6] One direct consequence of the attacks is that it spurred the United Nations Security Council (UNSC) to pass Resolution 1373 by which all the memberstates were required to make terrorism a serious crime in domestic legislation along with terrorist funding and other ancillary offences. UNSC also set up the Counter-Terrorism Committee (CTC)[8] to follow up progress in the

• IGP Solomon Aranse implementation of the resolution by member-states. It is on record that many member-states, including African countries complied with the resolution, without delay, by amending their existing counter terrorism laws or enacting new ones[9].

The initial reaction of the Nigerian government to the resolution can simply be described as ambivalent, engendered by political bickering and parochial ethno-religious sentiments. Between 2001 and 2004, no step was taken

by Nigeria to give effect to Resolution 1373 in spite of the fact that there was no counterterrorism law in existence then. Rather than enact a new law as demanded by the resolution, the National Assembly, in a half-hearted manner, perfunctorily inserted two sections in the Economic and Financial Crime Commission (EFCC) (Establishment) Bill that was then undergoing legislative processes.. The two sections now form sections 15 and 46 of the EFCC (Establishment) Act 2004.

Section 15 of Act merely creates some offences relating to terrorism while section 46 attempts to define terrorism.

Suffice it to say that as far back as 2003, there were pockets of violent acts in Nigeria, of the nature that signalled imminent dangers, capable of snowballing into terrorism. In late December 2003 and early January 2004, a group, calling itself “the Taleban” raided police stations in the north-eastern states of Borno and Yobe, and reportedly took officers hostage, stole weapons and killed at least seven people.The United States of America Department of State Country Report on Terrorism 2004, in respect of Nigeria, also noted that, Osama bin Laden went on record as identifying Nigeria as ‘fertile ground for action”. Around the same time, it was revealed that some individuals and private groups in Nigeria had ties with terrorist sources in Sudan, Iran, Pakistan and Libya; and that, members of terrorist groups, including Al-Qaeda had operated and recruited in Nigeria. Also, by 2006, the Niger Delta militant group were becoming restive and violent. Attacks on oil pipelines by the Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta had been recorded . There were also threats of further attacks to destroy all oil facilities until their demand for justice in their struggle against poverty, marginalisation, underemployment and environmental degradation were met.

Prominent amongst the groups are Movement for the Emancipation of Niger Delta led by Henry Okah and the Niger Delta Volunteer Force led

by Alhaji Asari Dokubo Oil Pipelines in Isaka and Abonema in Rivers State were attacked early 2006 by the militant groups.

These were clear indices of the vulnerability and susceptibility of Nigeria to terrorist attacks. Given the prevailing situation and circumstances, it might be expected that an anti-terrorism bill would be introduced, subjected to vigorous legislative and public debates and passed without any procrastination. This was not to be, as all initial steps at legislating against terrorism, most strangely, met with stiff opposition at the National Assembly. In 2005, the cabinet of the Obasanjo administration approved a draft counterterrorism bill and sent it to the National Assembly for consideration.

Under the proposed legislation, anyone convicted of a terrorist offence could be sentenced up to 35 years imprisonment.[19] The bill was withdrawn the day of its second reading in the Senate due to opposition from northern senators who argued that the motivation for such a bill was anti-Muslim sentiment . In 2006, Senator Ben Obi, proposed a private member bill, the Prevention of Terrorism Bill as a comprehensive national legislation on terrorism. Again, it aborted, as it did not receive the requisite support to scale through legislative processes.

Sampson, I. T. and Onuoha, F .C. (2011) articulate the opposition against the bill in the following words: “…differing perceptions and interpretations of lingering militancy in Niger Delta region (South) and Islamic extremism (North) presented the main challenge to Nigeria’s endeavour to enact comprehensive terrorism legislation. People from the Niger Delta and some member of the Muslim Community had denounced the draft PTA for what they described as an open-ended definition of terrorism with the potential of subsuming the activities of the Niger-Delta and Islamic militants under its definition. On the other hand, the Niger Delta people steadfastly opposed the PTA, which they interpreted as an attempt to criminalise their struggle for equity in the distribution of oil, resources produced from their region… On the other hand, the manifestation of militant Islamism in northern Nigerian presented another challenge to the criminalization of terrorism. For example, some Islamic clerics had criticized the proposed PTA as targeting Muslims.”(Pp 39-40.)

Therefore, sharp cleavages and jaundiced views of Nigerian lawmakers, in a way, delayed the passage of counterterrorism legislation in Ni-

geria. Basically, laws are meant to foster order and create conditions for peace, equality and security of lives and property to thrive in. This point underscores the fact that lawmakers are obligated, at all times, to enact laws that will advance and support this noble cause. This is quite apart from their constitutional responsibility “to make laws for the peace, order and good government of the Federation or any part thereof” [22] Lawmakers should also appreciate that there is accountability in the process of law- making such that demands of them, the need to strike a balance between the protection of the people they represent on the hand and their personal or religious and ethnic inclinations on the other hand.

By 2010 and the early months of 2011, terrorism had evolved in Nigeria, full blown, in scope and shape. Boko Haram insurgency had emerged and continued to escalate in sophistication.

In a research conducted by Ioannis Mantzikos, a research assistant, with Terrorism Research Initiatives, it is revealed that between September 2010 and May 2011, Boko Haram successfully carried out over fifty attacks [23] It then dawned on the law-makers that terrorism has no borders, religion, gender, race, ethnicity or nationality; but a true manifestation of evil that defies human nature which must be combated. On December 10, 2010, an Executive-Sponsored counter-terrorism bill was read and swiftly passed with an overwhelming majority votes in both chambers of the National Assembly.[24] Both the Senate and the House of Representatives harmonised their differences and passed the Terrorism Prevention Bill in May 2011 while President Goodluck Jonathan signed it into law on June 3, 2011(25). It is of great significance to mention here that the TPA 2011 (as amended) was enacted at the twilight of the legislative term of the 6th National Assembly. Indeed, it is clear that the bill was hurriedly packaged and passed. The manifestation of this assertion reflects in the fact that the Act was amended barely two years after its enactment in such a way that, more than 20 sections were either substituted or deleted.

An event of international significance deserves to be mentioned here as one of the factors that eventually compelled Nigeria to enact an anti-terrorism legislation. On December 25 2009 (Christmas Day), a young Nigerian, Umar Abdulmutallab,[26] who was associated with Al-Qaeda in the Arabian Peninsula, attempted to set off an explosive aboard Delta/ North West

Airlines Flight 253, with 274 passengers. The plane was an Airbus 330 which originated in Nigeria and had a stop-over in Amsterdam. The attempt was unsuccessful as he was overpowered by passengers . Consequent upon this event, the US Transportation Security Administration (TSA) issued new security measures which included blacklisting Nigeria by classifying it “Country of Interest” on the US Terror Watch list. This blacklist placed Nigeria on the same pedestal as countries like Afghanistan, Algeria, Iraq, Lebanon, Libya, Pakistan, Sandi Arabia, Somalia and Yemen. The implication of blacklisting a country is that citizens of the designated and affected countries will be subjected to enhanced screening techniques such as body scans, pat-downs and a thorough search of carry-on luggage for traces of explosives, no matter where they are travelling from.[28] The Nigerian government wasted no time in taking the necessary diplomatic steps to avert a face-off with the U.S. The US gave four conditions to be fulfilled by Nigeria before it could be delisted. These conditions included: public condemnation of any form of terrorism anywhere in the world; improvement of security in the nation’s airports; deployment of air marshals on board aircraft and legislation geared towards combating terrorism in the country.[29] It was in fulfilment of these conditions and further pressures from the U.S. that culminated in the enactment of TPA 2011.

The TPA contains Provisions covering the following areas: (1) prohibition of acts of terrorism: (2) the procedure for proscribing terrorist organisations; (3) terrorist meetings: (4) support for terrorists: 5) banning the provision of training for terrorists: 6) information about acts of terrorism: 7) obstruction of terrorism investigation: 8) international terrorism: 9) suppression of financing of international terrorism: 10) hostage taking: 11) seizure of terrorist cash: 12) terrorist funding: 13) obligation to report suspicious transaction relating to terrorism: 14) dealing in terrorist property: 15) attachment of property: 16) property tracking: 17 requests for foreign States: 18) request to foreign States 19) evidence pursuant to a request 20) form of requests: 21) extradition: 22) exchange of information relating to terrorist groups and terrorists acts: 23) issuance of warrant and search without warrant 24) intelligence gathering: 25) detention of a conveyance: 26) custody of records and video recording: 27) prosecution of offences: 28) witness protection: 29) jurisdiction: 30) penalties: 31) evidence by certificate: 32) refusal of application for registration and the revocation of charities linked to terrorist groups: 33) provision of information relating to passengers of vessels: 34) aircraft and power to prevent entry and order the removal of persons: 35) power to refuse refugee application: 35) regulations and interpretation and a lot more.

The shape of terrorism in Nigeria between 2009 and to date

Since 2009, the Boko Haram, a socalled Islamic sect, has engaged in series of brazen attacks and heinous acts that have imprinted the word ‘terrorism’ on the nation’s conscience such that the word has become a household name and entered into the daily lexicon of the average Nigerian. The mention of the word terrorism today readily suggests to one’s mind, the image of the atrocious acts engendered by Boko Harm The origin of Boko Haram has been traced to 2002 when Ustaz Mohammed Yusuf founded the sect. The official name of the sect is Jama’atu Ahlis Suna Lidda’awati wal Jihad, an Arabic name which in English means ‘People Committed to the Propagation of Prophet’s Teaching and Jihad. The sect is however popularly known as Boko Haram, a Hausa name which translates into ‘Western education is prohibited’.

Mohammed Yusuf was born on 29 January, 1970 in Girgir village, Yobe State.

•Continued next week

38

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

LAW & SOCIETY

Survival of democracy in Nigeria: A critical review of the 2015 general elections Text of keynote address presented by former president of Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) Joseph Daudu (SAN) at the 10 th Chief B.O. Benson (SAN) annual lecture organised by the NBA Ikorodu Branch on May 12, 2015 Introduction

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T is indeed a matter of immense pride and honour for me to be in vited to be the guest lecturer at the 10th edition of the annual Chief B O Benson SAN lecture. If I am permitted to disclose, Chief Benson SAN is not only a shining star of the legal profession, he is an elder in and out of the legal profession that commands the awe and respect of all and sundry. A great Nigerian of high integrity, his quintessential values is best understood by way of example from an interview he granted to The Vanguard Newspaper sometime in July 2012 on the occassion of his 80 th birthday when he said and I quote; ‘’Contentment prevents me from chasing dollars at 80’’. This was upon being asked why he retired from active legal service 10 years earlier. The values exemplified by the honouree throughout his career and till date of honesty, truthfulness, decency and industry are values that have as a matter of fact and common knowledge receded into history in present day Nigeria or are at best only possessed by a few Nigerians today. I recall that the honouree was President of the Nigerian Bar Association when I was in the law school in 1979/1980 and it was his comportment and leadership attributes that drew me into Bar activities. Indeed I coveted the office of the President of the NBA since then.

Those values exhibited by our honouree are values associated with a Nigeria of a not too distant past. Today, the love and lust for money and a get rich at all cost syndrome has penetrated our society and threatens to tip us i.e. what is known as Nigeria over the praecipe. How we got to this point of moral decadence and moral bankruptcy which has seen us degenerate from a country full of hope and promise to this abysmal level of sociopolitical and economic poverty despite our immense wealth and resources is not a matter for this discourse. However our negative and indeed degenerative status described above is a product of our political history. The journey we undertook in the past 100 years saw us metamorphose from colonialism (1914-1960) to independence when we embraced Parliamentary Democracy of the West Minster Export Model and practised politics of bitterness, deceit, avarice and disunity for six years i.e. 19601966. The novelty of the excesses of the political class during this period referred to caused the awakening or emergence of an unknown political monster i.e. the Nigerian military (Armed Forces) and they seized power in the year 1966, suspended the constitution and ruled by military fiat and decree from 1966-1979. During this period, the military defragmented the entity known as Nigeria from four regions to 12 states then 19 states by the time they handed over power to a civilian administration in 1979.

They also prosecuted an expensive and divisive civil war (1967-1970) at the end of which ‘a no victor no vanquished status’ was declared. The civilian democracy was terminated in 1983 by the military relying as justification on the corrupt excesses of the

•Former Supreme Court Justice George Oguntade Jsc (rtd.), NBA President, Augustine Alegeh SAN and former NBA President Mr. J.B. Daudu SAN.

the latter.

In concluding this part i.e. introduction it is necessary to draw attention to the fact that the topic in issue i.e. the survival of democracy in Nigeria cannot be viewed solely from the prism of the conduct of the 2015 elections by INEC. The principal bane to the survival of the democratic process or put in another way the survival of modern Nigeria is the effect of the activities of the political class on the institutions and infrastructure that sustain our national life. Consequently, it is intended in this discourse to suggest to the new Administration-elect the steps and agenda it should take having regard not only to the electorally induced problems, which in itself is substantial but also as it relates to institutional problems of leadership and governance that have afflicted Nigeria from time immemorial.

Violence and the 2015 general elections The violence that characterised the 2015 had been predictable. Leading to E-Day, there had been violent expressions of political rivalry among stakeholders and agents of political parties leading to the use of thugs, arson, terrorism and other extreme criminal measures. It is so sad that in the year 2015, our politicians are still resorting to the same vicious tactics employed by our founding fathers in politics. The result is that the polity even post - election is still supercharged. Economic activity has been severely affected due to politics. The magnitude of insecurity arsing from political activities reached the point that government introduced elements from the armed forces such as the Army and Air Force in order to keep the peace during elections. The result showed a slight reduction in the crimi•From left: Law Editor Vanguard Newspapers, Dayo Benson, Chairman NBA Ikorodu branch, Dotun Adetunji and nal activities during elections when former Chairman NBA Ikorodu branch, Nurudeen Ogbara at the lecture. compared to the data from the 2007 and 2011 elections. According to the then NPN Government. At that time in all spheres of development i.e. in- For me, I have always been worried National Human Right Commission, our political evolution and maturity frastructure, power, transportation, that the South-West of Nigeria, with its no fewer than 58 people have been had not reached the point where the political culture, probity and account- immense human resources, early ex- killed in election-related violence electorate could override the corrup- ability, the legislature and to a large posure to western education, unparal- from December 3, 2014 to February tion machinery of the political party extent, the justice delivery system, leled economic advantage and initia- 2015. In Lagos, 11 incidences were in power as they did in the 2015 elec- which encompasses the judiciary, the tive abandoned its leadership position tracked with two dead people for each tions when all the stakeholders i.e. provision of security, the creation of after the departure of the generation of incident, an average of 22 people political overlords, the electorate, a level playing field for Nigerians etc the great sage Chief Obafemi killed over a span of just 52 days. In business moguls, civil society groups was abysmally low and in these and Awolowo SAN and his contemporar- Kaduna State, there was within that etc (excluding however traditional other unspecified but strategic areas ies from the political stage. It seems period, three incidents and nine killrulers, religious leaders, militant the PDP failed to deliver. from all available evidence that the po- ings; Rivers has six incidents, includgroups etc) were in agreement that it litical first 11 in Western Nigeria has ing the detonation of explosives and was time for the governing political The absence of political philoso- abandoned in the majority, the politi- attacks on courts.1 party, the PDP to be sent out of the phy or party ideology in Nigerian cal stage to their mosquito team. It is political arena. Thus in 1983, the mili- politics clear that majority of Yoruba intelliElection day and post- election tary led by, guess who? GMB seized Indeed, it came to light in the past 16 gentsia now populate areas such as violence power and attempted to cure the ills years that all the political parties that banking, finance, insurance, cyber-sciIn Akwa-Ibom State, three persons of then Nigeria which was largely bestrode the political landscape like ence, law and justice, entertainment, oil were killed during the governorship one of moral decadence through a the proverbial Colossus had no po- and gas etc as opposed to politics. The and House of Assembly elections. In cocktail of ethical re-orientation and litical or social philosophy. No one effect of the abandonment of the politi- Rivers State, four persons including a anti-corruption measures albeit or- could say what their fundamental cal arena as described is now visible soldier were feared dead during the chestrated and directed through the beliefs were although it seemed their for all to see. I will return to this phe- Presidential and National Assembly barrel of the gun. members were agreed on one point, nomenon when the role of violence as elections in the state. During the govTheir efforts, sadly in my view, which is that political power was an employed by the political gladiators is ernorship and House of Assembly, were cut short by another military avenue to the acquisition of personal considered in this presentation. five persons were feared killed in coup d’état in August 1985 champi- wealth and stature in the society. In Returning back to the thrust of this Benue State; four in Kebbi; two, each, oned this time by the triumvirate of established democracies the position discourse, firstly, having acknowledged in Rivers and Lagos; and one, Generals’ Mohammed Babangida, of government on all issues is based the fact that Nigeria has returned to ci- each, in Plateau, Bauchi and Ebonyi.3 Sani Abacha and Abdulsalami on the historical philosophy of the po- vilian democracy and apparently now According to a post-election assessAbubakar who ruled in succession litical party in power or in opposi- resolved not to allow the military to ment by the Centre for Democracy from that date to 1999 when power tion. It is not based on the principle of truncate our political march, it is neces- and Development, it was authoritawas then handed over to a retired who stands to benefit the most finan- sary to consider whether our the foun- tively revealed that over 100 people military Head of State, General cially before a policy is passed or dation laid for the transition of power were killed during the just concluded Olusegun Obasanjo who rode into agreed upon. The absence of princi- from one administration to the other general elections. Please note that the power on the wings of the Peoples ples and philosophy upon which gov- can stand the test of time and sustain electoral violence witnessed was preDemocratic Party. Now, this politi- ernmental policy or actions are an- our political march as conceptualised dominant in the South – South, South cal party the PDP held sway from chored remains the bane or albatross by the 1999 Constitution.

– West and the South East Zones of 1999 to 2015 when their rule was un- of our present political system. Our Secondly, it is necessary to consider the country. These statistics do not ceremoniously cut short by the com- leaders do not possess that moral high how the electoral umpire INEC has include those deaths that were unrebined efforts of Nigerians as de- ground from which to launch their fared in its effort to conduct fee and fair ported or those that were premediscribed above. intent and policies. Before proceed- elections in Nigeria and particular how tated politically motivated assassinaThe performance of the PDP in the ing further, who are those that must it conducted the 2015 general elections tions, arson and other mayhem uneconomic growth of Nigeria, indeed take substantial blame for this lacuna? and the flaws, if any, associated with leashed on the populace by politicians and their thugs. These deaths do not also include the Boko Haram attacks in Bauchi, Gombe and Yobe States during the elections which claimed several lives.

‘It is so sad that in the year 2015, our politicians are still resorting to the same vicious tactics employed by our founding fathers in politics’

•Continued next week

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

39

LEGAL OPINION

Firm insists on court’s jurisdiction to stay writ of execution

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LAGOS based company, Johnson Products Nigeria Limited, has told a Lagos High Court sitting in Ikeja that it has jurisdiction to hear its application seeking to set aside the writ of execution obtained by a judgement-debtor, Jagal Nigeria Limited over a property located at Plot B, Ikosi Road, Oregun Industrial Estate, Ikeja.

The company through its counsel, Gabriel Olawoyin (SAN) stated this at the commencement of hearing of a motion of notice which was supported with an affidavit of urgency filed before the court presided by Justice Olabisi Ogungbesan.

The firm is also praying the court to restore them to status quo ante as at April 29, 2015, pending the hearing and determination of its application for relisting in the Court of Appeal.

Joined as second defendant in the suit is Chief Samuel Agboola Akintan, who is said to have earlier leased the property to Wire Manufacturing (Nigeria) Limited for 20 years, having had a Deed of Conveyance dated 1971.

Olawoyin urged the court to disregard the preliminary objection raised by the defendant’s counsel, Qudus Mumuni, which it said, has no basis in law.

The learned silk told the court that the order of the Court of Appeal upon which the writ of execution was predicated was obtained by deceit, adding that it was obvious that the court was misled on the matter.

He argued that as at the time the defendants rushed to obtain the writ of execution, they already had applications seeking for re-listing of their appeal before the Court of Appeal.

He said the defendants were duly served with copies of the application and that they duly acknowledge receipt of the documents.”We have three applications, including brief of argument, pending before the Court of Appeal and they filed a counter to every application, which means they have been served”.

By Adebisi Onanuga

Olawoyin said his client has eight grounds for bringing its application for stay of the writ of execution before the court and that all the averments in the supporting affidavit of its various processes listed the events in the Court of Appeal that led to the higher court’s order.

He submitted that since the averments were not controverted by the defendants, they should be taken as the true position of things.

“Lawyers are officers of the court. We have a duty to tell the court the truth and only the truth. Judges are not magicians and can only rely on what they are told”, he said and submitted, “even if the Court of Appeal has dismissed our appeal, we still have gotten the right to have it re-listed” and cited the decided case of COMPTECH versus Federal Housing Authority (FHA) to buttress his submission.

Responding, Mumuni in his preliminary objection contended that the application filed by the judgment debtor is not known to law.

He said the judgment debtor’s reasons for filing such application is erroneous, adding that unknown to them, the court of appeal not only struck out their matter on February 5, 2015, but also deleated the appeal number.

Mumuni said the issue before the court was not only the proceedings of February 5, 2015 when the Court of Appeal struck out the appeal of he appellant but the entire proceeding that started in 2009.

He described the action of the applicant as an invitation to review the order of the Court of Appeal adding, “may calamity never befall our jurisprudence when a lower court would sit to review the order of a superior court”.

But Olawoyin insisted that the issue before the court was the writ of execution for which they are praying the court to be set aside pending the determination of their application for re-listing of their appeal against the judgment of Jus-

tice Ayotunde Phillips, now a retired Chief Judge of Lagos State), which in 2008 granted possession of the disputed property located in Oregun Industrial Estate, Ikeja to Jagal Nigeria Limited.

Justice Odugbesan has, however, fixed June 11, 2015 for ruling on the matter.

Johnson Products had dragged Jagal Nigeria Limited before Justice Ayotunde Phillips of a Lagos State High Court over the ownership of the disputed property.

The firm had averred that the Memorandum of Agreement executed by the two parties on April 17, 1980 “effectively transferred Jagal’s interest in the property” to it upon the payment of N1, 340, 000 and that Jagal issued a receipt No.1351 dated June 2, 1982, which stated that the payment is for the assignment of the property in question.

Johnson Products had further averred that Jagal acknowledged its (Johnson Products) ownership of the property in a letter addressed to Ault and Wilborg (Nig) Limited.

But Justice Phillips, in her judgment delivered on July 11, 2008 in the suit delineated ID/1466/98, held that the Memorandum of Agreement transferred no interest in the property to Johnson Products and affirmed Jagal as the owner of the property.

Not satisfied with the decision of the court, Johnson Products Limited, appealed against the judgment on July 16, 2008 and claimed to have filed its Brief of Argument as at December 8, 2010.

However, the matter assumed a new dimension in February 2015 when the matter slated for hearing by Appeal Court, was struck out for want of diligent prosecution.

Johnson Products re-approached the appellate court, asking the matter to be relisted but while the process was ongoing, the defendant (Jagal Nigeria Limited) obtained a Writ of Possession of the court to effect the judgment of Justice Philips against Johnson Product which also affected some interpleaders.

• Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Alex Muoka in a warm handshake with the Chief Registrar of Lagos State High Court, Magistrate Emmanuel Ogundare when the branch executives and 2015 Law Week Committee members paid a courtesy visit to Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade (middle)

CJ, Olanipekun support Lagos Law Week

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HE Chief Judge of Lagos State, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade has assured the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch of her full support in hosting a successful Law Week for its members. The annual highprofile event is scheduled for June 24 to 26 at the MUSON Centre and City Hall, Lagos.

Former NBA President, Chief Wole Olanipekun (SAN) has also pledged to support the chapter in ensuring that the Law Week is a huge success, even as he made an immediate cheque donation to cushion teething logistical challenges usually encountered in hosting such

By Adebisi Onanuga

event while promising to do more.

Justice Atilade made the pledge while receiving a high-powered joint delegation of NBA Lagos Executive Committee and the Law Week Committee members in her chambers at Ikeja. The State Chief Judge promised that the judiciary would play an active role in the three-day programme, adding: “We look forward to the Law Week. I assure you of our participation as usual, especially at the Law Dinner. We would make sure judges attend.”

Justice Atilade, who received the

delegation alongside Justice Abdulfattah Lawal, Magistrate Emmanuel Ogundare (Chief Registrar) and Magistrate Demi Ajayi (DCR, Legal) among other senior officers of the State judiciary, also promised the delegation that the judiciary would take active part in the Bar/Bench Forum to be held during the Law Week.

NBA Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Alex Muoka who led the delegation had while speaking earlier, informed the Justice Atilade that the theme for this year’s Law Week is “The Future of the Legal Profession: Protection from Exploitation.”

LAW AND PUBLIC POWER

with gabriel AMALU email:gabrielamalu1@yahoo.com For comments: 08033054939 (sms only)

Buhari and the National Assembly

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HERE is this common tale that many young Nigerians,who enrolled at the Nigeria Defence Academy in the late 1980’s and1990’s,did so with the hope that one day they would participate in a coup, and then they can be appointed a military governor or to other political office. Such was the belief then,that military rulewas routine in Africa, and considering the corrupt enrichment of many military officers serving in political positions then; military career was considered one surest way of securing financialsecurity. However, with the collapse of the cold war, military adventure in politics turned an international pariah, and Nigeria like the rest of Africa, has no option than to behave itself.

Now, it is believed that such Nigerians who nurse the ambition to getrich-quickly,by raiding the public treasury, have turned to politics as the route to that Eldorado. Probably because the elective executive positions are limited in number, there is the likelihood that the preponderance of the gold diggers, now aggregate in the legislature. So, while the executive may have direct control over the application of public funds, and could help themselves more than the legislature, there is a higher number of elected legislative officials chasing after public funds, for bad.

So, the fact that there are many elected officials angling for a kill in the legislative arm,makes dealing with them a lot more difficult and unwieldy.

In the states for instance, once the executive governor is happy, he has the powers to whip the rest of his executive gang into line. The same is also applicable to the presidency. On the other hand, to get the legislature on one’s side for any deal, a minimum of half of the number of the legislators, plus one, is needed. In the case of the Senate made up of 109 members, to have a deal, one needs at least 55 senators. For the House of Representatives which has 360 members, the deal breaker, is 181 legislators.

Of course, each senator or representative has his or her own idiosyncrasies, weaknesses and strong points, among other variables.To wield those variables to achieve any goal, is the challenge of any political actor, who must under the law, deal with the legislators in a democracy. Most likely because of this plurality of interests in context, the legislature is acknowledged as the bastion of democracy and the common will of the people. This philosophical underpinning, may well be the reason why the legislature is consideredsuperior to the other arms of government, in any constitutional democracy.

Under the 1999 Constitution, the legislature is therefore given pre-eminence over the other two arms of government - the executive and the judiciary.It is the legislature that makes the laws that the executive, executes, and which the judiciary, interprets. Again, it is the legislature that has the control over public funds, which include the power to determine expenditure from the consolidated revenue fund, as provided in section 162 of the constitution. The legislature also has the powers to oversee executive performance, monitor the public expenditure and where it considers it expedient, to sack the executive.

Considering the enormous powers of the legislature, the executive authority whether at the state or the federal level, usually get interested in what goes on in the legislature. That interest includes, influencing the legislators, in their choice of who leads them. This was particularly noticeable under former President OlusegunObasanjo’s regime, from 1999 to 2007.

The result was a high turnover of senate presidents as well as speakers of the House of Representatives. In practice, many support that interference, while others consider it as disastrous for democracy.

With the ubiquitous powers of the legislature,the All Progressives Congress (APC) and the President-elect, MohammaduBuhari,considering the high expectation from the electorate, should be interested, in who heads the two arms of the National Assembly. But how can the President-elect successfully do that, without giving himself away as dictatorial, or one who has no respect for the doctrine of separation of powers; which is fundamental in presidential democracy. Again, if he gets involved and his preferred candidate fails, he would be a target for blackmail, each time he disagrees with the leadership of the Senate or the House that he never supported.

Considering the austere involvement of the President-elect as a wheelerdealer in the past 16 years of our democracy, he may also find it difficult to surreptitiously influence the choices, without clearly showing his preferences.But the President-elect needs all the support from the national assembly, if he hopes to make a success of his tenure; even when many of the legislators see their election as an opportunity to deal with their personal poverty, foisted by past corrupt and ill-mannered politics. Where the President-elect and his party are unable to gain their preferred candidate as heads in the senate and the house, the challenge would be how to convince the legislators to amend their financial expectations as legislators.

I guess the option open to the President-elect is to exploit his national anticorruption stature, in dealing with whoever emerges as the President of the Senate or Speaker of the House of Representatives.He must set the minimum standard of engagement from day one, and insist on that template without any waiver. If he does, he may lose a few weeks of paralysis in the dug-out; but gain a standard for the rest of his tenure. Of course, the members in the two houses would not have the courage to contemplate an impeachment, in the early months. The alternative is for Buhari to learn to be a wheeler-dealer for the next four years, with its disastrousconsequences, for our country.

40

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

LAW REPORT Proof of actus rea is sufficient to ground a conviction for strict liability offences TH

IN THE SUPREME COURT OF NIGERIA ON FRIDAY THE 15 DAY OF MAY, 2015 BEFORE THEIR LORDSHIPS JOHN AFOLABI FABIYI, J.S.C. CLARA BATA OGUNBIYI , J.S.C. KUDIRAT MOTONMORI OLATOKUNBO KEKERE-EKUN. J.S.C. JOHN INYANG OKORO, J.S.C. CENTUS CHIMA NWEZE, J.S.C. SC.259/2011 (2015) LPELR-24688(SC) BETWEEN: MICHAEL ADEYEMO —————————————————-——— APPELLANT AND THE STATE —————————-——————————————— RESPONDENT

LEAD JUDGMENT DELIVERED BY JOHN AFOLABI FABIYI, J.S.C.

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HE Appellant was on April 27, 2006, arraigned before the High Court Ogun State Ilaro Judicial Division upon a two count charge (which charge was consequently amended and re-read to the appellant who pleaded not guilty on December 5, 2006) of causing death by dangerous driving and dangerous driving contrary to Section 5 of the Federal High Way Act, Cap. 135 LFN 1990 and Section 6(1) (Now Cap. F.13 LFN 2004) of same. The trial Court in a well considered judgment delivered on April 24,2007, convicted the appellant of the offences of causing death by dangerous driving and sentenced him to three years imprisonment with an option of fine. The appellant felt unhappy with the stance of the trial Court and appealed to the Court of Appeal who dismissed on March 28, 2011 and the judgment of the trial Court was affirmed.

The appellant who was dissatisfied again with the outcome at the Court of Appeal now appealed to the Supreme Court. From the notice of appeal and the four grounds filed, a lone issue was raised on behalf of the appellant in his brief of argument as follows:Whether the Court of Appeal was right in affirming the judgment of the trial Court that found the appellant guilty of causing death by dangerous driving ?

The learned counsel for the appellant contended that the learned Justices of the Court of Appeal were wrong in affirming the judgment of the trial Court which found the appellant guilty of the offences charged. He maintained that Exhibit ‘C’, the rough sketch of the scene of accident, was not the joint act of P.W.3, WPC Sarah Oladipo and one Sgt. Mudashiru as found by the two Courts below. Learned counsel maintained that P.W.3 admitted that Sgt. Mudashiru drew Exhibit ‘C’. He asserted that it is trite that the Court will not accord any probative value to a document where its maker is not called upon to tender it and give evidence at the trial. In support, he cited the cases of Lambert v. Nigerian Navy (2006) 7 NWLR (Pt. 980) 514 at 547 and Awuse v. Odili (2005) 16 NWLR (Pt.952) 416 at 509; (2005) LPELR11283(CA). Learned counsel maintained that despite the fact that Sgt. Mudashiru was not called, the Court below wrongly affirmed the trial Court’s finding that based on the said Exhibit C, the Appellant left his own lane and crossed over to the deceased’s lane where he hit the deceased’s vehicle. Learned counsel felt, that if the Court below had not made the error of wrongly holding that P.W3 participated in making Exhibit C, it would not have placed any probative value on same and would, therefore not have affirmed the decision of the trial Court.

On this crucial point, the learned counsel for the respondent maintained that having regard to the evidence of P.W.3 on record, the prosecution did not need to call Sgt. Mudashiru. Learned counsel submitted that he did not see how the appellant’s counsel could, with confidence, say that the drawing of Exhibit ‘C’ was not a joint act of P.W.3 and Sgt. Mudashiru. He stated that it was beside the point that the act was not a joint one. It does not tally with gumption that Sgt. Mudashiru would take measurement of the scene of accident all by himself alone. The two Courts below were right in finding that the drawing of the sketch Exhibit ‘C’ was a joint act of P.W.3 and Sergeant Mudashiru. Learned counsel further contended that there was no basis whatsoever from the record for holding that the appellant left his lane for the deceased’s lane without any proof of any emergency or sudden uncontrollable mechanical defect and same was prima facie evidence of

dangerous driving. He maintained that both in his oral evidence and his extra-judicial statement - Exhibit D, the appellant maintained that it was the deceased who left his own lane to cause the accident. He referred to the case of Aigbadion v.

The State (2000) 7 NWLR (Pt.666) 686 at 702; (2000) LPELR-264(SC).

Considering the appeal, he stated that if the appellant wanted to call some of the surviving passengers, he was at liberty to call them to prop his case. He should not dictate to the prosecution how they should carry out their job. The appellant had the free volition to call any of the passengers who survived the accident to testify on his behalf. See: Ekpenyong v. The State (1991) 6 NWLR (Pt.2000) 683. The Court went further to state the ingredients of the offences of causing death by dangerous driving which must be proved beyond reasonable doubt as follows:(a) That the accused’s manner of driving was reckless or dangerous; (b) That the dangerous driving substantially caused the death of the deceased; and (c) That the accident occurred on a Federal Highway.

For the above, the cases of Amusa v. The State (2003) 13 N.S.C.Q.R 173 at 179; (2003) LPELR474(SC) and Aruwa v. The State (1990) 6 NWLR (Pt.155) 125 at 135 were cited.

It should be noted that the appellant’s main complaint in this appeal was that the first ingredient of the offence was not proved.

Learned counsel for the appellant asserted that there was no evidence whatsoever on record as to how the accident occurred. He felt that there was no evidence that the manner in which the appellant drove his vehicle was reckless or dangerous. He felt that the trial Court merely relied on circumstantial evidence of the relative position of the two vehicles at the point of impact in establishing the guilt of the appellant which position was also affirmed by the Court below. Learned counsel cited the case of Idowu v. The State (1995) 11 NWLR (Pt.574) 354 at 370 for the grounds upon which circumstantial evidence would ground a conviction. See: also Omogodo v.

The State (1981) 4 S.C. 16; (1981) LPELR2644(SC). Learned counsel submitted that the Court below was wrong to hold that the circumstantial evidence in this case points irresistibly to no other conclusion but to the guilt of the appellant.

Learned counsel for the respondent submitted that dangerous driving is proved by the slightest negligence on the part of a driver so charged. He stressed the point that driving from one side of the road to the other, amounts to driving to the danger of the public. In support, he cited the case of The State v. Stephen Ejenabe (1976) 1 NMLR 135. Learned counsel for the respondent further submitted that to leave one’s lane to the other lane when another vehicle is approaching from the opposite direction, as in the instant matter, and thereby causing one’s vehicle to hit that other, in the process, is dangerous driving. In support, he cited the case of Moses v. The State (2006) All FWLR 1437 at 1472.

The Court stated that that the trial Court upon a correct reading of Exhibit ‘C’ wherein appellant’s mode of driving was evinced, found that the appellant left his own lane of the road to collide with the vehicle driven by the deceased on his own side of the road. That was a dangerous piece of driving. The Court held that such is a sufficient circumstantial evidence required to sustain a conviction. It was prima facie evidence of dangerous driving. See: Isibor v. The State (1970) All NLR 248 at 256.

The Court held that same irresistibly and unequivocally leads to the guilt of the appellant.

No other reasonable inference can be drawn from it. As well, there are no other co-existing circumstances which could weaken the inference drawn therefrom. See the case of Omogodo v. The State (1981) 4 S.C. 16; (1981)

LPELR-2644(SC).

For the proof of the second ingredient that the dangerous driving caused the death of the deceased Jelili Adekoba is not far fetched. The Court noted that the evidence adduced by P.W.2 and P.W.3 as well as the medical report in Exhibit B clearly established that the injuries found on the body of the deceased were consistent with road accident. Exhibit B confirmed the cause of death to be as a result of severe head injury and internal haemorrhage. The cause of death could be inferred to be due to the accident. See Numo-Mallam Ali v. The State (1988) 1 NWLR (Pt.68) 1. The Court agreed with the two lower Courts that the act of the appellant resulted in the death of the deceased.

The third ingredient of the offences charged is that the accident occurred on a Federal Highway. Learned counsel for the Respondent submitted that the trial Court took judicial notice of the road as a Federal Highway. The Court below also affirmed same. He asserted that the law is settled that proof of a matter of which judicial notice is taken, it not necessary. He cited the case of Onyekwere v. The State (1973) 5 SC 14; (1973) LPELR-2734(SC) in support. He submitted that the affirmation accorded same by the Court below was rightly done. It was extant in the record that the accident occurred along Sango/Idiroko road which was taken judicial notice of by the trial Court and affirmed by the Court below as a Federal Highway. The Court below went a step further to refer to Section 74(1)(a) of the Evidence Act wherein the Court is empowered to take judicial notice of all laws or enactments and any subsidiary legislation made thereunder having the force of law now and heretofore in any part of Nigeria. The Court supported and accordingly affirmed the position taken by the Court below as pragmatically expressed by it. The Court held that the said road was rightly found to be a Federal Highway; to say the least.

In the final analysis, the Court held that the two count charge framed against the appellant have been clearly proved beyond reasonable doubt. After all, proof beyond reasonable doubt is not proof to the hilt. The Court held that in this matter wherein all the ingredients of the offences charged had been clearly established, the case was proved beyond reasonable doubt. See: Alabi v. The State (1993) 7 NWLR (Pt.307) 511 at 523; (1993) LPELR-397(SC), Abogede v. The State (1996) 5 NWLR (Pt.448) 270 at 276; (1996) LPELR-45(SC). The Court came to the inevitable conclusion that the appeal, no doubt, lacks merit. It was accordingly dismissed. The judgment of the Court below which affirmed that of the trial Court wherein the appellant was convicted and rightly sentenced, was confirmed by the Supreme Court.

LawPavilion Citation: (2015) LPELR-24688(SC) Compiled by: LawPavilion

• Lagos State Chief Judge, Justice Olufunmilayo Atilade (middle) with Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), Lagos Branch Chairman, Mr. Alex Muoka (left) and Justice Abdulfattah Lawal of the Lagos State High Court alongside top judicial officers and branch executives/2015 Law Week Committee members when the latter paid the chief judge a courtesy visit .

Nine law firms shortlisted for international awards

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LUKO & Oyebode, Banwo & Ighodalo and Udo Udoma & Belo-Osagie are amongst the nine international firms shortlisted for the prestigious Law Digest Africa Awards for the best law firm in Africa.

Also shortlisted for this award are ENSafrica and Webber Wentzel both of South Africa and Walker Kontos of Kenya. The award ceremony will take place in London on June 27.

Also shortlisted for the highly coveted M&A Team of the Year and the Banking & Finance Team of the Year are G. Elias & Co, George Etomi & Partners, Odujinrin & Adefulu, Aelex, ACAS and Olaniwun Ajayi LP. The Nigerian firms will be flying the national flag, against the might of the South African firms such as Bowman Gilfillan and ENSafrica and Hamil-

By John Austine Unachukwu Legal Editor

ton Harrison & Matthews of Kenya and AB& David of Ghana.

Speaking to our reports, Seyi Clement, the editor of Law Digest and the sponsor of the award said that “ Law Digest Africa Awards is a brand new concept in recognising and honouring excellence in the African legal services market, by recognising the contributions of individual lawyers, law firms and in-house teams equally. The award is based on the opinions of over 5000 senior practitioners spread across Africa and the in-depth research that our team conducted.”

Seyi Clement expressed satisfaction that

Nigerian firms are competing on an equal footing with their long established counterparts from South Africa and in some cases out-performing them as well. He said that the award represents a mark of quality which is essential for firms to maintain a competitive edge in a highly competitive market, such as legal services.

The award also recognises the contributions of in-house lawyers such as Olatowun CandideJohnson of Total Exploration, Angela Omo-Dare of Stanbic IBTC and Ngozi Okonkwo of Oando,Michael Otu of Zenith Bank to the growth and competitiveness of their individual businesses. They vie for the title of General Counsel of the Year with the likes of Andre Rosetto of Odebrecht of Ghana and Paul Okocha of Corlay Cameroon.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

43

HEALTH THE NATION

E-mail:- health@thenationonlineng.net

How to reduce fatal road crashes, by ex-LUTH CMD

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•From left: Mrs. Gloria Chukwuma of Food & Drug Services Department, Federal Ministry of Health; Tribunal Chairman, Bruno Nwankwo and the assessor, Thompson Olatigbe.

Pharmacists Council delists two members

T

HE Pharmacists Council of Nigeria (PCN) Disciplinary Tribunal has deregistered Ogbonnaya Emmanuel Nduka and Clifford Osonduagwuike Ogbonna for alleged misconduct.

They were among the four arraigned before the tribunal at the council’s headquarters, in Idu, Abuja.

Nduka will not practise for one year; Ogbonna, two.

The seven-man tribunal was headed by Bruno Nwankwo. Members were President, Pharmaceutical Society of Nigeria (PSN) Olumide Akintayo; a representative from the Federal Ministry of Health, Mrs. G.M.O. Chukwumah; Uche Apakama; Dean, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, University of Maiduguri, Prof. Ibrahim Iliya; Director, Pharmaceutical Services, Nigeria Army Medical Corps/School, Col. Najeem Abdulrahim and Isa Gusau of the Ministry of Health, Gusau, Zamfara State.

PSN Registrar, Elijah Mohammed was the secretary;Thompson

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

Olatigbe, a lawyer, was the assessor.

According to Mohammed, Nduka of No 2 Similolu Close,off Sura Mogaji Street, Ilupeju Estate, Lagos was arraigned on a one-count charge of using Ikenna Ezeronye’s licence to register Phoster Pharmacare Limited last November, a professional misconduct punishable under the PCN Act and PCN’s Code of Ethics for Pharmacists.

Ogbonna of Oso-Life Pharma Clinic of No. 161, Bode Road, JattuAuchi, Edo State, the Registrar said, was arraigned on a four-count charge of operating an unregistered premises - OSO-LIFE PHARMA Clinic at No161, Bode Road, JattuAuchi, Edo State as a pharmacy.

The registrar said Ogonna operated a clinic in an unregistered pharmacy shop, which is a misconduct, contrary to and punishable under the PCN Act and PCN’s Code of Ethics for Pharmacists, operated a pharmacy, Oso-Life Pharma Clinic at No. 161, Bode Road, Jattu-Auchi, Edo

State without a superintendent pharmacist, and breaking PCN’s seal on the main entrance of Oso-Life Pharma Clinic.

The third respondent, Linus Joseph of Duru Pharmacy 21, New Road Sabon Gari, Kano, in February 2011 in Asaba, Delta State, the council alleged, presented the licence of Dunah Anthone, to register for Holy King Pharmacy Limited in Asaba.

The fourth respondent, Iyekekpolor Esosa of No 18, 2 nd Cemetery Lane, Uzebu Quarters, Benin City, Edo State in February 2013 in Benin City, Edo State was alleged to have presented to PCN false documents to register service Pharmaceutical Company Limited at No. 43 Ehikpen Street, Benin city.

The respondents pleaded not guilty.The tribunal fixed its sitting for between yesterday and tomorrow. Its chairman said the punishment would deter others.

The tribunal ordered the reinstatement of Sunday Awofisayo whose name was struck off PCN Register in 2004 after serving the punishment.

Depression affects daily activities

D

EPRESSION is a mood disorder that causes a persistent feeling of sadness and loss of interest. Also called major depression, major depressive disorder or clinical depression, it affects how you feel, think and behave and can lead to a variety of emotional and physical problems. You may have trouble doing normal day-to-day activities, and depression may make you feel as if life isn’t worth living.

More than just a bout of the blues, depression isn’t a weakness, nor is it something that you can simply “snap out” of. Depression may require long-term treatment. But don’t get

•Dr Akande

discouraged. Most people with depression feel better with medication, psychological counseling or both.

Other treatments also may help.

Although depression may occur only one time during your life, usually people have multiple episodes of depression. During these episodes, symptoms occur most of the day, nearly every day and may include: •Feelings of sadness, emptiness or unhappiness.

•Angry outbursts, irritability or frustration, even over small matters •Loss of interest or pleasure in normal activities, such as sex.

•Sleep disturbances, including insomnia or sleeping too much •Tiredness and lack of energy, so that even small tasks take extra effort •Changes in appetite — often reduced appetite and weight loss, but increased cravings for food and weight gain in some people.

•Anxiety, agitation or restlessness — for example, excessive worrying, pacing, hand-wringing or an inability to sit still.

•Slowed thinking, speaking or body movements.

Source: www.mayoclinic.org

Akande writes for The Nation

location of these highly skilled individuals remains quite prohibitive.

However, these healthcare professionals still retain significant sympathy and allegiance to their country of origin manifested by the proliferation of diaspora organisations organise medical missions to tackle some of these healthcare challenges.

Medical missions last from days to weeks; treat a targeted but limited number of patients and provide little or no follow-up. As a means of enhancing health capacity they represent an inefficient use of these highly skilled workers.

For more insight into sundry issues, keep a date with him, every Tuesday, starting next month.

FROM next month, Dr Joel Akande will be contributing to The Nation Health pages as a columnist.

Dr Akande of Strategic Insight is a researcher who provides Clinical services; diagnostics; education and training as well as medico-legal consulting.

According to Dr Akande, migration of health professionals from Nigeria to developed countries has greatly reduced the availability of affordable standard healthcare. These immigrant professionals have acquired valuable training in developed countries that could enhance healthcare capacity in Nigeria. The challenge and cost of re-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha OAD accidents are responsible for the country’s high death rate, a but largely, it is local and state former Chief Medical Director laws and by-laws that can be used (CMD), Lagos University teach- to improve our physical environing Hospital (LUTH), Idi-Araba, ment from the way the Nigerian constitution has shared powers Prof Akin Osibogun, has said.

He spoke at the yearly Faculty between the tiers of government. of Public Health Lecture of the The Federal Ministries of Health National Postgraduate Medical and Environment will jointly and separately continue to provide College of Nigeria.

The theme was: Economics, politics national guidance while action is and health-The Nigerian challenge. expected locally.

“The political economy and disAccording to Osibogun, drivers’ faults, vehicles’ and roads’can tribution of wealth has obvious be controlled from outside the implications for health and health status. The poor are more health sector.

He said the health sector does likely to be sick and when sick, not have the power to certify least likely to access health servvehicles’ road-worthiness, but ices promptly. The cost of illness that it could collaborate with is not just the cost of treatment, others to determine the visual but it must incorporate the cost of ability of drivers as well as assess treatment seeking activities, such physical and psychological as transportation to the hospital status of driver’s licence and the cost of opportunities foregone. Increasing poverty levels applicants.

“Licensing authorities are in the will, therefore, mean increasing best position to initiate this col- number of sick people. Lack of laboration since they are empow- personal resources among the ered by law. Another group of poor also means they would factors that is impacting on the only seek treatment when conhealth status of Nigerians is life ditions have become catastyle, the use of tobacco and other strophic. Seeking treatment late substances, bad dietary habits, is calling unfairly on health lack of adequate exercise and workers. This often creates desrisky social behaviour. Tobacco peration on everybody’s part. snuffing has long been associated On the part of patient’s relawith nasopharyngeal tumours tives, the health worker is exjust as tobacco smoking has been pected to perform miracles and associated with long cancer,”he on the part of the health worker, a fear of imminent failure.” said.

Osibogun added: “The soluHe explained that sedentary lifestyles are associated with obesity, tion to the above is a health care diabetes and cardiovascular heart financing mechanism that can diseases.

“Risky social ensure for Nigerians prompt acbehaviours, such as unprotected cess to quality health care.The sexual intercourse and inter- government has established the course with multiplicity of National Health Insurance partners, have been associated Scheme and coverage is exwith transmission of certain infec- pected to be increased over a petious diseases, such as riod of time. The challenge will gonnorrhoea, syphilis and HIV/ be to break cultural and reliAIDS. While the health sector con- gious barriers and encourage tinues to provide health educa- Nigerians to embrace health tion, he said it has no power to insurance. The private sector stop people from smoking, compel must also be ready to complethem to exercise or to regulate their ment the efforts of government, particularly by designing and sexual habits,’’ he said.

Yet, the health sector, he said, implementing schemes that are would be burdened by the conse- culturally acceptable and affordquences of the various unhealthy able to provide cover for rural and informal sector citizens.” lifestyles.

Osibogun identified the environment as another major source of exposure to health hazards.

He asked: “How many people sleep in one room? Does the room even have cross-ventilating windows? Are the windows kept opened or shut? Are the kitchen and toilets adequately structured and distanced from one another?

What is the source of drinking water? Is it pure or “poor” water?

Do the communal drains flow or are they stagnant and thus promoting the breeding of vectors?

What are the individual and communal arrangements for refuse disposal?”

He continued: “The physical environment is responsible for the prevalence of malaria, diarrhea diseases and respiratory tract infections which are the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in the country.

“A national policy on waste management has been adopted • Osibogun

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

44

N EWS

E

XPECTANT mothers, teenage girls and children have been advised to take food rich in vitamins and minerals, especially iron, to prevent anaemia.

A don Dr Folake Samuel, said such meals were necessary because those people are vulnerable to iron deficiency anaemia (IDA).

Dr Samuel of the University of Ibadan Human Nutrition Department spoke on the prevalence and impact of iron deficiency anaemia in women and teenagers during the launch of Follow in my green food steps by Unilever Nigeria, in partnership with Nutrition Society of Nigeria (NSN).

She said the amount of iron needed by expectant mothers is tripled compared to men.

Why? She said extra iron is required for increasing haemoglobin mass and blood volume of mother and foetal growth.

Besides, it is challenging to meet these high iron requirements through diet alone.

“During adolescence, hormonal, cognitive and physiological changes lead to increased growth, which creates a greater demand for nutrients,” she said.

Dr Samuel called for behavioural changes, adding that few households consume iron-rich foods, such as meat, eggs and green vegetables daily.

She underscored the need for

9

•From left: Global Senior Vice President, Knorr Unilever, Cathyrn Sleight; Founder/President, Wellbeing Foundation Africa (WBFA), Toyin Saraki; Managing Director, Unilever Nigeria, Mr Yaw Nsarkoh and Nollywood actress Omotola Jolade-Ekeinde at the event.

‘Why expectant mothers, children are anaemic’

By Wale Adepoju

fortified food to make up for inadequate iron micronutrient, adding that one in two women of reproductive age has anaemia, with half of the cases caused by iron deficiency.

Anaemia, Dr Samuel said, could be caused by infectious and inflammatory diseases, blood loss

from parasitic infections and other nutrition deficiencies, such as vitamin A, folate and B12.

“IDA is the most common malnutrition in Nigeria. Two billion people across the world suffer from micronutrient deficiencies,” she said.

The nutritionist said Central and West Africa have the highest rate of anaemia in the world,

describing iron as an essential element, which does metabolic processes, such as oxygen transport, neural development and overall cell function, among others.

The lack of it, he said, occurred when iron requirement cannot be met by iron from food in people’s diet, adding that fatigue, weakness, dizziness and drowsiness

are severe anaemia symptoms.

NSN President, Prof Ngozi Nnam, said vitamin and mineral deficiencies were among the largest public health challenges in the country.

She said: “Our health system is already overburdened, so we need to educate people on how they can help prevent deficiencies through healthy diets.’’

LUTH graduates students

A

•From left: Manager/CEO, Nestle, Chief Dhamesh Gordhon; Consultant/Technical Advisor Processing, Products and Nutrition, Dr Omo Ohiokpehai and Corporate Communication and Public Affairs Manager, Nestle Nigeria, Dr Samuel Adenekan at the event..

PHOTO: JOHN EBHOTA

T

Malnutrition can be tackled

O tackle malnutrition in the country, the government is to introduce and promote home fortification of stable foods. The pilot project is slated for Benue and Adamawa states.

The Head of Nutrition, Federal Ministry of Health (FMOH), Dr Chris Osa-Isokpunwu disclosed this at the Nestle’s Nu-

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

trition Health and Wellness/Creating Shared Value (CRS) Media workshop.

Osa-Isokpunwu said the decision to use those two states is basically to avoid failure of the project once the ministry goes on a larger scale.

Justifying the reason for the

Home fortification project, that involves use of packaged 15mg of micronutrients to be added to steady food, he said, “Fortification is often more cost effective than other strategies and it is widely distributed and consumed. Malnutrition could be under nutrition, over nutrition or micronutrient deficient”, he stated.

BOUT 300 students have graduated from the eight schools of the University Teaching Hospital (LUTH).

They are School of Nursing, School of Midwifery and School of Post-Basic Nursing.

Others are School of Health Information Management; School of Basic Dental Nursing; School of Psychiatry/Medical Social Work, Community Health Officers’ Training Programmes and School of Medical Laboratory Sciences.

LUTH’s Deputy Chairman, Medical Advisory Committee (DCMAC), Dr Olufemi Fasanmade, enjoined the graduands to bridge the gaps in the sector.

He urged them to strive for excellence and be worthy ambassadors of their schools.

Fasanmade said the schools were established primarily to provide needed capacity for the sector, stressing that the hospital will continue to train professionals in healthcare.

According to him, 70 students have been admitted in the School of Nursing for the 2014/2015 academic session because of the successful verification by the Nursing and Midwifery Council of Nige-

Organ donation rare in Nigeria, says LUTH chief

D

ESPITE being a common practice worldwide, organs donation is still rare in Nigeria. Why? It all ignorance, says Acting Chief Medical Director (CMD) of Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH) Prof Christopher Bode.

According to him, most patients often rely on family members to come to their aid or travel to countries, such as Malaysia and India in search of donors.

This, he said, is a serious concern to medical experts, appealing to Nigerians to support the sick in times of need.

There is nothing wrong with helping those in need, he said, adding that people can tell their relatives to donate their other organs

when they are dead. “It is charitable,” he said.

Besides, they would have helped humanity by so doing, Bode added The paediatrics surgeon said such act would save lives and restore hope to the hopeless.

Apollo Hospitals, India said organ donation is necessary to save lives.

Its founder, Dr Prathap Reddy, said the hospitals harvested 23 different organs from five brain dead donors in a day. This is the first ever, he added.

In a unique coincidence, he said, five grieving families agreed to donate the organs of their beloved brain dead relatives.

“This is a remarkable act of humanity in the toughest situation setting a record for the maximum number

of organs harvested in a day,” he said, adding that the hospital was able to conduct 10 transplants in a day.

Describing the occasion, he said, it is a case of extreme kindness displayed by five strong families who came forward to donate the organs of their loved ones. By the way, on the same evening, 23 people got a fresh lease of life with the transplants, he added.

Dr Reddy said:“Today, these well-meaning families have helped give people in end-stage organ failure, a second chance to live. The act will inspire more people to donate organs. It takes an extreme sense of human kindness and an elevated sense of social responsibility from families to

help hospitals and doctors to give a fresh lease of life to those in need.

Human life is priceless, and when an individual’s life can give life and hope to so many others in need, it is truly priceless.”

He said a multidisciplinary team of 100 doctors utilised seven state of the art operating theatres simultaneously to harvest 23 organs and do 10 transplants at the same time.

“To sum up, if only the kindness exhibited by these five families, in donating the organs of their beloved ones, were to be a torchbearer for others to follow, it will mean that a lot more patients who are in end-stage organ failure and who are in dire need of organs would benefit with a fresh lease of life,” he said.

By Faruk Hamzat

ria (NMCN) in October last year.

He said this was an improvement on the usual 50 being admitted previously.

“As the school is striving to maintain excellence, only four candidate were presented for the qualifying examination last November. This is due to the spill from 2010 set,” he said.

Fasanmade said there was no admission of students for the school in 2011 academic year.

He said of the four students presented for the examination only three were successful, thus rating the school at 75 per cent.

He said 39 students who graduated from the School of Midwifery were admitted in 2012, adding that they passed their qualifying examination.

A doyen of the accounting practice and former president, Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria (ICAN), Bashorun Jaiye Randle, was honoured on the occasion for his contribution to the society.

Free heart surgery A UNITED Arab Emirates Estate Company, First Group Real Estate, has wrapped up arrangement to sponsor heart surgery for four children in Nigeria under the auspices of Kanu Heart Foundation (KHF).

According to the Foundation Manager, Onyebuchi Abia, $59,900 had been released by the organisation for the surgery billed to take place at Jaypee Hospital, Noida, India.

The beneficiaries mentioned for the operation are: Chuchu Onyeji 17 years, Agbo Eyitayo three years, Chukwu Miracle six years and Okoh Chidebere nine.

While announcing the choice of the chosen hospital, Onyebuchi, said the hospital had earlier carried out heart surgery on 12 Nigerians from the Foundation.

45

TUESDAY MAY 26, 2015

POLITICS THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi made history when he won his second term election on April 11. He became the first governor to break the second term jinx in the state.

As he takes another oath of office on Friday, BISI OLADELE takes a look at the daunting challenges before the man of history in the next four years.

•Senator Ajimobi (centre), taken the oath of office during his first term. With him is his wife, Florence.

Ajimobi and challenges of second term T

HE April 11 governorship election came with much anxiety in Oyo State. Many voters were gripped with fear. They thought the outcome with cause confusion because the major contenders were crowd pullers. Of the pack of contenders, five were notable. They were Ajimobi, Senator Rashidi Ladoja, Chief Adebayo Alao-Akala, Sen. Teslim Folarin and Seyi Makinde. Ajimobi was the candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC). Ladoja was the Accord candidate.

Alao-Akala was of Labour Party (LP). Folarin was for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Makinde ran on the ticket of the Social Democratic Party (SDP). Aside Folarin and Makinde, the others are former governors.

Each of the candidates ran successful campaigns, making the result too close to call. But, after the exercise, Ajimobi was declared winner, beating his closest rival, Ladoja, with over 70,000 votes.

But, now that Ajimobi begins a second term on Friday, the challenges before him will overshadow the joy of the unique victory. He faces huge tasks - politically, economically and socially.

Unity APC The rank of the APC in Oyo State is widening by the day with new entrants. Many are defecting to the ruling party. Others are joining the party afresh. This is largely due to the party’s appeal and the success of its primaries for all categories of aspirants before the election. Added to this is the growing number of professionals within the party and the good leadership being offered by Ajimobi and others in position of authority.

Besides, the party’s success in the presiden-

With the growing ‘strength of the party, Ajimobi faces a huge task of having to patronize the various units that make up the whole. A similar scenario played out in 2011 when it took him about three months to set up his cabinet

’

tial and governorship elections is pulling many politicians into the APC. The governor may also receive hands of comradeship from those he defeated in the election in alliance in their quest for continued political relevance.

With the growing strength of the party, Ajimobi faces a huge task of having to patronize the various units that make up the whole. A similar scenario played out in 2011 when it took him about three months to set up his cabinet.

Oke-Ogun bloc Related to this is the implication of the voting pattern in the election. For producing the highest number of votes’ in terms of percentage that gave Ajimobi victory, the Oke-Ogun zone, which comprises 10 out of the 33 local governments that make up the state, may expect more reward.

Every time, there is a logjam in the scramble for political appointments and privileges.

Also, the departure of Senators Femi Lanlehin and Ayo Adeseun, which gave room for three new senators to emerge on the platform of the party, as well as absence of any other political leader after Lam Adesina’s death, left Ajimobi as the leader of the APC in Oyo State. Though he has successfully done this since 2012 when Adesina passed on, combining political leadership with governance for another four years will not be an easy task.

Raising a successor It is expected that the governor will begin to give a thought to grooming a successor.

The reasons are clear. He needs to groom a candidate that can win election for the party and sustain good legacies.

Dwindling revenues A few projects, which the governor started, need to be completed or sustained. Yet, he may want to consider some he could not start in the first term due to certain factors. For instance, the governor would want to complete the pipe borne water project he started in various zones in the state. In Ibadan, he renovated the popular Asejire Dam and Eleyele Dam to revive the era of stable water supply. He repeated this in Oke-Ogun and Ayete area of Ibarapa zone. The efforts resulted in improved water supply. But, requires more funds to fully execute. A total stoppage would return water supply to the near zero level of the pre-Ajimobi days.

Another example is the urban renewal project, which has seen major parts of Ibadan, the state capital, beautified and looking cleaner. But,

dwindling federal allocation and Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) have combined to stifle the sustenance of the lofty project.

Ajimobi may have abandoned his dream to construct a circular road around Ibadan. The project, according to him in 2012, would have development corridors with advantages, including transforming the economy of the state, job creation and traffic ease all round the city. These and other projects have been affected by the paucity of funds. These may also constitute a challenge for the governor during his second term.

Juxtaposing voters’ high expectations on provision of social amenities, particularly roads, bridges and hospitals in the city outskirts, rising number of the state’s workforce due to recent employment of 5,300 teachers on the one hand and dwindling revenue on the other, presents another challenge for the governor.

Consolidation Ajimobi succeeded in many areas in his first term. He was particularly outstanding in the areas of security and infrastructures development. He made some landmarks in education, including granting autonomy to three tertiary institutions. He built modern markets and many primary Health Centres across the state while he also offered huge help to traders, artisans and other small scale entrepreneurs.

The situation requires that he consolidates his previous achievements, particularly in health, education and agriculture.

All these requires huge funds which are dwindling by the day.

Having managed the affairs of the state successfully for four years, it is believed that the governor would take his time to tackle the challenges as a true modern-day leader.

Ezea reacts to critics of financial mismanagement

E

NUGU State All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship aspirant Okey Ezea has said he did not commit fraud.

Ezea was reacting to the persistent allegations of financial misappropriation from party members who claimed that N400 million was misappropriated by Ezea.

But from the records and audit report displayed and distributed to reporters by Ezea, the total sum received and expended by the party

From Chris Oji, Enugu

from external sources was only N133 million.

Giving a breakdown of how the money was received and spent, Ezea who had been the sole financier of the party, said N100million was approved for the January 10 presidential campaign rally in Enugu but N50million was released; N12million was paid for a live

coverage of the rally.

The balance of N50million was released a day after the rally but was short by N4.250million. Besides, N50million came from Governor Rochas Okorocha of Imo State.

The Enugu state APC leader, explained further that the money was to all the candidates of the party contesting various elections in the state.

According to him, from the N45.250 released, the formular for sharing was 50 per cent of the amount or

N22.5millon to the governorship campaign while the national assembly contestants jointly got 50 percent which each of them N3million each while House of Representatives candidates got N1.68million each.

And from the N50million got from Okorocha, each of the 24 candidates that vied for the house of assembly got N500,000 each amounting to N12million while tours and gifts to wards gulped N8.6million leaving a balance of N29.4million.

•Ezea

46

THE NATION TUESDAY MAY 26, 2015

POLITICS

‘

Talking about anti-corruption, I think the National Assembly has indeed public image crisis right from 1999, when the National Labour Congress (NLC) protested against our furniture allowances. Till today, we have not recovered from that

’

Dr. Ahmad Lawan has been a member of the National Assembly for 16 years. He was a member of the House of Representatives between 1999 and 2003. In the last eight years, he has been a senator. In the recent election, he was re-elected to represent Yobe North in the Senate. He spoke with reporters in Lagos on his ambition to be Senate President. Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU was there.

W

HY do you want serve as the President of the Senate of Nigeria?

North Eastern part of Nigeria as a political zone has been ravaged by the insurgency. For so long, we have been marginalised and we believe that this Senate Presidency can be more practical and symbolic in terms of welcoming us coming back into Nigeria. I thought we were removed from Nigeria by the Boko Haram, when they declared a Sultanate after they took over Mubi.

Having said this, as someone who is spending the last 16 years in the National Assembly, having worked there as a member of the House of Representatives, having stayed in the Senate for eight years and having chaired the Public Accounts Committee for the last eight years, I think I know what we need to do to turn around the economy and I want to provide a 21st Century Senate leadership; a leadership that would work with all the segments of the senators in the chamber, a leadership that will have bi-partisan approach to issues, and a leadership that will work with the executive arm of government such that we would ensure the independence of the Senate and make our independence possible.

I also believe that I am bringing into the leadership incorruptibility and credibility. Nigeria needs an incorruptible administration, the President-elect, General MuhammaduBuhari (rtd.) was elected on the basis of may be three major issues – anti-corruption stance, resolve to fight insurgency and address the economy that has been comatose or stagnated. I believe that I can complement the anti-corruption fight of the President-elect. So, we can be sure that what we are presenting to you is what Nigeria needs.

The Nigeria of today needs serious anti-corruption fight because for whatever resource we have, until we are able to curb corruption, we would never be able to get the kind of maximum impact of what we have. We have been making a budget of N4.9 trillion, N4.5 trillion, but, perhaps, because of corruption, part of it or a large chunk of it has been going into private pockets and we don’t want this to continue.

So, we need to need to identify those areas that we need to block leakages and ensure that there is minimum or no embezzlement of public funds. My public accounts administration will help me in doing that because I have worked to ensure that public funds are prudently utilized and those that were embezzled or mismanaged are reported to the Senate, and I believe that this is what the President-elect wants, this is what Nigeria needs, financial management of our resources. Fortunately for us, the President-elect of the All Progressives Congress (APC) would come into office, when we are experiencing dwindling revenue and therefore there is need for us to ensure that whatever we get, whatever we have is prudently utilised and those, who are found to go contrary to the provisions of financial regulations face the music.

In specific terms, what are your agenda for the Senate?

First of all, I believe that my experience as a legislator that has worked in the two chambers gives me an added advantage of knowing how the House of Representatives works, what the sentiments, tendencies and workings of the House are. Having been in the Senate for eight years, I know how the Senate works and I know all the tenets of the Senate. These 16 years of experience have enabled me to work with six presiding officers, three speakers in the House of Representatives; SalisuBuhari, Umar Na’Abba and AminuMasari and my experience in the Senate that I moved to in 2007 has been remarkable up to date. I have watched these presiding officers conduct affairs in the two chambers.

Secondly, I have been able to work across party lines with all my colleagues in the House and Senate. So, I believe that I have learnt to be a team player and I can work with all sorts of people regardless of their political affiliations. I always like to work on the basis of consensus, and what we need today is to ensure that we build and sustain consensus in the different political parties in the House of Representatives and the Senate. I have also learnt to work with the executive arm of government. I believe that today, we need a situation that good governance must be supported by the legislature and good governance means delivery of service to

‘I ’ ll not be rubber stamp Senate President’ The Nigeria of today needs serious anticorruption fight because for whatever resource we have, until we are able to curb corruption, we would never be able to get the kind of maximum impact of what we have. We have been making a budget of N4.9 trillion, N4.5 trillion, but, perhaps, because of corruption...

•Lawan

Nigerians. We must make our budget in such a way that it works for the benefit of Nigerians.

A budget where only 20% or 25% is for capital and over 70% is for recurrent is not working for Nigerians. Perhaps, we can ascribe most of the crisis across the country to lack of investment in the people. So, I believe that the National Assembly and the Senate that I would lead should be able to balance the budget even if it is in phases that we move from the overwhelming expenditure on recurrent to something more practical, something more pro-poor or pro-people by giving more fund for capital and I believe that we need a Senate or National Assembly, where oversight by members of the National Assembly and especially the Senate would be done in such a way that would keep the executive arm of government in check. I believe that we need to re-enforce our oversight functions, which I believe have not been very good in the Senate and indeed in the National Assembly. In fact, I am thinking that we should have a statutory period, a mandatory period for oversight, even if it is twice in a year that every committee must go out to monitor what has been released in the budget to the various Ministries, Departments and Agencies (MDAs), and must report to the Senate at the plenary.

This is supposed to be a statutory provision which must be done. I believe that committees can do much more oversight and I believe that if we can work on our oversight, we will ensure that people entrusted with government funds do not embezzle them or mismanage them. So, I want to bring into Senate, a leadership that is focused, a leadership that is propeople and pro-poor.

You talked about the incorruptible stance

of Gen. MuhammaduBuhari, but the two chambers you have represented from 1999 to date are known for corruption. So, how do you want to support the administration in fighting corruption?

Talking about anti-corruption, I think the National Assembly has indeed public image crisis right from 1999, when the National Labour Congress (NLC) protested against our furniture allowances. Till today, we have not recovered from that. We have not done enough to make Nigerians, who voted for us understand what they should expect from us. I believe that we need to shed this toga of corruption and one way of doing that is to keep ourselves on the line of integrity. There must be transparency in what we do, and Nigerians must know exactly what we do. Sometimes, the anti-corruption charges are frivolous and you ought to allow these things to be investigated. We need a National Assembly that is led by incorruptible people so that within the system, the tendencies that go toward corruption would be minimised and I believe that I have that capacity and I believe that with the co-operation of everyone in the National Assembly, particularly in the Senate, we will do what Nigerians expect from us, to be credible, to be propeople, and by the grace of God, we will achieve that.

What about zoning?

Zoning is for our leaders to decide. We don’t have a say in it. What is expected of us is to show interest. I am from the North East and there are about two or three people from the North East who are vying for the same office.

Two people from the North Central are vying for the office and I believe that it is our duty to

tell our leaders that we deserve to have the Senate Presidency in the North East and not the North Central. As I have enumerated here, for a long time, the most marginalized areas in Nigeria are the South South and the North East.

The South South somehow has been liberated, for long, in the last three or four years, no capital project was undertaken in the North East, even when budgetary provisions were made, contractors would say they would not go there because of the insurgency. So, our land in the North East, our people and our states are stagnated. Infact, everything there has collapsed, public infrastructures burnt down by Boko Haram, our people dislocated, our businesses don’t exist anymore, and people even moved out of the place. We believe that when we are able to have the Office of the Senate President, we would be able to help the government, particularly the President-elect, to understand all our issues. We will be there to tell him as it is, I am from Yobe State and I know what Boko Haram is, we have lost people, we have lost everything and I believe that this is one thing for us.

Secondly, our votes for the APC is second only to that of North West. If your votes count and when you are rewarding such, we are next in ranking in the North, and if the North West has the presidency, we should have the Senate Presidency. We are ahead of the North Central because we gave over 78 per cent of our votes to the APC, whereas North Central gave only 57 per cent, which places us above them. North Central itself has produced three Senate Presidents from Dr.IyorchiaAyu to AmehEbute to the current Senate President David Mark, and three deputy senate presidents from the late Wash Pam, AbubakarHaruna and to Ibrahim Mantu. The North East never had any opportunity; we believe that our party can trust us and test us to lead the Senate this time. We also have people, who can fill the office because you don’t zone into a vacuum. I am available.

How can the incoming Senate assist the incoming government to reduce the cost of governance?

Earlier, I made it clear that we need to have a balanced budget. We need to expand our revenue base, we have to go beyond waiting for oil funds. Today, the prices of oil have gone down. So, we need to expand our revenue base.

We need to look at the leakages, what is happening at NIMASA, how is FIRS collecting funds, we need to know that. My experience about taxation and revenue generation counts here, I believe that we can interface with the executive, we can look at the taxation law, we can look at how FIRS is collecting funds from who and expand those areas that have not been exploited.

Secondly, it is not only the collection of revenue that is critical, but how the revenue is being put into use. Here, the budgetary provisions would come in, so we would rework the way the budgetary provisions are done at the federal level. First of all, there must be increased communication between the executive arm of government and the legislature because we want a situation, where we must be able to sit on a round table and agree on fundamental areas of intervention. For example, you need to generate employment, whoever went round the campaign would have seen how a huge number of our youths would just be everywhere and would have nothing to do, what they are waiting for is for this administration to come on board and provide a platform where their dreams would be realised. When someone trekked from Lagos to Abuja that was a show of support for the President-elect, but it is also in expectation of what the government can do for them. Perhaps, some areas of the country are better off, but the general thing we need to provide is employment and generate wealth. I also believe that there is need for prudence on how we run our government, I would even suggest that our administration should consider reviewing Orasanye Report; here you have so many government establishments taking funds for doing nothing or may be replicating each other. From my public accounts experience, I discovered that we have about 650 parastatals, many of them don’t do anything or some of them do the same thing and I believe that we •Continued on page 47

THE NATION TUESDAY MAY 26, 2015

47

POLITICS

The women should take the ‘initiative to get involved in politics because it should not be a male affair

’

Hon. Olorunisola Adegeye, a chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC), was a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly. She spoke with MUSA ODOSHIMOKHE on her ambition, women in politics and other issues.

‘Women should be encouraged in politics’

H

OW will you assess women participation in politics?

The number of women in politics is too low. There have been calls from different angles to encourage women to take part in politics. Our husbands have equally been called upon to allow their wives to take part in politics. We have appealed to the husbands to allow their wives to participate in politics. The women should take the initiative to get involved in politics because it should not be a male affair.

What has been your experience as a politician?

My experience has been very interesting. I went into politics as a young lady. I became secretary to the Social Democratic Party (SDP) in Mushin Local Government, Lagos State. At the Apapa Local Government, I was the women leader and financial secretary of the party. During the era of the defunct National Party of Nigeria (NPN), I was an active member of the women’s wing of the party at Obalende, Lagos. I was the Peoples

Democratic Party (PDP) women leaders. I later decamped from the PDP in 2001; I was in Atiku’s camp, which left the PDP at that point. I want to say my political tutelage took place under Dapo Saromi, who groomed me in politics. I can safely say that I have been in politics for quite a while now. I later became a member of the Lagos State House of Assembly representing Amuwo Odofin Constituency under the Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN).

Why are you contesting for the chairmanship of Amuwo Odofin Local Government Area?

I have not been able to do lots of things for the people of the Amuwo Odofin, as I would have loved to.

Please go to the community and ask the people about me when I served as their representatives at the House. I can say that this place, where this interview is taking place is part of my community. So, the people here are equally aware of my impact as a lawmaker. If you ask the people of Amuwo Odofin about me, I am very sure they would tell you about my an-

‘

Under this dispensation that will be rounded off in June, there are seven women in the House. But, in the next dispensation, I don’t think we will have up to three women in the House

’

tecedents as a lawmaker. I love to help people and I have been doing it even before I became a member of the House. Whatever I earned, I shared it with the people. I believe in helping people. When I was in the House, all my salaries and the allowances were not enough to take care of the people the way I wanted it. The situation is still the same, even now that I am serving as a Commissioner in the Lagos State House of Assembly Service Commission. The money is not enough for me to assist the people. The people have been calling me to come

back to the grassroots to serve them. I am a grassroots person; if you go to my constituency, they people will tell verify what I am talking about, by attesting to who Hon. Adegeye is. I transformed this community and I still have it in mind to do better, if given the opportunity. If by the special grace of God, I am back to serve the people at the grassroots, in view of my antecedents, I will make great changes in the lives of the people.

Your party lost the presidential, national and state assemblies elections in Amuwo Odofin. Are you not bothered about this trend?

I don’t want to go too far on the outcome of the recent election in Amuwo Odofin. It’s a pity that the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidates lost the elections there.

But, in this dispensation that we are talking about, it is a different ball game entirely; especially where we have Ibos and others ethnic group making their impacts. I want to tell you that the problems that we are facing in Amuwo Odofin are general problems. It is not only in

• Adegeye

Amuwo Odofin that we have these problems; I think it is all over. But, I want to tell you that I am a good achiever. Assuming that I was the one who got the ticket of the party to vie for the House of Assembly, I would not have been beaten, because I will work to ensure success. So, going for the chairman, I am not scared of anybody.

‘Northeast deserves Senate President’

• Lawan

•Continued from page 46 need to review the government agencies that are not doing anything or collapsed them into practical number so that they don’t just take our funds and also provide the needed services.

I believe that the National Assembly has a lot to do to work with the executive arm of government to reduce the cost of governance.

The Northeast Senate caucus has said it would not endorse you. Why? The North East Senate caucus did not say they would not endorse me.

I was endorsed by the North West recently, about 20 senators and the North East Caucus felt I was hijacked by the North West caucus, and there are about two or three other people that want to run for the Senate Presidency from my area. It was not like they did not endorse me, but they said they did not endorse anyone from the North East caucus, and that is fair enough. I don’t think the North Central has endorsed anyone, no one has been endorsed. I am still seeking that my brothers and sisters would endorse me just like two others from the area want to be endorsed, but thank God that I have been endorsed by two caucuses now; the North West and the South West. We are still working to ensure that we are endorsed by even the North Central.

What about the Southeast?

I held a meeting with the South East caucus and I believe that the South East has every reason to endorse me.

I have worked with the South East senators and even members of the House of Representatives before I entered the Senate, and those that we met in the Senate have been very good friends.People like the Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike

Ekweremadu, is quite supportive as a presiding officer, as a colleague and as a friend to all of us. So we had a session of the caucus and I believe that at the appropriate time, the South-East would endorse me. I have been working with the PDP senators and I believe that at the appropriate time, they would support me. In 2003, I was the co-ordinator ofMasari for speakership even though I was in the All Nigeria People’s Party (ANPP) and Masari was in the PDP. So that tells you the extent we can work across the divides. So, I don’t have any difficulty working with the PDP senators.

If you become the Senate President, what would be your position on constitution amendment?

I think the crisis on the constitution amendment is the highest level of the exposure of the failure of the PDP. When you have a control of the legislature, your government should interface with legislature, and your party should interface with the legislature properly. I believe that they should have worked these things out for the major issues of constitution amendment. I believe that there is going to be continuous and fruitful deliberation between the legislature and the executive. You sit on a round table and say these are the major issues that are going for amendment, what do you think about them. There should be some measure of understanding because the PDP controls the National Assembly, they didn’t do that. When there were public hearings, they were nowhere to be found from the executive arm of government. After they failed to have a round table discussion with their legislature, they should have been available at the public hearings. We held public hearings across the federal constituencies in the country.

To me, it is the failure of the PDP, which is why they were voted out of office. And I believe we have learnt from them. When we have issues like this, whether it is a Bill or whatever,

once the National Assembly expires, it does with the outstanding works; you cannot carry it forward in this case. But there is need for the Supreme Court to make a pronouncement, because the case is there now, whether the National Assembly has the right to do what it did or whether the executive arm of government has the right to reject it. That will clear the air for us in the future.

What is the assurance that under your leadership, the Senate would not be a rubber stamp of the executive?

I believe in the independence of the legislature and in my first tenure we fought for the independence of the legislature, when former president OlusegunObasanjo was in power. At that time, what we wanted was a legislature that would not be taking orders from the executive arm of government. I am sure APC is a different player in this, our party is a progressive party, our president believes in the rule of law. Infact that is the stand of our party and our leaders, and while we have independence of the legislative arm of government, we also have to collaborate, co-operate and partner with the executive arm of government to work for the benefit of Nigerians. What we need is good governance for the benefit of Nigerians, so I don’t see how we can become a rubber stamp. When you become a rubber stamp, you would not function properly and we don’t want what happened to the PDP that they were booted out to happen to us.

What would you say about the huge amount of money earned by lawmakers in Nigeria?

When you say lawmakers earn huge amount of money, I think we need to put it in perspective. The budget of the National Assembly for the last four years has been N150 billion from a budget of N4.9 trillion. You can work out the percentage, and in that you have the National Assembly management as part of it, the National Assembly Service Commission and the aides

‘

A budget where only 20% or 25% is for capital and over 70% is for recurrent is not working for Nigerians. Perhaps, we can ascribe most of the crisis across the country to lack of investment in the people

’

of members of the National Assembly. I am entitled to five aides. You have the National Institute for Legislative Studies (NILS) and the capital budget of the National Assembly.

When you look at the aggregate of the budget, what actually goes to the members of the National Assembly is not what we portray it to be.

So, when we propose a reduction in the cost of governance, it is not going to be for the National Assembly alone, what does a minister gets in his office, what does the Chief Executive Officer of NIMASA or NPA gets, these are issues that would have to be considered in a holistic manner.

I think that Nigerians don’t have enough information about what the members of the National Assembly get. This N150 billion does not go to the members of the National Assembly alone; it is just part of it. If there is need to revisit the cost of governance and I believe there is, so let there be a total overhaul of the entire system, all the ministries and all aspects of governance would be involved. How many vehicles do a minister uses or a chief executive officer of an organisation and others have officially?

Are you not worried that the Northeast is fighting for the number three and four positions at the same time?

I don’t know, but the party is wise enough to take the right position at the right time. I believe that such a situation would not arise. It is unconstitutional to have a preponderance of a certain people from a certain part of the country in such positions.

There is no way you can have the President, Speaker of the House of Reps and the Senate President from the same geo-political zone. It is not possible, whatever it is, our leaders would solve the issue.

What about your relationship with the PDP members in the Senate?

My relationship with them has always been cordial. I have been a cosmopolitan legislator. In the House of Reps, I was in charge of the House Committees on Agriculture and that of Education and these are committees that I should not hold ordinarily and when I got to the Senate in 2007, I was made the Chairman of the Public Accounts Committee, the highest committee that any opposition could hold in the two chambers and I have been working together with my colleagues in the Senate, who are PDP.

We are doing fine with cordial relationship.

Is Muhammadu Buhari or Asiwaju Bola Ahmed Tinubu behind your candidature?

It is very practical and realistic that when you run for this kind of office, you go to every leader that you have access to and ask for their blessing and support and you remember that the leaders of the then All Nigerian People’s Party (ANPP), Action Congress of Nigeria (ACN), Congress for Progressive Change (CPC) and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), have very strong individuals before APC evolved. So, we must give them due respect, we must go to them and ask for their blessing.

Where possible, if you can get the support of any, it would go a long way; no leader has come out to endorse anyone. I am not anybody’s candidate; I am seeking continuously for their support because they deserve that respect.

In an open race, do you stand a chance of winning?

The arithmetic is simple, out of the four zones that produced APC, I have got two, we are 60 senators in APC, North West has 20, South West has 13, which are 33, which is already a winner. Ask anyone what my relationship with the PDP senators in the chamber is, and ask the same question about the other senators aspiring for the Senate Presidency. For me, all the aspirants are brothers; if any of us gets it, I would work with them, if I get it, they need to work with me and we belong to the same party and we don’t want to rock the boat.

In the 7 th Assembly, Aminu Tamuwal emerged as the Speaker of the House of Representatives against the party’s choice. How do we avoid a repeat of that event?

I believe that our party is wise enough to understand the implications of having unnecessary fragmentation of senators. I want to tell you very clearly that our party would not allow that to happen. The APC would sort this issue out. The PDP understands that we are supposed to constitute the leadership of the Senate because we are the majority just as we have allowed them to form the leadership of the Senate over the last 16 years. I believe that our leaders would do something before we reach such a situation; we would not fall into that trap, we will resolve it.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

48

SHOWBIZ

Viva Cinema makes debut in Kwara

•BoI reiterates support for Nigerian movie industry

T

IVA Cinema Company Limited has opened a new film house in Ilorin, the Kwara state capital.

The company, being sponsored by the Bank of Industry (BoI), had at its launch last week Friday, some Nollywood stars like Olumide Bakare, Bukunmi Oluwasina and Muyiwa Oladapo among others.

Located at the heart of the popular Shoprite Mall, the outfit’s Cinema Hall l was occupied by a crowd of Nollywood lovers who wanted to catch a glimpse at their stars.

Speaking with reporters, Bol’s Divisional Head for Large Enterprises, Joseph Babatunde said the bank has invested millions of Naira into the industry, adding that “the same VIVA Entertainment set a similar cinema centre in Ibadan. We have spent quite some money to support the company.”

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

Mr. Babatunde added that “the entertainment industry holds a lot in terms of provision of employment. You will recall, the 2013 rebased Gross Domestic Product (GDP), the creative industry contributed about 1.6 percent (six million Dollars). That means the industry holds a lot of potentials. Scores of youths who come out of the university with a lot of talents can exercise themselves through the promotion of the creative industry.

“For us in the Bank of Industry, we have made adequate arrangement to support the creative industry.

For instance, we support this in Ilorin. There are youths who are working there; you remember in those days the cinema culture was a great privilege.

“What we are trying to do is to bring back that same cultural

values and by bringing them back we believe that a lot of youths will be employed. So, the creative industry is the door for the youths. The industry holds a lot of potential to take a lot of youths out of the streets and for us in Bol, we are ready to provide funding so that in movie production and cinema, all these age-long cultural values can be brought back. So it is not just all about work, people can mix recreation with work.”

The banker also said that the movie industry has a lot of challenges bedeviling it in Nigeria.

According to him, “It is not only funding that is the key issue with the creative industry in Nigeria - a major issue is that of distribution. Without effective distribution, there is no way you can make your money back. This cinema platform is a major outlet for the purpose of distributing movies. Apart from the fact that

• From left, Babatunde, Oladapo and Bakare

we have standard studios; a lot of filmmakers go to South Africa, Canada and United States of America to shoot their films, which is not good enough for the industry.

“So we still need a lot of investment in standard studios so that our film producers can shoot their films locally, coupled with the cinema centers coming. For us in the Bank of Industry, we have financed about four cinema

AFRIMA boss in S/A for AU congress

T

HE Executive Producer of the All Africa Music Award (AFRIMA), Mike Dada, is one of the speakers at the ongoing 4th Pan Africa Cultural Congress (PACC4) which began at the popular Sandton International Convention Centre, Johannesburg, South Africa, yesterday.

The three-day event, which addresses the ‘Unity in Cultural Diversity for Africa’s Development’ as its theme, had Dada presenting a paper on the AFRIMA Project titled, ‘Creative Economy: From Policy to Practice’.

For AFRIMA, the congress is coming at the right time, just as Dada and his team are preparing for the second edition of the awards scheme, slated for November.

Having opened the 2015 edition to music entry submissions which will close on July 20, AFRIMA began a familiarisation tour of African music communities in Addis Ababa,

Ethiopia, last month, where it also unveiled the agenda for this year’s programmes in conjunction with the AUC. The South African congress platform is coming after the second leg of that familiarisation tour which held last week in Kampala, Uganda.

The purpose of the PACC4, according to the AUC, is to provide a platform for cultural experts, policy makers, private sector, civil society organizations working in the art, tourism and culture sector to take stock of the challenges and record good practices on harnessing cultural diversity to enhance policy development on the theme.

At the event are Heads Of State and Ministers of Culture, Youth and Tourism as well as cultural enthusiasts.

The 4th Pan-Africa Cultural Congress is being organised in collaboration with the Department of Arts and Culture of the Republic of South Africa

as part of the Africa Month Celebrations, which is aimed to foster the African Renaissance vision as encapsulated in the charter for African Cultural Renaissance and the African Union agenda for 2063.

The vision is similar, as AFRIMA, on the other hand, is driven by its mission of producing an international platform to celebrate the cultural heritage and values of Africa by rewarding up and coming as well as established talent and creating sustainable growth of the African music industry as a contributor to national and continental economies.

Excited by the invitation, Dada said: “I feel honoured by this opportunity to share with and address the Pan African Cultural Congress on the mission of AFRIMA of achieving a desired Africa where poverty is reduced and

H a new positive narrative is built through the instrumentality of music and creativity. This will only go a long way to spur us to work harder in taking the AFRIMA project beyond Africa.”

He added that “AFRIMA is a continental music awards project that is conceptualised to reward music talents of Africa and also stimulate conversations on how the African music industry can contribute to the economies of African countries and create jobs towards reducing poverty on the continent.”

T

By Joe Agbro Jr.

Saturday when it announced it was shutting down by 8:30pm as against its normal closing hour.

‘We will be shutting down at 8.30pm today due to diesel shortage,’ the station’s Twitter account @THEBEAT999FM read.

This is as a result of a lack of electricity with a combined lack of fuel to power the generating sets. ‘We have to ration. We will be back on tomorrow. We will keep you updated.’

Other stations in Lagos such as Classic FM, Naija FM and City FM have also cut down on their transmission hours as a result of the persistent fuel scarcity.

Information Minister spurs Censors Board

M •Ms Bala

INISTER of Information, Mrs. Patricia Akwashiki, has encouraged the Director General of the National Film and Video Censors Board (NFVCB), Ms Patricia Bala and her team to continue with their mandate of regulating the motion picture sector, irrespective of the challenges they may be having.

Akwashiki, who visited the Abuja office of the Board last week, noted that her mission was to rub minds with the leadership of the NFVCB on the functions and activities of the organization, on behalf og President Goodluck Jonathan.

Recalling her screen roles on the set of the popular TV serial, Village Headmaster, Akwashiki noted that Nollywood was an important part of the creative industry and charged the Board to see to the projection of a positive image for Nigeria through film.

Earlier in her welcome remarks, the Bala intimated the Minister of the challenges of the NFVCB which included poor funding.

The Minister and her entourage were then conducted round the facilities of the agency, including the film preview rooms where she acquainted herself with the processes of film censorship and verification.

to go and rest, but I am still very relevant.

“What I want you to know is that there is a cinema house in Ilorin. So you can come here and watch Nollywood films.

Today we are starting with five movies.

For Oluwasina, the producer of Ayomi, “this is a form of bringing movies to the cinema in a different and dynamic form. We want everybody to enjoy them.”

Tuface sustains campaign for non-violent youths

•Dada

Beat FM, other radio stations groan over fuel scarcity HE lingering fuel scarcity across the nation is having a negative effect on businesses as they are not able to operate at optimum capacity.

Among those who have been groaning under the fuel scarcity is Beat 99.9 FM. Following the persistent scarcity, the station has shortened its length of transmission.

On Sunday, the station via its Twitter handle, announced it was going off air, a situation which many link to the shortage of fuel.

‘We’re going off again,’ the station tweeted at around 2pm. ‘We’ll be back tomorrow at 6am.’

This was a repeat of how the radio station operated on

outlets and before the end of this year we will add another 25 or thereabout across the nation.”

Chief Bakare said that film producers in the country have been able to improve the standard and content of Nigerian movies technically.

He added that “the development can help the Nigerian movies as we are creating jobs; bringing new artistes. We want the old ones

IP HOP star, Tuface Idibia has pledged to continue to promote the values of peace and love among young people through his music.

Idibia made this commitment at the Vote Not Fight review and media roundtable organised by the Tuface Foundation and Youngster Foundation with support from National Democratic Institute in Ikeja, Lagos.

Vote Not Fight is a youth non-violence voter education campaign that promoted peaceful participation in the last elections. The campaign encouraged youths to make a commitment to shun violence and embrace peace.

It is hoped that Nigerians from all walks of life will commit to peaceful elections by signing a non-violence pledge.

Idibia, who expressed his satisfaction at the Vote Not Fight campaign initiatives said, “I have resolved to continue to work for peace, particularly among young people in Nigeria.”

He noted: “Vote Not Fight campaign has done a lot to contribute to the peaceful outcome of the election and I am so happy. It is driven by the Nigerian people who are tired of violence.”

Idibia decried a situation whereby the young people are always the tools used by politicians to foment trouble during and after any election in Nigeria.

Although, he was not seen to be campaigning for any politicians like some of his colleagues in the entertainment industry, Idibia said, “if there was no peace after the 2015 election, nobody will enjoy the money.”

While he noted that entertainers who were seen campaigning for politicians d

By Adeola Ogunlade

have the fundamental right to do so, he said “The Vote Not Fight is a non-partisan initiative and I had to show a worthy example by talking to everyone on the table to vote and not fight, no matter their party affiliation, to keep the dream alive.

“I had to pay the price. I try to keep myself in a position to do the right thing and not mislead people. I am for one love for all Nigerians, no matter their tribe, religion, language or culture,” he said.

The Programme Officer of National Democratic Institute, AnnabelUgwoke said that the institute will continue to support the campaign by leveraging on the skills, passion and commitments of all Nigerians, especially the youth.

•Tuface

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

49

THE NATION

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Kano, firm inaugurate N50b Abuja estate

T

HE Kano State Government and a firm, Urban Shelter Limited, have inaugurated a N45 billion housing estate in Abuja.

The estate, christened Evergreen Residences, is located in the Durumi District.

It comprises 108 units of four and five-bedroom maisonettes; four bedrooms terraces and three-bed-

From Bukola Amusan, Abuja

room blocks of apartments, on a 200, 000 m2 of land.

Other features in the estate include a 24-hour security, power and water supply services to be provided by a dedicated transformer and an automatic changeover system. The landscape has also been transformed from clogged cluster of buildings

to a collection of homes.

The estate, built on a public-private partnership (PPP) initiative, is part of effort of the state government to address the estimated 17 million housing deficit in the country.

Governor Rabiu Kwakwanso explained that the estate is a project

by Urban Shelter Limited with the state’s Pension Fund Trustees. He

said the land on which the estate was built is the contribution of the state to the agreement with the developer, which he declared to be “commensurate with its investment.”

And as part of the deal, the Kano State Trust Fund Trustees will get 20 housing units in the scheme.

Kwakwanso lauded the efforts of Urban Shelter Limited for execut-

ing such “a masterpiece”, urged home owners to acquire property in “this befitting neighborhood, because it has now been transformed from house to homes” Chairman, Urban Shelter Limited, Mallam Ibrahim Aliyu, also thanked the state government for the partnership, enjoining other states to emulate such initiative in the interest of the citizens.

Lagos tackles flooding

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• From left: Awofisayo; Mrs. Adjo Mfodwo, Manager, Anglophone West Africa, Mr. Sylvester Jobic, Country Group Manager, Sub-Saharan Africa, both of Bayer Environmental Science and , President, Pest Control Association of Nigeria (PECAN), Mr. Ayo Ogunyadeka, at a stakeholders’ seminar on pest control in Maryland, Lagos.

Bayer, HarvestField partner on pest-free environment

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FIRM, HarvestField Industries Limited, has sealed a deal with Bayer Environment Science, a German-based subsidiary of Bayer Pharmaceuticals of Germany.

The partnership entails the training of environmental health officials, stakeholders in the pest and rodent control business, officials of the National Agency for Food and Drug Administration and Control (NAFDAC) and the public.

It also includes the introduction to the selling and administration of modern pest and rodent control drugs.

So far, over 150 stakeholders had been trained.

The Country Group Manager, SubSaharan Africa, Bayer Environmental Science, Mr. Sylvestre Jobic, told The Nation that the firm was alsointroducing some products into Nigeria to control rodents and cockroaches.

The products include Max Force Gel, a phenomenal product for cockroaches; Tempo, a liquid insecticide to control general insect menace, and Rodilon, used for rodents control.

Jobic said the firm decided to partner the firm to introduce the brand because of the potential and the size of the country, which he reckons, makes it attrac-

By Muyiwa Lucas

tive for a any company.

Besides, he said Bayer has since realised that there was a need for such modern product because most of the products available in the market were old.

He assured that the products from were registered by NAFDAC, efficacious, and unrivaled.

“What we bring into the market is a new way of controlling cockroaches.

So, instead of spraying insecticide in your kitchen for instance, you just apply what we call “bait point” by attracting the cockroaches to the bait.

Before the cockroach dies it, it would have interacted with its colony and would transmit the drug to the others in its colony. So, even though the other cockroach did not contact the gel directly, it would have contacted it from the other cockroach; this is called the domino effect. This is entirely new in the market. In rat control, we introduced a new system which is the wax block, considering its nature. The wax block we introduced is water proof,” Jobic explained, adding that the products are safe for human beings and the environment.

Also, the Managing Director,

HarvestField Industries Limited, Mr. Martins Awofisayo, said most drugs being used for pest control were not certified. He said many people were ignorant of the type of product they should use to control pests, rodents and insecticides in their homes, which he said borders on cost. This, he said, necessitated the partnership with Bayer, a task that has taken four years to actualise.

“There is need to emphasise the challenges of costs associated with the use of Public Health Grade pest control products as against the use of Agro chemical grade products for domestic use. We need to bring to the attention of government authorities to support the reduction of import duties ( 25% + 5% VAT on categories of public health grade products on pests that carries deceases, such as Lassa Fever, Asthma, and Malaria) whilst agro chemicals carries five per cent duty only and no VAT payable. This has made agrochemical grade products a lot cheaper and thereby encourages its wrong use by Pest Control Operators,” Awofisayo noted.

With the partnership, he is confident that Nigerian homes can now get quality products to make their homes free of rodents and cockroaches.

Raise effective emergency panels, states, councils told

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HE National Emergency Agency (NEMA) has urged state and local governments to raise effective local emergency committees.

Its Director-General, Alhaji Muhammed Sidi, made the call in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital during a pre-flood campaign for non-governmental organisations and community-based organisations.

He said NEMA could not be in all the local and state governments at the same time to combat emergencies and disasters.

The DG, who was represented by the agency’s Head, Minna Operations Office, Slak Bijimi,urge state and local governments to play their part so that

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

everybody would feel the impact of what the government is doing.

He said disasters could be handled more effectively at the grassroots.

Bijimi explained that the need to be prepared for emergencies necessitated the creation of awareness by the agency, adding that this would go a long way in helping it to keep the communities safe and more resilient to disasters and emergencies.

“Though floods are devastating nature-induced disasters which have become common and persistent claiming lots of lives and causing serious damage to property and the environment, identification and adherence to

early warnings could, to a great extent, help to reduce the impact of flood disasters in our communities,” Bijimi noted, adding that communities are likely to become more vulnerable as they expand due to development; hence, the need to take time to identify and test community-based early warning system as part of the effective measures for preventing and preparing for floods and other disasters.

Since the 2012 flood with its devastating effects in Nigeria, the relevant government agencies have been bringing stakeholders together yearly, especially after the seasonal rainfall prediction by the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET) to discuss and prepare for the rains.

HE Lagos State Ministry of the Environment has intensified its dredging of primary channels and desilting of secondary collector drains to reduce flooding.

Speaking during an inspection of some maintenance and cleaning jobs, the Permanent Secretary, Office of Drainage Services of the ministry, Ayodeji Adenekan, expressed satisfaction with the level of work done, urging contractors to ensure the completion of the jobs before the rainy season peak period approaches.

The work consists of dredging of primary channels, such as the Badagry Channel, Ibiye Channel, LUTH Channel, System 1, Iju-Ajuwon, Gbolagas, Gedegede, Ikota Channels, Ibeju Lekki, Kemberi/Afromedia, Ojo Channel, Mercy Eneli, Jalupon, Ijeododo, Alimosho, among others to contain flooding in the state.

Adenekan explained that the ministry had, earlier, devised a threeway approach to aid its deflooding programme for the year.

This consists of the Pre-Rain Programme from January-April; MidRain Programme from May-August, and the Post Rain Programme from August-December. He said while the state has continued to dredge the primary channels, over 100 secondary desilting are ongoing to ensure that the state is flood free.

Adenekan listed some of the areas undergoing desilting as Moshalshi/ Egbeda, Okunola, Governor Road,

Isheri/Igando, Orelope, EgbedaAkowonjo, and Sasha Collector Drains in Alimosho areas.

In Apapa, desilting is also ongoing in NNS Quora, AP Tide Gate Channel (Rectangular/Trapezoidal), Wharf Road/Texaco, Child Avenue, Azare Creek Collector, and Kofo-Abayomi.

Similarly, in Eti-Osa, cleaning is ongoing at LSDPC Flats, Adeola Odeku, Kofo Abayomi, Ozumba Mbadiwe, Akin Adesola, Eko Court, among others.

Work is also ongoing on the drains in Ibeju-Lekki, Ikeja- Adekunle Fajuyi, Ikeja Bus-stop, Agidingbi, and Ajao Road.

In Mushin, there are Agege Motor Road, Ladipo-Apapa Expressway, Bishop-Fashoro -LUTH Drains etc, experiencing cleaning works, while rural areas like Ibeju-Lekki, Shomolu, etc are not left out of the deflooding exercise, including Oduyebo, Odongunyan, Ishawo, Ireshe, all in Ikorodu local government, are being attended to.

Adenekan, however, urged residents to avoid dumping of waste into drains as well as desist from patronising cart pushers, who dump the waste collected into canals, which leads to flooding.

“The peculiarity of Lagos being a lowline state, notwithstanding, the Lagos State Government will continue to embark on works that will ensure that the incidence of flooding is reduced to the barest minimum in the state,” Adenekan assured.

LaFarge trains artisans on quality

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S part of its efforts to ensure high quality work in construction, Cement giant, LaFarge WAPCO, has trained some artisans in Lagos.

The training focused on reducing incidents of failed buildings.

The guest trainer, Soji Okesina, an engineer, who delivered a lecture titled: “Standard quality blocks in construction, said mix quality is critical to making good blocks.

He regretted that artisans make poor and substandard blocks because of their desire to make huge profits, poor product knowledge and supervision, wrong selection of materials, poor workmanship, among others.

Okesina said to make a quality blocks, the mixture must be in the ratio 1:8 of the materials. These include sharp sand, clean water and cement, in the ratio 720 kg of sand (that is, four wheel barrow load of sand), 20 litres of water and one 50kg bag of cement to produce 28 pieces of nine inches blocks.

Okesina said using such mix guarantees a high strength for the block, ensures its resistance to dampness, thermal insulation, sound insulation and fire.

He charged block makers to make sure that their molding machines are in good condition by ensuring that they are adequately maintained, especially after pro-

ducing about 6, 000 blocks.

Okesina praised LaFarge’s “Elephant Supaset” cement, describing it as “a specific application cement with an innovative formulation that meet the high standard, early strength and long term durability,” saying it is used in specialised applications, such as precast, block making, and general concrete applications.

A distributor with the firm, Mr. Tunde Samard, who has been trading in the company’s products for over a decade, described the Supaset cement as an “excellent product with good quality, durable and affordable”.

He urged block makers to use quality materials for their blocks if they want to remain in business.

The Lagos Island Regional Manager, LaFarge, Mr. Segun Odukoya, said block makers are a pillar behind the continued successes being recorded by the firm.

“That is why we organised this training to further assist you in having a better understanding of the trade and to also cement our relationship with you as the main end users of our product. Also, it is to get an endorsement for our supaset cement brand, which is made for block molding and precast,” he explained.

Some of the block molders at the event also testified to the good quality of the supaset cement.

50

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS AVIATION

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NAHCO bows to agents’ demand

HE last may not have been heard about Nigerian Aviation Handling Company’s (NAHC’s) decision to raise cargo tariff by 20 per cent.

HAHCo initially raised the tariff by 30 per cent but was forced to reduce it to 20 per cent following protests by the Association of Nigerian Customs Licensed Agent (ANCLA).

NAHCO and the Skyways Aviation Handling Company Limited (SAHCOL) are the major cargo and passenger handling firms at the nation’s airports nationwide.

Importers and exporters paid N40 per kilogramme for cargo before the hike, but following the increment, they were expected to pay N52 per kilogramme, being 30 per cent increase Following resistance by

•Firm reduces cargo tarrif by 20 % Stories by Kelvin Osa-Okunbor

ANCL and National Assocition of Government Approved Freight Forwarders (NAGAF), NACHO reduced the tariff to 20 per cent, meaning that they would now pay N48 per kilogramme.

In an interview, NAHCo spokesman, Tayo Ajakaye, said the tariff reviewing process started in March, this year.

Ajakaye said the firm agreed to adjust the increment in cargo tariff from 30 per cent to 20 per cent based on the complaints.

He said NAHCO and ANCLA settled for 20 percent increase

last Thursday, adding “The new agreement means that NAHCO would have to revise downward the initial 30 percent increase it had started implementing while ANCLA would move up from zero to 20 percent.

Under the new arrangement importers and exporters would now pay N48 per kilogramme for cargo.

He went on: “In a meeting at the head office of NAHCO in Lagos, the negotiating team of ANCLA led by the Vice – Chairman, Bola Ashiru-Balogun, with

the Treasurer, Afolabi Azeez and the Financial Secretary, Obanla Alex, reached the agreement with NAHCO in the interest of the overall development of the industry and in realisation of the fact that both sides are in the current tough economic situation.”

Ashiru-Balogun described the adjustment as a bold step by the cargo firm, saying: “This is the first time in a long while that NAHCO would get its act right.”

Ashiru-Balogun said although

NAHCO described the agreement as a win-win situation,the feeling among agents is mixed, adding: “Though the tariff was expected, the implementation is being received with a mixed feeling among our members. To our teeming members, it is a lose – win situation.

NAHCO won this time and should be congratulated. However, ANCLA would win the next time.

“This is why we are calling for stronger relationship between the two partners. There is need to always consult ANCLA whenever issues that concern us are decided,” he added.

AIB boss urges professionals to raise standards

HE Commissioner /Chief Executive, Accident Investigations Bureau (AIB), Dr Felix Abali, has called on aviation professionals to raise the standard of professionalism and efficiency in Aeronautical Information Services ( AIS).

Speaking in Uyo at an event marking the World AIS Day, Dr Abali said all over the world, the aviation sector is undergoing rapid transformation and becoming more technically intensive as well as technology driven.

He said: “There is a growing need for the proper integration of man and machine, including training for effective operation in a seamless environment of zero tolerance or delays in safety critical AeronauticalInformation dissemination.”

Abali noted that the implementation of AIS automation in Nigeria was long overdue, adding that measures were being taken to actualise it and that safety delivery was a huge responsibility on AIS professionals. He said they needed to rededicate themselves towards the provision of a quality assured Aeronautical data.

According to him, the role of effective and efficiency of Air navigation is important hence the need to comply effectively.

The AIB Boss implored the management of Nigerian Civil Aviation Authority ( NCAA) Nigerian College of Aviation Technology ( NCAT) and NAMA to train and

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motivate all AIS staff for effective delivery of the risk ahead of them .

He added that capacity development was a vital solution to the growing cases of human factors which accounted for most of the accidents and serious incidents in the aviation industry.

He said safety remained the primary concern of the aviation community worldwide including military, civil, scheduled and non scheduled flight operations, chartered flights or commercial aviation using any form of aircraft.

Meanwhile, the Managing Director of Nigerian Airspace Management Agency (NAMA) Ibrahim Abdulsalam, has acknowledged that pivotal role being played by members of AIS, saying it is essential to NAMA. Represented by the Director of Human Resource of NAMA, Dr Uwem Akason, he said data managing and processing were vital to Airspace users hence the activities of AIS were taken very seriously.

Abdusalam assured them of the management’s support in training, saying that the agency was fashioning out ways of increasing its internally generated revenue to meet it’s internal request from staff.

While assuring of the minister’s resolve on the completion of AIS automation, the NAMA boss stressed the need for team work among staff to lift up the agency.

•From left: Vice Chairman ANCLA, Hon Bola Ashiru-Balogun and Managing Director NAHCO at a meeting on increment in cargo tariff in Lagos.

Travel Investment Company, others merge

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RAVEL Investment Company (TICO) has unveiled the first consolidation of the four largest travel agencies in Nigeria .

A fallout of the consolidation showed that the company generated over N36 billion revenue, amounting to about 20 per cent of

Bi-Courtney unveils MMA2KIARace

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Bi-Courtney Aviation Services Limited (BASL), operator of the Murtala Muhammed Airport Terminal Two (MMA2), has unveiled its online competition, titled: MMA2KIARace.

The promo, according to the spokesman of the firm , Mr Remi Ladigbolu, is Instagram-driven and can be accessed by fans on the new MMA2 corporate website: www.mma2.com.ng, its Twitter handle i: @MMA2Bicourtney and Facebook page: MMA2Bicourtney.

Ladigbolu said the online competition being the first-of-its-kind competition is designed by Gr8n, a marketing communications firm, aimed at further encourag-

ing the public to embrace available online resources to conduct their businesses and social interactions.

According to him: “Participants are expected to follow the MMA2KIARACE handle on instagram @mma2kiarace, repost and simply follow the given instructions.

The competition, like past innovations by BASL, is inspired by the conviction that Nigeria can no longer afford to swim against the tide and must fully embrace the digital media for all its transactions and interactions, as is the case in developed parts of the world.

“This will, undoubtedly, save a lot of time and resources cur-

rently being expended doing businesses that can easily be conducted within the confines of our homes and offices.

It is in the pursuit of these objectives that BASL has redesigned the MMA2 website, with a vision to developing it into a one-stop platform for anything and everything aviation and much more.

“For the competition, BASL is partnering brands such as Dana Air, Le Meridien, Microsoft Lumia, Levi’s, Swatch, TM Lewin, KFC and Pepsi, all in its bid to make the competition highly rewarding for not only the winner but also participants.

The star prize is a new KIA Rio.”

•Firm ‘made N36b in 2014’ the travel industry revenue last year.

The merging agencies include: Touchdown Travels, Quantum Travels, Finchglow Travels and Dees Travels.

The group Chairman, Mr Michael Otubu, said the agencies, merger would strengthen their position in the travel industry as well as raise service delivery.

He said the company was incorporated in 2013 as a pioneer consolidation of travel agencies with a mandate to bring changes in travel business.

TICO, he said, would ensure dynamism in the industry, and focus on offering large volume of transactions and quality services to travellers at the best rates Otubu said: “Travel Investment Company, through its principal agencies, is poised to offer meaningful travel experience and customer service to travellers. This translates to the raising of professional standards of the Nigerian travel industry to international practice benchmark and wide service offerings to clients. This positioning is strengthened by the 50

years of combined industry experience of the principal agencies.

“In 2014, TICO generated a combined revenue of over N36 billion that amounts to approximately 20 per cent of the industry revenue.

This performance quotient speaks as much of the market potentials in the travel industry as in the power of this consortium’s standing in the industry.

“In the past 16 months, TICO has become the most engaging and pervasive partner for all major airlines in Nigeria. A lot of our airline partners, having sensed the opportunity, have moved quickly to embrace our services and expanded the scope of our partnership accord-ingly.”

TICO’s chief executive officer Mrs Irene Uti- Egbeogu said that the consolidation was conceived when the travel industry was facing challenges.

She said: “These shake ups quickly started fading with the footsteps of technology experts who began to bring their strong technological and industry experience to bear on competent travel consultancy.”

51

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

THE NATION

BUSINESS ENERGY

E-mail:- energy@thenationonlineng.net

Nigeria, the world’s seventh largest oil exporter, is unable to meet its domestic fuel needs. In the past four weeks, Nigerians have been groaning under a biting fuel scarcity. Where they get petrol to buy, they pay through the nose. This has paved the way for adulteration, among other sharp practices. For how long will this continue? Is deregulation, as some suggest, the way out? EMEKA UGWUANYI examines the issue.

Is deregulation the answer?

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N acute scarcity of petrol has led to long queues of vehicles, motorcycles and people clutching jerry cans at filling stations.

It appears there is no solution to the problem. The marketers and the Ministry of Finance are waiting to see who blinks first. The citizens are bearing the brunt as marketers sell at over the regulated price of N87 per litre. Currently, most of the retail outlets don’t sell to vehicles; they prefer to sell to hawkers who sell to motorists in 10-litre containers at between N250 and N400 per litre.

The marketers claim the government owes them over N200 billion in subsidy arrears and are insisting on "no pay no fuel import"; the government, which has three days to the end of its tenure, is buying time so that the incoming administration will inherit the debt - and its consequences.

The government's inability to pay its debt, according to the operators, seems to confirm the allegation that Nigeria is broke. But the Minister of Finance and the Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, has refuted the allegation several times. If the government is not broke, why did it issue a post-dated N100 billion cheque last month to the marketers?

Why can't it pay its debts, which accrued from a business deal and save Nigerians from going through this harrowing experience? operators asked.

Petrol scarcity has been caused by delays in the payment of subsidies to marketers, a situation that adversely affects economic activities.

Besides, the failure to pay subsidy encourages marketers and tanker drivers to cut corners.

Is fuel subsidy sustainable?

The fight for the removal of fuel subsidy and full deregulation of the downstream sector of the petroleum industry started during President Olusegun Obasanjo's administration. At a point, Mr. Funsho Kupolokun, a former Special Adviser to the President and a former Group Managing Director of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC), was nicknamed "Mr. Deregulation," for his campaign for the deregulation of the sector. The government wanted to deregulate the sector then, but the coalition of labour and civil society groups rose against it and the plan was stopped. Every government since, then, has made attempts to stop fuel subsidy, but couldn't achieve it owing to protests and strikes.

A former Group Managing Director of the NNPC and Minister of Petroleum Resources, now a traditional ruler in Rivers State, the Amayanabo of Nembe Kingdom, Mingi XII, Dr. Edmund Daukoru, noted that the reasons for lack of support and hostility towards the government's deregulation policy were as a result of broken promises by past governments, poor imple-

mentation record, poor track record of price decline in the country, mistrust, and lack of proper approach to public enlightenment. He said the government could not sustain deregulation because the number of consumers increase yearly and the refineries were not working to make the petroleum products available.

However, each year, the cost of subsidy continued to soar reaching its zenith in 2011, when over N2.1 trillion, about half of the federal budget for that year, was spent on subsidy. Rattled by that expenditure, the Federal Government on January 1, 2012 announced full deregulation of the sector and a litre of petrol sold about N140. Supported by the public, labour and civil society groups, again, rose against it. The opposition grounded economic activities across the country for over a week, and the government, again, succumbed to regulation and fixed the price of a litre of fuel at N97 after series of engagements with the labour and civil society groups.

Despite entreaties by the government and operators of the downstream sector to persuade the populace to embrace deregulation, which will attract investors to build refineries and make petroleum products cheaper, labour groups opposed it.

From 2006 to date, trillions of naira have been spent on fuel. For instance, a breakdown of the subsidy payments showed that N261.105 billion was spent in 2006, N278.859 billion in 2007, N630.571 billion in 2008, N463.517 billion in 2009, N673 billion in 2010, over N2.1 trillion in 2011, N1.5 trillion in 2012, and N1.1 trillion 2013 and, certainly, 2014 subsidy shouldn't be less than a trillion naira. The regrettable aspect of the fuel subsidy regime, according to an official of the Finance Ministry, is that the government pays for the interests on bank loans taken by marketers as well as the foreign exchange differentials. For example, the government last year paid the marketers N345 billion, which was subsidy for 2013 and part of 2014 leaving an outstanding of N264 billion for the remaining part of 2014 and January, this year. Out of the N264 billion, the main subsidy was N164 billion while the foreign exchange differential and interest on loans from banks was N100 billion. By end of February, the debt has risen to N354 billion, of which the Federal Government paid N154 billion in April, leaving a balance of N200 billion, which is the reason marketers refused to import fuel. Also by the time the government agrees to pay, the debt could have risen to over N300 billion. However, the outgoing

•Queues at a filling station

government should endeavour to settle its debts to the marketers because it is an agreement, so that the incoming government should decide whether to continue with subsidy or not, the official said.

Also, the oil majors in the downstream, such as Total and Mobil Plc have at various yearly general meetings told their shareholders that their inability to build refineries in Nigeria is because of regulation of fuel price, adding that shareholders' money cannot be subjected to such risks. It is also in view of the recurring fuel scarcity coupled with dysfunctional refineries that the Minister of Petroleum Resources, Mrs Diezani Alison-Madueke, said the dependence on imported petroleum products and payment of subsidy would not help the country, adding that the only remedy is the deregulation of the downstream sub-sector. "We can't eat our cake and have it, without deregulation of the downstream oil sector; investors will not come and invest, so we must think of deregulating our downstream sooner or later for us to have a lasting solution," she said.

Why marketers refused to import Earlier, whenever the government makes a part payment to the marketers on how huge the outstanding debt is, it calls the marketers to a meeting, assure them on the payment of the balance and plead with the marketers to resume importation. But it is not so this time. Besides, the National Assembly has reduced subsidy money in the budget to a very insignificant level, sending signals of full deregulation of the sector. The banks have also stopped funding fuel import by marketers because of fear of owing.

However, operators have condemned the action of the government for avoiding payment because the subsidy model instructs the oil marketers to import petroleum products with their money, while the government pays them the differential between the actual cost of pump price and the regulated price as well as the interest on bank loans and foreign exchange. Therefore, if these patriot marketers commit their money to this project, exposing them to huge financial risks and interests on bank loans, the government should fulfill its part of the agreement. The agreement as enshrined in the Petroleum Support Fund (PSF) is that within 45 days of import with verifications of documents by the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA), payment will be made. But the government is not faithful to this agreement as payment is delayed into several months and years leading to unwarranted accumulation of interests on loans, the operators said.

The recent drastic fall in value of the naira substantially affected the subsidy debt profile as the petroleum imports are carried out in dollar.

Therefore, when the costs of transactions are converted into naira, the amount soars. They said the administration should clear the arrears of outstanding claims before handing over to the new government on May 29, this year because the new government might further delay payment under the guise of probes, which could lead to another round of scarcity.

The Executive Secretary, Major Oil Marketers Association of Nigeria (MOMAN) Mr. Obafemi Olawore told reporters that after a meeting with the Minister of Finance and Coordinating Minister of the Economy, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, in January to discuss the mode of payment of the subsidy, she assured the marketers the debt would be

‘The dependence on imported petroleum products and payment of subsidy would not help the country... the only remedy is the deregulation of the downstream sub-sector’

cleared by the end of March, a promise she didn't fulfill. The government only paid us N154 billion, out of N354 billion, he added.

The debt covered money owed MOMAN members, which consist of Mobil, Oando, MRS, Total, Conoil and Forte Oil and members of Depot and Petroleum Products Marketers Association (DAPPMA) as well as members of the National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) that lift the products to the various parts of the country.

However, the conflicting figures of the actual amount owed the marketers also worsened the non-payment of subsidy and import of fuel.

According to Olawore, the marketers are owed N200 billion while the Ministry of Finance said it is N131 billion. He said the N200 billion debt has been confirmed by the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) and the Petroleum Products Pricing Regulatory Agency (PPPRA) but that Mrs Okonjo-Iweala still went on to set up a committee to verify the claims. The government is blaming the delay in the payment to the non-completion of the verification, which according to Olawore, is a ploy to pass the debt to the incoming government on May 29.

The implication of this approach by the President Goodluck Jonathan government is that if the debt is passed on to the new government, the process of verification and approvals by PPPRA, CBN, Debt Management Office (DMO) and Minister of Finance, would start afresh and could take some months to complete, thereby compounding the fuel scarcity.

The marketers have held a meeting on the issue of the conflicting debts. It was attended by the CBN and other stakeholders. But the matter wasn't resolved. Mrs OkonjoIweala, it was learnt, said the outstanding claims would be paid by the new government, adding that government is a continuum. "The understanding reached with the marketers, is that all the outstanding debts owed will be paid based on claims processed by Petroleum Pricing Products Regulatory Agency (PPPRA).

52

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

ENERGY ‘More transmission facilities’ll help Ikeja Electric spends N21b monitor power use’ on smart meters T C

USTOMERS without prepaid meters may soon have cause to smile.

The Ikeja Electric Distribution Company (IKEDC) has bought about 276,084 smart meters for $ 106 million (about N21.09 billion) for its residential, commercial and industrial customers. The meters will be deployed in phases, said IKEDC Chief Executive Officer, Abiodun Agifowobaje.

At the unveiling of the meters in Lagos, Agifowobaje said the installation’s pilot scheme would run from next month to July.

The success of the pilot scheme would determine how fast the implementation would be. Areas slated for the pilot scheme are Abule-Egba, Akowonjo, Ikeja, Ikorodu, Oshodi and Shomolu, adding that the scheme will be carried out with 2000 customers.

According to him, the roll out represents a remarkable step in the company’s quest for redefining service delivery in the sector.

“This development resonates with our new spirit, new drive and new energy identity, as we strive to

•Pilot installation begins June

By Emeka Ugwuanyi & Adedeji Ademigbuji

create value for our customers,” he said.

The metering programme tagged: “Ikeja Electric’s Advanced Meter Infrastructure (AMI)”, he said, is a state-of-the-art technology that enables utilities to read, disconnect and connect meters remotely it will also detect individual customer outages quickly using a wireless communications network. Under the project, he said, today’s electric meters would be replaced with “next generation” electronic meter technology that improves customer service and enables customers to proactively manage their energy use and save money by participating in new programs with time differentiated rates and demand response options.

Aside accurate consumption information, the advanced metering sys-

tem is capable of collecting other data such as power outage, restoration alerts and meter tampering data to detect theft of energy, he said.

Ajifowobaje said the company chose to introduce smart meters because of their benefits to customers, adding that they will guarantee accurate reading without estimate and enhance security of equipment.

To the customers, he said the estimation would eradicated through improved billing, adding: “Customers will also be able to track the usage of electricity and eliminate energy wastage.”

Ajifowobaje appealed to customers to support the project to ensure hitch-free deployment and adopt an ownership attitude that will ensure the protection of their meters and other equipment within their localities.

HE building of more transmission substations by the Federal Government would help in ascertaining the voltage of power used in various parts of the country, Minister of Power Prof Chinedu Nebo has said.

Speaking at the inauguration of the 2×60MVA 132/33KVA transmission substation in Ayobo, Lagos, he said it would not be difficult for people to know the volume of voltage used in a given locality, when more transmission sub-stations are built.

He said: “The construction of a transmission substation in Ayobo, Lagos would add 98 megawatts (MW) of electricity to the capacity of the Ikeja West transmission station as well as make it easier to get the right voltage for neighbouring area like Ota, Ogun State.”

Nebo said the substation was built by Messrs LagaCe Power Limited at a cost of N612.7million, adding it will boost power supply in Ayobo and its environs. “Industrial activities would pick up in Ayobo and other communities in the zone, as a result of the new transmission sub- station provided by the government. When this happens, there would be increase in

By Akinola Ajibade

capacity utilisation of companies in the area ditto business activities. This is means more jobs are going to be created and the economy will improve. The multiplier effects of power projects undertaken by the government are huge because people would benefit directly or indirectly.”

He said the out-going administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has achieved a lot for the sector in the last six years.

This, he said, is evident by the provision of on-grid and off-grid electricity transmission system in the nooks and crannies of the country.

He said the government has provided renewable energy sources, such as solar in villages to compliment power generated through conventional means such as gas and hydro.

“No government has been able to surpass the achievements of President Jonathan’s government in the area of electricity.

The government has committed huge funds to grow the sector.

In the area of generation, transmission, and transmission of electricity, colossal amount of money has been devoted as part of efforts to make the power works,” Nebo added.

Our waiver followed due process, says Seplat chief

S

•Transmission facility

How peaceful poll saved $3.5b Total oil project

T

HE peaceful presidential election saved the country from losing the $3.5bilion Total's Egina field's floating production, storage and offloading (FPSO) project,Managing Director, LADOL Integrated Logistics Enterprise, Dr Amy Jadesimi, has said.

Ms Jadesinmi, who spoke to reporters in Lagos, said the country would have lost the investment if the election was marred by violence.

She said there was apprehension before and during the election, adding that the development made people to conclude that the country was heading for crisis which would have had strong implications on the socio-economic activities.

Ms Jadesimi, during a tour of the company's facility, said the multibillion dollar oil and gas investment in LADOL Free Trade Zone (FTZ), Apapa, Lagos would have gone down the drain if politicians had refused to exhibit the spirit of sportsmanship.

She said: "The outcome of the

By Akinola Ajibade

election was favourable. There was a peaceful atmosphere in the country. Hard it been the country is in turmoil, the Egina FPSO project would have suffered. Also, the benefits that are being expected from the project by stakeholders would not be realised.

"The Lagos Deep Offshore Logistics Base (LADOL) is targeting 50,000 direct and indirect jobs from the project. This goal would not be realised if there is crisis in the country.

"The whole world focused attention on Nigeria because of the election. The perception of Nigeria by the international communities was high. The developed nations were expecting much from Nigeria in the area of conducting a peaceful election, due to its role in Africa. We thank God there was no pre- and postelection violence that could have affected the ongoing oil and gas project in LADOL." Ms Jadesimi said some activities on the project could not hold due to the political fever that grippedthe

nation during the election. She said the decision of President Goodluck Jonathan to accept defeat before the announcement of the final result of the election saved Nigeria from political violence that would have affected businesses.

"Though I'm not a politician and do not belong to any political group, the clement political weather arising from the election, has helped in facilitating the growth of the project,'' she said.

She urged stakeholders to continue to support the project to enable it realise its goal of serving the needs of local and international oil firms, adding that the potential in the free trade zones are massive, and require the support of operators in the oil and gas, maritime and others to promote economic growth.

Ms Jadesinmi said the growth of the oil and gas industry is tied to nation's security, urging the government to make the operating environment more conducive for oil operators.

The cost of the FPSO, which was initially $3.2 billion was increased by $300million, following a lengthy legal tussle on the issue.

EPLAT Petroleum Development Company Plc has clarified reports that it benefited from improper tax waivers granted by the Federal Government, saying the company followed due process and used the incentive to grow the economy.

Seplat said it is its policy not to comment on statements or business dealings with the government, but, however, deemed it necessary to clarify its position on this matter.

The company’s Chief Executive Officer, Austin Avuru noted: “In 2013, SEPLAT applied for pioneer status incentive through the Nigerian Investment Promotion Council (NIPC) as the government body responsible for investment promotion. The company followed the prescribed process for application and provided all the information and documentation required in support of the application.”

It also noted that the incentive

was part of an exercise for the industry and that the company was one out of 15 oil and gas firms that were granted the pioneer tax incentive.

“SEPLAT believes that it is an excellent example of the whole purpose of establishing the pioneer incentive scheme. The company has fully re-invested the tax savings from the grant and has delivered verifiable results thereto. SEPLAT is now a key supplier of gas to the domestic market which is the direct outcome of the pioneer incentive granted to SEPLAT and aims to continue to contribute meaningfully to the growth and development of the Nigerian economy.”

On the benefits from the tax holiday to the economy, Seplat said the grant of pioneer status has made it possible for the company to boost oil and gas production, provide employment opportunities, impact on their communities and help grow the economy.

Oando rewards distributors

O

ANDO Marketing Plc has rewarded its distributors for their outstanding performance. They were rewarded at Four Points by Sheraton, Lekki Peninsula, Lagos.

The event with the theme “Lubes Distributors Award 2015/ strategic business review meeting” was attended by Oando’s top lubricants distributors from across the country.

A customer, Hamisu Dantiki, emerged the Best Distributor for the year. Mr. Aronu Ifeanyi, Ogbus Enterprise, and Alhaji Adeleke Lateef won in the “Aluminium Category” awards.

The Chief Operating Officer, Oando Marketing Plc., Mrs Olaposi Williams, said the event, which is in its third year, was organised to appreciate lu-

By Akinola Ajibade

bricant distributors, and others to work harder.

She appealed to distributors to promote the company’s products. “We have conducted research on the Oando lubricant to know how best to carry out our marketing. Based on feedbacks, we have been able to improve activities across board to promote the brand. Also, we are partnering with other industry stakeholders, including the Lady Mechanic Initiative which led to us supporting the 10th Anniversary of the initiative and inauguration of the Lady Mechanic Alumni programme,” she added.

Dantiki said the award would boost the morale of the distributors as well as help in the growth of the company.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

53

NEWS

Court declines Kashamu’s request against NDLEA T HE Federal High Court stting in Lagos yesterday declined to restrain the Nigeria Drugs Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) from arresting Senator-elect Buruji Kashamu.

Justice Ibrahim Buba made the order consequent upon an ex-parte order brought by Kashamu’s lawyer Ajibola Oluyede.

Kashamu is a financier of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the Southwest.

The United States said he has a pending case of heroine trafficking dating back to 1994 to answer, but he insists he is innocent.

Following the extradition request from the U.S., the NDLEA operatives stormed Kashamu’s residence in Lekki, Lagos on Saturday.

The siege was still on as at yesterday.

The NDLEA, in a statement yesterday by its spokesman Mitchel Ofoyeju, said the Ogun-East Senatorelect, “failed to appear in court from his house where

By Precious Igbonwelundu and Kelvin Osa Okunbor

he is being closely monitored by operatives of the NDLEA.” He added that “the Agency is working hard to ensure that he submits himself to the due process of the law. His house remained cordoned by antinarcotic officers pending his appearance in court.

“The extradition move by the NDLEA for Kashamu to answer drug trafficking charges is legal.

“The Agency has not violated his rights and will continue to work within the confines of the law.

“He has been assured that due process of the law shall be adhered to at every stage.

“The NDLEA is the appropriate government Agency to implement his extradition request and will diligently pursue the processes to a logical conclusion.

“It is expected that Kashamu will willingly submit himself to the laws of the country under which he seeks

to serve as a senator.”

Justice Buba yesterday also ordered the Attorney-General of the Federation, Mohammed Adoke and Chairman NDLEA Ahmadu Giade to appear before him today to explain why they should not be held for contempt for ‘invading’ Kashamu’s residence.

In an in-chamber ruling, the court declined to entertain the ex-parte motion and ordered Kashamu to put Adoke and Giade on notice to appear before him in order to be heard.

He ruled that the order was in view of the urgent nature of the matter and in light of subsisting judgment and court orders.

“In view of the urgent nature of this matter, and in light of subsisting judgment and court orders, instead of hearing an ex-parte application, the respondents are ordered to be put on notice to appear in court on May 26, at 12pm in order to be heard.

“And in view of subsisting judgment and court orders,

time be and is hereby abridged for the respondents to appear. This order and the motion on notice shall be served unfailingly,” the order stated.

In a Motion on Notice for committal brought pursuant to order 35 of the Federal High Court (Civil Procedure) Rules, 2009, Oluyede had prayed the court to rule that the respondents are in criminal contempt of court for obstructing justice by the willful violation of a court judgment dated January 6, 2014.

He prayed the court to declare that the invasion, destruction of property, harassment, humiliation, arrest and detention of Kashamu

by NDLEA at the instance of the AGF since Saturday, as well as any extradition proceedings commenced thereupon, constitute criminal contempt in view of the said judgment and another pending ruling before the Federal High Court.

Oluyede prayed a declaration that the actions of the respondents are illegal, null

and void, praying the court for an order directing the immediate and unconditional release of Kashamu within two hours of the pronouncement, just as he urged the court for a restraining order against the respondents from further intimidating, harassing, laying siege or confiscating any of Kashamu’s properties.

He accused Giade of plot to preempt the judicial process by deploying about 50 fully armed NDLEA officials, pursuant to the verbal instruction of the AGF, to invade Kashamu’s home around 4am on May 23.

The lawyer claimed that the Senator-elect’s residence was burgled by the men who put him under house arrest.

“They broke his gate, doors, windows to gain entrance. Destroyed properties, harassed infant children and his pregnant wife, humiliated the applicant at gun point, arrested and detained him in his house after attempts to forcibly ship him off to the US truncated by media expo-

•Aviation workers protesting against the “highhandedness” of Air Force officials at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Ikeja, Lagos....yesterday.

PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE

Senate Presidency: Saraki unfolds agenda

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HE Chairman of Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, Senator Abubakar Bukola Saraki, yesterday unfolded his agenda for the 8th Senate, if elected its president.

Saraki spoke during an interactive session with reporters in Abuja.

He said one of his cardinal objective would be to make the ordinary man on the streets know and feel the impact of the work of the upper chamber.

The Senator representing Kwara Central said it was necessary for the red chamber to reconnect with the citizenry for

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

the legislature to be representative of all.

He insisted that some Nigerians still ask what legislators are doing at the National Assembly because they have not been made to understand the nature of their assignments.

Saraki said: “What I am hoping to be able to contribute is to be able to see at the legislative arm of government that we can begin to have an impact on how the country improves.

“I think one of the major concerns by the Nigerian people is

that they don’t really feel the impact of those of us in the National Assembly, whether in the House of Representatives or in the Senate.

“That is why people will begin to ask you what are they doing there? How do they affect my daily life? I think that is what we should begin to do.

“We have to begin to reconnect with the Nigerian people and to reconnect in the sense that we have a National Assembly that Nigerians can begin to see its value and they can now know the reason why they are there.

“If you ask a lot of Nigerians

Amosun dissolves exco, others

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GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun yesterday dissolved the Executive Council, four days to the expiration of his first term.

Those affected by the dissolution are secretary to the state government, chief of staff, commissioners, special advisers, consultants, senior special assistants, special assistants, and personal assistants.

The outgoing officials were directed to hand over to the most senior civil servant in their respective Ministries, Department and Agencies.

The governor, who lauded the political

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

appointees during the extended executive council meeting at Oke-Mosan Governor’s Office, said their valuable support, co-operation and devotion, ensured the success of the administration’s Mission to Rebuild Ogun State.

According to him, they remained part of the team that laid the foundation for a new Ogun State as posterity would be kind to them for their hard work.

Amosun prayed that God should bless the outgoing officials and grant them success in their future endeavours.

today, they will just tell you that those are just 400 - 500 legislators that they really can’t see what they are doing either back in their constituencies or impact nationally.”

He added that it was time for the legislature to begin to play active roles on how major issues that affect the people are being solved.

He argued that even though the Senate had played stabilising roles in moments of dire crisis in the nation, it was time for it to go beyond its past achievements to fashion out a national agenda and laws that transcend party lines.

He said: “If we are to address unemployment, I don’t think we will have any differences. If we are to address diversification of the economy - talking about agriculture or mining - I think both the APC and the PDP will be on the same page.

“If you are talking about transparent management of a central account for our revenue, we will be on the same page.

“So, these are major policy issues that the National Assembly must be seen to be playing a key role in supporting.”

He said Senate and the House

sure”.

Oluyede said his client decided to file a committal charge after NDLEA failed to bring Kashamu in court as they earlier promised.

He accused the agency of not having any arrest warrant, just as he claimed that the NDLEA had filed no application before any court before unlawfully invading his client’s home.

“Extradition procedure requires submission of the request to the court for the court to go through and exercise its discretion whether or not, the person being requested should be extradited. That is what will give us confidence that lawful duty is being carried out.

“In this case, no warrant was shown. They don’t have any warrant for arrest. Go to the registry now, you will see a gentleman from NDLEA filing application for a provisional warrant of arrest. That is to show you that they do not have any extradition order,” said Oluyede.

Kashamu’s supporters invaded the court premises protesting the siege to his residence.

Some of the inscriptions include: “UK court discharged him; Illegal extradition; Kashamu’s life is being threatened; We want due process followed; It is high time we stopped illegality; Kashamu’s arrest is a slap to human rights.”

The protesters who said they came from Ijebu-Igbo decried the ‘persecution’ of their Senator-elect, calling on the authorities to leave him alone.

Former Ogun State People’s Democratic Party (PDP) Secretary, Yemi Akinwunmi who spoke on behalf of the protesters said Kashamu brightened their hope and saved the party from complete death in the state.

“In the process of liberating us, making us relevant in the politics of Nigeria, he stepped on one or two toes.

They are the ones now on him, not America.”

Assembly seat: Appeal Court fixes June 15 for hearing in lawmaker-elect’s suit

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HE Court of Appeal in Lagos yesterday fixed June 15, for hearing of an objection raised by former secretary of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Wasiu Eshilokun, in the struggle for Lagos Island Constituency 1 seat.

Eshilokun is objecting the bid by his opponent, Hakeem Masha to amend the notice of appeal in the suit over the House of Assembly seat.

Eshilokun claimed he polled 186 votes during the party’s primary. But was substituted with Masha, who got 70 votes.

Angered by the development, he filed a suit before Justice Ibrahim Buba of a Federal High Court in Lagos, who ordered the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to recognise Eshilokun as the candidate of the party.

In his judgment, Justice Buba held that the evidence before him showed incontrovertibly that Eshilokun won the APC primary.

But Masha, through his lawyer, Badejo Bonojo (SAN) appealed the judge’s verdict, seeking an overrule.

By Precious Igbonwelundu

At the resumed hearing yesterday, Bonojo indicated interest in amending one of the three notices of appeal which he filed, a move that was objected to by the respondent’s lawyer, Wahab Shittu.

Shittu pointed out that Masha filed three notices of appeal. One was dated March 6; the second, March 26 and the third, May 14.

He argued that those of March 6 and 26 were wrongly addressed to the Federal High Court, whereas they were for Appeal Court.

The May 14 notice, according to Shittu, was incompetent, adding that the question of amendment does not arise.

He said the notice was of mixed law and facts, adding that the leave of court must be required for such notice to file, which he said was not done in the instant case.

The matter, was, however adjourned by the lead judge, Justice Sidi Bage following a request for time made by lawyer to INEC to enable him reply to the appellant’s amended brief.

54

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 25-05-15

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 25-05-15

Nigerian equities stumble further amidst fuel scarcity

H

ARD-PRESSED by biting fuel scarcity and resultant demand for additional cash, investors returned to the stock market on Monday with more sale orders than purchase, sustaining a five-day consecutive decline that had reversed the stock market back into the negative.

Average loss at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) yesterday stood at 0.35 per cent, increasing the market’s overall year to-date return to -1.46 per cent. With 26 decliners to 21 advancers, market’s total volume and value rose by 9.12 per cent and 33.05 per cent respectively, underlining the skew towards sales.

The All Share Index (ASI), the composite value-based index that tracks prices of all quoted equities, declined to 34,151.81 points as against its opening index of 34,272.09 points. Two other dominant indices, the NSE 30 Index and the NSE Banking Index also dropped by 0.35 per cent and 0.68 per cent respectively, indicating

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

losses suffered by several highly capitalised stocks. Aggregate market value of all quoted companies dropped from N11.644 trillion to N11.603 trillion.

Market analysts said the fuel scarcity affected the number of traders and sentiments at the stock market. Vitafoam Nigeria Plc, which was scheduled to make presentation to the NSE today, cancelled the event citing the fuel scarcity.

Many petroleum stocks were among the top losers. Seplat Petroleum Development Company lost N10 to close at N340. Mobil Oil Nigeria dropped by N4 to close at N150 while Conoil lost 91 kobo to close at N41. Other top losers included Nestle Nigeria, which led the table with a loss of N11 to close at N870; Dangote Cement, which dropped by 90 kobo to N177; National Salt Company of

Nigeria, which lost 75 kobo to close at N7.30; Presco slipped by 68 kobo to N30.01; Union Bank of Nigeria declined by 45 kobo to N10.05. Zenith Bank lost 25 kobo to close at N22 while Dangote Flour Mills declined by 16 kobo to close at N3.91 per share.

Total turnover stood at 220.48 million shares valued at N2.75 billion in 3,617 deals.

Banks dominated activities’ chart. United Bank for Africa was the most active stock with a turnover of 49.33 million shares worth N256.03 million in 192 deals. Access Bank followed with a turnover of 29.03 million shares valued at N182.73 million in 152 deals.

FCMB Group placed third with 12.96 million shares worth N40.17 million in 54 deals.

Zenith Bank followed with 10.73 million shares valued at N236.24 million in 226 deals while FBN Holdings occupied the fifth position with 10.39 million shares worth N95.02 million in 334 deals.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 25 -05-15

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

55

MONEYLINK

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AMCON recovers 57% bad debts T HE Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) said it has recovered 57 per cent of the bad debts it took on five years ago to rescue banks from collapse.

“We’re a little bit behind, but not too far behind, what we expected. The courts are a constraining factor. As much as we want to carry a hammer, we still have to go through the court system and remain an institution that obeys the laws. That takes time,” Chief Executive Officer Mustafa Chike-Obi told Bloomberg.

The AMCON managed to collect or reorganise the debts it bought at a rate of 1.07 times for what it paid for them, above its 80 percent target, he said. Modeled on organisations including Ireland’s National Asset Management Agency Ltd. and Korea Asset Management Corporation,

Stories by Collins Nweze

AMCON used bonds to bail out 10 lenders and buy more than 12,000 loans from industries including aviation, gasoline marketing and manufacturing for about N1.8 trillion ($9 billion).

A clean-up of the industry means Nigerian banks are better able to withstand shocks even as non-performing loans rise following the latest oil slump, Chike-Obi said. It is unlikely that lenders will be offered another bailout, he said.

“If the central bank, whose decision it is mostly, did ask us, we’d have to think very seriously about it,” he said this month. “But there’s not much appetite from the central bank,

•Chike-Obi Amcon or the nation for this. Nobody wants it.” Keystone Bank, the biggest of three banks nationalised after the 2009 crisis, will probably be sold this year, he said.

Fuel crisis: Bank customers fault early closure

S

EVERE fuel shortages yesterday forced many to close their branches nationwide between 1.00pm and 2pm to cut cost of operations. Aside GTBank, Union Bank, First City Monument Bank (FCMB) which officially announced they will close their branches early, many other lenders never did. A visit to FirstBank, Sterling Bank and Diamond Bank within the Mushin axis in Lagos, showed they closed earlier than 4.pm official closing time.

Michael Obi, a customer of one of the new generation bank, said he was disappointed when she visited her bank and wanted to deposit money only to find out that it had closed. “I wanted to deposit money into my sister’s account but they had closed by 1.00pm. It was so painful because

she needs the money to pay a creditor,” he said.

Another customer said her bank also closed early and since she is not using Automated Teller Machine (ATM) card, she could not make withdrawal. “I had to borrow from a friend to sort out personal bills till tomorrow. I paid transport to get to the bank only to be disappointed,” she said.

The telecommunications, banking and aviation sectors have been brought to a virtual standstill because fuel is needed to power the private generators that produce most of the electricity.

Union Bank of Nigeria said yesterday it would close all of its branches across the country at 2 pm due to a national fuel shortage as it relies on diesel generators to run its operations.

“We are closing operations by 2

pm today because of lack of fuel to power our operations,” a bank spokesman told Reuters.

In emailed note to customers, GTBank said the current shortage of petroleum products in the country has limited its ability to supply diesel to all its branches, in order to continue normal branch operations.

“Due to this, we unavoidably have to close our branches nationwide at 1pm, from tomorrow (yesterday). Whilst we have had to take this step to close branch operations early, we would like to seek your understanding at this time, and assure you that we will continue to work hard at finding alternative solutions to this situation and will advise you once the situation has abated,” the bank said adding that customers can use its alternative channels.

ERITAGE Bank has moved boost the capacity of women entrepreneurs through its empowerment programme titled ‘Becoming Financially Fearless’.

Organised by the Genevieve Gathering, ‘Becoming Financially Fearless’ is a one day programme, sponsored

by Heritage Bank as part of its commitment to women empowerment in Africa with special focus on Nigeria.

Its Managing Director/Chief Executive, Ifie Sekibo said, “Heritage Bank recognizes the importance of women in the society, especially in the economy, and this informs its commitment to women empowerment.

Our mission is to help women succeed in business and in life. We believe that with the right motivation and resources, more women in Africa and in Nigeria can achieve the enviable success that many women across the world have achieved. At Heritage Bank, we have committed ourselves to providing these capacity and resources to empower and motivate women across the country.

‘Becoming Financially Fearless’ was informed by the need to advance the Nigerian woman’s confidence and also teach her to find a balance between living the life she wants and

Heritage backs women entrepreneurs securing her financial future. It is aimed at empowering women by helping them tackle the business and personal finance issues that are specific to them. Among other things it provides an opportunity for entrepreneurs, women in business and careeroriented people to benefit from presentations by experts in selected fields.

Confirmed speakers at the workshop are Former Director/General of Securities Exchange Commission (SEC) Arunma Oteh, Co-founder/ Group Executive Director, Sahara Group Tonye Cole, CEO of Bestman Games Nimi Akinkugbe, Funmi Oyetunji and Personal Finance blogger Arese Ugwu.

The programme will feature presentations on: Improving your net worth; Taking control of your finances; and Advancing your financial confidence.

In furtherance of its mission to empower women, Heritage Bank last year, sponsored the annual conference of WIMBIZ (Women in Management, Business & Public Service).

The conference brings together women from diverse areas of the corporate business and public sectors.

FirstBank re-elected to PCI SSC Board

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IRST Bank of Nigeria Limited has reaffirmed its leadership position in corporate governance and risk management with its re-election into the Board of Advisors of the Payment Card Industry Security Standards Council (PCI SSC) for the second consecutive time.

PCI SSC is an open, global forum for the development of payment card security standards. Lara Nwokedi, Head of Information Security management at First Bank of Nigeria Limited would represent FirstBank on the Board of PCI SSC in the fight against payment fraud and data breaches globally.

Nwokedi, a payment card industry professional, security lead auditor and implementer, has many years’ experience in information security and has led several initiatives in the Bank. Mrs. Nwokedi will be supported in this function

by Emmanuel Okoroji who will be the alternate for FirstBank on the Board of Advisors of PCI SSC. According to the GMD/CEO of the Bank, Bisi Onasanya, “FirstBank in its tradition of being a pioneering institution has continued to attract both local and international recognition as an outstanding brand. It is in recognition of this astute tradition, the PCI Security Standards Council through an open and well contested electoral process re-elected FirstBank on its Board of Advisors, a feat which no African Bank has achieved in the long history of the PCI SSC”.

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 1.1978 1.3117 0.7319 1.1349

125.82 9.08 1.12 1.19 0.62 1.33 1,744.73 1,104.00 111.75 120.30 1.62 1.1912 0.7203 0.7203 1.1349

SYMBOL

O/PRICE

C/PRICE

CHANGE

VONO NEIMETH BETAGLAS MCNICHOLS TOTAL NAHCO CUTIX TRANSEXPR WEMABANK CILEASING HONYFLOUR

1.22 1.20 36.40 1.50 146.03 6.08 1.58 1.15 0.96 0.69 3.60

1.34 1.26 38.10 1.57 152.60 6.35 1.65 1.19 0.99 0.71 3.70

0.12 0.06 1.70 0.07 6.57 0.27 0.07 0.04 0.03 0.02 0.10

LOSERS AS AT 25-05-15

O/PRICE

ABCTRANS UBN DANGFLOUR ETERNA COSTAIN EVANSMED NASCON SEPLAT FIDELITYBK MOBIL PRESCO

0.60 10.50 4.07 2.80 0.85 1.81 8.05 350.00 1.90 154.00 30.69

C/PRICE 0.57 10.05 3.91 2.70 0.82 1.75 7.30 340.00 1.85 1509.00 30.01

FOREX RATES (NairaVs Dollar) April 1, 2015

Inflation: Febraury

8.4%

Monetary Policy Rate

13.0%

Foreign Reserves

$28.2b

Oil Price (Bonny Light/b)

$67.91

CHANGE -0.03 -0.45 -0.16 -0.10 -0.03 -0.06 -0.25 10.00 -0.05 -4.00 -0.68

Interbank ($/N)

199.00

$1

Black Market ($/N)

215.00

$1

London Inter-bank Offered Rates (LIBOR)

Money Supply (M2)

GAINERS AS AT 25-05-15

SYMBOL

ECONOMIC INDICATORS

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

April 31

May 6

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

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

Overnight (O/N)

14.683

76.583

1M

15.033

15.977

3M

15.809

17.177

6M

16.493

17.908

Transaction Dates

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

4 May 34,649.3 11.8 3,385 564,28 6,087.80

5 May 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

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 TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

56

NEWS Aliyu: I’m ready for probe

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IGER State Governor Babangida Aliyu has said he is ready for a probe, if the incoming administration wishes to check his books.

The governor said his records, since 2007 till date, were intact and available for anybody to check.

Aliyu spoke in Minna, the state capital, at the inauguration of the new legislative quarters at Three Arms Zone, Eastern Bye-pass.

He said: “I have advised all my commissioners to keep their notes and ensure that the records are handy. In case they are asked any question, they should be ready to answer from the incoming administration.

“For me, I have all my records and I am prepared to answer any question. I said

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From Jide Orintunsin, Minna

even in my dream, if you ask me the right questions, I will give you the right answers.

But if you ask me questions, thinking you want to disgrace me, you will end up disgracing yourself.

“We are ready for any question that maybe asked, either by the way we spent our money or by the way we did certain things.

“Yes, mistake may have been made, but I have asked every ministry and every commissioner and every corporation to be prepared.

There are ways to correct mistakes. If you leave mistakes without telling us or you ‘chop’ without our knowledge, when they call you, don’t ask me. Answer your question yourself.”

UITH health workers begin HE University of Ilindefinite strike orin branch of the

Nigerian Union of Allied Health Professionals (NUAHP) began yesterday an indefinite strike.

The action has worsened the precarious health situation at the hospital, where resident doctors have been on strike since May 7.

UITH’s NUAHP Chairman Oluwumi Olutunde addressed reporters in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the end of an emergency congress to appraise the union’s week-long warning strike.

He said the union would not review the situation until its demands have been met by the government.

Olutunde said the decision followed a directive from the national leadership of the union.

He said: “We have been deceived for too long. This time round, we are not going to allow ourselves to be deceived again.”

The union leader urged patients and their relatives,

•Govt accused of deception From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

who he said would bear the brunt of the action, to bear with the union.

He said the union could no longer accept a situation whereby only a section of workers in the Health sector would dominate the rest.

According to him, most of what NUAHP is fighting for has been granted to doctors.

NUAHP is an umbrella body covering physiotherapists, dieticians, medical laboratory scientists, radiographers/imaging scientists, speech therapists, optometrists, dental therapists, pharmacists, dental technologists, clinical psychologists, information managers and others in the Health sector.

The NUAHP chairman regretted that the union had been on some of the issues since 2009.

I’ll disclose state of things within one week, says Ortom

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ENUE State Governor-elect Samuel Ortom has promised to disclose the status of the state’s finances a week after assuming office.

Ortom spoke yesterday in Makurdi, the state capital, when he hosted a delegation of stakeholders from Ushongo Local Government Area.

The governor-elect said he was not sure of the indebtedness of the state with regard to unpaid salaries, pensions, bonds and other debts.

He promised to get and disclose the figures within a week in office.

Ortom noted that the people of Ushongo would get

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

their fair share of projects and appointments in his administration because of the individual and collective support he got from them.

A former local government chairman, Mrs Keziah Agundu; a former AttorneyGeneral and Justice Minister, Chief Mike Aondoakaa; a former House of Representatives member, Chille Igbawua; a pharmacist, Mr Patrick Ahenjir and an All Progressives Congress (APC) local government Chairman Abraham Soo, urged him to pay salaries, provide infrastructure and appoint people from the area.

•Representative of the Chief of Naval Staff, Rear Admiral Godwin Anyamkpele (left) presenting an insecticide-treated mosquito net to an internally displaced expectant mother during the Naval Rhapsody and Free Medical Services to mark the 59th anniversary of the Navy at Internally Displaced Persons (IDPs) camp at Kuchingoro, Abuja…yesterday. With them is Deputy Chairman of the IDPs in Kuchingoro, Alhaji Usman Adamu.

Strike: NUT shuts down public P schools in Abuja UBLIC schools in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT) were yesterday shut down, following the strike by the local Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT).

A communiqué issued last Friday at the end of an emergency State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) meeting of FCT’s NUT wing in Gwagwalada said the leadership of the union ordered the closure of schools because of non-payment of some allowances and non-implementation of the 2013 and 2014 promotion backlog.

The communiqué was signed by the NUT State Chairman, Comrade Hassan Jibir; State Secretary Comrade Bello Bawa Argungu and the National Publicity Secretary, Comrade Jiya Umar Mohammed.

The union said it resolves as follows: “With effect from Monday, May 25, all its members at primary, postprimary and other educational agencies/department in the FCT should withdraw their services indefinitely.”

A seven-day ultimatum, according to the communique, was issued on May 5 to further press home the demands of the teachers.

•Demands allowances, promotion From Gbenga Omokhunu and Hope Ayorinde, Abuja

But it said the government did not take any positive action.

The communiqué added: “The State Wing Executive Council (SWEC) met and exhaustively deliberated to review and evaluate the efforts of the authority on the lingering and contentious issues raised to the Minister (of Education) in several correspondences and the last seven–day ultimatum issued on the following: Removal of 27.5 per cent (TSS) allowance from professional teachers in the offices, inspectorate Division (Quality Assurance)/ Departments in the FCT education agencies. Non-release of promotions of teachers for 2013, 2014 and the inability to conduct promotion for 2015 and non- payment of 100 per cent rent allowance to its members (teachers).

“The SWEC–in–session observes with dismay the ina-

bility of FCT Administration to implement the resolution reached at the last negotiation with the Union on Tuesday, May 12.

“That the last promotion in 2013, 2014 will be released with immediate effect and that the 2015 promotion will be conducted simultaneously.

“That a five–man committee be set up to look into the modalities for the restoration of 27.5 per cent (TSS) allowance to professional teachers in the offices/quality assurance for which the committee has already sat and submitted its report on Friday, May 15.

“That the issue of 100 per cent rent allowance would be presented to the FCT Exco meeting on Monday, May 18, 2015 and the outcome will be communicated to the union on Wednesday, May 20.

“SWEC–in–session is worried and disturbed, despite the series of communications and discussions at

various fora, that is: “On September 12, 2013, a communiqué was issued to the Honourable Minister based on the same promotion of teachers.

“On May 20, 2014, a letter was written to Honourable Minister, titled: Removal of 27.5 per cent allowance from the payroll of trained teachers working in educational agencies/departments “On December 9, 2014, a letter was addressed to the Secretary for Education, titled: Re: Seven-day ultimatum on promotion of teachers. These are just to mention but a few of the correspondences to the FCT Administration.

“SWEC–in–session notes that despite the union’s commitment to the agreement earlier reached with FCTA on its own part, the management has reneged in implementing the resolutions.

“All members of the union are advised to ensure strict compliance with this directive and await further instructions.”

Kogi judge abducted as orderly is killed

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JUDGE of the Kogi State High Court, Justice Samuel Obayomi, has been abducted.

Justice Obayomi was reportedly snatched at 8am yesterday by hoodlums when he was going to his office in Okene.

From James Azania, Lokoja

It was learnt that the judge had just recovered from an illness and was resuming duty after a few weeks.

His police orderly, whose name could not be ascertained at the time of filing

this report, was reportedly shot dead by the suspected kidnappers.

The incident happened near Ebogogo in Adavi Local Government Area.

The suspected kidnappers were said to have been on the trail of the judge.

The suspected abductors were said to have blocked Justice Obayomi’s vehicle and ordered him to alight.

His orderly, who reportedly tried to protect him, was shot instantly.

The police could not confirm the incident last night.

Kano fireman arrested for defiling, abducting eight-year-old girl

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HE police have arrested a Kano State Fire Service officer, Umar Mohammed, for allegedly kidnapping and defiling an eight-year-old girl.

Mohammed’s colleague, Mustapha Idris, who is on the run, has been declared wanted by the police.

Addressing reporters yesterday in Kano, Police Commissioner Ibrahim Idris said the command had begun in-

•Police declare accomplice wanted From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

vestigation into the matter.

The police chief said efforts were being made to apprehend Mustapha.

According to him, Umar and Mustapha, both workers of State Fire Service at Sharada and Gaya stations, conspired and abducted the girl from her parents’ home

in Dala Local Government Area.

They allegedly slept with her repeatedly and demanded a N1 million ransom to return the girls to her parents.

Idris said: “They hid their victim inside the room of Mustapha Idris at Sabuwar Gandu Quarters in Kano.

There, Umar Mohammed (aka Pele) raped her severely. The suspect made a phone call to the father of the victim and demanded a ransom of N1 million.

“The mother was also asked to pay an unspecified amount of money as the girl was kidnapped and hidden inside hills at Daura, Katsina State. With the assistance of a

good Samaritan, the police arrested Umar Mohammed.

The victim was rescued and taken to a hospital where she was treated and discharged.

She has been reunited with her parents.”

The police also paraded a 36-year-old woman, Bara’atu Muhammed, of Gwarzo Local Government Area, for allegedly stealing a new born at the Gwarzo General Hospital’s maternity.

The baby is said to have been delivered of 16-year-old Jamila Dahiru of Agalawan Yamma in Gwarzo.

The police chief said: “Bara’atu deceived the mother and collected the infant, telling her that it was her grandmother, Dije, that sent her to take the boy outside for fresh air. She took him to her village and claimed that she had been delivered of a baby boy.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

57

NEWS

I disagreed with Jonathan on principle,

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IVERS State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said he disagreed with President Goodluck Jonathan on principle.

The governor said he was unhappy over the alleged overbearing attitude of First Lady, Dame Patience Jonathan.

He promised to tell his story of a tortuous journey to power at the appropriate time.

Amid applause, Amaechi said his records in office are clean.

The governor said his clean mandate unsettled the Presidency from setting up any anti-graft agency against him.

Amaechi, who spoke in Abuja at the presentation of a documentary on: The Amaechi years, said his disagreement with Jonathan was based on his belief that events in the country would not enhance good governance.

He said: “People have asked me why am I opposed to Goodluck Jonathan. At the point the fight started, instead of receiving money from the Federal

• ‘My records are clean’ •Fed Govt owes Rivers N105b From Yusuf Alli and Tony Akowe, Abuja

Government, we were sending money to the Federal Government.

“Have you seen a country where the Commissioner of Police reports to the wife of the President? That is happening in Rivers State. Have you seen a country where a Brigade Commander reports to the wife of the President or where the Navy Commander or Air Force Commander reports to the wife of the President? This happened in Rivers State.

“The wife of the President would come, they would go and wait for her at the airport.

She would tell them to come at 9am but she would come by noon. They would escort her to her house, she would go upstairs and come down by 9pm and they would all be on

Lifting of oil won’t stop fuel scarcity, says NUPENG . NLC seek blacklisting of guilty firms

By Toba Agboola, Segun Balogun and Tony Akowe

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HE Nigeria Union of Petroleum and Natural Gas workers (NUPENG) has warned that lifting of fuel as agreed after yesterday’s meeting of oil industry chiefs, marketers and government officials at the National Assembly is not likely to end the crippling fuel scarcity.

The solution according to the union is to end the massive importation.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) also yesterday urged the federal government to blacklist the firms that contributed to the scarcity which it said had caused Nigerians untold hardship.

In Lagos, Policemen were on Ikorodu Road in Lagos, arresting black market sellers of petrol on the road side.

No fewer than a dozen of boys selling petrol at the road side were arrested. Others fled.

NUPENG President Igwe Achese told reporters in Lagos that ‘’The scarcity will continue until the government addresses certain issues. We cannot continue to depend on importation.

“The NNPC which operates the refineries is the highest importer of petroleum. Why? “Contrary to the rumour that we are on strike, we are saying it now that we are not on strike. But we are faced with some challenges, one of which is the problem of space, especially, in Lagos. Downstream has moved to Lagos. Most of our tankers load from Apapa, but the new directive from the Lagos State Government has made it difficult for us to operate,’’ Achese said.

Achese described petroleum subsidy as a fraud, adding that subsidy should be removed totally. He said the money on subsidy should be used to build more refineries, repair the existing ones and address many infrastructural problems. ‘’Even though the economy is growing, we are still suffering. The in-coming government has a lot to address,” he said.

NLC President Ayuba Wabba said in a statement entitled: “Fuel Scarcity: Let Government Act Now” that the government should carry out a quick investigation on the matter which should identify the officers behind the current situation and hand them over to the incoming administration to further investigate and they are made to face the law.

The Nigeria Labour Congress (NLC) has watched with utter disgust and dismay how business and commercial activities in the country have been brought literally to a halt as a result of the activities of a mindless and cruel cabal that has taken absolute grip of the petroleum import business.

“Clearly, the objective of the cabal in the current impasse is to arm-twist the Federal Government to part with billions of dollars, which it had not earned, in the name of fuel subsidy payments.

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ground waiting for her.

“She would say: ‘I heard you greeted Amaechi last week. Why did you greet him? I will transfer you, and you are transferred.’ The more she did that, the more the President turned his back and the more I fought because I felt that such a system is not a system that will make Nigeria grow. Why I agree with my friends who say: ‘Forget the past because it is gone.’ I think it is a lesson.

“Governance is about the man that has been elected. He has the responsibility to deliver services to the people.

There was a time when it was everywhere that the Supreme Court would remove Amaechi.

“That was until we defeated them at the Supreme Court.

I told the Rivers people to go about their businesses because I had finished praying and that

President Jonathan could not remove me.

“We are leaving at the same time. They didn’t want me to stay till the end, but here I am staying till the end.”

Amaechi told a large audience that his records in office are clean.

He added: “Try to keep your books clean because if you do, you can abuse anybody. Just imagine if things were bad. Forget what they may cook up now that we are leaving office because I am also prepared to fight them, if they cook up any story.

“The President of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. There is no way he will not have something on the governor of Rivers. So, if they cannot come out now and say Amaechi, you stole N100 million, it means they are still trying to look for facts which they don’t have yet. If you keep your records clean, you can wake up and tell anybody that this can’t continue.”

Amaechi said his administration spent N105 billion on the repairs of federal road, add-

NUJ to get radio station From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

A •Amaechi

ing that President Jonathan promised to refund the money.

The governor said the President refused to pay “and will not pay because he is leaving office”.

He said: “People have been pursuing me to write my story or allow them to write my story. I say anybody can write any story as they want. But I will not contribute because, if I tell you my story, when I am ready to write, nobody will buy it. I will tell my story at the appropriate time...”

CANDIDATE in the forthcoming national delegates’ conference and election of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Mr Waheed Odusile, has promised to set up a radio station for the union, if elected.

The Nation Managing Editor and columnist said the station would boost the union’s financial base.

Odusile spoke in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, when his campaign team visited the State Council of NUJ. The senior journalist explained that the radio station, which may not necessarily have a wide reach at the initial stage, would also publicise the activities of the union and create jobs for journalists.

The NUJ presidential hopeful promised to “focus on professionalism with emphasis on training, retraining, certification and registration of members”.

Obadan to Buhari: revisit privatised sectors

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ORMER Edo State Deputy Governor Peter Obadan yesterday urged the incoming Muhammadu Buhari administration to revisit the privatisation of national companies.

Obadan noted that this would enable the government to address the myriads of challenges in the power, oil and gas sectors and other key areas of the economy.

He said revisiting the core privatised sectors would ensure that his cabinet has a good ground to make things work more efficiently.

Addressing reporters in Benin, the state capital, Obadan noted that “corruption has been the basis” for the country’s sundry woes.

He said: “We have seen the

privatisation of some of these sectors and we have seen them not working. He (Buhari) would want to find out why they are not working. If we are going to reengineer those areas, I am sure he would willingly do that. But I am sure there is a strategic thing already set up.”

The chieftain of the All Progressives Congress (APC) noted that the crises rocking the outgoing Goodluck Jonathan administration were deep.

He said: “When we look at the Power sector, they (Jonathan team) have had all sorts of strategic plans. They have had all sorts of money injected into it right from 1999 till date. Yet, we have not seen much change.

Don’t forget that there is a very serious competition by external factors. You have those who are

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

importing generators and all that; you have those who are importing oil to this country.

“So, these are people who are ensuring that nothing actually works effectively in the country.”

Obadan added: “To me, Buhari’s administration will have to go to the drawing board, reassess what has happened and why we have failed to achieve success with the calibre of people he is going to bring in.

This is because corruption, no doubt, has been the basis for it.

We have seen the privatisation of some of these sectors and we have seen them not working. He would want to find out why they are not working.

“You know the medical professionals, what they call the death throes. When a man is about to die, you find him at the tail end struggling for survival. That is what the country is literarily experiencing. What really they don’t appreciate is the fact that Gen. Buhari has a tenacious grip on the minds and souls of the people who are fed up of the Jonathan administration.

“It is obvious that Gen. Buhari actually won the March 28 election by at least 80 per cent.

But the moment he won the election, there arose this proclivity of people for social disorder to destabilise the incoming administration, cause resentment among the people and ensure that if Gen. Buhari is going to take over at all, he has a tough time.

•From left: Book presenter, Senator Olorunnimbe Mamora; Chairman of the occasion, Justice Isola Olorunnimbe (rtd.); book reviewer, Mr Fola ArthurWorrey; author and Lagos State Commissioner for Special Duties, Dr Wale Ahmed and Lagos State Governor Babatunde Fashola (SAN), at the presentation of a book, titled: A Call to Duty, written by Dr Ahmed, to mark his 50th birthday in Lagos... at the weekend PHOTO: DAPO ADEWUNMI

Workers protest non-disbursement of governor’s ‘largesse’

ROTESTING workers of the Akwa Ibom State Government workers protested yesterday at the state’s liaison office in Abuja over allegation that over N20 million meant for their welfare was being withheld by some senior officials.

By 8am, the main entrance to the liaison office, the Akwa Ibom House in the Central Business District, was shut by the angry

•Shut down liaison office in Abuja From Eric Ikhilae, Abuja

workers.

They prevented senior workers, including the Permanent Secretary, Uduak Georde Iwoh, from exiting the building.

For hours, people were prevented from either entering or leav-

ing the building, which is also occupied by some private agencies.

The workers said they would sustain the protest until the Permanent Secretary and the Accountant, Ekan Essient Inyang, account for the funds allegedly released last December by Governor Godswill Akpabio for about

900 workers of various agencies of the state in Abuja.

Secretary to the Permanent Secretary, Kelvin Umana said the workers were protesting to compel the Permanent Secretary and the Accountant to explain why the money had not been disbursed.

He said the workers confirmed that the money was released last

December by the governor.

Umana said: “The money has always been released to us every December as end-of-year gift from the governor. The governor has been good to us and has always given us this money. We have always released the money every December.

But last December’s money has been withheld by some people.

“We suspect the money is

between the Permanent Secretary and the Accountant.

That is why we are protesting. We will continue to protest until they account for the money. We have confirmed from relevant quarters in Uyo that the money had been released. We know some people want to keep the money until Governor Akpabio leaves office on May 29.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

58

NEWS Alvan Ikoku CoE upgraded

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HE Alvan Ikoku Federal College of Education Owerri, Imo State, has been upgraded to a degree awarding institution.

Students and management officers, including the Provost, Dr. Blessing Ijeoma, praised the federal government for granting the agelong prayer of the college community.

Dr. Ijeoma, an Associate Professor, said the college has in its 34-years as an affiliate of the University of Nigeria (UNN), built the requisite experience and manpower to run as a degree awarding in-

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

stitution.

“In the last 25 years, we have desired autonomy to be a degree awarding institution. We have been doing it in affiliation with the UNN but now we can stand on our own. It is indeed a dream come true,” she said.

The Chairman of the College of Education Staff Union (COESU), Ukachi Wachukwu, commending the Minister of Education, Ibrahim Shekarau for the upgrade said the Union is confident that Ijeoma would run the institution well.”

I will not disappoint you, Onu assures Ndigbo

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LL Progressives Congress (APC) chieftain and former Governor of Abia State Dr. Ogbonnaya Onu has assured the people that he will not disappoint Nigerians in whatever position he may occupy in the incoming administration.

Onu gave the assurance at a reception held in his honour at the Jesus Saves Arena, Owerri.

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

“Any position I find myself tomorrow, I will discharge my duties in a way that will bring pride to the Southeast and Nigeria as a whole. I cannot afford to disappoint my people or my country,” he said.

Onu said he was convinced that Nigeria has the potential to be one of the most respected nations of the world.

According to him, “the government that is coming is a government you can call your own regardless of where you are located.

“It will work in your interest and will restore our respect in the comity of nations. Nigerians would again be proud to be from this part of the continent.

“The change we promised have come and I can assure

•Onu

you, it would give birth to legacies and landmarks that would endure the test of time”.

Navy opens vessels for public

By Precious Igbonwelundu

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S part of activities lined up to mark its 59th anniversary, the Nigerian Navy (NN) yesterday disclosed that it will give the general public access to its platforms.

A statement issued by the information officer, Western Naval Command (WNC), Lieutenant Commander Abdusalam Sani indicated that the public will be treated to a trip to the high sea on Thursday for a better understanding and appreciation of the workings of the force.

He called on interested persons to be at either the Nigerian Navy Ship (NNS) BEECROFT Naval Base Apapa or Naval Dockyard Limited, Victoria Island, Jetties by 8:30am on Thursday.

Sani said for those who may not want to go to sea, NN ships will be opened for visit between 8:30am and 6pm same day, appealing to Nigerians to see the gesture as a good opportunity to be closer to their navy.

• Assistant Sales Manager, Bitter Apperito, Ibadan South, Mr. Victor Idowu (right) presenting a standing fan to C.E.O of Q.B Ariyo Enterprise, Grand Oak Limited, a distributor at the Bitter Apperito Distributors Sales Promo in Ibadan South and Westcentral.

‘I will improve on Garba’s achievements’

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IGERIA Union of Journalists (NUJ) presidential candidate Comrade Waheed Odusile yesterday praised the outgoing president of the union, Mallam Garba Mohammed, for raising the practice of journalism to a higher level.

Odusile who was in Enugu on his campaign train said Garba was able to pick the union from its lowest ebb to a level where journalists now work with a lot of prestige.

He said his ambition to become NUJ’s president was to ensure a seamless continuity in the programmes of the outgoing president with a view to improving on them.

The aspirant said he was prepared and equipped to take the union from where Garba left to the next level every journalist would be proud of.

According to him, he and his team would ensure that the union becomes self-sufficient and can face challenges without seeking assistance from elsewhere.

He said: “We will ensure that

From Chris Oji, Enugu

journalists and the union do not go beggarly by instilling a kind of inbuilt discipline and self confidence.”

Odusile promised to look into the issue of poor remuneration, saying, “we will strive to see that the situation where journalists are treated like civil servants is completely contained.

“Journalists should be treated as professionals. We will ensure that employers introduce enhanced salary structures for journalists.”

Odusile assured the people that his team would pursue the introduction of a minimum wage package for journalists both in the private and public media. “If we are well paid, we will not be seen as those press boys. It’s time to reclaim the glory of NUJ.” He also promised to lay more emphasis on the training, retraining, certification and registration of members as well as setting up NUJ radio.

The NUJ election is slated for July 23.

Odukoya’s wife’s book for launch

By Sunday Oguntola

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OMTHI, the South African wife of Taiwo Odukoya, the Senior Pastor of Fountain of Life Church, Lagos, will today launch her book titled ‘Funda Wazi’ (a bully is not a hero).

The book, according to the author, is a capacity-building mechanism on how children, guardians, parents and care-givers can protect kids against bullies.

Nomthi, who coordinates her Non-Governmental Organisation (NGO) to tackle abuses and other challenges facing children, said the book will ‘teach, guide and protect children so they can grow to be responsible and balanced adults’.

She said Funda Wazi, which means Learn and Know in her Zulu tongue, will be involved in activities aimed at protecting the right and dignity of children.

Mrs. Odukoya said she was particularly concerned that child abuse is assuming a dangerous trend in the society.

The situation, she said, “must be arrested to ensure the physical, social, emotional and mental wellbeing of our future leaders.”

The NGO, according to her, will engage in advocacy and seek to influence policies, practices and processes that affect children.

Children-friendly resources, Nomthi added, will be produced to increase the capacity of children and the society to defend them.

Outage forces LUTH to expose babies to sun

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HE crippling fuel crisis has taken its toll on medical and diagnostic activities at the Lagos University Teaching Hospital (LUTH), Idi Araba.

There is neither electricity nor fuel to power most life saving equipments, operate the theatre and intervene in emergency cases.

Neonates being treated for jaundice and other neonatal diseases, put in the incubators, are brought into the open air and exposed to early morning sunlight to give them warmth, with their mothers told to monitor them.

The Triage at the Accident and Emergency unit is a shadow of its frenzy and pro-activeness.

Hence operations slated for the week are cancelled. Likewise, most patients on life saving equipments are deteriorating or gone into coma.

A medic venting his anger said: “It is difficult to do any meaningful thing due to this crisis. General resuscitation is difficult as there is no light to do intubations or operate the suction machine.

“A male patient died due to severe sepsis because we could

By Oyeyemi GbengaMustapha

not carry out life saving interventions on him. It is so pathetic”.

Another source said: “We are trained to save lives. But it is saddening that after doing our best to save a patient, the patient dies because treatment is interrupted; it is harrowing to one as a care provider.

“Most of us trek and report at our duty posts. Yet despite the commitments, the prevailing circumstances are disheartening. The situation is so bad that we use torchlight and our mobile phones to ameliorate the sufferings of clients.

“There are some tests and screenings that are power based, and since there are no light or alternatives, there is nothing anybody can do.

A nurse who could not hold back emotion added: “The experience is not palatable at all.

We are trying our best in this situation. We are risking our lives and giving up our comfort to ensure patients are attended to.

“We trek some kilometers to get here or pay triples transportation fare. And last

month’s salary was just paid last week.

“Some babies were brought out to the corridors to receive the early morning sunlight because there was no electricity to power their incubators.

The sun rays will provide phototherapy. This obtains in all the units we have children being treated for jaundice. We have being doing that since last week, but the peak was today (yesterday).

“No new patients are being taken in. The Triage is coping but no diesel or back up power to assist the workers. This is not peculiar to LUTH; we are just exploring options to cope better.”

A representative of the engineering department said it was stressful coping with the situation. “We have gone round trying to ensure sensitive equipments do not break down and also see how we can power life saving equipments.

“We are drained of both human energy and fuel/diesel alternatives. The hospital is in blackout. To get diesel or petrol is a difficult task. Management is trying its best, but there is no hope for patients in the theatre, ICU or other

sensitive units and departments unless we have access to power by any good means”.

The Chief Medical Director (CMD), Prof Chris Bode said his hospital is on top of the situation by providing skeletal services since the weekend.

“The stock of diesel and fuel diminished and we have been able to keep services up at the Intensive care unit (ICU) and the Neonatal ICU. We are awaiting delivery of diesel bought at an exorbitant rate to perform some operations slated and some other emergencies.

“As Nigerians, we have to bear the situation and hopefully opt out of the situation. The workers have been coming to work, some paying exorbitant fares just to keep the system running. Hospitals cannot close down be it during national emergencies or crisis so we are on, doing our best.

“We cannot shut down the hospital because the fuel or diesel is high. We must keep the hospital running, nothing will be grounded. We are trained to do our best and we must treat no matter what. This is a temporary situation it will end,” he said.

Jonathan, BoT members meet at Aso Rock

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RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan yesterday night met with other members of the Board of Trustees (BOT) of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) at the Presidential Villa, Abuja.

The meeting started around 9.05 p.m when Jonathan arrived the Banquet Hall of the State House venue of the meeting.

From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

While the agenda of the meeting was not made public, it is expected to discuss, among other issues, replacement of the BOT Chairman following the resignation of its immediate Chairman, Tony Anenih.

Among those who attend-

ed the meeting are the immediate past Chairman of the Board of Trustees of the PDP, Tony Anenih, Acting National Chairman of PDP, Uche Secondus.

Others include former Minister of Information, Jerry Gana, PDP Women National Leader, Kema Chikwe, former Minister of Defence, Bello Mohammed, former Deputy Senate Pres-

ident, Ibrahim Mantu.

Also at the meeting are the Chief of Staff to the President, Jones Arogbofa, Senator Hope Uzodinma, BOT Secretary, Walid Jibril, former Kaduna State governor, Ahmed Makarfi, former Minister of Women Affairs, Mrs. Josephine Anenih, The meeting was still ongoing as at the time of filing this report.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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FOREIGN NEWS Guinea President arrives in Lagos

Israel ex-PM Ehud Olmert jailed

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court in Jerusalem has sentenced the former Israeli Prime Minister, Ehud Olmert, to eight months in prison for fraud and breach of trust.

He was convicted at a retrial in March of accepting illegal payments from an American businessman while he served as mayor of Jerusalem and trade minister.

Last year, he was sentenced to six years in prison for accepting bribes.

Olmert has denied any wrongdoing and will remain free until his appeals against both convictions are heard.

A Supreme Court decision on the first appeal is expected in the next couple of months.

If he is unsuccessful OImert will become the first former head of government in Israel to be jailed.

Olmert served as prime minister from 2006 to 2009.

He was forced to resign

amid a flurry corruption allegations, which ended his political career and disrupted the peace process with the Palestinians.

In 2012, Olmert was acquitted of fraud, concealing fraudulent earnings and breach of trust in connection with donations received from a New York-based financier, Morris Talansky between 1997 and 2005.

However, a retrial was ordered after a former aide, Shula Zaken, accepted a plea bargain and testified against Olmert. Ms Zaken gave prosecutors diary entries and tape recordings of conversations in which Olmert referred to receiving the money.

Olmert was found guilty of fraud and breach of trust in March and on Monday was sentenced to eight months in jail. He was also given a suspended sentence of an additional eight months and fined 100,000 shekels ($25,000; £16,000).

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• Olmert

The Jerusalem District Court said the sentence recognised Olmert’s contributions to Israeli society, but noted that “a blag flag hovers over his conduct”.

Olmert’s lawyer Eyal Rozovsky said they were “very disappointed” by the sentence.

The former prime minister has always insisted that he is innocent and has described the allegations against him as “a

brutal, ruthless witch-hunt”.

The 69-year-old is also appealing against the six-year sentence he was given in May 2014 in connection with a real estate deal at took place when he was mayor of Jerusalem in the 1990s.

He was convicted of accepting bribes in return for speeding up a controversial residential development, known as Holyland, in the heart of the city.

UINEA President Alpha Condé will today arrive in Lagos for a five-day working visit.

Condé will be meeting with top Nigerian captains of industry in Lagos in an attempt to lure investments to his mineral-rich country. He is also expected to hold a private session with the National Leader of the All Progressives Congress, Bola Tinubu. The visit will culminate in his attendance of the presidential inauguration ceremony of Buhari Muhammadu in Abuja on Friday, May 29th.

Guinea is the world’s largest producer of bauxite, used to make aluminium, and boasts vast iron ore deposits as well as diamonds, gold and uranium, a primary component for producing nuclear energy.

President Alpha Condé In December 2010, after 30 years of being the arrowhead of the opposition, President Condé was declared winner in Guinea’s first democratic election since gaining independence from France in 1958. Before then, he had spent considerable time in exile and prison while the despotic reign of the former leader, Lansana Conte, wore on. Since then, the 75year-old leader has committed himself to ensuring the fair distribution of wealth in his 12.5 million strong nation. His government has taken far-reaching steps to stamp out corruption in government and has undertaken an ambitious mining reform programme to restore the credibility in the process of securing mining licences.

Before President Condé took over, the military had become a burden to the country as most

officers earned more than usual. He took the hard decisions required to balance the budget, cutting the military funds by 75% and reducing the sizes of the military from 20, 000 to 16, 000. His actions are considered necessary for the well-being of the economy and critical to the maintenance of democracy in a country where the military have been a regular threat to stability.

In 2011, he enlisted former British Prime Minister, Tony Blair, and billionaire philanthropist, George Soros, as unpaid advisers. He seeks to assure investors that the country boasting the second biggest mining reserves in Africa and fifth biggest in the world is open for business. President Condé is also seeking a strategic partnership with Nigeria as he believes in the ideology of ‘Africa for Africans.’

Experts say the country is ready for massive investment.

The potential project cost for the Simandou Mine, a mountainous area in southern Guineamine, is $20 billion.

This makes it Africa’s largest ever proposed mining venture.

• Condé

Tunisian soldier shoots seven dead at Tunis barracks • Some of the damaged homes ... yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

Deadly tornado strikes Mexican city

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T least 10 people are reported to have been killed by a tornado that hit the northern Mexico border city of Ciudad Acuna.

Hundreds of homes have been damaged or destroyed in the city, in Coahuila state, which is just across the border from Del Rio, Texas.

Images from the scene showed cars upended and leaning against buildings.

Dozens of people have been injured and officials warned that the death toll could rise.

City Mayor Evaristo Lenin Perez said a seven-year-old boy was missing.

“Most of the dead are people who were outside, not people who were inside their homes,” he said.

Witnesses said a bus has also been flipped over by the tornado.

“There are cars on top of

houses, there are dead people lying in the street, it is total chaos,” said local resident Maria del Rosario Ramirez, quoted by Mexican newspaper La Jornada.

Victor Zamora, Coahuila’s interior secretary, said an area of about seven blocks had been “devastated” by the tornado, which struck at about 06:10 (11:10 GMT).

The interior department said state officials were co-

ordinating a response.

Severe weather is also affecting southern US states including Texas.

A dozen people are missing after flash floods struck the Blanco river in central Texas on Sunday. The floods also damaged hundreds of homes, some of them swept off their foundations.

A tornado damaged a block of flats in Houston over the weekend.

Malaysian police find 139 suspected migrant graves

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ALAYSIAN police say 139 suspected migrant grave sites have been found in 28 peopletrafficking camps along the Thai border.

National police chief Khalid Abu Bakar said some of the graves, found since 11 May, may contain more than one body.

They are close to an area of Thailand where trafficking camps and dozens of shallow graves were found this month.

Thailand subsequently cracked down on the routes used by traffickers to move migrants through its territory.

The operation forced traffickers to move the migrants

by sea instead. But thousands were left stranded after the traffickers abandoned them and no country would take them in.

The traffickers have been using the jungles of southern Thailand and northern Malaysia for years to smuggle people into Malaysia. Most of the migrants are Rohingya Muslims fleeing persecution in Myanmar, rights groups say, but others are Bangladeshis seeking employment in Malaysia.

‘Questions will be asked’ “[In] the operation which we have been conducting from 11 May to 23 May we discovered 139 of what we believe are

graves,” Mr Khalid told reporters on Monday.

The camps were found along a 50-km (30-mile) stretch of the Thai-Malaysian border and were only hundreds of metres from the graves discovered in Thailand, he said.

Mr Khalid was speaking at a press conference a day after the government first announced the discovery of Malaysian graves. He said the biggest of the camps could have held up to 300 people.

Officials are now exhuming the bodies to determine whether they were victims of human trafficking.

The International Organiza-

tion for Migration (IOM) says since the Thai crackdown, they have found several people roaming in the Thai forests.

Jeffrey Labovitz, chief of mission in Thailand for the IOM, said they had screened people rescued from detention or shelters in Thailand and found some infected with beriberi - a disease caused by a vitamin B1 deficiency.

“It’s people who are skeletal, they have no fat on their body they’re just bones. They can no longer support their weight,” he told the BBC. “They are no longer a commodity to smugglers they’re an example to others that they have to pay.”

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Tunisian soldier has been shot dead after he killed seven of his colleagues at a military barracks in Tunis, according to the defence ministry.

Ten others were wounded, one seriously, in the attack at a flag-raising ceremony at the Bouchoucha barracks.

The man had family and psychological issues and was “forbidden from carrying arms”, said ministry spokesman Belhassen Oueslati.

He described the incident as an “isolated act, not a terrorist act”.

There would be an investigation to try to determine the killer’s motives, he added.

Mr Ouselati said the soldier attacked one man with a

knife before taking the victim’s gun and “shooting at his comrades”.

Tunisian security forces have been on alert since Islamist gunmen attacked the Bardo Museum in March, killing 21 tourists.

The shooting at the barracks, which is close to the museum and the parliament building, prompted the evacuation of a nearby school.

Police reinforcements were sent to the area to comb nearby streets, while a helicopter hovered overhead.

Interior Ministry spokesman Mohamed Ali Aroui said on national radio that there was no gunfire outside the barracks.

Burkina Faso begins exhumation of Sankara’s remains

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HE exhumation of what are believed to be the remains of Burkina Faso’s former President Thomas Sankara has begun.

Once exhumed they can be formally identified - a longstanding demand of Mr Sankara’s family and supporters.

Seen as Africa’s Che Guevara, the anti-imperialist revolutionary was hastily buried with 12 others in a 1987 coup.

Permission for an exhumation was denied during the rule of his successor, Blaise

Compaore, who left office last October amid street protests.

Mr Compaore has always denied being involved in the ex-leader’s killing, insisting that the “facts are known” and he has “nothing to hide”.

While he was in office, a Burkina Faso court blocked a request by Mr Sankara’s family for his remains to be exhumed.

But the new interim government said Mr Sankara’s family would be given the means to help identify the corpse, according to the AFP news agency.

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

NEWS States feel the heat as power supply collapses nationwide Continued from page 4

Unfortunately, not much progress was made through this meeting as NNPC and its subsidiary Nigeria Gas Company, disclosed of high incidence of vandalism in some areas that were relatively peaceful along its pipeline networks.

“That meeting was told of the damage done to TransForcados pipeline in the western axis and elps gas pipeline in the eastern axis. Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation had explained at the meeting that repair works are being intensified even as it

expressed worry on the integrity of the pipelines on account of incessant damage it has sustained.

“In essence, what has brought about this development is the increased incidence of vandalism which is beyond the control of the regulator and the industry operators. This situation is further compounded by the industry actions declared by the oil and gas workers.

“However, we have continued to engage with relevant authorities on how fast we can address shortage of gas supply to the thermal plants.

We are also engaging with the industry operators on how to improve electricity supply.

“The Commission regrets the hardship which Nigerians are being subjected to on account of this development as we intensify efforts to bring the situation under control in the shortest possible time.”

Banks in the North and GSM companies sent messages on either likely disruption of service or early closure of operations.

Some of the banks which shut out customers at about 1pm are GTB, Skye and Fidelity.

But the Board and Management of Jos Electricity Distribution company attributed the outage to zero allocation of power from the Grid.

Of the 19 states in the North, , about 10 and the FCT are experiencing outage.

But some of the worst-hit states are Niger, Plateau, Bauchi, Nasarawa, Gombe, Benue and the FCT. As of 8pm, both the transmission and distribution companies managing some parts of the North attributed

the outage to a system collapse which has resulted in zero allocation of power from the Grid.

The Board and Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED PLC) and the Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, Concessionaires of Kainji and Jebba Power Plants have, however, called for calm.

The Board and Management of Jos Electricity Distribution Plc (JED PLC) said: “We would like to appeal to our valued customers to remain calm in the face of the dwindling power supply currently experienced all over the country.

“The Company is doing everything possible to ensure quality service and customer satisfaction in the delivery of electricity to the customers.

“The company in the last few days has experienced total blackout throughout the Distribution Network following a system collapse that resulted in a zero allocation of power from the Grid.

“Over the past few months, we have engaged the system operator on improved power

supply or at least our entitled load allocation in the MultiYear Tariff Order (MYTO).

“While we thank you for your understanding and patience in this trying period, we wish to assure you that we are doing everything humanly possible to improve the quality of service to our customers.

“We further call on our esteemed customers to ensure timely payment of their bills to enable us discharge our obligations to the market operator and its customers.”

Reacting, the Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited said: “Our attention has been drawn to reports by a section of the media to the effect that the Power System Collapse which occurred around 4pm on Sunday, 24th May, 2015 occasioning outage in Abuja and other parts of the country was caused by a breakdown at Jebba Hydro Electric Power Station.

“It has become necessary to enlighten the Nigerian public and to set the records straight.

“Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited, Concessionaires of Kainji and Jebba

Power Plants, wish to state clearly that there has been no breakdown at Kainji and Jebba plants.

“Precisely, Jebba Plant has 5nos. Generating Units with combined available capacity of 400MW, while Kainji has 4nos. Generating Units with combined available capacity of 305 MW. “As at the time the system collapse occurred, the generating Units were on the National Grid. The Units Separated due to the National Grid failure.

“It should also be noted that effort has been made by the National Control Center to Black Start the System using Kainji Power Plant. Kainji and Jebba Power Plants remain available to supply power as soon as the National grid is restored.

“Finally, since Mainstream Energy Solutions Limited took over Kainji and Jebba plants in November, 2013, the company has not only stabilised operations of the power plants but has also increased generation capacity of the plants despite various frustrations.”

Petrol crisis to ease as govt, marketers settle Continued from page 4

DAPPMA and, also, a copy will be sent to us in this committee.”

It added “On the basis of that agreement, MOMAN will offer whatever cooperation that is needed to enable lifting of petroleum products to begin nationwide within six hours.

“MOMAN has also agreed to give a similar undertaking to National Association of Road Transport Owners (NARTO) to pay existing transport costs as has been determined by them.

“MOMAN will give a written undertaking to NARTO and a copy will also be sent to this committee.

“NARTO and its affiliates nationwide will commence lifting of petroleum products from available fuel depots within the next six hours.

“DAPPMA is to instruct all their depots that have products to open those depots up to lifting of petroleum products within the next six hours.”

Abe said that they also agreed with the Department of Petroleum Resources (DPR) that “any depot that has product and fails to lift in the next six hours should have their licences revoked immediately.”

He went on: “We have also

agreed that NNPC should direct its staff nationwide to work 24 hours, including Saturdays and Sundays, for the next two weeks until normalcy returns to the sector.

“We have also agreed to reach out to the Lagos State Government to facilitate this agreement and reach some kind of arrangement with tanker drivers to allow access to the relevant depots to facilitate lifting of products.”

Abe had in his opening remarks said that the country is in a national emergency due to scarcity of petroleum products, He noted that impression was that “no government is in place but there is government in place as the Nigerian Constitution does not envisage any vacuum.

He said: “As we speak, the airlines are shutting down, telecommunications are shutting down, banks are sending text messages that they are shutting down. We are in a situation of national emergency. I don’t want to talk about what the ordinary man in the streets is going through. I don’t want to talk about what private businesses are going through. We must resolve to solve the problem so that Nigeria can work again.”

The Chairman, Senate Committee on Petroleum (Upstream), Senator Emmanuel Paulker, described the situation “as a national disaster”.

He insisted that the meeting should work to find lasting solution in the interest of the country.

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala, who briefed the committee extensively, said she was at a loss about what is happening.

She said: “I’m not really sure about what is going on.

I also want to understand what is going on. I deeply sympathise with Nigerians. It is deeply regrettable that Nigerians are put in this situation. There is deep anger. The government has done creditably.”

The Minister wondered why diesel that is not regulated is also scarce and not

available for Nigerians to buy.

She said: “Diesel is not regulated, it is not subsidised.

Why is diesel not available?

Diesel is a product that should be available for everybody to buy. I want to understand why diesel is also not available.”

The Minister said that she had a pattern of payment to marketers which the government had not deviated from.

She added that the pattern this year is even better than what the government had in 2014.

She insisted that payment to marketers is a rolling obligation and “there is no time that government has reduced the payment to zero”.

The behavior of marketers, she said, “is inexplicable”.

She said the last payment the government made to the marketers was N154 billion two weeks ago.

The Minister said the marketers quickly came up with another claim of N200 billion.

She said the claim was queried only for the government to find out that N159 billion out of the N200 billion was foreign exchange differential and not for actual product.

“I told them it is better we get the whole thing verified where the CBN will participate and be in charge of the verification. We agreed to set up a committee but even before we conducted the verification they have started withdrawing and shutting down their facilities.

“Before I came in, N1.3 trillion was supposedly owed the marketers but there was no shutdown. With N200 billion, the entire country is being shut down.

“Government is a continuum; why are they saying that the debt must be brought to zero? Is government no longer a continuum?”

Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said she did not want to leave government in four day time and be summoned to explain why she signed N159 billon cheque.

“There is a deliberate attempt to sabotage the economy and bring it to a halt

so that it will look as if government did not do any thing,” she said.

Insisting that the whole thing is in bad faith, Mrs Okonjo-Iweala said that Nigerians should ask marketers why diesel that is not regulated is not available.

She said: “The government cares about Nigerians and the President is deeply concerned. The payment is a rolling payment and there has never been a time when everything is paid.”

She said the marketers had been paid and there is no reason for them to withhold products except it is deliberate or sabotage.

MOMAN spokesman Obafemi Olawore blamed it all on lack of funds to import products.

Olawore noted that at the peak of the challenges facing the association, banks refused to extend credit line to them because members owe banks.

He said they could not import products on their own.

He said of N154 billion paid their members, they are owed transporters.

Olawore also said that because they cannot import on their own, their members can only discharge the products they received from the NNPC. The DPR confirmed the availability of products in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Warri and Calabar.

It said Lagos alone has 425m liters of PMS. NNPC GMD, Dawha said there was sufficient product in the country.

He said: “Even before the election, we made sure that there is sufficient product so that the election will not be disrupted.

“Even now, we know that there is transition, we make sure there is sufficient product.

“The marketers are not importing, there is also no lifting for obvious reasons. We also experienced small strike

by NNPC workers which has also complicated the matter.

We are hoping that they will call off the strike today.

THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

62

N EWS

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‘Salad dressing dangerous to health’

ALAD dressings, especially commercial mayonnaise, are not good for one’s health, a medic, Dr Godwin Ihesie, has warned.

In an interview with The Nation, the medic said mayonnaise could lead to obesity, arthritis and cardio vascular diseases.

Ihesie, who said he was trained by the late natural health practitioner Mrs Elizabeth Kafaru, said there are some chemicals in mayonnaise that are unhealthy. “It is not everybody that can eat Omega-6 fats that are often present in most mayonnaise. As commercial mayonnaise is most often made with soybean oil, corn oil or other vegetable oil blends that are high in omega-6 fats.’’

Noting that omega-6 fatty acids are essential to health, he said omega-3 are not. ‘’This unhealthy ratio,’’ he said, ‘’increases one’s risk of developing heart diseases, cancers, Type 2 diabetes and osteoporosis, as well as inflammatory and autoimmune disorders such as rheumatoid arthritis. Even mayonnaise that is labelled as containing olive oil, a healthier, lower omega-6 fat, only contains a very small portion of fats from olive oil; the majority of the oils still come from soybean oil or other high omega-6 oils.”

Besides, these dangerous fillings, Ihesie said artificial ingredients also abound in mayonnaise. “In addition to containing proinflammatory omega-6 oils and added sugars, commercial mayonnaise also contains a lot of artificial ingredients, such as preservatives, additives and monosodium glutamate, or MSG. A fresh homemade mayonnaise can be kept for a week at the most in your fridge, while the commercially produced ones can keep for months. The chemical and processed ingredients added to mayonnaise are generally recognised as safe, but some people experience side effects, such as headaches, nausea and weakness, when consuming foods containing these ingredients,” he added.

However, Ihesie said the problems in some salad dressings can be avoided if one’s prepares them oneself and folow some steps.

“To avoid the many health disadvantages of commercial mayonnaise, make your own with healthier oils and no sugar or artificial ingredients. A classic mayonnaise recipe includes egg yolks, oil, lemon juice or vinegar and seasonings. Use avocado oil, olive oil or other natural oil to lower your omega-6 intake, while getting more of the hearthealthy monounsaturated fats. Add turmeric, sun-dried tomatoes, garlic, hot sauce or curry powder to make gourmet versions of healthier mayonnaise.’’

He continued: “Regular mayonnaise contains about one gramme of sugar per tablespoon, which is not that high if you limit yourself to a tablespoon or two. However, if you think that you are making a healthy choice by choosing light, low-fat or fat-free mayonnaise, think again. Fat-reduced may-

•Salad

•Dr Ihesie

•Mayonnaise

By Oyeyemi Gbenga-Mustapha

onnaise has the disadvantage of containing a lot more added sugar, with over four grammes per tablespoon, which is the equivalent of a full teaspoon of sugar per

tablespoon of mayonnaise. Mayonnaise, especially the low-fat variety, is not a good choice if you are trying to eat healthier and manage your blood sugar levels.’’

Despite these demerits, Ihesie allayed fears

about eating salads. He said a meal of it daily is beneficial to the body. He described salad is the healthiest and simplest food. Their vegetables and fruits content, he said, can add to one’s fat and still get its benefits.

He listed one of the benefits of salad to include fibre, which guards against constipation and lowers cholesterol. “The fibre in salads assists people to feel fuller and thus eat less. This is, especially, helpful for those looking to shed some weight. Because salads are quite satisfying, consuming one before your main meal will lessen the amount of calories that you eventually consume. A lower calorie intake due to the fibre content also encourages weight loss.’’

Ihesie said studies have shown that some Nigerians do not consume the healthy recommended daily servings of vegetables and fruits. ‘’Regular consumption of a salad,’’ he said, “offers a suitable alternative of getting vegetables and fruits, which are filled with many nutrients that contribute to healthy bodies.”

He added: “If you regularly consume green salads, you are likely to have higher levels of blood with various powerful antioxidants. Vegetables contain important antioxidants, such as vitamin C, lycopene, beta carotene and folic acid that prevent free radical damage. Antioxidants are also beneficial in guarding against premature ageing.

Through consuming salads, you are actually enhancing your good fat consumption.

This is done through incorporating avocado, nuts or oil into your salad. This helps the body to better absorb phytochemicals into the body.”

‘Herbal treatment can stop mental ill health’

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NATUROPATH, Dr Solomon Abutoh, has recommended herbal treatment for mental problems.

According to him, most cases of mental ill health can be tackled with herbs, such as Asofeyeje in Yoruba.

He said the leaf of the plant is suitable, adding that the bark is more potent, advising that it must be used sparingly.

Quoting the World Health Organisation’s (WHO’s) definition of health, Abutoh said man is tripartite (has spirit, soul and body), adding that health and wellness should be tackled.

He said: “Diseases, therefore, manifest along the lines of man’s nature. Some are physical as in wounds while the others could be less physical in origin, such as emotional cases, yet are capable of affecting human behaviour and or attitudes.”

Mental problems, he said, could also be caused by man’s lifestyle. “For example, excessive alcohol use and drug abuse are chief among man-made problems.

“Many of those who take marijuana, cocaine and heroine have become mad because of the effect drugs have on them.”

Some people, he said, have lost their sanity because they received sudden and unpleasant news, such as the death of their loved ones.

They are in shock, he added.

By Wale Adepoju

Besides, manipulation of the human spirit by means beyond the physical may also be responsible for people’s funny behaviour.

“Amnesia, which is memory loss due to ageing is another mental issue,” he added.

He continued: “Whatever the doubt, unbelief or stigma people may ascribe to mental health, the fact is that there are people, irrespective of their educational, professional, social background, who just cannot explain why they do some of the things they do or say. Many of them are sick in the head.

“Sadly, people only recognise a mental case when the subject or victim starts going about in tattered clothes, picks or scavenge the dustbin for food, or even completely walk about nude on the streets.”

He said mental disorders manifest in stages, adding that early detection and prompt treatment is best for treatment.

The naturopath said there are people of high professional/social standing that are mentally sick.

“These people are even saddled with critical decision-making positions or responsibilities. They also determine the fate of many, if not the whole country.

Some doctors, nurses, pilots, judges, political leaders, bankers, sailors, personal/ commercial drivers, handlers of light to

•Abutoh

heavy weapons, nuclear weapons are mentally ill,” he said.

Abutoh said there was the need to subject them to periodic psychiatric checks to determine and assess their mental state.

He said mental conditions may be subtle in coming but it is no fiction.

Whatever doubt, unbelief or stigma people may ascribe to mental health, the fact is that there are people, irrespective of their educational, professional, social background, who just cannot explain why they do some of the things they do or say. Many of them are sick in the head

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THE NATION TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015

SPORT EXTRA

Real Madrid sacks Ancelotti T

•Ancelotti

HE Italian coach, who delivered European and world titles to the Santiago Bernabeu, has paid the price for a disappointing second half of the season Real Madrid has announced they have sacked Carlo Ancelotti as head coach.

The Italian coach has been widely expected to leave the Santiago Bernabeu this summer after a disappointing end to the 2014-15 season, which saw Madrid lose out to Barcelona in the Liga title race and exit the Champions

League at the semi-final stage at the hands of Juventus.

The reigning European champions have now confirmed they have parted ways with the man who delivered La Decima to the club.

Ancelotti delivered four trophies at Madrid in a remarkable 2014, as the Blancos won the Copa del Rey, Champions League, European Super Cup and Club World Cup. The former Paris SaintGermain boss has been linked with a return to AC Milan, where he won Serie A and two Champions League titles,

ACCESS BANK UNICEF CHARITY POLO

Fifth Chukker wins Argentine Cup

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IFTH Chukker has become the first team to win a major title in the 2015 Access Bank UNICEF Charity Shield Polo Tournament’2015 that took to impressive start in Kaduna Sunday. The Access Bank kitted side defeated Kangimi 3-2 in a closely fought second game of the opening day, to cart home the glittering Argentine Ambassador’s Cup. The Mohammed Babangida team parading established names like Dikko Mangal, Leruix Hendricks and Manuel Crespo jumped into the lead from the blast of the whistle and rallied to victory with goals from Babangida, Crespo and Mangal.

Kangimi’s hope of snatching a late victory after drawing level in the third chukka through Babangida Hassan and Pepe Bourdieu was thwarted by the spirited defense of Fifth Chukkers in a clash decided before a crowded stand dominated by diplomats who were on to mark the Argentine Independence Day. The opening game of the tournament which was decided after a brief but ful

opening ceremony at the Fifth Chukker Lawns of the Kangimi Resort saw DeeBee Farms upsetting highly rated Akasma team7-21/2 in the opening game of the UNICEF Cup series.

The Kaduna based DeeBee farmer parading Baba Dawule, Ali Birjawi, Fernando Munose and their chief predator, Johan Duploy took an early lead through Baba Dawule in the first chukka and remained in the front throughout the tensed four chukkas encounter, to stake a huge claim to the UNICEF Cup title whose Most Valuable Player award winner drove home a brand new car.

AKasma side had scored two goals through Idris Badamasi in the second chukka, but caved in to DeeBee’s robust campaign, allowing Duploy to score four goals in the last chukka of the game, to give the farmer the much needed victory.

Access Bank Manager Kaduna, Joseph Ikpaanyam who expressed delight at the growing popularity of the charity event in the country,

described Access Bank involvement in the UNICEF charity polo is in line with the bank principle of lifting the lives of Nigerian children.

"Our sponsorship is a reflection of our commitment to enriching the lives of Nigerians and an acknowledgement of the impact the initiative has had on the lives of the orphaned and vulnerable children in Kaduna State and its environ." He pointed.

Reputed as Africa’s biggest charity polo event, the fiesta that offers a handsome offer of Two Hundred Thousand Naira (N200.000) cash prize to the Best Playing Pony and lots of consolation prizes in tournament that attracted a record 15 teams of high, medium and lowgoals teams.

The prestigious Access bank powered polo fiesta which is reputed for its high profile competitions heads to its crucial stages Wednesday when Max Air team from Katsina clash with Huwaei opening game of the Access Bank Cup category.

with Rossoneri CEO Adriano Galliani heading to the Spanish capital to meet with Ancelotti. Rumours in England also linked West Ham with a shock approach for the former midfielder.

However, the 55-year-old confirmed after Madrid's 7-3 thrashing of Getafe that he intends to take a year's sabbatical from the game in order to undergo surgery on a nervous complaint.

Napoli boss Rafa Benitez is the favourite to succeed Ancelotti at Santiago Bernabeu.

Falcons coach unfazed by poor World Cup preparation

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OACH of the super Falcons, Edwin Okon, has revealed that he is confident that with the level of preparation, the super Falcons can give a good account of themselves, as he is sure of the ladies that have been selected for this female world cup.

He further revealed that they have settled very well into the weather in Canada, as they are beginning to acclimatize, as he believes that the weather will not pose a stumbling block to their ambitions at this year’s world cup. ” Preparation or not we’re set and the fact is that we must focus on getting result that’s the major thing. Our focus and thinking is how to get the needed result.” Okon told www.footballlive.ng.

Winners emerge in Lagos NNPC-NAPIMS Open Table Tennis Championship

T

HE two-day Open Table Tennis Championship tagged Lagos NNPC-NAPIMS Tournament, ended at the weekend with Afeez Jamiu and Fatimo Bello emerging as winners in the men’s and women's singles respectively.

For their efforts, the cham-

pions went home with N100, 000 each in the competition organised by Femi Sokoyaled Lagos State Table Tennis Association (LSSTA).

To win the title in the men’s event, Jamiu defeated Azeez Sholanke 4-2 while Bello clinched the title in the women's final beating Bose

Odusanya 4-2.

Despite playing second fiddle, Sholanke and Odusanya got N75, 000 each, while joint third place winners in the men's singles, Ayo Omotara and Rilwan Akanbi and their counterparts in the women's singles, Aminat Fashola and Atinuke Olaide received N50, 000 each.

No issues with Mikel Obi, say Keshi

N

IGERIA coach Stephen Keshi has rejected talk of a rift with Chelsea midfielder John Mikel Obi. Keshi has left the 28-yearold out of his squad for next month's 2017 Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Chad.

"It's true that I couldn't reach him when he was injured but that's not the reason for his omission," Keshi told BBC Sport.

"We've spoken and contrary to reports [in the local media] there is no problem between us at all."

Mikel has not played for Nigeria since November but Keshi insists the door remains open for the midfielder.

"He's an integral member of this team who brings a lot to it. Right now we are only giving opportunities to some new players," he added.

Another notable foreignbased absentee is defender Elderson Echiejile, who plays for Monaco in France's Ligue 1.

But there is a surprise recall for Slovakia-based Rabiu Ibrahim, who has yet to make his senior debut, while Watford's Odion Ighalo is expected to make his competitive debut against Chad in Kaduna on 13 June.

There were first-time callups for William TroostEkong, Kingsley Madu and Anderson Esiti.

The 15 foreign-based stars will join other locally based players at their Abuja camp next week.

Keshi, who won the Nations

•Keshi

Cup as a player with Nigeria in 1994 and coach in 2013, is confident he can revive the Super Eagles after their failure to qualify for the recent finals in Equatorial Guinea.

"We have a big task ahead to rebuild this team and I am confident we are going to bounce back," said Keshi.

"The door is not shut on anyone; those invited must show they deserve it by giving their best."

Eagles call-up a dream come true - Rabiu Ibrahim

A

S Trencin playmaker, Rabiu Ibrahim, has reacted to his call up to the Nigeria senior national team, calling it a dream come true.

The Korea 2007 U17 World Cup winner has put his club woes behind him and was very pivotal in helping his Slovakian team win the league and the cup for the first time in their history.

He has long been tipped to be the heir to former Super Eagles captain, and legend, Austin Jay-Jay Okocha. His supply of goals, tricks, dribbles and goal assists have been a treat for Trencin fans and have seen him finally live up to his hype.

This season the 24-year-old has scored five times from 21 games in all competitions from his playmaking role.

"It's a dream come true for me have being on the edge of the team for long, but my club career wasn't good enough and I’m happy to be rewarded with a call up due to my performances for my team," he said.

"I’m not coming to the camp to make up the numbers, I’m coming to show Nigerians the reason why the coaches called me up and hopefully, if I get selected, I will put up a show that will help us beat the Chadians comprehensively."

•Okon

Isaac Success misses New Zealand flight

D

UE to an administrative bureaucracy, allnigeriasoccer.com un-

•Isaac

•NFF official to deliver Moses Simon’s passport in Belgium derstands that Granada striker Isaac Success has missed his scheduled flight to link up with the Nigeria U20s for the FIFA World Cup. The 19 - year - old was supposed to depart Malaga on Monday morning for New Zealand but is presently holed up in Andalusia awaiting the personal assistant to the NFF President, Nasiru Jibril, to deliver his international passport.

The document had been sent

by Isaac Success to Nigeria, as

requested by the Federation, to process his visa to New Zealand.

But he is not the only Flying Eagles player facing travel difficulties as Gent striker Moses Simon was yet to be given his international passport as at Sunday.

Nasiru Jibril, regarded as one of the international experts at the NFF, jetted off to Europe last weekend and it is believed that he is now in Belgium to hand Simon his in-

ternational passport.

The NFF official is expected to arrive in Spain this evening to meet up with Isaac Success.

With the clock ticking before the Flying Eagles opener against Brazil, Success has decided not to wait for FIFA to send him a fresh ticket to travel to New Zealand.

This website understands that he will book and pay for his flight ticket today before flying to New Zealand on Tuesday.

•Rabiu

TODAY IN THE NATION

TUESDAY, MAY 26, 2015 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

‘When we complained about the administration’s humongous appetite for foreign credit at a time of bumper earnings; then we were told that the country –still doing fine with crude oil exports – was under-borrowed’ VOL.10

NO. 3227

COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

E

ARLY in Dr Goodluck Jonathan’s presidency, I asked an eminent and influential public figure who was in a position to know — I asked him whether Dr Jonathan was up to the task.

‘Without hesitation, no,” he said, his voice tinged with pained disappointment.

He went on to relate how Dr Jonathan would arrive at meetings not having studied his briefing papers, and how he would often doze off during meetings he himself had convened.

Nor was the eminent person impressed

by Dr Jonathan’s inner circle, men and women who had no business being on such hallowed ground – “ ragamuffins,” — he called them. They caroused far into the night, with their host holding court– as it were.

I had no reason to doubt my source, a person of few but measured words. But I checked his assessment with two other public figures, persons of consequence in their own right, who were also in a position to know whether Dr Jonathan was up to the job.

Each, separately, concurred in the assessment of my first source.

That was early in the Jonathan presidency.

As the years passed by, he may have cut down on the night-time carousing and learned to stay attentive and engaged during meetings. But mastery of his brief, or of any public issue for that matter, eluded him throughout his presidency, now mercifully set to end next Friday.

You could never accuse him of having a firm grasp on any issue, be it commonplace routine or recondite, despite his advertised doctorate in ichthyology. You could never accuse him of profundity, of lofty thought, the type that springs from a lofty mind. You could not even accuse him of honest-togoodness blandness.

Dr Jonathan was, well, Dr Jonathan.

It has to be said, however, that he did not seek the office. He did not envisage public office outside the bucolic enclave where he had spent his entire life until national service took him to Osun State. And as soon as he completed the one-year deployment, he returned to familiar surroundings. All his three degrees came from the University of Port Harcourt, which further locked him into the insularity that he was never able to shed.

Catapulted from deputy governor in Bayelsa to state governor, to vice president, and then to president of the Republic in two dizzy years, from obscurity to celebrity and to the global stage as it were, Dr Jonathan was more than overwhelmed.

Nothing had prepared him for such preferment. He never rose to its opportunities.

Instead he took refuge in a Transformation Agenda that was more slogan than substance, so much motion but, alas, very little

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Oga IGP, POLICE CHECPOINT dey LADIPO/TOYOTA JUNCTION

OLATUNJI DARE

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From GEJ to GMB: A poisoned chalice

•Jonathan

•Buhari

movement. Meetings of the Federal Executive Council became contract bazaars, at the end of which contract awards were solemnly announced as if they were epochal achievements. And for the most part, nothing was heard again about them.

Dr Jonathan felt much more comfortable traipsing all over the country in gaudy apparel to attend to the affairs of the dysfunctional PDP than sitting down and contemplating how to make Nigeria work for the masses of the people. Nigeria was working well for him and his cronies. The formerly shoeless boy had a fleet of 11 executive jets at his beck and call, a one billion naira budget for food and beverages. What could be sworn with a system like that?

Despite all the talk of transformation, Dr Jonathan could not build an independent power facility for the Presidential Villa and its complementary facilities.. Nor could he raise to world class the National Hospital that serves the Presidency to world class.

Why bother when he could always hop off in an executive jet for treatment in European hospitals?

Being at the helm and reveling in the perks was what mattered the most to Dr Jonathan. Performance was of no consequence, whether at the national level or in the states where the PDP held sway, more by crook than by hook. Perversity and impunity thrived without even perfunctory remonstrance, especially in the PDP states or in the ministries, departments and agencies headed by its stalwarts.

It is in fact the case that, the greater the perversity and the impunity perpetrated in those domains, the greater the tacit support of the Jonathan presidency.

The PDP was never a political party, in any case. It has always been a patronage organisation, held together by the power of federal patronage. One of its chieftains, Iyiola Omisore, spoke a greater truth than he intended or realised when, in a plea for party unity, he urged squabbling camp followers to remember that the PDP was nothing without the presidency.

Omisore was splendidly vindicated when, following the PDP’ rout two months ago in the general elections, its senior officials and card-carrying supporters started jumping ship by the thousands. The cookie on which they had gorged themselves remorselessly for 16 unbroken years had crumbled.

Jonathan presided over a comprehensive collapse of state institutions and the national value system. In almost no area of national life can Nigerians say with confidence that they are better off today than they were four years ago when Jonathan

HARDBALL

F

ROM the latest manoeuvres, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) appears headed straight to the undertaker.

But the snag is this undertaker would appear unsympathetic!

With the ouster of Chairman Adamu Mu’azu, hanged on the petard of a combined palace coup of the Goodluck Jonathan presidential court and Mu’azu’s own opportunistic National Working Committee (NWC), President Jonathan is reported to have seized the structures of the embattled party, still reeling from its March/April crushing electoral defeat.

It is true as the Yoruba say: if you tarry too long in the latrine, all forms of flies, wild and tame, would drone you to shame. That is the story of Mr. Fix it, Tony Anenih, who seems to have withdrawn into some self-fixing purgatory. In a strange move — strange to Mr. Fix it in his heydays — Chairman Anenih virtually bolted from the PDP Board of Trustees (BOT).

The last time the all-mighty Olusegun Obasanjo, outgoing president of the Federal Republic, all-knowing father of modern Nigeria and unrivalled PDP King Kong, elbowed Anenih from that position, the Edo chief grumbled and snorted so much at the impudence. He bided his time till King Kong Aremu overreached himself. And pat, the BOT

Straight, to the undertaker dropped right back in his waiting laps.

So, how come Mr. Fix it has relinquished that prized diadem to the gentler and more placid Jonathan? Mr. Fix it eventually has fixed himself?

Well, PDP court politics moves in mysterious ways, its wonders to perform!

Or how else would Hardball understand its peculiar sense of crime and punishment?

Alhaji Mu’azu was about the sanest voice in Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential campaign ensemble. He was the only voice warning against the path of selfdestruction the party merrily trod. Yet, he was the first the guiltiest of party cadres shooed off his office.

Jonathan, on the other hand, was the author and finisher of PDP’s destruction.

He was the presidential do-nothing. He was the ruler to which cluelessness was the fundamental principle of state policy.

Yet, he was the most adamant on claiming an additional term, even if the heavens would fall; and the party sink into abyss.

Yes indeed, the heavens did fall; and PDP did sink into the abyss. Yet, Jonathan

SANYA ONI

was voted into office on his own.

At its best, Nigeria generated in the Jonathan years only a small fraction of what a platinum mine in South Africa generates for its operations. When they work at all, Nigeria’s four oil refineries produce less than one-half of the nation’s needs; the balance is imported through a system that is about as transparent as a steel door.

Nigeria has been mired in corruption on a scale beyond belief. But to Dr Jonathan, the problem is ordinary stealing, and we only compound matters when we call it corruption.

Faced with the devastation over which he has presided, it might be thought that a contrite Jonathan would accept that he was not up to the task, thank Nigerians for the jolly good ride he has had, and humbly vacate the scene.

Instead, he engineered a false consensus to clinch the PDP’s presidential ticket and sought desperately to buy or steal the presidential election, employing in the process some of the most despicable tactics ever seen in these parts.

Instead of consolidating the ethnic solidarity that had triumphed over the machinations of a cabal bent on preventing him from taking power following the death of his principal, and had thereafter given him a strong mandate for a substantive term of his own, he resorted to ethnicbaiting and incitement.

In the twilight of his disastrous tenure, Dr Jonathan launched out on an activist streak, making major appointments, dismissing senior personnel, setting up new institutions, threatening to link all 36 state capitals by rail, and even vowing to become a statesman, as if that is a position to which one can appoint oneself.

He has even cast himself as a super patriot who has always been ready to lay down his life for Nigeria. Coming from a president and commander-in-chief of the armed forces who could not bring himself to go near Chibok where Boko Haram abducted 230 young women from their school hostel and stole their future, this has got to be the height of delusion.

The system collapse Nigeria is experiencing now is an eloquent epitaph to Dr Jonathan’s inept rule. The damage he has inflicted on every aspect of Nigerian life will be with us for a long time. What he is handing to President-elect Muhammadu Buhari is nothing less than a poisoned chalice.

•For comments, send SMS to 08111813080

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above is the very one reported to have seized the PDP structure; and given himself the sweet chore of nursing the comatose “largest political party in Africa” back into life! How can that be?

Recall, it was Jonathan’s crude and kindergarten (apologies to Chief Bisi Akande) projection of power that caused Alhaji Bamanga Tukur his chairmanship.

It was his inability to rein in his wife, Dame the Game, that harvested Jonathan political enemies that nailed him at the polls. It was Jonathan’s play at hiding behind a finger that gifted Femi FaniKayode the reckless ill grace of coarse partisan insults, which sweet poison killed Jonathan’s presidential encore.

Yet, it is this same Jonathan that postures as the new-found messiah to put PDP out of its self-imposed misery. Talk of the physician that replaces a headache with yaws!

PDP, of course, can claim its democratic right to free suicide. And the omens are not so good, with the reported ambush its club of ex-governors are plotting against its ex-president, in the impending fight-to-finish over the party’s soul.

But Hardball can wager: PDP, in Jonathan’s hand, is heading straight to the undertaker. So folks, prepare for the final burial!

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