May 9, 2014 by The Nation

Three swept to death in Ibadan

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•AND MORE •APC raises alarm over PDP’s ‘plot to rig’ ON PAGE 10 •INEC trains officers •18 candidates unite for peace •Fayose: why I picked non-politician as running mate

Dangote to invest $16bn in four years •To create 180,000 jobs

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

FRICA’s richest man Aliko Dangote said his Dangote Group will invest $16 billion to create various businesses in Nigeria and other African countries in the next four years. Dangote spoke yesterday in Abuja at the plenary of the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) on Africa. He said the investment programme would Continued on page 2

•President Goodluck Jonathan speaking with John-Francois Van Boxmeer, •Custodian and Allied PLC Chairman Chief Michael Ade-Ojo speaking chairman of Executive Board/ CEO , Heineken International at the World at the company’s 19th annual general meeting in Lagos...yesterday. With him are Secretary Yinka Jafojo (left) and Director Wole Oshin Economic Forum in Abuja...yesterday

World rises for Nigeria Ki-Moon, Obama’s wife, Clinton’s wife, Bill Gates, Annan, Malala, others join push for rescue of Chibok girls Protests in Ibadan, Osogbo, Jos, Yola

ORE celebrities have joined the cry for the rescue of the more than 200 schoolgirls kidnapped by the Boko Haram extremists. Three weeks after the 257 girls were snatched from their school in Chibok, a fortnight after #BringBackOurGirls first appeared on Twitter, and a day after United States President Barack Obama described the kidnapping as both heart-breaking and outrageous, the eyes of the world are finally and firmly fixed on events in the remote reaches of Northeast Nigeria. Michelle Obama has become the latest high profile name to tweet her support and in cities as far apart as Abuja, Washington, Los Angeles, Dublin and London, demonstrators have put on red T-shirts to draw attention to the girls’ plight, demand their release, and to vent a deepening sense of anger. Further protests are due to be held over the next few days in the UK, the US, South Africa, Jamaica and Switzerland. The hashtag, which started trending in Nigeria two weeks ago, has now been tweeted more than one million times. It was first used on 23 April at the opening ceremony for a Unesco event honouring the Nigerian city of Port Harcourt as the 2014 World Book Capital City. A Nigerian lawyer in Abuja, Ibrahim M Abdullahi, tweeted the call in a speech by Dr Oby Ezekwesili, vice-president of the World

WHERE ARE THE CHIBOK GIRLS KIDNAPPED ON APRIL 15?

Continued on page 2

INSIDE

•U.S. won’t take over •Jonathan predicts end •P A GES •PA to Boko Haram 2,4,5,7&9 •APC seeks probe of security allocations •Falana: let’s be serious •Amaechi calls for jobs •Muslim leaders angry

•BRING B ACK OUR GIRLS: Mrs. Obama in Washington...yesterday BA

PHOTO: RUETERS

WHO SAID WHAT I wish to reiterate that there is no justification whatsoever for this unrestrained disregard for the sanctity of human life. It has no place in the Holy Quran and neither does it have a place in the Holy Bible —Buhari Our prayers are with the missing Nigerian girls and their families —Obama’s wife I think the reaction of Africa should have been faster. I also believe that the Nigerian Government should have shared a bit more with its own population. —Kofi Annan If we remain silent then this will spread, this will happen more and more and more —Malala It’s criminal. It’s an act of terrorism and it really merits the fullest response possible. First and foremost from the government of Nigeria —Hillary Clinton

•BRANDS P26 •AGRIC P38 •SPORTS P41 •POLITICS P43 •SOCIETY P45•FOREIGN P62

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

NEWS CHIBOK GIRLS’ ABDUCTION

World leaders rise Continued from page 1

Bank for Africa to “Bring Back the Girls!”

A global “social media march” has also been organised asking supporters to use their networks to promote the campaign for 200 minutes on Thursday and there are also Bring Back Our Girls and a Wear Red Facebook pages. The campaign has reignited the debate over the value of online campaigning or “slacktivism” as it is called by its critics. The hashtag has been used by different organisations to expose the story further online. Amnesty International and UNICEF have backed the campaign, as have politicians and celebrities, including Michelle Obama, Hillary Clinton, Wyclef Jean and Chris Brown. Actors Sean Penn, Ashton Kutcher, Justin Timberlake and Bradley Cooper have thrown their weight behind a parallel hashtag: #RealMenDontBuyGirls. The U.S. First Lady said on Twitter: “Our prayers are with the missing Nigerian girls and their families.” She packaged her tweet with a photo of herself in the White House holding a white piece of paper with the message “#BringBackOurGirls” written in black, capital letters. Mrs. Clinton expressing her outrage said: “It’s criminal. It’s an act of terrorism and it really merits the fullest response possible. First and foremost from the government of Nigeria,” Malala Yousafzai, the Pakistani schoolgirl who survived a shooting by Taliban insurgents, has said the world must not stay silent over the abduction of the girls. She told the BBC that “if we remain silent then this will spread, this will happen more and more and more”. No fewer than 100 red-clad men and women gathered outside the Defence Headquarters in Abuja to beg the authorities to find the girls amid claims they were to be sold into slavery. The chief of the Chibok community in Abuja, Hosea Sambido, said the uncertainty had left mothers in his home town unable to eat and had forced fathers into the bush in desperate searches for their daughters. “Please, we are begging the federal government of Nigeria, please, we are begging our army, which we depend on, please intervene into this matter for us, intervene into this matter for us,” said Sambido. “Our community is relatively small. If a generation of the

•Oyo State Governor Abiola Ajimobi (in white agbada) flanked by his deputy, Chief Moses Alake Adeyemo (left), his wife, Florence (right) and others during the protest rally by school children and women against the abduction of Chibok girls in Ibadan…yesterday.

Chibok girls: Protests in Ibadan, Osogbo, Yola, Jos

ORE cities hosted yesterday peaceful protests over the abduction of over 200 schoolgirls in Chibok, Borno State. In Ibadan, Jos, Katsina, Yola and Lagos, the message was the same: bring back the girls. Oyo State Governor’s wife Mrs Florence Ajimobi led a prayer rally and a peaceful procession in Ibadan. The rally began around 9am at the Lekan Salami Stadium, Adamasingba, with the women wearing their traditional Buba and Iro in the wrong way. They also wore red head gears to show their anger at the abduction. Secondary school pupils turned up for the protest in their thousands. The women and children cursed the abductors of the Government Secondary School, Chibok girls. They carried placards with inscriptions such as: “Release our girls”; “234 girls why”; “Ajimobi says enough is enough”; “We demand the immediate release of our girls”; “Oyo State women says bring back our girls”; “Security of children

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan , Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo, Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos and Barnabas Manyam, Yola

should be paramount”; “Put an end to the abduction of our girls”; and “Operation no more Boko Haram”; among others. All shops, markets and offices were shut down till around 1pm in solidarity with the troubled girls. Mrs Ajimobi broke down in tears during her speech. She urged the Federal Government and security agencies to do everything to ensure that Nigeria becomes safe. She said: “Rather than the expedient rescue mission we expected as promised by the leadership of the nation, we have been inundated with drama after drama, trivialising, in our own opinion, what happens to be a very grave matter. To make matters worse, there have been subsequent reported abductions, proving further to us the grave danger we are in as a nation. Today, it is Chibok, who knows where it could be tomorrow?

“We the women of Oyo State have taken it upon ourselves to do something different for the sake of our children and for our future, because both day and night we hear the cries of those girls, because we are not in denial of the apparent danger looming over their heads; because we feel deep in our hearts the pain and anguish of their parents, and because we are fearful for our tomorrow.” After the prayers, Mrs Ajimobi, accompanied by House of Assembly Speaker Monsurat Sunmonu, Deputy Governor’s wife Mrs Janet Adeyemo and Commissioner for Women affairs, Mrs Atinuke Oshunkoya, marched in a procession with other women and children to the Office of the Governor where a letter was presented to Governor Abiola Ajimobi for delivery to President Goodluck Jonathan. The letter enjoined the President to expedite action in the matter of the abducted schoolgirls and further boost securi-

same age – 276 – are out, in the future where are we? Who cares? Can our girls go to school now? Help us. Please. Please.” In Washington, about 75 protesters wearing “Bring Back Our Girls” T-shirts rallied outside the shuttered Nigerian embassy to accuse the Nigerian government of failing to protect its young females. “We are tired of the gov-

ernment putting its head in the sand,” said Omolola Adele Oso, a 35-year-old Nigerian immigrant from Bowie, Maryland. “These girls could be beaten and burned into subservience. The government wants this problem to disappear, but it will not disappear.” Most – but not all – of the demonstrators were Nigerian immi-

grants. Amy Thomson, 43, of Chevy Chase, Maryland said she had come to the rally “because I’m a mother and I would feel the same if my daughter were in danger.” Thomson was accompanied by her 11-year-old daughter Emma, who said she had been inspired by the efforts of Malala Yousafzai, the teenage activist from Pakistan who was

From Nduka Chiejina, Abuja

“The Governments of the United States of America, the United Kingdom and France have also spoken with me and expressed their commitment to assist us. “I believe that the kidnap of these girls will be the beginning of end to terror in Nigeria.” The President thanked the over 1000 delegates who attended the forum, saying: “Your presence has supported us in winning the war on terror. If you had refused to come because of fear, the terrorists would have jubilated and may have created more havoc, but your coming here to support us morally is a major blow to the terrorists and by God’s grace we will conquer the terrorists.” On the theme of the forum, job

creation and inclusive growth, said “job creation has been the main focus of government’s transformation agenda and it has kept me up at night.” Jonathan lamented that “in Africa, the unemployment problem is compounded by our youthful population and pending demographic transition”. “As you know Africa’s population is very young. Other continents are ‘aging’, but Africa’s population of young people is growing. African leaders, therefore, face special challenges. We have the challenge to provide jobs, housing and healthcare.” McKinsey, the consulting firm, he said, had calculated that an additional 122 million workers would enter Africa’s labour

Jonathan predicts end to Boko Haram insurgency

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is optimistic that the international support on the abduction of the over 200 schoolgirls will kill insurgency in the country. He spoke at the opening of the plenary of the World Economic Forum (WEF) Africa in Abuja. He said Nigeria was proud to host the event, for the first time it was coming to West Africa. Jonathan expressed gratitude to the United States, the United Kingdom, the UN, France and China for offering to assist Nigeria to rescue the girls and in fighting the terrorists. He said: “Let me specially thank all of you for accepting to come. Especially, this time that as a nation, we are facing attacks from terrorists.

“Let me appreciate you individually and collectively for your support for us and your sentiment. “And in fact by your presence here in Nigeria at this time, you have already supported us to win the war against terror. “If you had refused to come because of fear, the terrorists would have jubilated and even have committed more havoc. “But your coming here to support us morally is a major blow on the terrorists and by God’s grace we will conquer the terrorists. “The government of China has promised to assist us and I believe that assistance will come almost immediately.

Continued on page 59

NSA, Service chiefs visit Chibok From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

shot and nearly killed by the Taliban for promoting girls’ education. “Boko Haram said Allah told them to take the girls,” said Emma. “But I read about Malala, and she said that is not her Allah.” Yousafzai herself has lent her support to the campaign to

HE Defence Headquarters yesterday said the National Security Adviser, Mr. Sambo Dasuki, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Marshal Alex Badeh, and service chiefs have visited Chibok on a fact-finding mission. A terse statement by the Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said the visit was part of the ongoing efforts to rescue 276 abducted pupils of the Government Girls Secondary School, Chibok. The statement said: “The National Security Adviser, Col Sambo Dasuki (rtd), in company of Service Chiefs and the Inspector-General of Police today visited Government Secondary School, Chibok, in continuation of the ongoing effort to rescue the abducted girls. “While fielding questions fromreporters on the actual number of the missing girls, the Chief of Defence Staff, Air Chief Marshal Alex Badeh,

Continued on page 59

•Dangote...yesterday Continued from page 1

translate into creation of no fewer than 180,000 jobs in Nigeria and on the continent. “We are investing a total of 16

Dangote to invest $16bn billion dollars (N2.6 trillion) in the next four years to create a lot of businesses in refineries, petrochemical and to make Nigeria self-sufficient in fertiliser. “We are building a fertiliser plant, which is going to be 2.8 million tonnes, and part of it will be for export because it is more than what Nigeria requires,” he said. Dangote, along with the cochair of the WEF on Africa, encouraged foreign investors to come to Nigeria because of its Continued on page 59

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

NEWS CHIBOK GIRLS’ ABDUCTION

We won’t t

• Vice-President Namadi Sambo (right) greeting Honorary Counsel of Italy in London, Hussain Dawood after a meeting of PHOTO: NAN power investors in Abuja...yesterday. With them is Group Chairman, Oranto Petroleum, Prince Arthur Eze.

•From left: Co-founder, Convention on Business Integrity, Mr. Soji Apanpa, CEO, Deloitte Nigeria, Mr. Tawanda Gumbo, Coordinator, Clean Business Practice Initiative, Mr. Emmanuel Ijewere, member, Honourary International Investment Council, Mr. Andy Brown, Group Chief Executive, Oando Plc, Mr. Wale Tinubu, Director, Stakeholder Relations and Corporate Communication, Dangote Group, Engr. Mansur Ahmed; Senior Director, Centre for Global Industry, World Economy Forum, Mr. Alex Wong; and Company Secretary and Chief Compliance Officer, Ms. Ayotola Jagun during a breakfast meeting by Oando and the Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI) of the World Economic Forum in Abuja..yesterday.

• Chief Executive Officer, Newlord Nigeria Limited, Vishal Daryanani (left) greeting the Executive Director, Sterling Bank Plc, Abubakar Suleimon at the Small and Medium Enterprises (SME) seminar organized by the bank in Lagos...yesterday. With them is the Chief Executive Officer, Carlisle Nigeria Limited, Shade Animashaun . PHOTO: ADEJO DAVID

• From left: Permanent Secretary, Lagos State Ministry of Speacial Duties, Dr. Aderemi Adesalu, Commisssioner for Special Duties Dr. Wale Ahmed and Commissioner for Information and Strategy Mr. Lateef Ibirogba during the Ministerial Press Briefing at Alausa....yesterday.

HE United States has said that its assistance to rescue the 276 abducted girls is not designed to take over Nigerian military and security agencies. It also said its intervention in the rescue operation will begin in a matter of days and not weeks. Besides, said the United States, it is not on a unilateral mission because the Federal Government will continue to take the lead in the operation against Boko Haram. The US said it would set up an interdisciplinary team at its Embassy in Abuja to coordinate the operations with the Federal Government. The US Ambassador to Nigeria, James F. Entwistle, met with the National Security Adviser Col. Sambo Dasuki on Wednesday to work out the modalities. The spokesperson for the US Department of State, Ms Jen Psaki, made the clarifications at a briefing in Washington late Wednesday. She said Nigeria did not accept America’s offer in theory. The transcript of the briefing, which was released by the US Embassy in Nigeria, said in part: “Well, I believe the Secretary, from his phone call, feels it wasn’t that they just accepted in theory. They did accept our assistance, and there will need to be a discussion about how to best coordinate moving forward, but that will be happening in the coming days. “Yes. Our understanding is the agreement is they’ll be able to do the work that we’ve proposed. Naturally, as a part of that, there’s an assessment period of what the needs are and how we can best assist and the Nigerian Government continues to have the lead. It’s not, of course, a unilateral process we’re conveying here. “I wouldn’t characterise it that way. What it is, is we are obviously, the Nigerian Government has the lead in this effort, and we’re not putting together a unilateral interagency or interdisciplinary team here. We are there to assist and fill in where they have needs. So we need to assess that and determine where they have needs and integrate ours as quickly as possible. “Obviously, we have a range of capabilities. We’ve made an offer, of course, to cooperate, and we expect that will be – (cell phone rings) – oh, that’s quite a festive ring – (laughter) – that we expect that things will be proceeding in days, not weeks. But I don’t want to get into, from the podium, an assessment of where we think things stand on that front. Psaki gave the details of United States’ assistance. She said: “I have a little bit of an update too, so maybe I’ll do this all in one. As we announced yesterday and the Secretary announced, we have offered assistance to the Nigerian Government. President Jonathan accepted our offer of assistance, and we’re moving swiftly to put in place a team at our Embassy in Abuja that can provide military, law enforcement, and informationsharing assistance in support of Nigeria’s efforts to find and free the girls. “Our Embassy in Abuja is standing up an interdisciplinary team – this is what we specifically offered – to coordinate with the Nigerian Government. This morning, our ambassador met with the Nigerian national security advisor. “AFRICOM will send a team shortly to assess Nigerian needs. Our legal attache has been in touch with Nigerian police.

•Women in Benin City, Edos State protesting over the abduction of the Chibok school girls... yesterday.

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

“The FBI stands ready to send additional personnel to provide technical and investigatory assistance, including expertise on hostage negotiations, and USAID is working with partners on what we can do to be ready to provide victims assistance. “So that all falls into the various categories I mentioned yesterday as a part of a, interdisciplinary team that would have representatives from different government agencies.” The spokesperson said additional personnel will arrive in the country in the next few days. She added: “I would categorise it as an interdisciplinary team to coordinate with Nigerian authorities. There are military – military is a part of that, and as I mentioned, in addition to, of course, AFRICOM sending a team, we have a broad range of resources within the United States Government we’ll offer. “Well, we expect additional personnel to be on the ground arriving in the next few days. Obviously, this is in the interests of the Nigerian Government to accept every aspect of our assistance. They conveyed that they were willing to do that yesterday, and it continues to be in their interest to be as cooperative as possible. Asked of the US response to Britain’s plans to help Nigeria, she said: “I don’t have any other specifics. Obviously, we work very closely with the British in a range of these efforts. “And I’m certain that our interdisciplinary team that has a range of assets will be coordinating with those that they send, but some of that is still being worked out, given this was just announced yesterday.” The State Department spokesperson debunked the allegation that the US had been slow in assisting Nigeria against Boko Haram. She said:” I’m not going to do a ranking, but I will tell you that obviously, the fact that we designated Boko Haram as a foreign terrorist organisation last year and we’ve increased our efforts cooperating on counterterrorism in many parts of Northern Africa, not just Nigeria, tells you what you need to know about our level of concern and our focus on Boko Haram.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

CHIBOK GIRLS’ ABDUCTION

take over the military, says U.S.

•Oyo State House of Assembly Speaker Monsurat Sumonu (left) and wife of Oyo State Governor, Mrs. Florence Ajimobi at a prayer/ rally over the Chibok girls at the Lekan Salami PHOTO: FEMI ILESANMI Stadium, Ibadan...yesterday.

APC urges probe of security allocations over Boko Haram

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) has urged the National Assembly to probe budgetary allocations to the military to establish whether or not the military is adequately empowered to tackle terrorism. In a statement issued in Lagos yesterday by its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said the National Assembly, in the exercise of its constitutional duties, must invite Service Chiefs and other relevant government officials to shed light on this issue. It said the probe is important because of the insinuation in certain quarters about the ability and capability of the nation's military in the ongoing battle against Boko Haram. The party said: "The Nigerian military comes highly recommended globally because it has excelled, since 1960, in peacekeeping operations around the world. In fact, Nigeria is among the top troop contributors to global peacekeeping operations, by

•Party hails US, Britain, China

virtue of the acknowledged sterling performance of its military in the various missions. "Our military has also performed credibly in internal security operations in the past. If suddenly the ability and capability of this same military are being called to question in the ongoing battle against the Boko Haram terrorists, then something must have gone wrong. "This is why we are calling on the National Assembly to find out whether or not the soldiers we are sending out to battle the insurgents are adequately equipped to carry out their duties; to find out whether their morale is at the right level; to find out whether the huge funds being allocated for security are being used for the right purposes. "It is important to find out whether the huge funds which are being deposited into the bank accounts of politicians, or being used to lure

them into the ruling party, are being taken from the allocation to security, in which case the purpose for which the funds were allocated in the first instance would have been defeated." The party said the National Assembly should not be deterred by those who say military or security expenditure cannot be probed or those who will read "political meaning" to this call. It added: "The tendency for those who want to silence all the voices of reason to attribute political undertones to any statement, especially from the opposition, on the burning issue of terrorism will not and cannot silence us. We say, unequivocally, that our call is in the best interest of the nation, which is under siege from terrorists, and that it is also in line with global best practices "During the Iraq war, the issue of whether or not the American troops

battling insurgents across Iraq were adequately provided with the appropriate body armour and whether their armoured personnel carriers could withstand the enemy firepower were publicly debated without anyone accusing that country's opposition of playing politics with security." APC said its call became more relevant and urgent after a serving Senator said on the floor of the legislative chamber that during a recent trip to the Sambisa Forest, regarded as the stronghold of the terrorists, the military armoured personnel carrier that was escorting his team broke down. It said there have also been stories concerning the low morale of the troops on the battle front, cases of soldiers being given obsolete guns as well as cases of desertion. "We do not know whether or not these stories are true. But what we

do know is that something seems not to be right with the way we are waging the war against these terrorists, and the only way to know for sure is for the National Assembly to ask the pertinent questions." The APC has commended the US, Britain, China and all the other countries that have offered to assist Nigeria to rescue the over 200 abducted girls, saying such offer of assistance was long overdue, in view of the global nature of terrorism. The party expressed the hope that the assistance would extend beyond the rescue of the girls to also include all other strategic initiatives that will help Nigeria to crush the Boko Haram terrorist group. It said the Jonathan Administration must realise that it is ultimately responsible for the safety and security of all Nigerians, hence cannot afford to shirk its responsibility in that regard.

Buhari: Insurgents have no justification for girls’ abduction

ORMER Head of State Gen. Muhammadu Buhari condemned yesterday the abduction of the Chibok, Borno State schoolgirls, saying “there is no justification whatsoever” for it. In a statement, Gen. Buhari said the girls’ abduction underscored the threat we have been facing as a nation. The statement reads: “Over the past few weeks, the abduction of the school girls at Chibok, Borno State has underscored the threat we have been facing as a nation in recent times from the actions of misguided persons masquerading as adherents of Islam. “Our hearts are with families who have lost loved ones in this cycle of senseless violence. We also empathise with the parents of children whose daughters are in the custody of a group of anarchists.

“Well, I think it’s important to note that we have been providing a range of assistance before the announcement yesterday. So that was specifically an interdisciplinary team related to this horrific kidnap-

“That horrific video posted on the Internet is a clear manifestation of the mindlessness of the bigots. It shows them for whom they are, such men cannot threaten nor should they be allowed to violate our sovereignty. It is clear from what they profess that they are not followers of God. They do not mean well for our country and her citizens. I am a Muslim, I am versed in the teaching of Christianity and I understand both religions to seek peaceful co-existence of all humanity. “I wish to reiterate that there is no justification whatsoever for this unrestrained disregard for the sanctity of human life. It has no place in the Holy Quran and neither does it have a place in the Holy Bible. “Let these people know that the entire civilised world is united against their terrorist act. We are grateful to the world for stand-

ping of the young girls in Nigeria. “But to date, our counterterrorism assistance to Nigeria because of threats like Boko Haram has focused on information sharing and improving Nigeria’s forensics and

ing by Nigeria at this trying time. We hope and pray that the young ladies will be reunited with their respective families in the days to come “While the Federal Government and the nation’s Armed Forces are working to ensure citizens’ safety under the present situation, we believe that more could still be done to ensure the safety of Nigerians and the Nigerian nation. We are therefore glad that the Federal Government has accepted international support in the search for the missing girls and for an end to the insurgency in parts of the country. “I fought for a united Nigeria. In my old age, I want my grand children, your grand children, our youths and indeed all Nigerians to benefit from a prosperous and united country devoid of sectarian violence whether

investigative capacity. “We’ve been working with them to strengthen their criminal justice system, increase confidence in the government by supporting its efforts to hold those responsible for

home grown or imposed on us from outside. “Now is not the time to play politics. Now is also not the time to trade blames and amplify our ideological differences. The unity of Nigeria is not negotiable and nothing should divide us as a people. I therefore urge all Nigerians at home and in the Diaspora to support the country in her effort to bring an end to this attack on defenceless citizens and indeed a united nation. “We must put aside all other considerations and ensure that our country Nigeria pulls together now so as to recover our sovereignty. After all, we all know that Nigeria is the ONLY country we have that we can call our own. “God help and bless Nigeria.”

violence accountable. “We’ve provided approximately $3 million just last year in law enforcement assistance to Nigeria to help boost up their capacity. “So we have been concerned and

have provided a range of assistance, and been working closely on counterterrorism efforts long before yesterday. That was just a specific announcement as it related to these recent tragic events.”

THE NATION FRIDAY MAY 9, 2014

NEWS WORLD ECONOMIC FORUM

President Goodluck Jonathan (second left);World Economic Forum Executive Chairman and founder Klaus Schwab(left); Rwanda President Paul Kagame(third left); Global Managing Director, McKinsey & Company, United Kingdom Dominic Barton and President, Dangote Group, Alhaji Aliko Dangote at the World Economic Forum on Africa 2014 in Abuja... yesterday

Participants at the opening session of the World Economic Forum on Africa in Abuja... yesterday.

•President Goodluck Jonathan (left) and President John Mahama of Ghana in Abuja... yesterday.

•L-R: Delta State Governor Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, Chairman THISDAY newspaper Nduka Obaigbena and Katsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema

• Alhaji Dangote(left); Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu, Hajia Bola Shagaya and Acting Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria Dr. Sarah Omotunde Alade

•Former South Africa President Thabo Mbeki (second left);Benin Republic President Yayi Boni(fourth left) and other world leaders at the opening of the World Economic Forum on Africa in Abuja..yesterday.

•L-R: Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh; ViceChairman, Flour Mills Nigeria Plc, Mr. John Coumantaros and Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Akinwumi Adesina

•Participants at the High Level Closing Plenary of GrowafricaInvestment Forum in Abuja...yesterday. PHOTOS: AKIN OLADOKUN.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9 2014

NEWS CHIBOK GIRLS’ ABDUCTION Yobe APC women’s leader calls for girls’ release From Duku Joel Damaturu

OBE State All Progressives Congress (APC) Women’s Leader, Hajiya Ladi Jibrin, has urged the abductors of the over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok to release them unconditionally. The women’s leader, who spoke with The Nation in Damaturu, the state capital, wondered why innocent school children were being subjected to such traumatic experience. She noted that “cutting these young girls from education is wicked”. Hajia Jibrin added: “As goes the saying: ‘if you educate a woman, you educate a nation’. Now, tell me how you can apply that in this perspective. Cutting off those young girls from education - over 200 girls - is most wicked. We, as mothers, cannot keep quiet. “As mothers, the thought of not seeing your children is devastating not to talk of thinking about her safety in the hands of people you do not understand their mindset. It is the last experience that you would not wish your enemy to undergo. Sadly, unlike in a movie scene, the reality is living with us. “I feel so sad. Whoever is holding those girls should please, in the name of Allah, the Most High, release them unconditionally to their parents.” The politician also called for prayers that would make the insurgents to release the girls, who she described as sisters and future mothers. “These are our children, sisters, future mothers. We should all pray to God to make them (insurgents) have a change of mind and release the girls,” Hajia Jibrin said. The APC women’s leader said all the women in the state will soon hold a peaceful protest on the streets of Damaturu for the release of the schoolgirls The Yobe State chairperson of the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Hajiya Hussana Ibrahim, regretted that Nigeria was becoming a terrifying nation. She said: “As a mother, I was really scared to let my baby girl go to school. And if all women are feeling this way, then the fight for educating our children will never be realised.”

Muslim leaders, others condemn Boko Haram

USLIM leaders across the world have criticised Boko Haram’s leader, Abubakar Shekau, for using the name of Islam to justify his threat to sell the abducted schoolgirls into slavery. Others have focused on what they say is a slow response by Nigeria’s government to the incident. The British and French governments announced on Wednesday that they would send experts to complement the U.S. team heading to Nigeria to search for the girls. President Goodluck Jonathan has said China also offered assistance. Some of the reactions to the abduction came from countries with majority Muslims and some non-Muslim nations. In Egypt, Religious Endowments Minister Mohammed Mohktar Gomaa said: “The actions by Boko Haram are pure terrorism, with no relation to Islam, especially the kidnapping of the girls.” Sheik Ahmed el-Tayeb of the Cairo-based Al-Azhar, one of Sunni Islam’s most prestigious institutions, said the abductions “completely contradict Islam and its principles of tolerance”. In Pakistan, Dawn, an English language newspaper, published an opinion piece that takes Nigeria to task for

not moving against Boko Haram. It said: “The popular upsurge in Nigeria in the wake of the latest unspeakable atrocity provides some scope for hoping that the state will finally act decisively to obliterate the growing menace,” wrote columnist Mahir Ali. In Indonesia, the world’s most populous Muslim-majority country, the Jakarta Post published an editorial on Wednesday condemning the Boko Haram leader for “wrongly” citing Islamic teaching as his excuse for selling the abducted girls into slavery. Recalling the Taliban’s shooting of 15-yearold Pakistani girl, Malala Yousafzai, in 2012 because of her outspokenness in defence of girls’ right to an education, the editorial said: “Malala’s message needs to be conveyed to all people who use their power to block children’s access to education. It is saddening that religion is misused to terrorise people and to kill the future leaders of the world.” The newspaper also criticised Nigerian President Goodluck Jonathan, noting that “only after international condemnation and street demonstrations poured in did President Jonathan tell his nation that he would take all necessary actions to return the young women to their par-

ents and schools, while also acknowledging that the whereabouts of the abductees remained unknown”. In Sweden, in an editorial posted on the left-wing news website politism.se, blogger Nikita Feiz criticised the international community for its slow response. It asked why the situation had not triggered as loud a reaction as when Malala was shot in Pakistan. “Looking at the situation in Nigeria, Malala appears like a false promise from the West that it would stand up for girls’ rights to attend school without fear of being subjected to sexual exploitation and abuse,” she said. “It is difficult not to draw the conclusion that the West’s assurance to act for girls’ rights suddenly isn’t as natural when it comes to girls’ rights in a country in Africa.” In the United States, the government is sending to Nigeria a team of technical experts, including American military and law enforcement personnel skilled in intelligence, investigations, hostage negotiating, information sharing and victim assistance, as well as officials with expertise in other areas. Fewer than 10 military troops are also going. In an editorial, The New York Times faulted the Nigeria’s President

(Goodluck Jonathan). It said: “It wasn’t until Sunday, more than two weeks after the kidnappings, that he called a meeting of government officials, including the leader of the girls’ school, to discuss the incident.” In Britain, Prime Minister David Cameron’s office said the country would send a small team of experts to Nigeria, following protests over the weekend outside the Nigerian Embassy in London and editorials calling for action. Jonathan’s office later issued a statement that Britain would use satellite images and other tracking technologies to help in the search. In France: Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius said his country was ready to send a “specialised team ...to help with the search and rescue”. In China, Premier Li Keqiang visited Nigeria on Wednesday and met with Jonathan, whose office said the Chinese leader promised that his government “will make any useful information acquired by its satellites and intelligence services available to Nigeria’s security agencies”. The statement also said China would support “Nigeria’s fight against terrorism in every possible way, including the training of military personnel for anti-insurgency operations”.

•Osun State pupils protesting the abduction of their fellow pupils in Chibok, Borno State, at the Governor’s Office, Osogbo...yesterday

Amaechi: more jobs ‘ll aid fight against insurgency

HE Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF) and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi has said insurgency, kidnapping and other social vices are the fallouts of poverty and unemployment in the land. The governor spoke yesterday in Port Harcourt when the Senate Committee on Privatisation and Commercialisation visited him at the Government House. The committee was on a facility tour of Federal Governmentowned corporations and agencies in the state. Amaechi said his administration started creating jobs when he assumed office in 2007 by building over 140 primary health centres and over 300 model primary schools. He said: “The current problem we are having in Nigeria is tied to poverty and unemployment. I believe that one solution to this insurgency is education and unemployment. The easiest employment is farming. This is because a large number of them are not educated and are unskilled. “I applied it here in Rivers State and it worked. Most of them who were given guns by the former militants, when we asked them, they told us that their parents could not train them. That is why we introduced free education and free health care programmes. And it occurred to us that to address this problem, we needed social policing. While you are doing physical policing, you must also do social and economic policing. “To do that, we started creating employment opportunities by building over 140 primary health care centres and over 300 model primary schools. If you visit these projects, there is no way you will not see at least 50 workers in each of the schools.” The governor added: “We created the banana farms, which has created jobs for over 2,000 persons. We revived the Rison Palm. It was dead when we came, and it has employed over 5,000 workers. “Also, the Songhai Farm has employed over 2,000 workers, while five fish farms in strategic locations have been completed. We have done all that to create jobs for our people. “I am very sure that the establishment of farms will go a long way to reduce the recruitment of Boko Haram members. The Federal Government must take education, employment and reduction of poverty as priority. We do appreciate the challenges the Federal Government is facing now.”

Stop trivialising girls’ abduction, Falana tells Fed Govt

AGOS lawyer Mr. Femi Falana (SAN) has urged the Federal Government to stop trivialising the abduction of the over 200 schoolgirls from Chibok, Borno State, for the sake of public morality and sensibility. In a statement yesterday in Lagos, the frontline lawyer noted that the manner President Goodluck Jonathan and his wife, Dame Patience, were handling the abduction of the schoolgirls did not show enough seriousness. The activist recalled that President Jonathan, last Saturday, set up of a 26-member committee to probe the abduction of the schoolgirls. He said few hours after, Mrs Jonathan reportedly set up a

By Adebisi Onanuga

parallel panel of enquiry on the same matter. Falana noted that while the Jonathan’s panel could be regarded as ministerial, that of his wife has no constitutional backing or legal backing. The frontline lawyer suggested that the panel set up by the First Lady be disbanded immediately. According to him, most members of the First Lady’s panel are based in Borno State, who she summoned to appear in Abuja at the weekend. Falana said: “Officials of the West African Examination Council (WAEC) were also ordered to report in Abuja by the President’s wife.

“In a well-televised drama, some of the panel members, who responded to the summons, were interrogated. Frustrated by the refusal of the wife of the Governor of Borno State to turn up at the mock trial, the First Lady broke down in tears as the ‘grandmother’ of the abducted girls. “To the utter embarrassment of the Nigerian people, the First Lady has since declared that no child is missing! “In spite of the inauguration of the Presidential Committee to investigate the abduction of the over 200 girls and the publication of the names of about 185 of the missing girls by the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), some political leaders have insisted that no child has been ab-

ducted.” The activist decried the level of insensitivity being displayed by highly placed persons, such as the President and his wife, at a time Boko Haram leader, Abubakar Shekau, admitted that the sect abducted the innocent girls, and threatened that they would be sold into slavery. He said: “Are we to believe that the Borno State Government and the Boko Haram sect conspired with the parents of the missing girls to embarrass the Goodluck Jonathan administration? “Why has the Federal Government accepted the offer of the United States’ Government to join in the frivolous search for the girls since they are no longer missing?” Falana added that the state-

ments credited to certain people that “no child is missing” must have accentuated the agony of the parents of the abducted schoolgirls, some of who had taken part in street demonstrations, tagged: “Bring Back Our Girls”. Citing a decided case, Fawehinmi v. Babangida (2003) 3 NWLR (PT 808) 604, the frontline lawyer recalled that the Supreme Court held that the power of the President to set up a commission of enquiry is limited to the Federal Capital Territory, by virtue of the Tribunal of Enquiry Act (CAP T21 ) Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2004. “Therefore, the committee set up by the President and inaugurated on Tuesday, May 6, 2014 to probe the abduction of

•Falana

the girls is best a ministerial act. But the First Lady has no power whatsoever to institute a panel to investigate any matter in any part of Nigeria. “To that extent, the panel of enquiry alleged to have been set up by the First Lady is illegal, unconstitutional, null and void. It should be disbanded without any further delay,” Falana added.

THE NATION FRIDAY MAY 9, 2014

NEWS

Three swept away by flood in Ibadan

HREE people were swept away yesterday by flood in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, following a downpour. Among them is a middleaged man simply identified as Ayuba. The rain started around 2:15pm and did not stop until 4:30pm.

Ibadan

Ayuba was swept away in a canal at Dandaru on Queen Elizabeth Road. His body was evacuated around 5:20pm by fire fighters and some residents. An eye witness, Koyejo Akande, who knew the late Ayuba, said: “I usually see

him with some boys here washing, fishing and playing. I knew him through a friend of mine. His mother is dead. He was staying with his grandmother at Iwo Road. “The grandmother is popularly called ‘Alhaja Olounje’ (canteen operator) at Iwo Road. Unfortunately, my

friend who knows her shop is not here.” The second victim was a motorcyclist. He was swept away in a river at Ijokodo Junction. An unidentified man and his car were swept away around a bridge on Omotara Agboola Midetel Road.

Ignore Omisore’s claim, APC tells US Consul-General

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State has described as “false” Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) gover norsh i p c a n d i da t e Senator Iyiola Omisore’s claim that there is a judgment against the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Ambassador Toyin Akeju. It said no court pronounced the REC “unfit” to conduct election in Osun, challenging Omisore to publish the so-called judgment. Urging the US Embassy to call for the court’s records to ascertain the truth, APC said PDP sought and got an injunction to stop Akeju from conducting the 2011 election, which was appealed by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). APC said a few days after the injunction was granted, the PDP’s lawyer went back to court, asking for a stay of execution of the order. It said: “Bizarre as the request was, the court granted it and the case terminated

From Oseheye Okwuofu,

there. So where is the socalled judgment that Omisore is lying about?” APC urged Olson not to take Omisore’s claim seriously, saying: “He has been serially lying about events in the state. He made a lot of noise lying about Osun’s presumed debt with the exceedingly ludicrous figures he fabricated. He has been lying to himself and people like him that the governor has done nothing

except transfer Osun’s wealth to his friends in Lagos since he assumed office. “Even US officials in Nigeria know and have appreciated how much Aregbesola has done and is doing for Osun citizens. But unfortunately Omisore is blind to these achievements. There is no way such a person can tell the truth about what happened in court in 2011.”

•Omisore

Ondo exco members commiserate with Mimiko

EMBERS of the Ondo State Executive Council have commiserated with Governor Olusegun Mimiko on the death of his mother-in-law, Mrs. Felicia Modupe Adeniyi. Speaking on behalf of his colleagues, Commissioner for Budget and Economic Planning Akin Adaramola described Mrs. Adeniyi, who died on Tuesday, as a virtuous woman, whose legacies as a mother and community leader are worthy of emulation. He prayed to God to grant

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

the family the fortitude to bear the loss. The chairmen of boards and parastatals, through the Chairman of Wealth Creation, Mrs Bola Olafunmiloye, extolled the virtues of the late Mrs Adeniyi, describing her as “humble and exemplary”. Representative of a Senior Special Assistant to the go v e r n o r , Mr. Akinsanya Bawa,

eulogised the deceased. The governor’s wife, Mrs. Olukemi Mimiko, thanked symphatisers for their concern, describing her mother’s death as “unexpected”. The governor thanked God that the late Mrs. Adeniyi did not mourn any of her children. He described his motherin-law as a special woman, who was mentally and physically strong.

Ondo court awards N500,000 damages against police

HIGH Court sitting in Okitipupa Local Government Area of Ondo State ordered yesterday the Ondo Police Command to pay N500,000 damages to three Irele chiefs for unlawful detention. Chiefs Olamigoke Bamidele, Busayo Adeyeye and Eniola Monehin sued the police and two others for unlawful arrest and detention. The other respondents are the embattled Olofun of Irele Kingdom, Oba Olarewaju Lebi, and the Interim Chairman of Irele Council. The applicants were arrested and detained on November 8, last year, for alleged breach of peace and installation of another king in Irele Kingdom despite the

From Leke Akeredolu, Akure

existence of Oba Lebi. The police arrested the applicants following a petition by Oba Lebi on their activities to install another king. In a suit filed by their lawyer, Bode Famakin, the applicants said they were right to install a new Olofun of Irele because a court earlier declared the stool vacant. Justice S.A. Bola said the police detained the applicants beyond the period stipulated by the law without granting them bail or charge them to court. He said the police infringed on the applicants’ rights and ordered them to pay the chiefs N500,000 as damages.

Kalu mourns Otedola

ORMER Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has commiserated with the Lagos State government and the Otedola family on the death of former Governor Michael Otedola. In a statement, Kalu said Otedola’s death reminds human beings that death is real. He said death was part of human existence and prayed to God to grant the deceased eternal rest.

Ogun to pay arrears

GUN State Governor Ibikunle Amosun has approved the payment of gratuities to retirees. In a statement, the Head of Service, Mrs. Modupe Adekunle, said pensioners whose gratuities were due in April, May and June, 2011, and October and November, 2012, would be told when to pick up their

cheques through text messages. The government recently released N1.5 billion for the payment of gratuities to pensioners and the severance package of former political office holders, including 561 ex-civil servants. So far, the state government has paid N5.6 billion as gratuity in 34 months.

Editor’s birthday lecture holds today

LECTURE to mark the 50th birthday of The Nation’s Managing Editor, Online, Mr. Lekan Otufodunrin holds today at the Nigerian Institute of Journalism (NIJ) in Ogba, Lagos suburb. The lecture organised by the Committee of Friends of the former Editor of Sunday Nation is titled: “Reinventing Journalism practice in Nigeria: The need for conscious media career development”. Discussants are Editor, Sunday Punch Toyosi Ogunseye; Executive Director, Media Support Centre Wale Fatade and Controller, Corporate Development, Research and Strategy, Radio Nigeria, Lagos Opera-

tions Funke TreasureDurodola. President, Guild of Editors, and The Sun Managing Director Femi Adesina will chair the programme. Otufodunrin’s publications and others by media non-governmental organisations (NGO) will be exhibited. The Veterans Welfare Group, in a statement by Primate Ayoola Omonigbehin, said the lecture would “reinvent journalism practice”. Otufodunrin, University of Lagos graduate, was News Editor of The Punch. He also worked with News Age and The Comet. He is married and blessed with children.

•From left: The Awujale of Ijebuland, Oba Sikiru Adetona, Olori Omo Oba Akile of Ijebuland, Otunba Subomi Balogun and his wife, Olori Abimbola, at the final of the Oba Adetona football competition held at the Otunba Dipo Dina International Stadium in Ijebu-Ode to mark the monarch’s 80th birthday...yesterday.

Wait for National APC’s decision on parallel exco, Osoba tells supporters

ORMER Ogun State Governor Olusegun Osoba has broken his silence on the All Progressives Congress (APC) congresses conducted in the state and the parallel executives that emerged. Osoba said the APC’s National Secretariat would look into the outcome of the congresses, urging his supporters to await the decision. Addressing his supporters at his Ibara GRA home in Abeokuta, the state capital, he cautioned them against acting in manners that would denigrate Governor Ibikunle Amosun or the of-

From Ernest Nwokolo, Abeokuta

fice he occupies. He alleged that the “crisis” in Ogun APC resulted from the political events of 2003, but which he had decided to “forgive and forget” as a Christian and an elder. Osoba said: “Please, let us sympathise with the governor. I sympathise with him but do not abuse him. I did not know it was an offence for me to forgive and forget about the incidents that happened in 2003. “I accepted to forgive and forget as a leader and a Christian so that we can

wrest power back. You stood like the rock of Gibraltar. I do not want us to abuse anybody. I do not want us to denigrate the office of the governor. “I want us to address issues with experience. I have worked with all presidents in the country. I am close to all our past leaders. I did not ask for money from anyone of them as a journalist. “Since we have been running a party, there was never a time we did fund raising. None of the past leaders have ever accused me of coming to them for money. I am not one of the journal-

ists that beg people for money. “I do not think anyone can rubbish my integrity amongst the leaders. I did not take a dime from the present government despite the fact that I sold my houses in Ilorin and Ibadan to fund campaigns in the two elections.” Osoba assured his supporters that contrary to insinuations that he had been bought over, he would not mortgage the interests of the National and State Assembly members loyal to him just to secure a second term ticket for his son, Olumide,

a member of the House of Representatives. He said: “They say they want to remove all National Assembly members except Olumide. I said no, that will not happen. How could I disappoint all my followers and loyalists because of Olumide? We do not want division in the party. “Some now call me a beggar. Somebody wrote in The Nation that I am making demands from the Ogun State government. Should he not have asked of my side of the story? “Even if they gave me money, can that pay enough

for all what we did? It is my goodwill and good name that I used to campaign. They say they have bought Osoba and he can no longer talk. But that mouth has been unlocked. “If they say I am a beggar, I thank God I am no longer begging. They should hold on to their money. Throughout Daniel’s eight years, I did not die. Did I? “They have been raining abuses on me that I have been bought. How much can they pay us back for all the troubles we went through in 2007? Leave them, let them keep abusing me.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

NEWS CHIBOK GIRLS’ ABDUCTION

•Plateau State women protesting the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls in Jos…yesterday.

•Demonstrators carrying placards during a peaceful rally over insecurity in the country and the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls, in Katsina…yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

•Rally on the abducted Chibok students in Ibadan, Oyo State…yesterday.

NAN

PHOTO: NAN

•Adamawa State governor’s wife, Hajia Zainab Nyako (right), presenting a letter on behalf of Women for Justice and Peace Nigeria to the representative of the governor, Alhaji Abdurrahman Jimeta, during a protest over the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls in Yola…yesterday. PHOTO: NAN

PHOTO: •Members of a civil society group during their ‘Bring Back Our Girls’ rally in Abuja...yesterday PHOTO: ABAYOMI FAYESE

•Osun State Deputy Governor Mrs. Titi Laoye-Tomori (left); governor’s wife, Alhaja Sherifat Aregbesola; House of Representatives member Ayo Omidiran; Commssioner for Women and Children Affairs, Mrs. Mofolake Adegboyega; Aare Iyaloja, Alhaja Awawu Asindemade and others protesting the abduction of Chibok schoolgirls in Osogbo, Osu State...yesterday

Boko Haram blows bridge linking Cameroun

ARELY three days after the massacre of over 200, Boko Haram destroyed the link bridge between Gamboru-Ngala Local Government Area of Borno State and Cameroon. The Defence Headquarters however said last night that it was a partial destruction of the bridge by the sect members to slow down the pursuit of their fleeing members. A military source, who spoke in confidence, said: “The affected bridge is a vital one connecting Nigeria with Cameroon. The fleeing sect members destroyed the bridge in anger to frustrate troops from pursuing them. “The way they destroyed the bridge, only light vehicles can manage to pass. The damage will not allow armoured vehicles to pass through. The target is to halt the movement of troops across the border. “This development has con-

From Yusuf Alli, Abuja

firmed intelligence report that the insurgents have a well-established base in Cameroon.” The Director of Defence Information, Maj-Gen. Chris Olukolade, said: “The bridge was partially destroyed to slow down troops pursuing them and frustrate their operation.” Gamboru is a strategic town vital to the counter-attacks against the insurgents. Boko Haram in January 2013 took control of more than eight strategic Local Government Areas in northern Borno, including Gamboru- Ngala. Others were Marte, Mobbar, Gubio, Guzamala, Abadam, Kukawa, and Kala-Balge local government areas. But troops succeeded in regaining the control of the local governments. There were concerns last night that the seizure of Gamboru by Boko Haram might be an attempt to take over Northern Borno afresh.

THE NATION FRIDAY MAY 9, 2014

NEWS EKITI 2014

18 governorship candidates unite for peace

HE candidates of the three major political parties in next month’s governorship election in Ekiti State promised yesterday pledge to ensure peace. All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate Dr Kayode Fayemi, Ayodele Fayose of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party’s (LP) Opeyemi Bamidele made the pledge in Ado-Ekiti yesterday. It was at a meeting held at the instance of traditional rulers. The Chairman of the Council of Obas, who is also the Onitaji of Itaji-Ekiti, Oba Idowu Babalola, urged the candidates to ensure that the elections go peacefully. Oba Babalola stressed the need for the candidates to discourage their supporters from unnecessary taunting of political opponents. The monarch emphasised that “the game must be played, according to the rules” in order to achieve free, fair, credible and violence free-election. Noting that the world was watching and waiting to see how the Ekiti election would be conducted, the Obas Council Chairman said there would be no room for ballot snatching, double voting and other unorthodox conducts during the election, adding that “nothing but a free and fair election would be acceptable to inform the world that the country can effectively handle its election”. Oba Babalola said: “Before we leave this arena this morning, all the contestants will pledge to the kabiyesis that they will maintain peace and will not do anything to thwart the effort of making the coming election free and fair”. He expressed confidence in the ability of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to successfully conduct the election, warning that the body must not compromise its efficiency no matter the level of temptation or intimidation. He urged security agencies to live up to their responsibilities and be more effective in handling emergencies. On the fears expressed by some parties that the election will be would rigged in favour of a particular candidate, the traditional ruler emphasised the need for the Federal Government to be objective and allow the peo-

•Obas compel contestants to make undertaking

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

ple choose their governor. He also called on his colleagues Obas to act as fathers to all and be objective and genuinely accommodating of all the candidates, traded blames, they eventually expressed readiness to ensure “free, fair and violence-free election.” Dr. Fayemi praised the traditional rulers for their in-

itiative towards curbing the spate of violence. He however absolved himself and his supporters of any wrongdoing in the election process. He promised to do all within his capacity to maintain the prevailing peace in the state. The governor advised the council of traditional rulers to encourage all the candidates to eschew violence, stressing that it was howev-

er critical to persuade the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Labour Party (LP) candidates to be more decent and bring sanity into play in their campaigns. The APC candidate urged the monarchs not to allow violence take over Ekiti. He urged the Obas to compel candidates to sign letters of undertaking to be of good behaviour, adding that any candidate who breached such peace accord must be dealt

with traditionally. The Accord Party candidate, Kole Ajayi,who accused supporters of other parties of fomenting trouble, pledged to restrain his supporters from engaging in violent conduct. Bamidele blamed what he called conspiracy of some traditional rulers for the violence witnessed in the state, pledging his commitment to the conduct of a free and fair

INEC trains officers From Adesoji Adeniyi, Osogbo

•Ekiti State Governor’s wife Erelu Bisi Fayemi speaking when the Fayemi Re-election campaign team visited the Ewi of Ado-Ekiti, Oba Rufus Adejugbe...yesterday. With her are Dr Kayode Fayemi and Oba Adejugbe.

APC raises alarm over ‘plot’ to rig poll

HE Kayode Fayemi Campaign Organisation yesterday accused the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) of a plot to rig the election by placing selected All Progressives Congress (APC) leaders in each of the 16 local governments under house arrest on election day. According to the organisation, this is to create fear in the minds of the followers, who may become jittery and decide to stay away from polling units. “This plan is to be executed with fake policemen who are currently being recruited and trained by the PDP. “Some of these fake policemen trained in Osun and Ondo states are already assigned to the PDP and La-

bour Party LP. “Decked in fake police uniforms and name-tags, these thugs posing as cops have been providing cover for both the PDP and LP thugs who continue to unleash terror and mayhem on every community the candidates visit. “In the last four weeks, thugs of both the PDP and LP have wreaked untold havoc on Egbe, Ido-Ile, Okemesi, Aramoko, Ipole-Iloro, Ilupeju, Itaji, Iyin and parts of Ilejemeje Local Government. In a statement by its spokesperson, Dimeji Daniels, the organisation added that it has also uncovered plans by the PDP to clone voter’s cards. “The PDP agents of rig-

ging have been going about inducing eligible voters to allow them copy the VIN number on their voter’s cards. They plan to clone as many voter’s cards as possible. This criminal act of the PDP agents is more rampant in Ado-Ekiti Local Government which has the highest number of registered voters. Information available to us shows that the PDP already has in its kitty close to 50, 000 fake voter’s cards which it plans to distribute to imported merceneries for use in six local governments on the day of election.” The campaign organisation alleged that should the PDP mercenaries not be allowed to use the fake voter’s cards to vote, its thugs would

then unleash mayhem at polling units in the six council areas with the aim of forcing the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to declare election inconclusive in those local governments. For now, the targetted local governments are Efon, Ijero, Irepodun/Ifelodun, Ikere, Ise/Orun and Moba. Their plan is to use federal might to unleash the Army and the Police to help their preferred candidate in the envisaged supplementary election. “We call on the international community to prevail on the PDP to halt its evil plan which is capable of escalating the fragile security situation in the country...”

Fayose: why I picked non-politician as running mate From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

•Fayose

ORMER Governor of Ekiti State and the Peoples Democratic Party governorship candidate, Mr

election. He cautioned the traditional rulers against getting involved in partisan politics. Fayose pledged his commitment to peaceful election, saying “violence would not bring anyone good”. The candidates of the AD, NCP, SPD, ADC, PPN, UDP, PPN, KOWA and the Action Alliance, who were at the meeting also gave their words to fight violence before, during and after the June 21 election.

Ayodele Fayose has said he picked Dr Olusola Ojo, an Associate Professor, as his running mate based on “spiritual instruction from God”. Fayose said his choice of Dr Olusola was based on his solid academic qualifications, adding that his (the deputy governor) apolitical status is a great strength. Fayose on Monday sent the name of Ojo, an Ikere Ekiti born lecturer at the Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife to Independent

National Electoral Commission (INEC) to the replace 80-year old Pa Joshua Ojo whose name he sent to the commission earlier. The PDP candidate made the clarification in itaji Ekiti yesterday during his campaign rally across communities in Ikole Local Government. noted that his choice of a ‘non-partisan’ person should not create the view that he lacked trust in the politicians. Said he: “The choice of my Deputy, Dr Olusola Ojo, was God ordained. I presented eight people to God and God

chose him for me. I prayed to God to direct me according to his will. It was purely a divine inspiration. “But I had earlier preferred somebody that was apolitical for reasons best known to me. But in clear terms, I did not choose him because of his qualifications. “Though, I quite appreciate the fact that education is essential in governance, but you don’t need to be a doctor or professor before you can add values to the lives of your people”, Fayose said. On why he favoured Ikere-Ekiti, Fayose said:

“You know when I was Governor in 2003, I picked Surveyor Abiodun Aluko and Bisi Omoyeni from Ikere Ekiti as deputies at various times. The town is very special and strategic to me.” The PDP will hold a mega rally in Ifaki today (Friday) to celebrate the exit of former Governor Segun Oni who defected from PDP to All Progressives Congress (APC). “We want to prove to him that he is a general without soldiers. We want to celebrate his departure from our party right in his hometown”, Fayose said.

HEAD of the June 21 and August 9 governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) has started the training of its officers in all the local governments in the two states. INEC Chairman Prof. Attahiru Jega yesterday said the officers include directors of operations and directors in charge of Information Communication Technology (ICT) and Voters Logistics. He added that the training was to ensure efficient discharge of officers’ duties during the polls. Speaking through his Special Assistant, Prof. Mohammad Kuna, at the Ideal Nest Hotels in Osogbo, the Osun State capital, he said the workshop was also to ensure free, fair and credible elections in the two states. Jega, who assured the electorate of hitch-free elections, said the workshop will improve the electoral process during the polls and reflect on the outcome of the 2015 elections. He said his commission would set up a secretariat of Electoral Management System in the two states to enhance free flow of information. According to him, the commission would produce a manual, “Election Management System (EMS)” to improve on 2015 elections.

‘Reverse decision on card reader’

AILURE of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to deploy the Card Reader for the governorship elections in Ekiti and Osun states could collapse democracy in Nigeria;” the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Osun State said yesterday. The party appealed to INEC to rethink and reverse its decision not to use the card reader . It said if INEC insists, then it should be held accountable for the consequences in the event of a botched process. According to the APC, INEC’s decision was a grievous over-estimation of its capacity without using the card reader to checkmate rigging. In a statement by the party’s Director of Publicity, Kunle Oyatomi, APC advised that “it is primarily in INEC’s interest to deploy that equipment.

“

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

Nollywood Movies Awards returns with centenary edition O

RGANISERS of the Nollywood Movies Awards (NMA) have begun a strategic marketing of the scheme, which they described as not only glamorous, but also developmental. Slated for October 18, at the Intercontinental Hotel, Victoria Island, Lagos, the awards ceremony, which entered its third edition this year, is being hinged on support for the country’s motion picture industry as a significant export that has added up to the centenary celebration. “In 2012, we decided to stage the inaugural Nollywood Movies Awards. We felt the need to give back, by way of recognition, into an industry that has brought over a million jobs to Nigeria. We believe that its practitioners- the people that are making it happen-deserve to be valued and appreciated. “We are proud of what Nollywood is doing for Nigeria and Nigerians. So, this is our way of giving back to the industry and the people driving it forward.

By Victor Akande

Last year, our ‘Star’ prize was a Nissan saloon, which was won in a live ballot on the night by actor O.C. Ukeje” said Dipo Winsala and Alfred Soroh, both executive directors of Nollywood Movies TV, at the media unveiling of the centenary edition. The NMA is the flagship awards event of Nollywood Movies TV, a UK-based Nollywood movies channel on SKY 329. The NMA team has entered into an agreement with a Lagosbased Integrated Marketing Communications company, Media Specialties Ltd., for the purpose of marketing the 2014 centenary event and all associated products and services, including the Nollys Blog and its NMA media inventory. As marketing consultant to the NMA, Media Specialties is

•Stakeholders of the Nollywood Movies Awards

expected to embrace and promote the awards event as a viable brand. The theme of this year’s award is: “100% Nollywood”. The Media Specialties team is led by Mr. Michael Adeyanju and Miss Titilola Odufuye. According to the duo, “Sponsors will enjoy corporate or brand exposure to audiences in three continents with combined audience reach of over 20 million viewers across Africa, Europe and South America. Indeed, the NMA promises to be a major transcontinental event for the African Continent and its worldwide audience.” The award categories have been expanded to 30 this year, and organisers said special recognition would be given to films done in indigenous Nigerian languages. They added that the NMA centenary edition, among other objectives, seeks to showcase Nigeria’s culture

and bring the awareness of Nollywood into the Diaspora and beyond. Although the Nollywood Movies (Sky 329) will be running a UK-based campaign on its station, which is received across Europe, a number of media collaborators like SKY Channel 199 (Vox Africa), GoTV, AIT cable channel, ONTV, Silverbird TV, among others, will add to the reach of millions of viewership across the globe. It is not clear which filmmakers or films have been nominated, and in what categories, but organisers assured that each of the category nominees had been voted for by a multinational panel of independent Nollywood watchers, most of whom are experienced film academics. According to Ope Bankole, NMA’s commercial director, the awards ceremony is a veritable platform to showcase Nigeria’s culture, with a promise of a total viewership of about 50 million people across the world.

•Dr. Sid

Dr Sid plans album release party

AVIN Records artiste, Dr. Sid, is set to organise the release party for his sophomore album, Siduction, today. Addressing a press conference on Monday in Lagos, Dr Sid reiterated his excitement about becoming a part of the MTN family and his nomination for the MTV Africa Music Awards, following the acceptance of his hit single, Surulere. Meanwhile, the Surulere crooner is also planning to release a mash-up album, The Fire of Siduction, featuring Ice Prince, later in the year. The album, according to him, con-

By Blessing Olisa

tains six songs. The artiste also spoke on the current security situation in the country, while calling for the release of the abducted school girls in Chibok, Borno State. “I don’t believe that kidnapping of girls should be used for politics. There is no other agenda behind kidnapping 234 girls. It is a tool to cause disruption in our country and position Nigeria as a negative entity. Whoever is holding these girls, please return them,” he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

BUSINESS EXTRA

African govts pledge $700m to procure vaccine

FRICAN govern ments have pledged to finance vaccine purchase with $700 million between 2016 and 2020. They also pledged to prioritise sustainable immunisation programmes as part of continued investment in the healthy future of children and families in their countries. Speaking at “The Immunise Africa 2020 leaders‘ declaration, launched in Abuja yesterday on the sideline of ongoing World Economic Forum on Africa, President, African Development Bank (AfDB) Donald Kaberuka, said he recognises “the $700 million that African governments are projected to spend on co-financing vaccines purchased by the GAVI Alliance between 2016 and 2020,”

From Nduka Chiejina, (Asst. Editor)

adding that it is in addition to the billions of dollars African countries already spent on health services. The declaration highlights the strong progress being made on improving the health of people across Africa but calls were made on GAVI Alliance and its partners to do more to help continue the decline in child mortality rates on the continent. President John Dramani Mahama of the Republic of Ghana said immunisation is one of the most important investments ‘we are making in our children and in their future.” He stated that African governments “are committed to ensuring that vaccine

programmes in Ghana will be sustainable, so that our children are fully protected from potentially fatal diseases.” President Jakaya Kikwete of the United Republic of Tanzania further added that “immunisation represents one of the smartest investments we can make in the health of our citizens and the future of our nations.” While President Macky Sall of the Republic of Senegal said “as leaders of this dynamic continent, we will ensure that our children have access to the best, most sustainable technologies to provide them with the best possible start in life.” Kaberuka on his part noted that “the investments countries are making in vaccines today will reap enor-

mous benefits in the short and the near term. By committing to immunisation, African leaders are taking a bold step towards securing their countries’ prosperity and economic security.” African leaders’ support for the Immunise Africa 2020 declaration comes less than two weeks before a major meeting in Brussels where the GAVI Alliance will present to its partners the funding requirements needed during the five-year period from the beginning of 2016 to build upon the gains already achieved against the biggest killers of children. Under the co-financing policy, countries make a financial payment – starting at $0.20 per dose for the poorest countries – towards the costs of vaccines supplied by the

GAVI Alliance. Between 2011 and 2015 African countries will make $254 million in cofinancing payments. Between 2016 and 2020 the figures is projected to almost treble to an estimated $700 million. The GAVI Alliance’s graduation policy also supports African countries towards self-sufficient immunisation

• From left: Category Marketing Manager (Standard Milk), Mr Raphael Agbaje, Head of Marketing, Mrs Wande Oluwasegunfunmi, e-raffle draw presenter, Ifedayo Olarinde (aka Freeze), Head, Trade Marketing, Ojoma Okotie-Dimas and Senior Manager, Mr Funsho Jacob, all of Nutricima Limited, during the grand finale of the e-raffle draw to select winners in the Nutricima Mega Cash promo held at Koga Studios, in Ikeja, Lagos. PHOTO: RAHMAN SANUSI

Fed Govt appoints PwC to audit NNPC

HE Federal Govern ment says it has ap pointed forensic auditors to investigate the activities of the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC). The disclosure was made by the Minister of Finance, Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala who also revealed the that accounting firmPriceWaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has been appointed to carry out the exercise. She spoke during a debate at the 24the edition of the World Economic Forum for Africa with “Forging Inclusive Growth , Creating jobs”as its theme. OkonjoIweala said the exercise

From Nduka Chiejina, (Asst. Editor)

would be carried out within a period of 16 weeks under the supervision of the Office of the Auditor General of the Federation Suspended Governor of the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), Mallam Sanusi Lamido Sanusi had blown the whistle over a missing $20 billion which he said was not remitted to the Federation Account by the NNPC. Following the controversy generated by the revelation, Okonjo-Iweala said the forensic audit would help unravel all mystery surrounding the missing

$20 billion. Her revelation was spurred by one of the panelists who lamented the incidence of corruption and called for transparency. Responding OkonjoIweala said: “On the issue of holding government to account, I don’t think Nigerians are laying back. We need that transparency and we welcome it. The (suspended) CBN Governor raised issues on unaccounted amount from the Federation Account and we at the Ministry of Finance have for two years been reconciling these figures with the NNPC to know what they are supposed to remit

to the Federation Account. Our feeling is that the only way is to have a forensic audit that would let Nigerians know the issue. “There is a forensic audit that the government has approved and it is being done by PwC under the supervision of the Auditor General for the government and they said they need 12 to 16 weeks to do that and all these would be clarified.” On theme of the forum, Okonjo-Iweala lamented that the nature of economic growth on the continent had not been inclusive enough adding that more needed to be done to change the quality of economic growth.

ing full advantage of the AGOA initiative, we are working on a new AGOA strategy that will enable increase the Nigeria’s volume of export the US. “Also, discussions are ongoing with my US counterpart on how we can partner them in order fully benefit from the AGOA initiative. “We believe that Nigeria can do far more than it is currently doing under AGOA. “Although Nigeria exports some agricultural products to the US under AGOA, some products do not meet the required standards for export into the US market. So, we need to do more in terms of value addition so that we can fully

optimise the benefits which AGOA offer.” As part of efforts to enhance SME’s access to cheap capital, Aganga said the government is working on a number initiatives to develop and deepen the Private Equity and Venture Capital sector across the country. He said: “We are working on a number of initiatives that will enhance the financing of the SMEs value chain by developing innovative ways of attracting finance. “What the government is doing in this regard is to work with the private sector to develop and deepen the Private Equity and Venture Capital sector to enable SMES have access to cheap funds.”

Nigeria, US partner to boost exports

HE Federal Govern ment has said it is partnering the United States (US) government to boost the export of Nigerian products to the US under African Growth and Opportunity Act (AGOA). The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, disclosed this during the World Economic Forum on Africa, 2014 Small and Medium Enterprises Summit, in Abuja. Aganga also said the Ministry was working on a new AGOA strategy that would help boost the export of Nigerian products to the US market. He said: “AGOA is a programme by the government

From Franca Ochigbo, Abuja

of the US which allows some Africa countries to export their products to the US duty free. The AGOA programme covers about 6,000 products. “During the Extra-Ordinary Session of the African Union Trade Ministers two weeks ago, it was a discussion that Africa should push for the extension of AGOA for 15 years more because most African countries, including Nigeria, have not fully taken advantage of the initiative and maximised the benefits of exporting to the US market. “In order to address the challenges militating against Nigeria’s quest towards tak-

Elumelu launches Africapitalism

HAIRMAN, Heirs Holdings Tony Elumelu, yesterday launched the Africapitalism Institute at the ongoing World Economic Forum on Africa in Abuja. The founder, Tony Elumelu Foundation, said Africa’s economic emergence and an increasing emphasis on the role of private investment in driving soci-economic transformation prompted him to introduce the philosophy of “Africapitalism” as the

programmes. When a country’s gross national income (GNI) per capita exceeds a threshold, currently $1,570, it enters the graduation phase. This means that GAVI Alliance vaccine funding diminishes over a period of five years until the countries’ vaccine programmes have become fully self-sufficient.

From Nduka Chiejina, (Asst. Editor)

private sector’s commitment to Africa’s development through long-term investment in strategic sectors of the economy that create economic prosperity and social wealth. The institute is the first panAfrican think tank headquartered in Africa, founded and funded by Africans. The work of the Institute will codify the philosophy of Africapitalism across Africa and the world.

Telcos unfairly taxed, says Airtel chair

ELECOMS companies are unfairly taxed in Nigeria because the industry supports other areas of the economy, chairman, India’s largest mobile phone service provider, Bharti Airtel, Sunil Mittal has said. Telcos in the country have been crying out loud over multiple taxation/regulation by all the three tiers of government and other agencies. This has increased operating cost in a country where there is a huge gap in electricity supply. Telcos run 90 per cent of their cell sites. “The taxes are very high. That needs to come down. If telecoms are seen as a rightful infrastructure for the growth of many other sectors in the economy and the multiplier force, then I think it doesn’t deserve to be taxed so high,.” Mittal said in an

By Lucas Ajanaku

interview yesterday in Abuja, venue of the World Economic Forum. Airtel competes with MTN, Glo and Etisalat to woo users in the country after a sales decline last year because of changes to interconnect charges, Mittal said. The telco was among operators that were barred from selling new subscriber identity module (SIM) cards in two months ago after mising key performance indicators (KPIs) set by the Nigerian Communications Commission (NCC). He said: “We are seeing now growth coming back again. The last quarter versus the fourth quarter was reasonably good. I’m very hopeful that this year will be a year of real stabilization.”

Associated Aviation pays $30,000 to 16 families

SSOCIATED Avia tion, in collaboration with its insurers, began yesterday payment of the first batch of claims of $30,000 to each of 16 families, including crew members of its Embraer 120 aircraft that crashed seven months ago in Lagos. The payment is part of the regulations by the International Civil Aviation Organisations (ICAO), which requires an airline to pay the first batch of claims to families of victims of any crash 30 days after the accident. The delay in payment was occasioned by efforts to resolve all issues bordering on documentation and other matters concerning the airline, the firm said. At the headquarters of the firm on Adeniyi Jones Street, Ikeja, were representatives of the victims’ families who signed their financial documentation forms ahead of the release of drafts for payment. Speaking at the event, which had in attendance, representatives of Nigeria Civil Aviation Authority (NCAA), the chief operating

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

officer of Associated Aviation, Mr Taiwo Raji appealed to the families to show understanding, affirming that the delay in the release of the first tranche was occasioned by the need for the airline to get its acts right. He said the airline completed documentation on the right persons mandated to collect claims on behalf of the victims. Raji said the airline had to comply with prescribed regulations by ensuring that the payment was carried out after proper scrutiny of relevant documents. The legal counsel to Associated Aviation, Mr Johnson Odionu, said the airline secured the approval of the insurers to pay the first tranche of claims to cushion the effects of the loss of the victims to their families. He coordinated the handing over of the letters of credit qualifying the representatives of the victims to collect the claims, which would be facilitated through a commercial bank.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIAL

Our ‘Socrates’ is gone

•Justice Oputa, legal prodigy dies at 96

USTICE Chukwudifu Oputa, retired Justice of the Supreme Court of Nigeria, who died on May 4, 2014, at 96 years, has deservedly been receiving flowery encomiums from Nigerians of all works of life. Among the several sobriquets for the departed legal icon, are ‘Socrates of the Supreme Court’, quintessential oracle of law, legal prodigy, and one of the finest legal minds, of our time. As a gifted wordsmith and showman, Justice Oputa, as lawyer and judge, was enchanting in words and appearance. With degrees in History, Economics and Law, the jurisprudence of his judgments were like crafted ornaments. His judgments reflected his connectedness with the society. In an interview, Justice Oputa captured the essence of justice thus: “Without Justice, government would be a pack of rascals. Justice has no two ways of measure. It is not justice for the rich and lack of justice for the poor. No.” Oputa lost his father when he was eight months old, and his mother when he was a year and half. But through perseverance and the support of his grandmother, he went to Christ the Kings College, Onitsha. He also studied at Higher College, Yaba, Lagos, and later Achimota College, Ghana, where he secured his degree in History and later Economics. With two degrees, Justice Oputa easily secured employment in the colonial service. Oputa was also a teacher and a principal in a secondary school. But at the

prompting of a lawyer friend, Oputa resigned from what many considered a lucrative job to travel to England to study Law, at the Grays Inn. In 1953, he came back to Nigeria, to establish his law chambers in Owerri; and he had a flourishing practice spanning across cities in Nigeria and Cameroons. According to the preeminent jurist, he was on his way to represent a client in a matter in Abakaliki, when he heard over the radio, that he had been appointed a high court judge, in the then Eastern Nigeria. Justice Oputa, as a jurist brought his training in History, Economics and Law, to bear in his judgments. He understood the interrelatedness of the wellness of the society and justice, and he was never shy to propagate social justice in his judgments. But he would also be well remembered as Chairman of The Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission, otherwise known as the Oputa Panel. Even during the military’s involvement in governance, he held tenaciously to the rule of law as the greatest essence of a civilised society. He boldly advanced this in his judgments, despite the military’s suspension of the constitution. Excitedly in his bold judgments he never abandoned the poignancy of English language, as his tool. Because he crafted his language of law in poetry and incandescence, he was crowned the ‘Socrates of the Supreme Court’. Because he understood and advocated the majesty of jurisprudence as a legal tool, his judgments were in tandem

with the essential demands of social justice in pursuit of legal justice. For him, law was an instrument to foster a functional society. Upon retirement from the Supreme Court, he devoted time to writing and reading. He also delivered lectures at several academic and social forums, and he was a soughtafter speaker and lecturer. For him, the lawyer or judge must look smart, so he dressed well and carried himself with a dignified gait. Whether as a lawyer or jurist, young or old, he carried himself with dignity and aplomb. As the eminent jurist departs, we wish him an eternal repose and extend our condolences to his family and the legal community.

‘But he would also be well remembered as Chairman of The Human Rights Violations Investigation Commission, otherwise known as the Oputa Panel. Even during the military’s involvement in governance, he held tenaciously to the rule of law as the greatest essence of a civilised society. He boldly advanced this in his judgments, despite the military’s suspension of the constitution’

Adieu, Sir Michael

• Sir Michael Otedola, former governor of Lagos State, passes on at 87

IR Michael Agbolade Otedola, who died at his Odorangunshin, Epe, Lagos State country home on May 5, was a good man. But he was hardly a good governor. Still, he died a model citizen. That a good man could end up a bad governor is one of the contradictions of Nigerian politics. To start with, Governor Otedola was an accidental governor: the fallout of the feuding political progressives in Lagos State, during the long and winding political transition of General Ibrahim Babangida. The factions of Dapo Sarumi (made of young Turks) and Femi Agbalajobi (made up of the old guard) feuded to virtual death, in disputed primaries. In the ensuing war of nerves, the Sarumi faction, in Yomi Edu, gained the defunct Social Democratic Party

‘But whatever the travails of Governor Otedola, in and out of office, he till his death maintained his dignity, his integrity and his nobility. In a Nigeria of free-wheeling sleaze, Otedola went to his grave with his good name intact. Even if he lost everything else in the vicissitudes of life, his golden name is enough legacy for the coming generation’

(SDP) gubernatorial ticket for Lagos State. But the Agbalajobi faction, backed by heavyweights such as Alhaji Lateef Jakande, another former governor of Lagos State, ensured Mr. Edu lost the governorship. The happy beneficiary was Sir Michael, whose surname even gave, in the electoral conspiracy, some grim poetic ring: Otedola — Yoruba for “intrigues translate into fortune.” Still, Sir Michael’s intrigue-powered romp into power became his eventual albatross. For one, he had a Lagos State House of Assembly thoroughly dominated by the rival SDP, to the detriment of his own conservative National Republican Convention (NRC). For another, Sir Michael’s victory must have been a happy surprise, even to himself. Though his campaign slogan was “That Lagos May Excel”, he seemed unprepared for that dreamed excellence, from his programmes and policies in office. Besides, Sir Michael had the exceptional ill-luck of taking office when the Babangida transition programme, and the diarchy under which he served as governor, was unravelling. Protests that greeted the annulment of the June 12, 1993 presidential election came to a head and Lagos was the hotbed of those protests. So, the poor governor, already more than 70 years, was pitted against the people who just one year ago voted him in; and the military, who became outlaws, trying to sustain an illegal annulment. Gen. Sani Abacha muscled the poor old man, ordering him to stop the protests or else face dire consequences. Shortly after, Governor Otedola’s rule was history, as Abacha

took over and dissolved all democratic structures. That was November, 1993. Still, though Sir Michael’s highest political point turned out his lowest in achievement and esteem, he had logged stellar achievements before becoming governor. His reputation as a solid philanthropist, the one that granted scholarships to indigent youths of his native Epe, among other endeavours, had cemented his fame as a model citizen. Besides, his brand equity as a public relations professional, plying his trade as full time staff and later consultant to oil giants, Shell Nigeria, was stuff of which legends were made. So, was his love for his native Epe, so much so that not a few charged him with political clannishness. He insisted that charity must begin at home. Epe, considered a “periphery” by many, enjoyed a boom in road infrastructure, at a time metropolitan Lagos, the “centre”, was rotting. Epe and surrounding communities, long used to government neglect, roared their approval for the new lease of life. But others accused the governor of misplaced priorities. But whatever the travails of Governor Otedola, in and out of office, he till his death maintained his dignity, his integrity and his nobility. In a Nigeria of free-wheeling sleaze, Otedola went to his grave with his good name intact. Even if he lost everything else in the vicissitudes of life, his golden name is enough legacy for the coming generation. Adieu, Sir Michael!

What Obama botched in Libya

EPUBLICANS have a potentially strong case to make against the Obama administration’s handling of Libya, as the latest political developments there underline. On Sunday, a disputed vote in parliament led to the swearing-in of a new prime minister — the sixth since former dictator Moammar Gaddafi was overthrown in 2011 with the help of U.S. and NATO air forces. The new leader, an Islamist from the city of Misurata, replaced pro-Western prime minister Ali Zeidan, who was driven out of the country this year after his government proved unable to stop a militia from filling a tanker with stolen oil. From the safety of Europe, Mr. Zeidan conceded what was obvious all along: Libya’s post-Gaddafi government has no army and no way of establishing its authority over the hundreds of militias that sprang up in the vacuum that followed the revolution. Libya has fragmented into fiefdoms, its oil industry is virtually paralyzed, massive traffic in illegal weapons is supplying militants around the region and extremist groups such as Ansar al-Sharia, which participated in the Sept. 11, 2012, assault on the U.S. Consulate in Benghazi, are unchecked. The Obama administration and its NATO allies bear responsibility for this mess because, having intervened to help rebels overthrow Gaddafi, they then swiftly exited without making a serious effort to help Libyans establish security and build a new political order. Congress might usefully probe why the administration allowed a country in which it initiated military operations to slide into chaos. Instead, House Speaker John Boehner announced Friday that he would ask the House to create a select committee to investigate the Benghazi attack and the administration’s alleged attempt to cover up how and why Ambassador J. Christopher Stevens and three other Americans were killed. To the extent that it zeroes in on the behavior of White House aides and other U.S. officials in Washington following the Benghazi attack — as it appears likely to do — the investigation will address the least substantial and blameworthy aspect of the Libya record. Numerous investigations and congressional hearings already have established the basic facts: U.S. intelligence agencies initially judged that the Benghazi attack was spontaneously inspired by reports of protests outside the U.S. Embassy in Cairo, and it “evolved into a direct assault” by heavily armed militants. That account was turned into talking points for thenAmbassador to the United Nations Susan Rice. More than a year of efforts by GOP congressmen and conservative media to prove that Ms. Rice or the White House conspired to cover up the fact that Benghazi was a “terrorist attack” rather than a spontaneous act have gone nowhere, because there are no supporting facts. A recently released e-mail written by National Security Council aide Ben Rhodes reveals a notso-scandalous proposal to argue that the Cairo and Benghazi protests did not prove “a broader failure of policy.” What’s missing is any evidence that Mr. Rhodes or anyone else knew the facts of Benghazi to be other than what was initially reported by U.S. intelligence. In fact, while an authoritative version of the Benghazi assault is still missing, the account cannot be ruled out. Republicans may calculate that scandal-mongering about a Benghazi cover-up may rally the base before the fall’s elections. What it’s not likely to do is hold the Obama administration accountable for its actual failings in Libya. - Washington Post

TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief Victor Ifijeh

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THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: I watched Dame Patience Jonathan’s meeting on Channels TV and came away with more than mixed feelings. As I watched this important gathering that Mrs Jonathan had pulled together on the back of lack of results in the rescue of the abducted school girls of Chibok in Borno State, my immediate impression was that, with the right handling, this lady could be a good leader. And since we are already being led, or must be led by a Jonathan, we are probably being governed by the wrong one. Sometimes, a leader just has to lead; period. Mrs Jonathan, in her own garrulous way, did just that at the end of last week. Through Mrs Jonathan’s effort, we also found out that the governor of Borno State, Kashim Shettima, despite West African Examination Council’s (WAEC) advice to the contrary, deliberately left the school (a State school) open for exams and therefore left it vulnerable to what subsequently befell those girls. Mr Shettima refused for the students to be moved to relatively safer examination centres in Maiduguri. Instead, he wrote to WAEC assuring them that adequate security will be provided for the school. Obviously, adequate security wasn’t provided; look what has hap-

IR: Currently, a nebulous group called ‘Protectors of Nigerian Posterity‘ is running a political campaign advert on major national televisions. In the said advert, the group is placing President Goodluck Jonathan in the mould of international leaders like Dr Martin Luther King Jnr. of the American civil rights fame, Lee Kuan of Singapore who is reputed for transforming that nation from a third world one to a first rate one. The group is also talking about the legendary Nelson Mandela of South Africa and President Barrack Obama of the United States of America. In the unashamedly sycophantic propaganda, the group speaks of the transformational agenda of the president, saying that those supporting the president are more than those against him and it climbed the political high horse by chorusing that change was not easy to accept. Of course, it is propaganda, pure and simple. This is deliberate falsehood with the intention to mislead

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The Jonathans: There is God oo! pened! You can begin to see why Mrs Jonathan veered off tangent and gave in to her more impulsive, antediluvian and suspicious side. This should give all of us a pause. The rest of us and Mr Jonathan need to rethink our approach to this menace. Furthermore, I was shocked to hear the President say that we do not have a modern army. We don’t? What then has been happening to all the billions that go into defence budgets every year? So, in a way, I was relieved to learn that the Americans are coming to help us out. At this point, any help would be better than what has obtained for three long weeks. However, it would be best if the Americans assist from the ‘rear’ so that their humanitarian intervention doesn’t turn into another theatre of good versus evil confrontation. My guess is that the

cowardly Boko Haram members are still holding on to the school girls in the forest as human shields. And this is why I disagree with Ms Iyabo Obasanjo who in a recent open letter to Boko Haram likened that group to a revolutionary one. I don’t know whether Ms Obasanjo’s take was informed by her on-going walk down the cathartic path, but to christen Boko Haram a revolutionary group sounds close to blasphemy. If anything, Boko Haram is the military arm of one-half of the exploitative and thieving cabal that holds Nigeria down. Their current campaign is directed squarely at the people – the exact opposite definition of a revolution. After maiming and killing fellow citizens, their leaders can often be found cooling off in the inner recesses of the mansions and guest houses of cabal members.

That ‘Posterity’ advert so as to achieve programmed result. And the aim of the Protectors of Nigerian Posterity is that Jonathan is doing a wonderful job in the country and that there is need for people to support him. And at times like this when the virus of insurgency is chocking the nation, a more understanding leadership would have withdrawn the advert. But not for this administration which is so consumed with the vaulting ambition of retaining power for itself and dispensing political patronage to the army of hangers-on and sycophants. This state of affairs cannot continue and the press must stand up against this political infamy and communication transgressions. It is true that purposeful, dynamic and goal oriented leadership do not grow on every tree. It is equally true that leadership traits that meet the aspirations of the people are not the products of media propaganda by a sycophantic group that wants part of the national pie under the veneer of media consultancy. The media han-

dlers of the president are doing a great disservice to the nation and the man. You cannot compare a president that gives nods to corruption under whose watch $20 billion of oil money disappeared to world iconic leaders. Martin Luther King Jnr stood against white American racism and challenged the status quo and died for that goal. His famous speech: ‘I have a Dream‘ is a political gospel about how unity of purpose propelled America into great heights. That you have a black man in the White House today is because of the civil rights efforts of King Jnr. It is therefore just scandalous to compare our president to such a person. The case of Lee Kuan is even more inspiring. Bubbling with energy and uncommon drive marked with sacrifice and nationalist stripe, Lee Kuan mobilized his country men and women and transformed his nation from a third world one to a first world. That is why Singapore is among the world best rated economy with the people enjoying high standard of living. As for Nel-

Do revolutionaries drive past schools of the privileged, head for schools for ordinary folks and gun down sleeping students in their beds? Do revolutionaries drive past opulent mansions and other obscene edifices of graft and go bomb a motor park for the exclusive use of ordinary folks? I don’t think so. It really burns me that Mr Jonathan continues to refuse to pick up the sponsors of Boko Haram. What really is stopping him? I don’t at all understand this kind of leadership model. I found Mrs Jonathan’s effort and contribution (which sadly later degenerated into a spectacle) in unravelling this national heartbreak refreshing. We just wish Mr Jonathan could be more like her in some aspects. • Michael Egbejumi-David demdem@hotmail.co.uk

son Mandela, it will be a bore to repeat his towering achievements in South Africa. His 27 years in jail, his one term in office and the respect the whole world accorded him during his funeral are the lasting testimonies to his unique style of leadership. This is the icon the pretenders of Protectors of Nigerian Posterity are comparing our president! The election of President Barrack Obama is like breaking the glass ceiling of American politics. A first term senator became a president because of his grey matters, his unique message and love for his nation. His fight against terrorism that led to the death of Osama Bin Laden and his health care programme are his commitments to improve the lives of the Americans. No amount of political propaganda can place Jonathan in the league of these world leaders. Those behind the political adverts know that they are swimming against the current of events and more interested in the size of their bank accounts. • Akpoyibo Unutemeta, Asaba.

Surrendering sovereignty to terrorists

IR: If you are a Nigerian living abroad like me, chances are that you have been inundated by many of your friends and neighbours with questions asking about Nigeria. The lead story on the local news in my neck of the woods for the past two weeks have all been about the kidnap of the Chibok girls. While at an event yesterday, I was accosted by the Mayor of my city, and the city attorney with the following questions: “What is wrong with the Nigerian president? How could he be that clueless? How can a nation with distinguished Nobel laureate and reputable scholars from all fields of science and humanities succumb to buffoonish leadership? And by the way, what is wrong with asking for help when you are lost and in over your head?” Many have said that Nigeria is a cursed nation. I beg to differ. Nigeria is a blessed nation saddled with crazed leaders who has made greed and avarice their directive principle in life. The urge to loot by our leaders is what brought us to a situation where a military once renowned all over the world for its bravery is now the joke of the whole world. Nigeria military has never been underfunded; the problem is not with budget of the ministry of defense, but the misappropriation of those funds by successive regimes since the 1980s. The rot in our government has now affected the military just as it is rearing its ugly head in other institutions like judiciary and even our sports ministry! We may not get back the Chibok girls but can we at least have honest conversations about the state of leadership in our dear country. A nation where the so called First Lady of Nigeria-a position unknown to our constitution and any extant law-will order the arrest of protesters is a nation in peril. Let’s call a spade a spade: the Jonathan regime is lost and unraveling before our very eyes. It is time to move on and start planning on how we as citizens could take our destiny in our hand and save our floundering ship. We need to start making a demand on the future leaders of our country and abhor imposition of leaders by political godfathers. • Francis Adewale Spokane, WA , USA

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014 16

COMMENTS

Cowards anthem (4) Email: tunji_ololade@yahoo.co.uk 08038551123, 08111845040

HE night has murder in the eye, and noon, murder in the heart; even daybreak drips with blood. One ill begets the other, and every madness a great deal more. The solstice of sanity has sagged, and we become indiscriminate pawns in the theatre of the absurd, in our drama of blood and bomb blasts. There is “virtue” in the insanity of the rampaging horde, so claims the murderous horde, but if you look closely enough, you could discover the politics that incite the madness of Boko Haram and the death and destruction they incite. Perhaps you will get to understand why ordinary citizens become blood-thirsty brutes and the average human becomes subhuman. There is no excuse for the murderousness of Boko Haram; there is no pretext for the existence of the group at all. But is there an excuse for the Nigerian state? Have we an excuse for our contemptible situation? Some frivolous boob would justify the terrorist sect’s campaign of cruelty, carnage and unjustifiable girl-child abductions; on the flipside, minstrels of disharmony and death gleefully adorn the cloak of human rights activists, to condemn in uncompromising terms, the inhumanness and bestiality of Boko Haram. Everybody

pays lip service to our culture of chaos and slaughter. In the wake of the reported abduction of over 250 school girls in warravaged Borno State in Nigeria’s northeast, the country has been awash in floods of vitriol and conspiracy theories; the latest being the likelihood that there had been no kidnap in the north-eastern State and that President Goodluck Jonathan’s detractors in the north are only seeking to foment trouble by the ‘purported abduction’ and thus accentuate the depth of his government’s inefficiency and insensitivity to the people’s plight. Another school of thought, the one championed by self-appointed human rights activists, women’s rights groups, social media warriors, pub critics and other civil rights societies to mention a few, maintain that the presidency’s apparent cluelessness at redressing Boko Haram’s most recent atrocities – that is, the Nyanya bombings and school girls’ abductions – validate their claims of the incumbent government’s purposelessness and immaturity at occupying the seat of power. Every divide engages in a daily jostle to outclass the other in scoring cheap political points in the interest of the abducted school girls. In a recent editorial authored by

‘This is what Nigeria has been reduced to; today, the nation’s leadership, despite our claims of being Giant of Africa, is reduced to a contemptible minion on the pages of a struggling and highly partisan – but aren’t we all partisan – and unethical American news medium’ “ARSENAL fans have put up with nine years of failure for the love of one man...” – Author Unknown HE pen can be mischievious. It will often lead you in the direction of trouble, of its own accord. This time it has led me in a direction closer home than I will willingly go – the Emirates Stadium. But with trepidation I go, expecting that a knock might come from an Arsenal fan in my corner. I assume we are mostly agreed that Nigerians are fanatical about their football. The English Premier League has stolen its way into our lives, courtesy of smart marketing and the domination by foreign-based cable TV, which has edged out local TV to become the default broadcast platform of the day. We now have millions of Nigerians who passionately follow the European football leagues and devoutly worship at the temple of the god of soccer. Of these devotees, Arsenal fans are in a class of their own. They are passionate, committed and proud proponents of a philosophy they believe is akin to the renowned tiki-taka made popular by FC Barcelona. Indeed, in the English Premier League, the team plays a peculiar variant of free-flowing football, pleasing to the eye, even though it has not yielded the desired results (trophies) in the last few years. Even though Spurs fans are quick to remind us the brand of football Arsenal lays claim to was originally theirs, who really cares? Definitely, not Arsenal fans. They (especially the Nigerian base) like to believe they have the patent over some kind of champagne football. They gloat over this. But can you blame them? Fans are entitled to believe what will make them feel good, even if they have to rebase the GDP of the club in the process, to have something to hold on to. But even the most ardent of fans will agree that it has not been smooth-sailing for Arsenal, having not won a single trophy in the last nine years. There is good news in the offing, though. With the fourth place trophy almost assured, the team is in in the finals of the FA cup. What does it matter that Arsenal had to rebase its strategy by featuring a team with an average age of almost 30 years to be able to beat Championship team, Wigan, in the semi-final match? Setting aside the acclaimed commitment to youth, an excuse often touted for the extended years of failure by the team, to make it to the final speaks to the flexibility required, that has not always been there . Whatever the case, the opportunity to end the barren run beckons for Arsenal. But what has Arsenal really been doing wrong? Analysts have, over the years, situated the deficiencies around Arsene Wenger’s obstinate belief in an obsolete template. But many Arsenal fans will hardly ever agree to the fact that the beloved Professor could be the problem, given his record. They will often take an attack on Arsene Wenger as an attack on their team, often taking on the messenger rather than the message. As one season ends, they promise themselves the next season. “In Arsene, we trust”, they would chorus. A new season begins, Arsenal catches fire. The team raises the hope of her fans. They begin to sing the old song to critics – did we not tell you? Can you see us now? Even when analysts tell

the American New York Times, the news medium’s editorial board fell short of calling Mr. President a bumbling oaf on the seat of power. According to the news medium, “Mr. Jonathan, who leads a corrupt government that has little credibility, initially played down the group’s threat and claimed security forces were in control. It wasn’t until Sunday, more than two weeks after the kidnappings, that he called a meeting of government officials, including the leader of the girls’ school, to discuss the incident. There is no doubt the intelligence and investigation help President Obama offered on Monday is needed. “The kidnappings occurred just as President Jonathan is about to hold the World Economic Forum on Africa, with 6,000 troops deployed for security. That show of force may keep the delegates safe, but Nigeria’s deeply troubled government cannot protect its people, attract investment and lead the country to its full potential if it cannot contain a virulent insurgency.” This is what Nigeria has been reduced to; today, the nation’s leadership, despite our claims of being Giant of Africa, is reduced to a contemptible minion on the pages of a struggling and highly partisan – but aren’t we all partisan – and unethical American news medium. I do not blame the title for its disrespectful lampooning of the Nigerian leadership for it is a disgrace meritoriously earned, well deserved. I do not care about the persistent whining, disgraceful outbursts and divisive campaigns of self-appointed local and international “women’s rights,” “civil rights,” “social media” and “human rights” activists in the “interest of the abducted school girls.” If anything, I understand the “Bring back our girls” campaign as the next best

fix of these bands of often self-serving narcissists and attention junkies. What I find gross and unforgivable is these self-styled activists’ and Nigerian presidency’s shameless invitation to America to come invade Nigeria’s bowels and assist in rooting out the terrorist Boko Haram sect hiding within the Sambisa bushes. In a saner clime, what the Nigerian presidency and advocates of US invasion have requested for would be tantamount to treason but what the heck? This is contemporary Nigeria, land of the prodigal where the “illustrious” farmer shamelessly invites the predators abroad to drive off the lower brutes from our farmlands. Lest you get the wrong impression, given the Nigerian leadership’s evident cluelessness and impotence in handling Boko Haram, if loved ones (God forbid) were among the abducted girls, depending on my disposition, I could shamelessly request that China, Russia, Iran, Germany and the USA to mention a few, jointly invade Nigeria, annihilate Boko Haram and their sponsors amongst the ruling class. I may not stop there, I may request that these allied forces of the world’s so-called super powers take over the nation’s governance – but this too, could be indistinguishable from treason hence let’s just consider it ‘wishful thinking’ Now that we have conducted our dance of shame beyond the bounds of reason and decency, we waltz naked on the global stage of politics and power. We are no longer the Giants of Africa. We have rather become the shame of Africa and the next horrid ignominy of the world. But this, predictably doesn’t matter, what matters is the next best temporary palliative we can find hence our shameless request for foreign assist-

ance in neutering Boko Haram. Having consistently kicked against our invitation of the world’s so-called super powers to help clean up our mess, I have come by different shades of condemnation and counter-arguments by self-styled patriots whose love for our fatherland presumably runs deeper than any other citizen’s. One such ‘patriot’ Emmanuel Abagolu, argues that the foreign military force “...are the lesser of possible evils in this world” even as another, Adeola Oseni, corroborates that “Accepting western assistance does not necessarily mean bringing in NATO troops, UN troops or external force but with logistic supports and better coordinates from West, it would go a long way to assist in curbing this menace for good.” There is wisdom in their argument; it resonates the impotence of a leadership six years old, the descent of a nation 54-years old and 170-million strong. That bloody epoch I warned us about five years ago in “Cowards Anthem (2)” has finally dawned on us. “Those child soldiers whose stories offer amusement on the watch of international news media shall become the source of our greatest worries...they shall become little angels of death at the behest of enfant terrible godfathers and warmongers. Our mothers shall become comfort women, our daughters too. Our sisters shall become vessels of wanton delight to occupation forces and militia of various shades and ‘honour’...The chastity we love to protect shall become the staple by which we quell our dark, dark desires; the currency by which our mothers, wives, sisters and daughters purchase and repossess every day, their right to life, at the mercy of the elements of the order that be,” I wrote. • To be continued

Arsene Wenger and Nigeria’s Transformation Ambassadors By Simbo Olorunfemi them to take it easy, they would brush aside caution and spread their hopes in the sun for neighbours to see. Before you know it, a needle goes into the balloon. And within weeks, the leak is apparent to all, hope lies in tatters at the Emirates. Wenger’s water bottles are all over the place. Then the battle for the fourth place trophy begins. The team barely makes it, there is relief, and hope is rekindled for the season to come. The new season comes, history sneaks in to repeat itself, all over. That has been the story of the last nine years. In spite of this, some of these fans resolutely locate the problem everywhere else. but at the doorstep of Monsieur Arsene Wenger. But for occasional moments of loss-induced high fever, these fans resign themselves to an unquestioning love of Arsene Wenger. Even when the perfomance of the team does not justify the devotion, they hold on to love. This devoted lovers of the French man remind us of the fans of our own leader, who has been busy with the transformation of Nigeria in the last five years. Does Arsene Wenger’s barren run remind us of the years of the locust? Does it remind us of the productivity of our Lee Kuan Yew, courtesy of the world-class transformation agenda? Transformation Ambassadors liken our man to Nelson Mandela. They remind us of all the good work he has done. They tell us it is just that their man does not like to talk about it. They tell us - what we see is not what it is. For some of them, their love is founded on ethnic affiliation, pseudo-religious, bread and butter considerations or some feelgood it-is-our-turn-to-chop syndrome. But it is not about them, it is about our today and tomorrow. It is about them asking us to endure this barren run for the love of their man. They are so lost in love with their own Arsene Wenger that nothing else matters. Some umbrella-wielding sympathisers of our Martin Luther King are so love-stricken that any voice raised contrary to theirs is dubbed partisan. No matter is sacrosanct, when it comes to this undying love. And they crawl the net, seeking to spread the good news of transformation. They feel compelled to justify whatever the man does, irrespective of logic or reason. To them, dancing in the house of mourning is a show of strength. We ought to applaud the skelewu moves of the dancer, rather than condemn him. He is not fiddling, he is only dancing. Their Arsene Wenger cannot be faulted, even when it comes to his team selection or substitutions made in the course of the game. He takes out Bolaji Abdulahi, a world-class striker and replaces him with...who again? To spite an agent spotted in the camp of another team, he takes out proven striker and replaces

him with a man who cannot score a goal to save his life. Arsenal fans have been asking their manager to buy world-class players for years now! Guess who he just bought? Musiliu Obanikoro! How does he guarantee winning the Emirates Cup with him in the Defence! Imagine how long it took him to take out Stella Oduah from the team. Commentators, pundits, fans have shouted themselves hoarse, but Diezani and Abba Moro are still an integral part of the team. Even when Sanusi Lamido Sanusi has been sidelined for a proper examination of his hamstring injury, the beloved Abba Moro is still in the team with a broken leg. But the fans of Nigeria’s own Arsene Wenger are unfazed. They are not moved. They tell you it was not easy for Barack Obama. It was not easy for Lee Kuan Yew. It was not easy for Nelson Mandela. It was not easy for Martin Luther King. So, it is not easy for Arsene Wenger. Even when their man’s team scores an own goal, they applaud him. The team suffers a painful loss in the hands of Nyanya bombers, yet the manager is not sober. He elects to continue with the campaign in Kano, all that matters is that new contract. He elects to dance in the house of mourning, the fans hail him. It is not easy for him, they tell us. He can do no wrong. Your Arsene Wenger can never do wrong? We agree. You cheer him, throw jibes at critics, accuse anyone with a contrary opinion of partisanship. We agree. But can you please wake up and face the facts? Nigeria is no Arsenal. There is the matter of 200 students kidnapped at Chibok. There was Buni-Yadi and Nyanya. We are losing lives daily, wasting young men and women. One might begin to think that Thomas Hobbes had this place in mind when he wrote about the state of nature where life is short, nasty and brutish. Please remind Arsene Wenger of Chibok, Buni-Yadi, Nyanya. Let him know there is more to life than a new contract. Let him know this barren run is long enough. Let him know this is not the time to dance. Transformation Ambassadors, please take a cue from the fans of Manchester United. The moment they saw through the “Chosen One”, they began to ask questions. They queried the results and labelled him the “Wrong One”. Today, the “Chosen One” has become the “rejected one”. Many Arsenal fans have also seen the light. They are singing a different song for Arsene Wenger, of late. The man too has been reading in between the lines. He has not been forthcoming in committing to a new contract. God helps him, should he fail to win the FA Cup. There are only so many barren years that even the most faithful fans can endure. Yours should not be different - how many lean years are you willing to endure for the love of one man?

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

COMMENTS

‘If we cannot end now our differences, at least we can help make the world safe for diversity’ -- John F. Kennedy: In his address at American University on June 10, 1963.

S there any humanity left in the running of public affairs in this country? Could it be that respects for human life and right to peaceful existence have taken flight under the President Goodluck Jonathan-led (mal) administration? These two questions agitated my mind early morning of Wednesday when my tenyear-old niece called me from London with her mum’s phone and in a troubled tone, demanded to know whether Mariam, my four-year-old daughter, was safe. Her reason for asking the question: She just watched on foreign media that girls in Nigeria were wantonly abducted by Boko Haram insurgents and she felt we all were no longer safe in this country. I tried to convince her that I lived in Lagos which was hundreds of kilometres away from the scenes of this savagery. But all fell on deaf ears. When it became clear to her that I was not ready or planning to leave the country for any perceived safe country, she pleaded with me to at least relocate Mariam and her brother and mum abroad. I refused her entreaties and her mum took the phone from her and reiterated her daughter’s fears. Well, I quite appreciate the apprehension of my niece and her mum but the truth is that yours sincerely never contemplated relocation and would not relocate Mariam or any other member of my family abroad, but would continue to pray for the return of absolute peace in the country. The only thing is that if the current government is proving incompetent to handle the ongoing criminality, then, it should rather resign; otherwise, Nigerians should show unwaged resolve to reject it by voting it out of power in 2015. What I went through that day is what many other Nigerians with friends/relatives abroad suffer when the barbarity going on in the country is being beamed and reported to the global world by the international media. The problem especially with the new dimension where girls were being abducted as if there were no government in place is very disturbing. In over twenty days, the country has been in sombre mood over the uncertain fate of the over 250 abducted girls in Borno state by Boko Haram criminals. Yet, the government has not come up with clues over the whereabouts or state of wellbeing of the girls, leaving their distraught parents, and millions of concerned citizens, including yours sincerely, across the country in a quandary amid ravaging angst. Again, does this administration have any empathy? This question becomes necessary in view of federal government’s carefree attitude despite the sad mood of the nation as exemplified by its

HO or what could be Nigeria’s trickiest obstacle at the 2014 FIFA World Cup finals? Host Brazil, Group ‘F’ rivals Argentina, defending champions Spain, wide distances between venues or the tropical heat? Look no further than Nigeria for the answer, dear fan. With respect to the legendary self-esteem of Jose Mourinho and Sir Alex Ferguson, it could be Stephen Keshi’s ego. Toe-to-toe with the Chelsea boss and ex-Manchester United tactician goes the distinguished ex-national skipper hailed as the ‘Big Boss’. Months after booking passage via an inspiring Africa Nations Cup triumph in January 2013, the Super Eagles chief coach prosecuted the Brazil 2013 Confederations Cup with questionable selection. With a reluctance to cut reserve national team goalkeeper Chigozie Agbim loose from the set-up ahead of Brazil 2014, he appears ready to top himself. Agbim flapped at crosses and fumbled his catch at the 2014 Championship of African Nations (CHAN) tournament held January 11 to February 1 in South Africa. After letting in a Mozambique goal from 50 yards, the former Enugu Rangers and current Gombe United stopper dropped jaws further with futile diving in the avoidable penalty shootout with brutish semi-final victors, Ghana. His coach, and obvious benefactor, however bears the brunt of criticism. With an awesome moniker derived from textbook defending as much as self-confidence – the same antecedents which have helped tame a gifted but wild Eagles bunch that hamstrung predecessors – Keshi would rather have his way. And his predilection may end in heartache for all. Nigeria attends the Mundial holding across 12 Brazilian cities from June 12 to July 13 largely on his call, but his antecedents conjure Ferguson’s trophy-filled 27-year reign at Old Trafford. In place of a scrupulous succession plan comparable to European power, Bayern Munich’s last season, the Scotsman recommended erstwhile Everton boss David Moyes of the Premier League mid-table fame. Ten months and an inevitable sacking after, the lessons loom large as Ferguson’s nine-foot

07011117777

Government without humanity

• Protesting mothers in Lagos

hosting of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT). The capital of the nation is now under lock and key for three days on the orders of President Jonathan despite the justifiable ongoing inexorable rage of women across the country over the abduction of innocent girls in Chibok. After his azonto dance in Kano and Ibadan, the president is now relishing on his wasteful WEF hosting. This government has shown unbridled contempt for mothers in the country and this has not properly situated those at the helm of affairs at that level as responsible parents with the desired empathic feelings. From Maiduguri, Abuja, Lagos, Ibadan and other major towns and cities were published and aired, pictures of flustered mothers/women staying in the sun, rain and sometime cold weather with placards protesting government’s lackadaisical handling of the madness of Chibok. Yet, government is so unconcerned that it still went ahead to host WEF in the FCT, and paralysing the federal capital for what could be rightly described as a jamboree that mocks the pains of struggling mothers. What

idea or policy framework is WEF going to come up with that has not been crafted before for successive governments in the country? Can’t the summit be shifted to a better period when the girls would have been found and the foul mood of the nation diffused? What is so inevitable in this summit that makes the government feel it can undermine the emotions of the women folk and other men of conscience in the land by forcefully hosting it? In case President Jonathan has forgotten his history so soon, he needs to be reminded that women’s power of protest had led to the crumbling of even powerful traditional institutions in this country. One example will suffice: In 1949, Madam Funmilayo Ransome Kuti (1900-1978), a women's rights activist and one of the most prominent leaders of her generation led other women of the Egba clan in their campaign against arbitrary taxation and presented documents alleging abuse of authority by the Alake, who had been granted the right to collect taxes by his colonial suzerain, the government of the United Kingdom. This led to the forced abdication of the Alake’s throne by Oba Ademola II. The great woman alongside her women comrades also oversaw the successful abolition of separate tax rates for women. In 1947, the West African Pilot described her in its editorial as the "Lioness of Lisabi" for her steadfast leadership focus given to the women’s liberation struggle against political oppression and economic suppression. It was during this period that she made her famous statement to wit: “Alake, for a long time, you have used your penis as a mark of authority that you are our husband. Today we shall reverse the order and use our vagina to play the role of husband.” Yours sincerely hopes that the president would not allow Nigerian women to be forced to make such weighty statement against his administration with his tardy handling the

For cup and country By Olubanwo Fagbemi statue at the Theatre of Dreams. One: no individual’s wishes supersede the club’s or country’s; and two: you get the quality of service you pay for. Nigeria fans may have been spared the tension associated with past qualification efforts en route to Brazil, but faith in Keshi’s abilities has since waned. In particular, a meeting between the coach and NFF’s Technical Committee late last month did not yield the much-anticipated provisional list of players ahead of the submission of a preliminary list of 30 players to FIFA by May 10. Close to the tournament, the dallying unnerves. The Eagles open their preliminary group campaign against Iran in Curitiba on June 16, followed by the pivotal clash with tournament debutants, Bosnia Herzegovina in Cuiba, June 21 and Argentina in Porto Alegre, June 25. Were the reason to be a disagreement on selected players, the committee would not have erred much. At the risk of ‘interference’, the committee appears to assign proper weight to the task ahead in recognition of the fact that Keshi needs technical help. He lost the benefit of the doubt with the Confederations Cup and CHAN debacles. He even shared NFF Technical Director, Shuaibu Amodu’s pre-tournament sentiment that the Confederations Cup would serve as a learning curve. He subsequently attended the tournament with a team guaranteed to return without the cup as his selection belied the mission: Nigeria were not in it to win it, hence the constellation of jaded stars, shooting stars and twinkling stars. But Brazil 2014 is a different ball game. With one eye on career advancement and the other on national pride, only a disoriented coach would fool around on the biggest stage of all. Earlier assertions bear repeating: Nigeria can win. Officials may consider this unrealistic and Keshi may speak of a more realistic target, but

what is ‘realistic’? Another round of 16 finish comparable to the USA 1994 and France 1998 feats? Or a quarter-final run matching Cameroon’s at Italia 1990, Senegal’s at Korea/ Japan 2002 and Ghana’s at South Africa 2010? No, the realistic target is victory; victory against Italy, Germany, The Netherlands and any illustrious rival for the coveted trophy. Before them, however, lie familiar foes that hobbled the fairytale runs of ’94 and ‘98: administrative hitches, squad bickering, win bonus controversy, and, according to former international Sunday Oliseh, ‘late planning’. While praising African players’ attributes of physicality and speed, Oliseh tendered a recipe for success that should tantalise Keshi. “Africans need to learn how to start pressurizing the opponents. Football has changed now. It’s no longer football where you pick individuals and expect them to do well. Now it’s more about team work, team dynamics, team schemes, things that are planned out like how to look at the opponent, how to bring about antidotes to the opponent’s playing star.” If anyone seeks recent evidence of the gulf in football administration between Nigeria and the great football cultures, handling of the World Cup list is it. Weeks before, Brazil manager Felipe Scolari listed the core of his squad and invited fans to work out the remainder – a task that foreign fans of Brazil would conveniently undertake. And as some may have noted, players who would walk into any other team often miss Spain’s star-studded armada ahead of major championships while the elite sides of Europe and South America consistently sail for football treasure with similar commitment. In all cases, form and versatility, not rehabilitation or loyalty, inform selection. By possibly sticking to Agbim and international rookies instead of proven but difficult players, Keshi restricts his options and understates national ambition. Yet, a freak turn of

case of the abducted Chibok girls. The problems persist because of the mystification of everything Boko Haram even from the stupefaction of Sambisa Forest of evil in the East Mountains of Borno State where the criminals live and; the fact that the military sent on this operation are largely demoralised and humiliated; while their topmost hierarchy amass vainglorious ill-gotten wealth and live in eye-popping opulence. Asiwaju Bola Tinubu, in his most recently published article titled: ‘Nigeria bleeds and it needs all of us,’ succinctly pointed out the lack of capacity of this administration to quell the insurrection: ‘Some now say parts of Nigeria are ungovernable. I disagree. The issue is not that parts of the nation are ungovernable. The real problem is that the current administration seems incapable of governing these and other areas. No parts of the nation are ungovernable…Given the obvious danger before us, may this government regain sobriety and a sense of purpose equal to the moment and the challenge we face.’ Will this government be able to come up with the desired clear-headedness and courage to rise up to the occasion as admonished by Tinubu? The answer will unfurl in days ahead as the America may likely come with the much-needed assistance to rescue this government that is bereft of humanity. These innocent girls must not die or be sold into slavery as threatened by Boko Haram, but be returned safely to their agonising parents - and thereby put the nerves of the country’s bewildered citizenry at rest. For now, this column hopes that the ongoing women insurrection will not lead to something more historic. It is not too late for Mr President and his lieutenants to do the needful - now!

‘In case President Jonathan has forgotten his history so soon, he needs to be reminded that women’s power of protest had led to the crumbling of even powerful traditional institutions in this country. One example will suffice: In 1949, Madam Funmilayo Ransome Kuti (1900-1978), a women's rights activist and one of the most prominent leaders of her generation led other women of the Egba clan in their campaign against arbitrary taxation’ events could see the No. 3 turn No. 1. And if any make excuses for him – ‘the goalkeeper would only be third in line’; ‘he may not get to stop a single ball’; ‘a quarter-final finish would be great and a semi-final run exceptional’ – they evidently share the coach’s ‘ambition’. Sad, indeed, would be a sight reminiscent of Mohammed Gambo’s stage fright and spooned shot at goal during the Confederations Cup Group B fight-back against Spain while Shola Ameobi, Ikechukwu Uche and the errant Osaze Odemwingie languished behind the international curtains. The hour of recognition vanished, but the lessons linger. They may appear better focused than predecessors, but football officials couldn’t prevent allegations of sharing salaries and allowances with coaches and securing qualifications by illegitimate means as underscored by self-confessed fixer Wilson Raj Perumal, of late. Labelling himself “the unsung hero of Nigeria’s qualification”, the Singaporean tainted Nigeria’s passage to the 2010 FIFA World Cup finals in South Africa. The federation denied both claims and may be vindicated, but no one can pretend that the country’s football is free of corruption. Through the grapevine, trace the trail of illicit deals and its clandestine markers: player agents influencing call-ups and caps, players paying for squad positions and coaches functioning as player agents. Taken alone, Keshi’s handling skills may not be sufficient, but the conditions permit an upset in Brazil. As witnessed in South Africa 2013 where the Eagles took complete advantage of a weakened field, luck may eventually defuse alarm. Considering the preliminary fixtures and knock-out rounds pairings, the big guns may cancel themselves out early and clear the coast for Nigeria. The heat may also put the Eagles in fine fettle, unless pampered players succumb to the wives and girlfriends (WAGs) distraction or choose to hold the temperate clime of professional practice as excuse for failure. To win, at any rate, the Eagles must embrace the South American warmth and put up a decent show of chasing football glory.

BUSINESS

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

At the moment, there is an average of about 18 hours per day of constant power supply to different parts of the country. This feat was brought about by the implementation of the integrated power sector reform programme anchored on the power roadmap. - Minister of Information, Labaran Maku

Implement policies for cooperative sector, govt urged

Shippers’ Council to stem capital flight in maritime

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

HE National Associa tion of Cooperative Consultants (NACC) has appealed to the government to formulate policies that will contribute to the development of the cooperative sector. This, NACC said, would generate employment for the unemployed youths. The Coordinator of NACC, Mr Akintola Ademola spoke while addressing reporters ahead of the ‘Ibadan 2014 Southwest Cooperative Sector Assessment Summit/Exhibition scheduled for May 12 and 18 at the International Conference Centre, University of Ibadan (UI). According to him, no country can develop without cooperative societies, adding that Nigeria needs to implement policies that will ensure a friendly and accommodating environment for cooperative sector to thrive. “Nigeria is facing serious socio-economic challenges that is causing a major setback to our nation’s economic development. Over the years, cooperative have played a prominent and pivotal role in reducing this socio-economic challenges in the advanced countries. He said: “Empirical studies of the economy of the nations of the world shows that micro, small and medium scale enterprises create over 70 per cent of jobs. Invariably cooperatives are the power that fuel small and medium scale enterprises.” Ademola called on manufacturing companies to partner with NACC to ensure the socio-economic development of the country.

DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$117.4/barrel Cocoa -$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,396.9/troy Sugar -$163/lb MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE -N11.4 trillion JSE -Z5.112trillion NYSE -$10.84 trillion LSE -£61.67 trillion RATES Inflation -8% Treasury Bills -10.58%(91d) Maximum lending -30% Prime lending -15.87% Savings rate -1% 91-day NTB -15% Time Deposit -5.49% MPR -12% Foreign Reserve $45b FOREX CFA -0.2958 EUR -206.9 £ -242.1 $ -156 ¥ -1.9179 SDR -238 RIYAL -40.472

By Oluwakemi Dauda

• MD/CEO, Bristow Helicopters Ltd, Capt. Akin Oni (right) and General Manager, Mr. Femi Collins at a briefing on the PHOTO: ISAAC JIMOH AYODELE company’s new operations at its Murtala Muhammed Airport, Ikeja, Lagos Headquaters.

Contractors stop work on airport terminal projects C

ONTRACTORS han dling the remodelling of terminals in all the airports in the country have pulled out due to lack of funds. Apart from the five new terminals being built in Lagos, Port Harcourt, Kano, Abuja and Enugu, which have concession arrangements and where construction is still ongoing, work has stopped on the others. It was learnt that though enough money was voted for the projects, the Permanent Secretary, Dr Jamila Shu’ara, allegedly withheld the funds. Shu’ara is also being accused of redeploying the directors of the ministry who are monitoring the projects. Observers said this was a confirmation of the fear of many Nigerians that these projects would not be completed by the government. A source said the permanent secretary questioned the projects in Akure, Ibadan, Asaba, Enugu and

By Kelvin Osa Okunbor

Jos, saying that they were not vital. However, a source said: “The money to complete these projects is there but they have refused to release it to contractors. The permanent secretary has refused to pay the contractors. “It is the refusal to pay these contractors that is holding back the completion of the expansion project at the Murtala Muhammed International Airport, Lagos. Work should have been completed there by now and new chillers installed to stop the heat at the airport.” The source also said the problem created by the nonpayment is that the completion date of the projects would not be met. A major programme of the administration, the projects were billed for completion

by the end of the year. In addition to the rehabilitation and restructuring of terminals, the government is building 14 new perishable terminals for the export of farm produce. Work has since commenced in Lagos, Kano, Yola, Akure, Asaba, Markurdi, Owerri and others. But the Special Adviser to the Permanent Secretary, Mrs. Ori Okojokwu, denied the allegations against permanent secretary. “That allegation is very unkind. It is not true. Although I am not the spokesman of the ministry, I am telling you that it is not true. Somebody is being mischievous somewhere. That is just the truth,”Mrs Okojokwu said. While some Nigerians are happy with the projects, many are sceptical that they would not be completed, es-

pecially as the minister who started the work has been removed. They feared that it will follow the old pattern where a new top government official abandons projects started by his predecessor. But the Supervising Mini st er of A v i a t i on, Dr Samuel Ortom, promised to complete the projects, saying their completion would improve the viability of the aviation sector. He said: “The aviation road map as you are aware is a comprehensive blue print on how to transform the aviation industry into a modern, viable, profitable and sustainable one. “The roadmap gave birth to the upgrade of all 22 federal airports, building of five brand new modern international terminals to be located in Lagos, Abuja, Kano, Port Harcourt and Enugu. Works on the terminals have started and would be completed by 2015.”

Canada to invest $5b in Delta solar energy

ELTA State has taken the lead in the generation of renewable energy as Canada has pledged to invest $5billion to produce 3,000 megawatts (Mw) of electricity. The initiative of the state government to key into the green economy programme of the global community paid off as the Federal Government signed the Foreign Investments Protection Agreement (FIPA) with Canada to remove bottlenecks to make smooth the take-off of Canadian investments in Nigeria. Similarly, Delta State government signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with a Canadian investor, Skypower

• Targets 3,000Megawatts Energy to build and generate solar-powered electricity in the state. The Minister of Industry, Trade and Foreign Investments, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, said the Canadian investor was investing $5 billion in renewable energy in the country. According to him, the firm will produce 3,000 Mw of solar-based electricity for the national grid with the facility being deployed first in Delta State having taken the initiative for the renewable energy plant. “Skypower will deploy first in Delta State which has taken the lead because of the enormous work the state has put in to ensure the re-

alisation of the renewable energy programme,” Aganga said. He said the Federal Government will facilitate the provision of licence to generate the solar-based electricity for the national grid with about 1,000 megawatts being generated form plants in Delta State. The Canadian Minister of International Investments, Mr. Christian Paradis, said with the deal between Nigeria and Canada, more investors would be encouraged to invest in Nigeria. Delta State Governor, Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan, expressed delight with the agreement and the keen

interest shown by the Federal Government, noting that it was an endorsement of the initiative of the state government. “This is very historic and emotional for me. For us in Delta State, we have keyed into the green economy programme of the global community. The green economy is not just in enhancing the environment but also meant to empower the people,” he said. The governor assured that Deltans would benefit from the 1,000 Mw that would be generated from the state as some of it will be dedicated to the state. Besides, he said FIPA was a big benefit from the World Economic Forum, Africa (WEFA) in Abuja.

HE Nigerian Ship pers’ Council (NSC) is seeking the support of stakeholders to stem capital flight in the maritime business. Speaking with The Nation after a seminar on “Achieving fair and equitable port pricing system in Nigeria” organised by the Maritime Reporters Association of Nigeria (MARAN), its Executive Secretary, Alhaji Hassan Bello, said NSC, as the economic regulator of the ports, would ensure a sustainable port pricing system that will facilitate trade and boost port operation. Bello pledged to carry out his new responsibilities with fairness and transparency. The NSC boss said the port plays a crucial role in many countries, promising to give it the utmost attention that would ensure the smooth movement of cargoes in and out of the ports. Bello added that a right pricing mechanism would promote prosperity and growth of the port. “Wrong pricing can guide port to inefficiency or even extinction; also a high pricing could deprive a port of high patronage of vessels and cargoes. “Wrong prices will reduce demand for cargo services and when the demand for port services is reduced equipment at the ports will be underutilised. Even with monopoly, high port prices will hurt persons the port is suppose to serve.”

‘Africa loses $50b to illegal cash outflow’

ORMER South African President, Mr Thabo Mbeki, has said the continent lost about $50 billion through illegal financial outflow of funds. Mbeki spoke at a High Level meeting on “Tackling Illicit Financial Flows and Inequality in Africa”, on the sideline of the World Economic Forum (WEF) in Africa in Abuja. According to him, the main channel through which money is being syphoned out of Africa, is through the commercial firms in the continent. “Annually, the continent is thought to lose about $50 billion. “This is about the same amount the continent receives in terms of annual foreign direct investments. “While it is often assumed that these outflows are linked to practises such as bribery, corruption or money laundering, studies have shown that it is not criminal activities but tax evasion that is responsible.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

BRANDS & MARKETING

• Mr Wood and ex-wife

• Savage

e-mail: adedejiademigbuji@yahoo.com /mobile line: 08131075667

• Henshaw

• Akindele

Despite their bad image, celebrities have continued to court mega bucks brand endorsement deals, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

Building brands on celebs’ slippery image B

ARELY four hours after she was unveiled to the media as the Forte Oil Brand Ambassador at the Ladipo Mechanic Village, Lagos, on February 17, the news broke that singer Tiwa Savage was allegedly arrested in front of Eko Hotels and Suites, Victoria Island, for a traffic offence and insulting some policemen. The Mavin Records artiste was reported to have also removed a policeman’s cap and flung it away. Three months after, her glittering face still adorns Forte Oil billboards, while she remains the face of the brand in television commercials, marketing activations to increase top-of-the-mind awareness for Forte Oil’s brands. Besides, she retains her ambassadorship of other brands, despite her alleged conduct in the public. There are many celebrities who have continued to court mega bucks’ brand endorsements, despite their behaviours that experts believe are enough to damage a brand’s essence and equity. But this is not often the case in international marketing when dealing with brand ambassadors. Several incidences that made global headlines had brought about sudden end to celebrity/brand relationship ambassadors. Ben Johnson gave up his 1988 Olympic gold medal and lost a $2.8 million deal with Italian sportswear maker Diadora. Former World heavyweight champion Mike Tyson lost millions of dollars when Pepsi cancelled its deal because his wife said he abused her. The non-acoholic gaint also let go of the endorsement deals it had with Magic Johnson, after he announced that he contracted HIV in 1991. Ronaldinho forfeited a multi-billion dollar Coca-Cola contract when he was caught drinking Pepsi. Although OJ Simpson was never convicted of the crime, Hertz most likely regretted that the main suspect in the Nicole Brown and Ron Goldman murder was once their biggest spokesman. Also, Nutella and McDonalds dropped their endorsement deals with Kobe Bryant when the basketball star was involved in a sexual assault case. Steroids helped Barry Bonds break records and also led to MasterCard, KFC and Charles Schwab cancelling deals with the slugger. Also, after the Woods sex scan-

dal came out, AT&T, Accenture and Gatorade dropped their endorsement contracts with him. The luxury watch brand, Tag Heuer, stood by Woods for a while, but later ended their relationship with him. For indigenous brand endorsers, brand handlers often continue to engage the celebs, regardless of their unruly behaviours, marital crisis and sexual escapades, among other unprintable acts. For instance, since the collapse of Nollywood actress Kate Henshaw’s marriage with Mr. Roderick Nuttal, the Onga seasoning brand handlers have continued to sustain the brand deal with Henshaw against expectations that her Promasidor endorsement deal would be suspended. In addition, brands, such as Airtel Nigeria’s Got Talent, are still romancing the celeb to increase brand’s equity in the marketing industry. “There are strong indications that Ms. Henshaw is in danger of losing her endorsement contract with Promasidor,” nigeriafilms.com said. Also, since Funke Akindele’s marriage crashed, more firms have continued to seek her signature on their brands just as she remains one of Glo’s strongest brand ambassadors. But, in developed countries, marriage break-ups, failing drug test, sex scandals and drunkenness are common among celebs. Such infractions are not treated with kid gloves by advertisers and their marketing strategists. “Major global brands love familyfriendly images and they hate controversy. So, when their brand ambassadors get caught in something less than heroic, com-

panies distance themselves as quickly as possible. Contracts are ended, ads are pulled, and the superstar finds out who their real friends are,” says a brand analyst in an FMCG. But with the emotional appeal, which celebrity endorsement offer brands to position against competition, to enhance patronage, three scholars from Covenant University, Okorie Nelson, Oyedepo Tunji and Akhidenor Gloria, in their research, ‘The Dysfunctional and Functional Effect of Celebrity Endorsement on Brand Patronage,’ said many companies have suffered from the inconsistency in the professional popularity of the use of celebrities in endorsements. They said: “The celebrity may lose his or her popularity due to some lapses in professional performances.” The scholars also said multi-brand endorsements by the same celebrity, which usually lead to over exposure, are major factors that cause endorsement problems. Using the “Transfer of meaning model theory”, the scholars reasoned that “effectiveness of the endorser depends on the meaning the celebrity is bringing into the endorsement process and the brand. “Celebrities are full of different meanings reflecting demographic (age, gender) and lifestyles, thus making it evident that celebrities convey not one but a variety of meanings. The cultural meanings that are connected with the celebrity will be transferred to the endorsed product/brand,” they added. Irrespective of their submissions, the reality is some celebrities have made some brands achieve their marketing goals while

‘Celebrities are full of different meanings reflecting such as demographic (age, gender) and lifestyles, thus making it evident that celebrities convey not one but a variety of meanings. The cultural meanings that are connected with the celebrity will be transferred to the endorsed product/brand’

others have not. Rather, they have done damage to the brands. They said: “The cultural meanings that are connected with the celebrity will be transferred to the endorsed product/brand.” However, in considering who should be used for celebrity endorsement, experts advise brand managers to audit their brand ambassadors and ensure their personality resonate with the brands and purpose of the campaign. “Celebrity attracts attention and an artiste should be able to convince and connect with the consumers through his or her credibility. A corporate brand with a core focus will go out of its way to seek the right celebrity to match the brand as the core idea of the campaign is as important for the brand as it is for celebrity,” said Mrs Mimi Akinkugbe, the Regional Director, West Africa, International Private Bank at Barclays Wealth. Meanwhile, the Managing Director, Ashton & Layton, Mr. Gbenga Adebija, said celebrity endorsements as a platform for stakeholder communication is still evolving and their maturity is still low. “This is because companies and organisations have not tried to achieve a strategic fit between their brands and the chosen ambassadors. The observable trend is that companies simply select a known face and name to endorse their brand without considering alignments and synchronisation between the ambassador and the brand. It is therefore difficult to strike the necessary state of equilibrium required for the optimal brand equity benefits,” he said. Also, Adeola Odunowo of Curve Communications, said: “I feel the various celebrities representing different brands in 2012 hardly added to the brand equity because the celebrities themselves still need communication skills to integrate into the brand architecture of a company and add value. It is the totality of a celebrity’s style, personality and carriage that contributes to the equity of a brand. “We are yet to have true celebrities in this part of the world, sorry; but what we have in Nigeria is famous individuals who are still striving to improve living standards like everyday people. So, the brands are even way ahead of the celebrities they want to project them.”

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

Brandnews To boost marketing in Africa and make its certificates acceptable, Nigeria and South Africa are forming the African Marketing Confederation, writes ADEDEJI ADEMIGBUJI.

NIMN, IMM push for global recognition T

HE National Institute of Marketing Nigeria (NIMN) and its South African counterpart, the Institute of Marketing Management (IMM) are to establish the African Marketing Confederation (AMC) to attain gbobal repute. NIMN President Mr Ganiyu Koledoye said: “The collaboration will promote and enhance marketing practice in Nigeria and bring it to global repute. We have had our challenges in the last 10 years but the collaboration will assist us and other African countries generally, who will be members of AMC too.” Koledoye noted that being a member of AMC, Nigerian professionals could travel to other African countries to practise. He stated further that once employers in host countries sight the AMC logo on

any certificate issued by NIMN, it will give them the confidence to offer them jobs. “We want to tell members of NIMN and those pursuing our programmes that their NIMN certificates will, henceforth, bear the logo of AMC and this will give them opportunities to practise marketing in any country of Africa,” he said. Koledoye noted that the collaboration with IMM became imperative to enable the institute to build a new crop of marketing professionals by leveraging on the superior pedigree of the South African marketing body. According to him, as part of the plans, both bodies have concluded arrangements to develop a unified marketing syllabus. He said the institute decided to re-engineer the profession by col-

laborating with marketing bodies with rich pedigree to prepare the practitioners for the challenges of a re-based economy. “Nigeria, with a re-based economy, boasts of opportunities in commerce. I think we should have the intelligence of playing in that market. If our marketers are not well equipped to cope with market trends, we will end up being a consuming nation and not making a maximum use of such opportunities,” he said. Also, the Group Sales and Marketing Manager, IMM, Mr. Kevin Mottram, said the collaboration was informed by the need to drive the profession in the continent. “We believe marketing should not be seen as secondary to any profession, hence, the need to infuse quality in it,” he said.

OSSAA assures advertisers of fair rates

HE Ondo State Signage and Advertisement Agency (OSSAA) has said its rates on billboards and other signages are fair and competitive. Its Executive Chairman, Oludare Aliu, said the agency held a stakeholders’ meeting attended by Outdoor Association of Nigeria (OAAN) members, especially owners of billboards. He added that billboards had been audited and messages sent to owners of dilapidated bill-

boards to either remove or upgrade them. He said OSSAA would hold another meeting with stakeholders to ensure environment-friendly practice. Aliu debunked the rumour that the agency was set up to generate money for the government, saying the agency was set up to beautify the state. He warned that OSSAA would not allow illegal pasting of posters and erection of billboards.

Legend promo winners share Dubai experience

NE of the first set of winners of a trip to Dubai, United Arab Emirates, in the Legend Extra Stout’s ongoing promo, Ernest Favour Nzelu, has described the experience as interesting. Another winner, Aliuhuo

Vivian Chinasa, thanked Legend Extra Stout. The shop attendant never thought she would ever find herself in Dubai. Other winners, who went to Dubai, also described their experience as wonderful, pledging their loyalty to the brand.

StarTimes unveils Extra Time promo

O deepen its market pen etration, StarTimes Pay TV has unveiled its ExtraTime Promo, in which customers stand to win a 2014 Toyota Yaris car. In the promo that would run from May to August, the pay TV managers said customers would also be rewarded with an extra viewing day on the StarTimes’ Soccer card and its promo card. The Public Relations Manager of the NTA-Star Network, Mr. Irete Anetor, said: “We would give an

extra viewing day on our Soccer card and the Extra Time promo card. Our Soccer card is specially designed to cheer the Super Eagles during the FIFA World Cup and we will give instant prizes through the Extra Time card. Customers can scratch and win instant prizes on its purchase. Customers would automatically qualify for the Extra Time monthly promo draws on the purchase of our recharge cards – be it the usual cards, the Soccer card or the Extra Time promo cards” he said.

MultiChoice launches BoxOffice in Nigeria

• From left: Head, Enterprise Business North, Airtel Nigeria, Oluwasina Dada; CEO of BOS, Bisi Olatilo; founder of Leap Africa, Ndidi Nwuneli; Head of PR, Airtel Nigeria, Adefemi Adeniran and Senior Manager, SME, Airtel Nigeria, Unu Theodore-Eke, at the SME forum organised by Airtel Nigeria in Abuja.

OSMI promises sponsors, advertisers of delivery O

PTIMA Sports Management International (OSMI), the exclusive 2014 FIFA World Cup terrestrial broadcast rights owners in Nigeria, has promised advertisers and sponsors of returns on investment (ROI) if they partner with the firm for the World Cup matches broadcast on television and radio. OSMI signed an agreement with the Broadcasting Organisations of Nigeria (BON). With it, BON, through its network of radio and television stations, will broadcast the 64 matches of the World Cup free. OSMI Chief Executive Officer Mr. Rotimi Pedro said the collaboration would not only benefit sportloving Nigerians, it will also provide a window of commercial opportunities for corporate organisations. “Our vision as a company is to make premium sports pro-

grammes available to the majority of Nigerians, without them paying for it. The forthcoming World Cup in Brazil will not be an exception. It doesn’t matter where an average Nigerian resides, we plan to make the World Cup matches available to him. “We also plan to deliver commercial value to corporate bodies who will partner with us on the broadcast. We would connect their brand messages, products and services with the target market all over the country. That’s why we are working with BON on this project. Through their network of stations, OSMI plans to reach about 32 million TV households in Nigeria and extend the World Cup experience farther into the rural centres through radio transmission. The

dual media of radio and television will synergise to deliver ultimate value to the sponsors and advertisers seeking to be part of the biggest sport event in the world,” he said. Pedro added: “For the 2010 World Cup, OSMI’s partnership with BON network was ranked in the Top three in the global average audience per live match by channel rating. With an average of 14.9 million for each live match, the OSMI network beat many popular European, Middle East and Asian television networks.” BON Chairman Alhaji Abubakar Jijiwa praised OSMI for its initiative to beam the World Cup matches free. He assured the rights owner of his organisation’s readiness to partner with it, enjoining BON members to abide by the regulations under which FIFA granted OSMI the rights.

ULTICHOICE has launched the BoxOffice in Nigeria, as part of its effort to provide DStv subscribers with new value proposition in television entertainment. BoxOffice allows subscribers to rent and watch the latest blockbuster movies in the comfort of their homes, right on their DStv Explora decoders. The Managing Director of MultiChoice Nigeria, Mr. John Ugbe, said with BoxOffice, DStv Premium subscribers can enjoy the best and latest of Hollywood and Nollywood on their Explora decoders.

“DStv services like BoxOffice form part of a bigger MultiChoice strategy to use cutting-edge technological innovation to help people enjoy some of the best entertainment available at a time that’s convenient to them. “And with the all-new Explora decoder, we’re taking on demand video to a whole new level, by offering subscribers an experience that mimics the Internet, but on a decoder, and without the high data bills,” Ugbe said. Ugbe added: “Our subscribers can watch the latest blockbusters before they become available on TV, legitimately.”

Konica Minolta introduces digital printers

ONICA Minolta has introduced two new models of digital printing machines into the market. They are the KIP C7800 and the Bizhub C1070. According to the firm, the KIP C7800 is a wide format colour printer designed for architectural, engineering and construction plans to maps, posters and signs. “It has speed, accuracy, scan and copy functions, in addition to fully integrated stacking and folding capabilities. “The C7800 has a high-speed wide format print output of 4,200 sq. ft. per hour in Black & White, and 3,600 sq. ft. per hour in Colour. It is equipped with a unique LED printing design, with four LED imaging heads for outstanding 600 x 2,400 dpi

resolution. Its integrated KIP scanner provides pixel-perfect copy and scan with true 600 x 600 dpi optical resolution. “The Bizhub PRESS C1070, on the other hand, is a new generation colour digital printing machine that is ideal for production and commercial environments, as well as across a broad range of industries including healthcare, legal and education,” the Managing Director, Skysat Technologies, Mr. Izzat Debs. “We are happy to introduce yet another set of new generation Konica Minolta machines into the vibrant Nigerian market. As you know, Konica Minolta is not just the market leader in terms of market size, but also in technological innovation,” he added.

FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS SHOPPING

E-mail: toniaitose@gmail.com

Sms : 07035302326 Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.net

Despite the growing popularity of online shopping, retail experts say the technology-driven shopping platform may not completely replace the open, traditional showrooms. Rather, both platforms would continue to co-exist and give shoppers more choices. TONIA’DIYAN reports

•A mall

Why online shops may not replace malls

NN Hassrup, a shopaholic, knows only one way and place of shopping, which is the open traditional showroom or market - Isale eko. However, Hassrup who loves exploring new ideas recently decided to try a new thing by visiting jumia.com.ng, an online shopping store. It was her first time. Before the desire to try online shopping, she has always been patronising The Palms Shopping Mall in Lekki, Lagos, which is an open showroom. Now, Hassrup is torn between patronising The Palms Shopping Mall and jumia.com.ng. How do I know where to buy from?,” she asked a retail expert, who gave her some tips on what each of the platforms has to offer. At the end of the tips by the expert, one thing Hassrup came off with is the fact that despite the growing popularity of online shopping, the relatively new fad in town particularly among young and trendy shoppers, may not replace shopping malls any time soon. Indeed, retail experts say that although, online stores have come to stay, owners of open, traditional showrooms may not loose sleep over the growing influence of online shopping, as the competition by online stores may not completely run them out of town. Rather, online stores in the mould of jumia.com.ng would continue to exist side by side with open, traditional showrooms. According to the experts, both platforms would continue to give each other a run for its investment, based on the demography and psychology of the Nigerian consumer, who naturally would love to go out with his or her family on a weekend or go to have a firsthand feel of new releases or favourite products. One of the experts who spoke with The Nation Shopping said that malls are known to offer a variety of services outside retail thereby, gaining more customer traffic. The expert who declined to be named, affirmed that shopping malls will always have their value in the minds of Nigerians, not based on experiences such as convenience in getting products as seen in online retail services, but in the context of a place where long time memories for friends and family are re-enacted, even though more of this memories might not be retail inclined. He however, said that as time goes on, online stores will get bigger and will prob-

ably account directly for bigger percentages in retail. This analysis seems to have struck a chord in Hassrup and indeed, many shoppers who now patronize both stores/platforms. Hassrup however, said she would simply take a look at what the online stores have to offer, compare prices with the malls and make the best choice. According to her, buying the right item at the best price is more important than where an item is bought from. “If I surf the Internet and find something I love, I simply check it out in a store and make purchase,” says Mrs. Fatima Braimoh, who owns a boutique at Allen Avenue, Ikeja, Lagos. She said these days, virtually all payments are done online. Comparing both shopping platforms, Brolls’s former Chief Executive Officer Gbadebo Erejuwa said in an interview, “Most times, the prospect of a shopping mall is explained in the items shoppers could lay their hands on, knowing that they are buying products they can account for. Shoppers prefer to buy items, such as shoes, clothing and the likes from the malls where they can assess their fitness. In online shopping there is no such opportunity because there is no contact except when the goods are delivered.” She added that online shopping can never

•Online shop

take the place of shopping malls. Hear her: “When people say otherwise to me, I disagree because many want to sample products first-hand, a feature that is not available online. For example, women may want to find out if a dress suits them. In addition, you cannot tell the quality of the material used online. Whilst some may prefer to buy online, as it can be a less stressful experience, there will always be a place for the high street stores and a place for the malls. In that regard therefore, the wise retailer will use the malls and online shopping side by side.” Speaking in the same vein, a marketing officer at a mall, Mrs. Adetutu Bankole, said malls are realising the value of the Internet and are also adjusting their range of products and services to take advantage of it. She said: “Some stores also have websites where they offer to deliver items that are presently not in stock as at when needed.” Chief Executive Officer, Shop Direct Group, Mark Newton-Jones, also said: “The past decade has seen a transformation in the way people shop, and while many still prefer to take a trip to a mall, increasingly people are also finding all they could ever want online, choices are made depending on what the priority of the shopper is.” Findings show that though buying online

is becoming popular by the day especially because of its convenience, some people still find it very comfortable going outside the convenience of their homes to buy or window shop. This, some of them say, allows them see and feel items before buying. In other words, the mall allows shoppers come in contact with various choice items. They could make the best choice and go home with the exact items they desired. But with online shopping, one could take the advantage of convenience to shop right from his home. Indeed, convenience is one of the major attractions for online shopping. As Afam Anyika, Jumia offline marketing head, put it, “Online platform is selling to people convenience with various methods of payment and most of all providing them with rich quality retail content all at fair prices. It is clear the experiences are better and assortment wider with online retail. More Nigerians are shopping online by the day and in two years of our operations, I can tell you the Nigerian market has been waiting for this for a long time.” Whether online or open/traditional malls, the consensus of retail experts is that price and quality of products and services would ultimately determine where the shopper would go.

Newspaper of the Year

AN 8-PAGE PULLOUT ON THE SOUTHSOUTH STATES

•Etiebet

AKWA IBOM

AD AKA BOR O ADAKA BORO

ATUEKONG Don Etiebet is a permanent member of the Board of Trustees of PDP. He disagreed with leadership of PDP in Akwa Ibom for holding SEC meeting at the Government House in Uyo and purportedly zoning governorship seat to Eket Senatorial District. •PAGE 33

THE annual remembrance of the late Major Isaac Adaka Boro is a major event in Bayelsa State. Regarded as the pioneer of the agitation for economic emancipation of the Niger Delta, this year’s event promises to be different. •Dickson

•PAGE 33

FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

PAGE 29

BURSAR Y URSARY DELTA State Commissioner for Higher Education Prof Hope Eghagha speaks on his endless battles against fraud in the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board, a parastatal under his ministry. •Eghagha

•PAGE 34

30 Risonpalm ex-workers dead •Dozens bedridden From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

• Drums of illegally refined diesel in Gbekbo, Delta State. PHOTO: NAN

Why illegal bunkering is difficult to stop •The roles of military, communities, oil firms SEE STORY ON PAGE 30

ALSO INSIDE

HEY sweated and toiled for 30 years. Some gave 35 years of their lives but their hard work and labour may have now ended almost in vain. That is the hard fate of the disengaged workers of the defunct Risonpalm Limited, a palm oil establishment of the Rivers State government that has now been taken over by a foreign investor. Two fruitless years after begging for their gratuities and unpaid entitlements, the disengaged workers took their complaints to the Rivers State Government House. It was a desperate move to draw attention of the lawmakers to their plight and helplessness. Most of them had worked close to 35 years before the company was sold to SIAT Nigeria Limited, a palm oil producing company in Rivers State. They said the terms and conditions of employment provided that they work for up to 40 years in the company before retirement. The deal provided that in the prevailing situation, where they were compelled to retire after 20 or 35 years, the company would pay them for the remaining years until they get to the normal retiring age. And such employee would be entitled to allowances, gratuity and other entitlements specified in the condition of office. It was, therefore, surprising and disheartening for the embattled workers that none of these benefits or entitlements was given to them when the company compulsorily disengaged them from service. The 3,000 disengaged workers last weekend took their protest to the Rivers State Government House. The government broke its long silence. Some of the aggrieved workers, who spoke with Niger Delta Report, said over 30 of their members had died of high blood pressure and other related ailments they developed due to their deplorable living condition after their disengagement. They said the non-payment of their entitlements after serving the company for 20-35 years have worsened their living condition, adding that they were not only living in abject poverty, but were dying of lack.

•Continued on page 30

•Job creation takes centrestage in Bayelsa •PAGE 31 •Church thrills Port Harcourt residents •PAGE 34 •Delta North and Uduaghan’s successor’ •PAGE 35 • YOU HAVE STORIES FOR US? PLEASE CONTACT US ON 07066954441 OR 08123521990

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT COVER

How military, communities, oil firms aid illegal b The effect and cost of illegal bunkering in the Niger Delta, from the loss of revenue to ecological devastation, have led to national concern. As part of the efforts to find solution to the problem, the Delta State government organised an Oil and Gas Conference. SHOLA O’NEIL, who covered the ceremony, reported that stakeholders indicted the military, oil multinationals and community leaders in the Niger Delta.

HE Delta State Commissioner for Oil and Gas, Mr Mofe Pirah, in his welcome address at the 2nd Edition of the state oil and gas conference, said the forum was aimed at bringing together relevant stakeholders to exchange ideas on the best practices locally and globally on how to secure and protect the huge investments in the oil and gas industry in the state. Pirah said it “will focus on how we can collectively curb crude oil theft, especially within our environment, prepare and address the minds of our esteemed host communities on environment impact of pollution and its attendant long term effects, including the need to domicile surveillance contract in the various oil and gas communities in the state.” Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan, who moderated one of the sessions, advised speakers from the oil and gas industry, security operatives and host community leaders to be forthright and outspoken, assuring, “Whatever is said here will not be used against anybody.” Chief Ayirimi Emami, an Itsekiri youth leader and Chairman of the Chevron Nigeria Limited-sponsored Itsekiri Regional Development Committee (IRDC), fired a damning salvo on those behind the illegal trade. His first shot was aimed at the Nigerian Navy, represented by the Flag Officer Commanding Western Naval Command, Rear Admiral Ilesanmi Alabi, and other members of the Armed Forces, who he accused of cuddling the criminals. Clarifying his stance, he said: “When I say the security agencies are involved, it is very simple: Delta State, for instance, has three exit/entry points (into the high sea). They are at Escravos, Forcados and Ogheye (in Warri South West, Burutu and Warri North local government areas ). There is no way a vessel can enter or leave without the military seeing them.” Supporting the declaration Uduaghan said whenever he travelled through the waterways of the state particularly the Warri and Burutu axis - he met one military checkpoint or the other on most junctions. He said in all the instances, his and

other boats in his entourage were stopped and subjected to military check. He wondered how larger vessels, tugboats and other paraphernalia of the illicit enter and leave the waters without being detected and arrested by the security operatives, who are deployed to the rivers principal to stop rogue vessels. “Ayiri made a point about Delta having just three exit points in Delta State. Bayelsa is more difficult to deal with because they have up to 35 points; there are just three in Delta and there are military checkpoints at every junction. They stopped my boat; if my boat can be stopped, why are other boats not being stopped?” Speaking in the same vein, Mr Joel Bisina of the Leadership Initiative for Transformation and Empowerment (LITE Africa), also queried the suffocating presence of military men around oil facilities if they are not able to secure pipelines and flow stations. In a brief, eloquent presentation that was punctuated with rhetorical questions and quips, Bisina raised posers that not only supported alleged involvement of the lower ranks of the military, but also hinted at the complicity of their high ranking officers. For instance, he said: “How does the high end security network around oil facilities fail to provide security to the primary objective (of their deployment)? To what extent is security (apparatus) providing security? “There are (allegation that) some members of the JTF levy illegal bunkerers on a cargo-by-cargo basis. How many of the JTF operators have been arrested and tried for involvement?”

Oil firms in bunkering Ironically, it was the FOC West, Rear Admiral Alade, who flagged-off the game of finger-pointing when he slammed International Oil Companies (IOCs) and their Nigerian counterparts for aiding the illicit deals. Speaking on the topic, “Security Oil and Gas Investments: The Role of The Nigerian Armed Forces’, he said: “Oil companies cannot claim ignorance (about oil theft)… Oil thefts are mostly perpetrated at the loading point.”

•Uduaghan speaking at the conference...Listening are of Rear Admiral S.I. Alade, Hon Daniel Yingi, the Ovie of Uvwie Kingdom and others. PHOTO: SHOLA O’NEIL.

The navy top brass’ assertion was somewhat buttressed by a revelation in the presentation by Mr Mutiu Sunmonu, Managing Director of Shell Petroleum Development Company (SPDC) and Country Chair of Shell Companies in Nigeria, who disclosed a brazen sabotage of the company’s export line by suspected illegal bunkerers. “We discovered that a line was welded to our Forcados Terminal export line where export quality crude oil was being stolen. Such an underwater operation does not come easy to us in the industry, but some criminals were able to install a theft point without detection. Investigations are on-going to understand how this was done. So, who is behind these activities? Unfortunately, SPDC as a corporate organisation is unable to say categorically those behind these crimes.” If the SPDC MD was puzzled by the daring operation on the line, other stakeholders at the ceremony offered answers: they urged him and captains of the oil and gas industry to look inward. LITE-Africa’s Bisina hinted that the technical expertise used in such operation as described by Sunmonu could only come from the oil industry and within the oil multinationals. Austin Igbuku, who represented Sunmonu, differed. He said none of the company’s staff are involved in the illicit, while also conceding that SHELL could not vouch for indirect workers – 10,000 to 15,000 employed by its contractors. But Uduaghan and other guests were not impressed. The governor

insisted that oil companies operating in the region could not dodge culpability, even if those found wanting are their indirect staff. He advised internal audit to fish out the bad eggs. Communities are also involved Emami, a factional leader of the oil-rich Ugborodo Community in Warri South West Local Government Area, was one of the first to concede the involvement of community members and leaders. He said the situation was not helped by the oppressive underdevelopment of oil bearing communities. He said, “Poverty is the origin of oil theft; they (community members) are all suffering. So, everybody is involved actively or passively. Those involved actively are those who break pipeline and steal the oil, while their passive participators are those who do not get involved but are guilty by association and refusal to offer information to security agents because they are benefiting one way or the other.” Speaking in the same vein, Jude Ukori, Secretary of the Egbema Gbaramatuu Central Development Committee (EGCDC), the IRDC’s counterpart, said, “Those involved in illegal bunkering are not ghost. But some of them are so poor that they have no alternative to survive while others are just greedy.” While not justifying the acts, the two community leaders urged governments at all level and the oil multinationals to do more for the communities. They said the damages from oil exploration and production have left the communities without viable means of livelihood and deprived of commensurate benefit from the oil windfalls.

Ukori said, “Now we are being told of loses from illegal bunkering; when there was no lose where we made to feel the impact? There should be deliberate programme for oil communities not the prevailing situation where bridges are built where they are not needed while in the riverine areas where they are needed none is built.”

How it is done Explaining the various levels of the corruption, the SPDC MD said the first level involves those engaged in the theft of crude oil, which is inefficiently refined for supply to local markets. Sunmonu said this aspect of the crime is encouraged by inadequate supply of petroleum products through the legitimate channel and peoples desperateness for fuel used for various purposes. “At the other level is the larger scale, more organised operation for international export, which we know reaches far across the globe. The latter has fast become a parallel industry with a developed supply chain and growing sophistication. “The operations at both levels involve trained engineers who weld valves to high pressure pipelines, allowing the criminals to return at night to siphon crude oil. Boat yards help to construct and supply barges to the thieves to transport crude oil around the creeks,” he said.

How to tackle illegal bunkering Government officials, community leaders, oil industry operators and all stakeholders at the conference were unanimous that the scourge of illegal bunkering needs to be purged out from

Agony of Risonpalm workers: 30 dead, dozens bedridden •Continued from page 29 Mr. Job Amadi, who put in over 25 years before his disengagement, said: “It has been so rough with me coping with the challenges of life, since we were forced to disengage. Feeding my children has been another horrible experience. Most of us today, our children are no longer going to school. Some of our wives are no longer living with us because of hardship. These are things that have led to the death of our members. The young ones among us today are those who come to represent their late fathers, mothers or relatives. This is the condition we have found our-

selves.” Mrs. Ngozi Welekwe said she joined the company at the age of 22, lamenting that over 30 years later (she would be 55 later this month), she has nothing to show for the years she worked with the company. “Look at me; I am 55 years old this month. All I am saying is that the government should consider us and give us our money. I know the governor will have mercy on us. He is our brother. All of us are Rivers people. We are not strangers.” For Godknows Okpara, who lost his right leg in service of the company, the story was even more pathetic. He said his employers left him to his fate after

•The angry workers at Government House

the accident, which he suffered while on active duty. “The money I spent treating myself was from my pocket,

though the company did not sack me; I was asked to continue with my work despite my condition.

•Mr. Okpara

“The whole thing started when I was deployed to H22 to go and supervise the workers; unfortunately, my motor-

•Mrs Welekwe

cycle got punctured; so, I decided to trek for several kilometers on palm lane. Few days later, my leg became swollen

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

egal bunkering ‘

the region. One industry operator at the conference told our reporter that the effects would linger for decades. “Even if we successfully stop illegal bunkering today, the effect will take at least 20 to 30 years to clear. That is when the soil, water and flora and fauna can return to normal. It is a big damage that they are doing to the environment.” For Bisina, the damage is not done by the criminals alone. He expressed concern over the means of destroying arrest barges, petroleum tanker trucks and other support items of the trade. This concern, which was also raised by Mr. Sheriff Mulade of the Centre for Peace and Environmental Justice (CEPEJ) in a private interview with our reporter, followed the huge emission from the burning of crude oil and destruction of barges in the creeks and waterways. Rear Admiral Alade also called for a critical look at the role of the judiciary and those tasked with prosecution of the criminals. He said the navy does not have the power to prosecute, adding that its job is merely to arrest and investigate. He lamented that after carrying out its duty faithfully the prosecutions are not done satisfactorily. His position, supported by other participants,

questioned the sincerity of those tasked with trying those cases as well as the judge to whom they are assigned. On the need to develop the oil bearing communities, Uduaghan told the audience that the communities must be ready to be developed. He said community leaders and their youths make outrageous demands on contractors sent to execute developmental projects through exorbitant wage demand or other patronages. The governor also noted that efforts to empower community youths through pipeline surveillance contracts and jobs have also backfired as those employed have been found to be aiding involved directly or aided and abetted illegal bunkerers. For his part, Sunmonu suggested: “Concerted action is urgently needed at the local, national, regional and international levels to address the menace of crude oil theft. Requirements include improved intelligence gathering, stronger policing and the prosecution of suspected criminals. “There is now an understanding within the industry and government that the scale and complexity of the problem is beyond the control of any one company, governor, committee or even country. The next step is to galvanise coordinated action. Conferences like this are an important part of that,” he stated. He urged the Federal Government to seek international collaboration to track stolen crude as is being done with gold and other precious stones gotten from war-ravaged countries. Sunmonu disclosed that SPDC and its Joint Venture partners are continually looking for new ways to make it more difficult for thieves to hijack its pipelines and steal crude oil. To this end, he disclosed that pipelines are being buried deeper beneath earth surface and such pipelines are sometimes covered with concrete to deter criminals. Attendees and speakers also agreed that the passage of the Petroleum Industry Bill (PIB) and conferring ownership rights on communities would give them sense of belonging and stake to help in policing and protecting the facilities.

and I could not use it to walk until I was asked to amputate it. “When the Commissioner for Agriculture visited us at the company, he told us that they were planning to sell the company and that we should not panic that our entitlements and benefits are with him. So, we were happy while hearing that from him but we didn’t know it will turn out this way.” Chief Jude Woka, who led the protesters to Government House, said they were running out of patience, as all avenues for dialogue initiated with their former employer failed to yield any result. He alleged that of N4.9billion owed them only N165 million was paid by the Commissioner of Agriculture, who is SIAT’s sole administrator. He said: “We have informed

the company of our plight, having made several efforts to ensure that the entitlement owed to us is paid. The non-payment of our outstanding retirement benefits has brought untold us hardship. We have agreed that SIAT must pay the remaining balance owed the disengaged workers or the company operation will be disrupted by our endless protest which will be carried out by next month” Addressing the protesters at Rivers State Government House, the Chief of Staff, Mr Tony Okocha, said the government was sympathetic to their plight, assuring: “We are going to ensure that we solve your problems. You are Rivers indigenes I don’t see the reason why you will not get your entitlements. Give us little time and your money will be paid.”

Even if we successfully stop illegal bunkering today, the effect will take at least 20 to 30 years to clear. That is when the soil, water and flora and fauna can return to normal. It is a big damage that they are doing to the environment

‘

Job creation takes centrestage in Bayelsa

HE Director-General, Security and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms. Arunma Oteh, was among big names at the recently concluded International Conference on Small, Medium Scale Enterprises which was held at the Banquet Hall, Yenagoa, Bayelsa State. The conference, 20th in series, was organised by the World Association for Small and Medium Enterprises (WASME). The President of WASME, Alhaji Babale Girei and the United Nations Aids Ambassador and Chairman/ Co-Founder of Africa Rising Foundation, Mr. Ndaba Mandela, were there. It attracted captains of industries, entrepreneurs and some world business leaders from within and outside the state. It was the second time Nigeria hosted such global event and the first time the international business gathering was held in the Niger Delta region. Ms Oteh was not a mere observer. The DG and SEC played significant roles at the conference. She was unhappy at the endemic nature of poverty and unemployment in Niger Delta and Nigeria. She dwelled on SMEs as a potent tool in curbing the embarrassing poverty and unemployment levels in the country. Her position and recommendations were incisive, direct and educative. She observes that SMEs are critical importance to the growth and development of a nation especially countries with significant employment and income distribution challenges. According to her SMEs do not only contribute to GDP growth and creation of decent jobs, they also enable inclusive growth due to the broad-base population participating in the economy. Globally, SMEs account for over 95 per cent of the business population, constitute between 60 to 70 per cent of employment and contribute between 60 to 50 per cent to GDP. Ms Oteh observes that governments worldwide are increasingly recognising that SMEs are drivers of entrepreneurship, growth and job creation as well as an effective tool for poverty alleviation and inclusive growth. She explains that such realisation informed the Federal Government to establish the Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN) in 2003 to promote the development of micro, small and medium enterprises in the economy. She further lauded Dickson for according SMEs their pride of place in the state through a number of initiatives such as appointing a special adviser on SMEs and dedicating a special fund of N20bn for small businesses." But the DG identifies some challenges of SMEs in the country - lack of robust business incubation systems. She asks states including Bayelsa to move from SME-support to effective business incubation system, which speeds up the process of starting and growing companies and provides entrepreneurs with expertise networks and tools needed to make their ventures successful. She cited the examples of Isreal, United States of America

•Dickson receiving a souvenir from Ms Oteh during a cocktail party in honour of delegates to the conference. From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

and Brazil as countries where incubation programmes and the ecosystem they engender have helped to diversify economies, commercialise technologies, create jobs and build wealth. She noted that through SMEs, Israel has attracted venture capital all over the world adding that Isreal, a country smaller than Bayelsa, has more companies listed on NASDAQ than the whole of Europe and invented some of the widely used technologies in the world. Ms Oteh said the USA has remained a role model for countries seeing to boost SMEs contributions to their economies. She recalls that as far back as 1953, USA enacted the Small Business Investment Act which set up the Small Business Administration (SBA) to deliver loans, loan guarantees, contracts, counseling and other forms of support to SMEs. "One of the earliest incubation centres to benefit from such support is located around the South Bay portion of the San Francisco Bay Area in Northern California, the area we today refer to as Silicon Valley. "Silicon Valley today remains an enduring ecosystem for the development of SMEs into large and successful companies comprising 33 universities and colleges, three government agencies and hundreds of venture capital funds all working in synergy to support start-ups", she said. In Brazil, she said SMEs represent 98 per cent of existing companies, employ about 60 per cent of the active population and contribute a quarter of the Brazilian GDP. Ms Oteh added hat Nigeria has understood the importance of SMEs observing that through MSMEs, many programmes and initiatives have been launched at various levels to spur the development of small businesses. She names them as the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP), the Youth Enteprise with Innovation in Nigeria (YouWiN), the N220b CBN MSMEs fund and the innovative $15million venture capital fund targeting software developers set up by the Min-

istry of Communication Technology. In the capital market she says SEC is conscious of the importance of SMEs. She says the commission is working very hard to build a world-class market that supports, nurtures and enables them to continue growing. She said: "We are very excited that His Excellency Honourable Dickson has made entrepreneurship, small and medium scale enterprise a key pillar for his restoration programme for Bayelsa State. We believe that with the way that he is tackling this initiative, Bayelsa state has the ecosystem to become Nigeria's Silicon . "It has the ecosystem to become Africa's Dubai given what we have seen and heard today that the governor and his team are doing. We feel that this should be emulated across the nation and it is quite similar to what his Excellency President Goodluck Ebele Jonathan is doing at the Federal level. "I have no doubt that given what we have seen at this 20th annual conference on Micro Small and Medium Scale Enterprises that there is no doubt that Bayelsa state will be an example for other states to emulate. "Bayelsa state has a youthful population, so there are things for the older people, there are also things for the younger people to do. This is a state that God has blessed in many ways with oil and gas and with sea around it. "So fisheries is an important sector, agro businesses is also important. there are many areas where you can have many good businesses. So, I am glad that the government is providing this support, and also drawing attention to the business opportunities that you can have in Bayelsa." In his address, Dickson identified lack of access to finance and skills as major challenges militating against the growth of small businesses in the state. He announced government's desire to inject N20b into Small and Medium Enterprises development, which he said would be further expanded to the tune of N30 billion. He said a bill would be forwarded to the State House of Assembly to provide a legal framework for the establish-

ment of an SMEs Trust Fund. According to him, the move is to guarantee the security of the funds for stakeholders and develop a robust SMEs programme for the empowerment of the people. Dickson, who hailed WASME for granting Bayelsa the hosting right, said the conference was taking place at a period, when efforts were being intensified to diversify the economy beyond the oil and gas era. Enumerating efforts made by his administration for wealth creation and poverty reduction in the state, Dickson said with the Bayelsa Geographical Information System (BGIS) in place, the citizens could easily access finance with their assets. Minister of Trade, Industry and Investment, Dr. Olusegun Aganga, represented by the Director-General, SMEDAN, Alhaji Bature Masari, commended the state's untiring efforts at developing the entrepreneurship and building the capacity of enterprises in the state. He noted that SMEs provide employment opportunities to 32.4 million Nigerians and stressed the need for all stakeholders to tackle the problems facing the sector. The Senior Special Assistant to Governor Dickson on SMEs, Mr. Ebiekure Eradiri, remarked that, the government has created an SMEs database to effectively manage the sub sector. In a keynote address, the United Nations Aids Ambassador and Chairman/CoFounder of Africa Rising Foundation, Mr. Ndaba Mandela, said Africa Rising is an organization dedicated to creating a conducive environment for entrepreneurs to thrive in the continent. According to him, SME is the centre of any economy and the foundation is established to ensure, that young people have access to technology and information to empower themselves and take full advantage of the opportunities that exist. "Where opportunities do not exist, the foundation creates them. Africa is rising, has helped to groom young minds, so that their dreams will soar beyond reality and Africa can prosper."

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT FEATURE

NIGER DELTA REPORT INTERVIEW

Bayelsa prepares for Adaka Boro Day The annual remembrance of late Major Isaac Adaka Boro is a major event in Bayelsa State. Regarded as the pioneer of the agitation for economic emancipation of the Niger Delta, this year’s event promises to be different, writes MIKE ODIEGWU, YENAGOA

THE annual remembrance of late Major Isaac Adaka Boro is a major event in Bayelsa State. Boro is regarded as the pioneer of the agitation for economic emancipation of the Niger Delta. So, he is considered a martyr, hero and legend of the Niger Delta struggle for resource control. He later died while fighting for the unity of Nigeria. His memorial is a series of ceremonies. Initially, Boro’s celebration was

an oversea event. The past administration of Mr. Timipre Sylva rotated the event between the United States of America (USA) and the United Kingdom (UK). It was then viewed as an elitist event which attracted only the rich and government functionaries. Overseas celebration of Boro resulted in capital flight and marginalisation and neglect of the family members of the hero. It also relegated to the background the sig-

nificance of Kaiama, the hometown of Boro. In fact, it was regarded as a jamboree and a conduit to fritter the resources of the state. But Governor Seriake Dickson in 2012 brought the celebration back home. He said henceforth instead of taking the celebration to people in diaspora and foreigners, Boro event had been redesigned to lure people from other countries to Bayelsa and the Niger Delta region.

•From right: Tuodolor, Walson Appah, Ekpein Appah and the late Boro’s first daughter, Esther at the news conference on the Isaac Boro Day.

Therefore, this year’s celebration like the 2012 and 2013 episodes is a home affair. Already, series of events have been outlined and renown speakers have been invited to deliver the Boro’s lecture. For instance, Martin Luther King, jnr, and Rt. Honourable Lord Paul Boateng, a member of the British House of Lords, have been invited as guest

speakers for the colloquium scheduled to hold on May 17. From May 11 to 17th, Bayelsa will burble with many activities. Cultural performances, football matches, beauty pageant, art exhibition, musical concerts and awards are some of the events being prepared to herald the day. Apart from these activities, the

theme of this year’s celebration, Isaac Boro Comes Home, reveals the concluded plan by the administration of Dickson to conduct the funeral of Boro again. The Commissioner for Culture and Ijaw National Affairs, Dr. Felix Tuodolor, said the government would bring back the remains of Boro and rebury them at the Heroes Park,

Local govt polls… All eyes on Delta SIEC

HEN members of the Delta State Independent Electoral Commission were sworn-in on May 14th 2013 after several controversies which trailed the composition of the electoral body, Deltans heaved a collective sigh of relief. But almost a year after its inauguration, council polls have still not held instead transition committees have been set up by the Uduaghan led administration to run the affairs of local councils. At the outset many politicians campaigned vigorously, but that initial enthusiasm fizzled out after almost two years of sustaining their campaigns in pursuit of an elusive poll. Now only tattered, weather beaten billboards of politicians promoting their manifestoes, dot the landscape with many having become disillusioned, and abandoning their politi-

From Okungbowa Aiwerie, Asaba cal ambitions. Governor Uduaghan had at the inauguration of the electoral body challenged it on its unique role in strengthening democracy at the grassroots saying, “The success of elections at this level means you have played your role of strengthening democracy at the grassroots which is the foundation .As umpires at this level, you are critical to the overall future of our democracy” In what amounts to an about face, Delta Governor Dr Emmanuel Uduaghan had ,recently, at a public function disclaimed responsibility for elections not holding, instead heaping blame on the electoral umpire. According to Uduaghan , it is DSIEC’s responsibility to conduct elec-

tions and not that of the executive. His words, “It is not the duty of the Governor to fix dates for local polls but statutory duty of DSIEC”. Aside the uncertainty over when the elections will be conducted, DSIEC has a credible problem, most Deltans are of the view that elections conducted by SIEC are won by the party in power at the State level A charge to which the Delta State Independent Electoral Commissioner, Mr. Moses Ogbe denies. Ogbe says the present commission will ensure that the vote of the electorate must count; stressing that things can only be done rightly when political parties checkmate each other. According to the DSIEC boss, the seeming delay is due to electoral body’s desire to ensure that local polls are credible, adding that the recent seminar which held in the State is part

of plans to meet expectation s of Deltans. His words, “We are doing our work and we are taking our time to make sure we come out with the best. The recent seminar which Prof Jega was present is part of our preparations. We are meeting with political parties on the 13th May and we will unfold our plans for the polls. It is not true that we are a rubberstamp electoral body, you know my antecedents. Once the meeting with political parties is over we will be able to come up with a specific plan of action.” On the exact date local polls have been scheduled, Mr. Ogbe declined to comment, stressing that plans will unfolded to the public at the meeting with political parties. Another challenge confronting the State electoral body, according to the DSIEC boss, is having the right cali-

ber of adhoc staff required to have a decent election. Ogbe assures that the commission will go out of its way to seek for people with high ethical values to serve the State and get things right. The biggest issue confronting DSIEC’s attempt to conduct a free, credible election, The Nation gathered, is logistics; a problem the DSIEC boss admits is capable of derailing the carefully laid out plans of the commission. But an APC chieftain and two-time member Delta State House of Assembly, Hon Harvest Igben says he has no faith in the State electoral umpire conducting a credible election. His words, “It is commonly said that he who pays the piper dictates the tune. In Udu Local government area in 2006 local council polls, we had concluded elections and we were

at Ovwian Police Station were elections results and ballots materials were kept and my party was on top. Suddenly some persons came and forcibly took the electoral officer away. After some time elections results were announced and the ruling PDP was declared winner. So I do not rely on DSIEC conducting free, fair and credible elections. Ask yourself why they are taking so long in preparing for an election whose board had been inaugurated about a year ago, if not for the purpose of perfecting plans to rig the election.” According to Igben, the APC is “an alternate party and not an opposition party”, insisting that “the APC is going to get the mandate of Deltans”. Hon Igben expresses the optimism that the future is bright for the APC in Delta State, adding “I posi-

Yenagoa. “We went and investigated and found the remains of Boro. We will formally bring them down to be buried in Heroes Park. The transition and reburial activities of Major Isaac Boro will take place on May 16. He is coming to join his kith kin in Ijawland,” he said. He disclosed that the government through the deputy Governor, Rear Admiral John Jonah (retd) has written to the Chief of Army Staff requesting the participation of the Nigerian army in the reburial of Boro who died during the Civil War. He said the army has yet to respond to the request. “He is our hero, our legend and we will give him all that is due him”, he said. He added: “Major Isaac Adaka Boro was one of Nigerian finest crime fighters as a police officer, educationists, activist, nationalist and unifier who died during the civil war fighting for the unity and peace of Nigeria. “He is one of the pioneers for minority rights activism in Nigeria - a foremost campaigner for resource control and better deal for Niger Delta people.” He said Boro Day has retained it’s international colouration since notable and established global figures are invited yearly to deliver lectures and grace the occasion. “We will no longer go abroad to celebrate Boro. Our brothers and sisters in the diaspora will come down here while they also celebrate

•Uduaghan

tively believe that Delta State will sing a new song.” But will the DSIEC boss who at various times distinguished himself as resident electoral commissioner in seven States of the federation rise up to the challenge of conducting an election that will be seen to be free, fair

the same event in their various countries abroad”, he said. While further extolling the virtues of Boro, he said his efforts culminated in recognition of the Niger Delta region by the Federal Government and conceding of some percentage of resourcees to the region. He asked people especially persons in the northern part of Nigeria to imitate the patriotic spirits of Boro who fought for the unity of Nigeria. “Some persons are fighting today to divide the country. People up north should imitate Boro who fought to unify Nigeria”, he said. Also, the first daughter of Boro, Esther, commended the government for sticking in its decision to celebrate Boro at home. She said children of Boro were not involved in past celebrations that were conducted in abroad because they lacked the logistics to travel overseas. She further said the Boro Foundation has remained unpopular because it lacked finances to actualise its objectives. She thanked Dickson for paying stipends to members of Boro family recalling that the gesture was introduced by President Goodluck Jonathan when he was the governor. “The gesture was stopped by the past administration. But Dickson came and expanded the list. We want it to be gazetted so that it will be statutory,” she said. and credible? Mr. Ogbe is adamant that DSIEC under his watch will rise up to the challenge of conducting credible elections, adding that his pedigree as resident electoral commissioner in seven States will stand him in good stead. His words: “The thinking of people about DSIEC as being biased is not correct, in accepting this job. I am putting my reputation on line .As a pioneer member of DSIEC ,supervised national elections in about seven States as resident electoral commissioner, the people should trust me in view of my electoral pedigree. I do not think that there is any amount of money that is worth the name of my community. I am a true Deltan. Nothing will stain my reputation. And I will want to leave at the appropriate time with my reputation intact.” Despite these assurances, the success or failure of the local council polls in Delta State lies in the belly of time as Deltans wait with bated breath for the elections to commence. This is one national assignment Ogbe and his team cannot afford to fail.

There's no PDP official position on zoning of Akwa Ibom governorship, says Etiebet Atuekong Don Etiebet is a permanent member of the Board of Trustees of PDP. He disagreed with leadership of PDP in Akwa Ibom for holding SEC meeting at the Government House in Uyo and purportedly zoning governorship seat to Eket Senatorial District. He spoke with reporters at his residence in Ewet Housing Estate. KAZEEM IBRAHYM was there.

T seems for sometimes now that you have stirred the proverbial hornet's nest when you made some critical remarks on the last resolution of the state executive committee of the Peoples Democratic Party. There have been some controversies surrounding your statement. I don't know what you mean by that because I was saying the obvious thing. In my press release on the resolution taken by the state executive committee of the party of which I am a permanent BOT member and a founding father, I said that the meeting shouldn't have been held in the government enclave; government enclave here is from that government house gate. Immediately you pass through that gate it is all government facilities. I have been founding parties, attending party meetings, but I have never had a party meeting in the government house. At the national level, we have never held the national meeting of the party at the Aso Rock right from 1999 till today, we have never. We may hold other auxiliary agencies meeting like the Board of Trustees which are all advisory or National Caucus meeting but a policy making or implementation making body meeting of the party has to be at the party office and nowhere else because in a party you don't expect everybody to toe the same path, many people have different views and this is democracy. It is at such meetings that they express such views but if you are in a government environment protocol demands that you respect the government environment and you don't talk carelessly or against the government in the government environment. The second point I made was actually from the resolution itself.

If you have a copy of the resolution and you have read it you will see that they social media. They have to do that and we are going to investigate and make sure that that is done. So that we know that they were passed a vote of confidence on both the president and the the actual people who wrote it because we do not governor of the state which I also subscribe to very seriously want people to be using faceless individuals to but after that they implore the president to accede to the request castigate anybody in this state. If you want to say of a group of people from the Northwest Senatorial District of anything, come out boldly and say it. The time of Akwa Ibom State; that is Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District. If you using faceless people should be gone and we want to know the meaning of accede, they want the president to accede make it to go. I have said that piece was written by to their request and what is their request? That His Excellency, Aniekan Umanah and Emmanuel Enoidem. That Dr. Godswill Obot Akpabio (CON) should be the senator write-up did not address the issues that I raised in my representing that senatorial district. I ask what the president has press release, it did not. It only accused, abused me to do with that because this is a political party. We in that and said all kinds of things. All those people that said senatorial district are the ones to elect who represents us. That is those kinds of things against me are beneficiaries of the point I made there. Then the third point I made is that the those things they said against me. I don't know special adviser to the president on political affairs visited the anybody in the government here or the party in the state, I don't know why he visited the state, but a resolution was state that has not benefited from my benevolence in made that he came to inaugurate an unknown body and as an one way or the other. Let them come out and when elder, I thought that that was not the correct way of handling they come out individually I will tell them how they that without letting his own boss know about it. So those were benefited. So for them to come out now and use my the points I made in that press release. Since then hell has been benevolence to insult me is very unfortunate, but if let loose with all kinds of writings starting with the first one you are a politician you must be ready to absorb all which talked about fairy tale signed by one Oto-obong and one those innuendoes. After that I saw another write-up Etim Jumbo. In fact, the social media has been bombarded with by my personal friend who has benefited from me in this and I have told them that I don't believe that those two politics a lot. people exist as human beings and if they exist as human beings, •Atuekong Don Etiebet What is the problem between you and Anietie they did not write that thing and I want to be proved wrong. I even went further to say that it might have been written by the duo of Barr. Okon? Whatever he is in politics today is through my benevolence. Somebody like Enoidem and Aniekan Umanah. I said that on the social media and they have to prove me wrong in that regard. And in proving me wrong, those Otobong and Inyanmme will testify to this and this is Senator Anietie Okon. Could you Etim have to come out in persons and we have to see their identities. Thank God imagine Senator Anieties Okon saying that I am a leader without followership? there are means of identifying people like identity cards and drivers' license. He is my follower. Anietie Okon is my follower. Tell Anietie Okon that he is They have to come and show their identity and where they come from, their my follower but if he wants to go and characterise people, all of us here know addresses and their email addresses in which they use in sending the write up to who Anietie Okon is. For him to say all those things against me he should

remember who he is; a chronic professional political tout. You can quote me on that; that is what Anietie Okon is. And if he wants to take me for a debate I will tell him that that is how he started; as a professional political tout who can be used by anybody. Right now I learnt that he wrote that thing in order to please His Excellency, Governor Akpabio so that his brother will be appointed commissioner of finance. That is what I heard. To imagine that Anietie Okon could write that kind of thing with all those borrowed English against me. I am very very surprised about that and I would like to see him. He is my friend. I made him what he is today. In 1999 I woke him up from sleep to make him the national publicity secretary of PDP. I woke him up from sleep to tell him that I have nominated him as the national publicity secretary of PDP. When in 1999 he was of that committee and they carried an investigation and saw that he won the election but the powers that be at that time said that it was late; that the seat had already been taken to Cross River State. For Anietie Okon to come and write that type of thing about me, I will invite him to this house and I am sure very soon, particularly when his brother is not appointed commissioner, he will denounce. PDP in the state seems to be divided; those for zoning and those against. And recently PDP zoned the 2015 governorship of the state to Eket Senatorial District. What is your opinion? All what I am saying is that there is no PDP official decision on zoning. Zoning arises as a result of consensus. The party as I know cannot take a resolution to say that the governorship has been zoned to any constituency and bar people of other constituencies from expressing their interest. But we, leaders in the process of electing a governorship candidate can say let us support a particular person but that is in our mind and then we express that during voting. Some politicians in Ikot Ekpene Senatorial District have agreed to give the 2015 Ikot Ekpene Senatorial Slot to the state governor, Chief Godswill Akpabio as compensation for his uncommon transformation of the state. Are you part of that arrangement? Excuse me. There is no portion in the PDP constitution that empowers elders or a certain set of people to sit down and decide the election in their constituency. But endorsement is part and parcel of canvassing for votes. So any set of people can endorse anybody but that will be translated during the primaries.

‘Why Delta North should produce Uduaghan’s successor’ Sir Ajie John Ogwu is a chieftain of the All Progressive Congress (APC) in Delta State. He is the leader of Anioma people in Rivers State. In this interview with PRECIOUS DIKEWOHA, he spoke about the chances of Anioma in 2015, zoning and other interesting issues.

HAT is the problem with It is the former governor, James Delta North? Ibori. If you remember what hapWe have no problem, but pened during Ibori’s time, we saw we have political issues which we people of reputation and mobilizathink should be equitable and justly tion capacity. So even if you don’t solved. If you look at the political map have money you can join politics, and of Delta State you will discover that there will be people who will ensure Delta Central has had a completed that you win as far as the people have eight years of governorship ticket, endorsed you. These are people who Delta South will complete their own are looking at intelligence and good by next year, and it is time for Delta performance not fiscal cash and North. ‘godfatherism’- that is the character What we are saying is that to bal- Ibori stood for. If he comes back again ance the triangular equilibrium of we will support him. power distribution, the other zones But he was arrested for looting should allow us (the North) to pro- Delta’s coffer? duce the next governor. In Nigeria poYou may be right, but the then litical history, power is divided into Chairman of Economic and Financial senatorial zones, I am not saying that Crimes Commission, Mallam Nuhu arrangement is right. Even the prin- Ribadu whose report indicted Ibori ciple of democracy said he was not the guarantees that there worst criminal in should be power rotaNigeria. He told tion, although, zoning Nigerians when he is not a constitutional left office that Ibori issue. It is about rotawas not smart, that tion of power, it is those who are about the rule of moworse than him are rality of heart to impart walking freely on on the life of the people the street. Ibori dison the area of true detributed Delta’s mocracy and good money to Deltans, governance. The eshe ensured that sence of our arguments contracts awarded is that in 2015 power were executed and should shift from anydelivered. All I where to Delta North. know is that he did Do you think the wonderfully well people of Delta State with the little will support the ambimoney he was get•Mr.John Ogwu tion of Delta North ting before the come 2015? price of crude oil I think the people of Delta State are went up. There was no local governin support of the ambition of Delta ment including ward that Ibori adNorth because any Deltan who refuses ministration did not touch. If law will to support us has lost his memory to allow him to contest election other realizing the enormous support contestants will step-down for him. which Delta North has given to the What he has done the present adminother zones in Delta State. If we have istration cannot boost of it. If I want given our votes to other senatorial to rate them in terms of performance districts in 1999, 2003, 2007and 2011, I will score Ibori administration 90 now we are saying it is time for those percent and give the present adminwe supported to also support us, be- istration 30 percent. In Nigeria evcause Delta belongs to all of us. For erybody is a thief, so if he was aryears now we have been praying, cry- rested for whatever crime that does ing and begging that this time around not make him the worst person on power should be given to us. We have earth. good leaders who have all it takes to As an APC Chieftain do you think provide the needed dividends to the the party is in a right direction to win people; nobody can be given a gover- election by next year especially with norship ticket on the platter of gold. the legacy parties’ crisis? The person has to be a bridge builder; This is a game of power and he or she has to be somebody that can struggle; you don’t just concede power turn around the resources of Delta to people because they were there State to provide the people’s need. before you came that was the arguAs the President of Anioma People ment of the legacy parties in APC. Like in Rivers State do you think you have in Rivers State, ACN, ANPP, CPC and creditable candidate to represent the rest of them that are legacy memAnioma in 2015? bers were not strong, Governor We have people who have all it Amaechi is in power and when he takes to present themselves in 2015; moved to APC he took his supporters Anioma is a great region in Delta, God along and made the party lively that has blessed us with enough human means he is the leader of APC in the and natural resources. Anioma is a state likewise to other states that is group of people with a common ide- facing the same challenge. Of course, ology, an ethnic nationality that is he will control the machinery of the bind with one identity. When the party. I am not saying that he will not state was created we have Delta North work with the legacy party members populated by Anioma, Delta South that are part of the merger. The best populated by Ijaw and Itsekiri, and he can do is to incorporate them into Delta Central populated by Urhobo. the system, so the issue of protest by We (Delta North) have men who are the legacy members are not necessary. not mediocre, people who can stand I know that APC can outwit PDP in to defend Delta State. Though politi- the next general election; the party is cal situation of today has gone bad, made up of progressive members who but we cannot look at it in that direc- are looking for an avenue to contribtion, that is why we are calling on any ute to the development of the counAnioma person who has all the quali- try. Look at the growth of the party, ties, to come out in 2015. especially after the merger, so there is Among the governors that ruled no two ways about it than to say we Delta State since 1999 which one are going to capture more states come among them would you say has the 2015. But if we lose we will become a quality Anioma people are looking formidable position that will provide the best advice to the ruling par for?

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT INTERVIEW

My battle with bursary racketeers, by E Delta Stage Commissioner for Higher Education Prof Hope Eghagha, in this interview, speaks of his endless battles against fraud in the Delta State Bursary and Scholarship Board, a parastatal under his ministry. ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA and BLESSING OLISA met him.

INCE his assumption of office, the Delta State Commissioner for Higher Education, Prof Hope Eghagha, has not had a dull moment. He was once kidnapped and taken away for days. The professor of English from the University of Lagos (UNILAG) has also had his reputation at stake over allegations of fraud in the Bursary and Scholarship Board, a portfolio under his ministry. He is accused of teaming up with the Executive Secretary of the board to inject up to 23,000 fake names that were paid bursaries at the expense of genuine beneficiaries. But Eghagha says his hands are clean. His impeccable academic profile, he insists, is there for all to see. “I almost regretted coming to public service. As a lecturer in UNILAG, I never changed scores for students. I did not come to government so as to defraud by putting fake names on the list.” Speaking to The Nation in his office in Delta State, Eghagha put the blames on students who engaged in rackets. He said the reluctance of the board to prosecute racketeers led to the table being turned against his ministry. Eghagha said he neither facilitated the recruitment of an incompetent software provider to the board, nor introduced e-payment as against the erstwhile manual payment system, all in an effort to defraud the board. He said due to the bad reputation the board had earned over the years, he was left with no choice than overhaul the parastatal. Eghagha also recounted how, having blocked the loophole, he got approval to increase the bursary from N10, 000 to N20, 000 per students. He said: “Our people have an

adage that if you catch a thief from your farm and you don’t call him a thief, he will call you a thief. To start with, I met the consultant that was doing the job here when I came. So to say I brought him in is not true at all. Two, the e-payment was introduced to curb fraud in the system. “I taught in UNILAG before I came in to office, and I can tell you confidently that none of my kids enjoyed the bursary. When I resumed on January 2, 2009, I found out that money had been released by the state government but most students never got them. Two days after, students came here and protested that they had not been paid their bursaries. I then sat them down, listened to them and asked them questions. Some of those people that protested then are being employed by the state government now, and they are now the ones fighting those racketeers.” “So upon his discovery, what step did he take next?” our reporters asked. “I then decided we had to reform the scholarship board and particularly the bursary system. That accounts for the epayment system whereby we deal directly with the students. The board advertises, and students respond this time not by proxies. Each student fills in his or her particular on a form we have provided on the board’s website.” In spite of the e-payment, Eghagha expressed surprise that students still infiltrated the website. He corroborated his finding by showing our reporters a heap of fake names, some registering with different name but same account number. However, to convince the public those students that got the bursary were not ghosts, he

said the board decided to publish their names in national dailies every year. “We decided to publish the names because each year, some people will tell their parents that they didn’t get money. Publishing the names was my initiative because we wanted to tell the public that these students that we pay were not ghosts. Some of them get paid and claimed they were not paid. “Many of them did not know we were going to scrutinise the process. So, the first year we published everybody names that these are Delta State students. There was somebody who registered over 100 times. So that is the battle we have been fighting since then,” he lamented He said some students, who could not afford to go through the rigour associated with the prerequisites of the bursary, decided to do it through proxies. “There are some students that have not yet been paid because they used the old bank account numbers. In some cases, the name of the accounts did not match the applicants of the bursary. The board has their statistics. Since I’ve come here, any year any students wasn’t paid, it is either the students did not register properly or that there was an error. Students send me SMS making one complaint or the other and I would get back to the board to say: ‘look into this case’.” Explaining how the 23,000 fake names came about, Eghagha said the fake names were discovered shortly after his first time as commissioner in 2011. However, his suggestion to have the racketeers arrested and prosecuted was turned down by the board’s

•Eghagha

leadership who felt such action might provoke reactions from parents. “Unfortunately at that time, we didn’t envisage this backlash. So, when I was reappointed in June same year, the matter came up again, and I presented to the state executive the 23,000 fake names that were tracked and we were able to save some money for government. I then called for a media briefing, but to my surprise, students came here two days later protesting that the board

injected fake names,” he added. When asked whether the board made further attempt to investigate owners of the bank accounts, Eghagha said it is not the board’s responsibility to do that. Eghagha challenged security agencies to spread their dragnet to banks where those accounts are domiciled, and let management of those banks provide more information as regards their true owners. “If a student opens an account anywhere, it is not our business. But when he or she

comes to register for bursaries, and we found out that this person uses different names but one bank account that has been used 300 times, he or she is automatically disqualified. Some of them didn’t know we would check, they thought we would just pay. For instance, we sent officials to Jos, they came back with 600 passport photographs belonging to 600 people, four per person. Some of the students even tried to intimidate our officials. These are students who perpetrate this crime,”

Church thrills Port Harcourt residents with ‘shop-for-f

T was two Saturdays of ecstasy and thanksgiving to God, when members of Kings Assembly - a new generation Church in Port Harcourt, the Rivers state capital, extended their hands of fellowship, and care to the less privileged ones of the society before and after the Easter celebrations. The well thought out programme demonstrated what the Church stands for; love, care and friendliness. It captured the mindsets of members as found in a slogan on one of the billboards displayed at the gate of the church, “Kings Assembly, Come You Will Find a Friend Here.” It was the first of its kind in the history of churches in the oil rich state. Persons who received handbills, heard or saw the electronics jingles on the major media or even saw the large banners hung at strategic junctions and places in the city inviting people to come and shop for free, received the news with mixed reactions, some saw it as one of those strategies used by churches to lure people; others discarded it with a wave of hand, while doubting Thomases strolled to the

From Rosemary Nwisi, Port Harcourt

venue to confirm how this could be possible. But, it was a reality. Different valuable items were on display. The church targeted and prepared for 4,500 persons who were to shop round the ten different shop sections, including foodstuff and cooking utensils for the celebration, but they had over 8,000 guests. Yet they were confident that they were well able to ensure that everyone smiled home with something. That was the agreement reached by members of the organising committee before heavy rains came, the long expectant participants became impatient and rushed to the shops in the rain and carted away the goods. It became a case of survival of the fittest and grabbing, before the organizer could know, the shops had been emptied. Many people left empty handed while the strong had field day, as they smiled home with various items. This development moved the Founding Pastor, Chris Ugoh to announce for the second leg of the event,

the following Saturday to enable those that got nothing previously to be blessed. This one was targeted at the very less privileged persons, the widows and widowers, but working class residents had full representation Despite all odds, the church expressed gratitude to God for giving them the opportunity to impact on lives and for hosting a successful program. Pastors Charles Odoko, a member of the organizing committee, through explained: “Shop for Free programme, as the name implies, is an outreach programme put together by the church to bless residents of Port Harcourt. “As people are celebrating Easter, the church thought of how they could reach out, be a blessing to the people at this crucial season of love, caring and giving, we decided to invite them to come and shop without paying a dime. “Last year the women group of the church held the programme, the church saw how people were blessed and decided to adopt it and expand it. Actually the Shop for Free programme was targeted at the poor in the society.

“We set up ten different shops ranging from clothing, shoes, food stuff, toiletries, household items jewelleries, bags, children toils, clothing/ shoes, as well as medical consultation and drug dispensary among others, with a lottery chance for everybody. “With this plan, we printed packs of ten-leaf ticket, with the intension to give one pack to each of our 4500 participants; when we discovered that the crowd was more than our original plan, we decided to instead of handing over a full pack of ten tickets to each person, we gave out one leaf each to everybody to at least shop for one thing. “Most of the items that came in were brand new, the Church was ready to put smiles on the faces of people as they celebrate Easter, to give them the opportunity to experience the reality of love which God loved to us, and sent His son Jesus Christ to come and die for our sins, and eventually rose from the dead, that was the concept of the programme. “However, because of impatience, when the rains came, while Pastor Chris was still ministering, to reach out

to souls who had not yet received Jesus Christ so they could use the opportunity to do so, because the programme also served as soul winning/evangelism outreach, people voided the instructions/order of shopping given and went over the items. “They did not take one item so others could also have something to go home with, some people used check bags (Ghana must go), to load as much items as they could leaving many with nothing. “In all to us as a church, the programme was a success, and we give all the praise to God Almighty. “Because we are determined to put smiles on the faces of people, our senior pastor has asked as many as still have their tickets but didn’t get anything should come back on Saturday, so a fresh arrangement could be made to enable them have something.” On the mode of measurement of impact, Pst. Odoko explained that “the church has no ulterior motive for organising the programme rather than to make people happy at Easter. To show them the true love of God, despite all odds, the items got by people

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT BRIEFLY

by Eghagha ‘ When I found out that even with the e- system, we were still having problems. I then got permission from the government to approach JAMB. We told JAMB to conduct the process and give us a final list. JAMB then went round institutions nationwide to verify for us. That was what we did this year; and as soon as we started paying, those racketeers started fighting because no kobo could leak out

‘

Eghagha said. The greatest achievement under his watch, Eghagha stressed, is that for the first time, the board was able save back into government coffers money that would have gone into wrong hands? “Like for the first year, about 600 million was released (by government). By the time we were through with the bursary, we couldn’t exhaust the money and I had to refund the outstanding to government treasury. For year 2009/2010, the

approved sum was 514 million, beneficiaries were 24000. Actual amount plus administrative charges came to 434 million. So we saved 80million and I declared this to the executive; and I said next year, give us less 80 million. In 2010/2011 approved amount was N643 million, beneficiaries are 28,000; and actual amount was N481 million, and saving was N172million which I declared this to the executive. Except mischievous persons, anybody in government who knows what I’m doing will just laugh.” Aside the amount expended on bursaries, Eghagha said the board has to meet administrative charges, which some students consider questionable. “Sometimes students act out of ignorance,” Eghagha lamented, “For instance, when you have N600 million and you pay 200,000 students amounting to N400 million, students will ask you the remaining N200.000. But we have administrative charges. We do publicity, people travel, and all that. So, you find that that every year about N80million goes into logistics.” Eghagha said in his determination to demonstrate more openness, the ongoing 2012/ 2013 bursary, is being done in collaboration with JAMB to nip infiltrators’ plan in the bud. “So, when I found out that even with the e- system, we were still having problems. I then got permission from the government to approach JAMB. We told JAMB to conduct the process and give us a final list. JAMB then went round institutions nationwide to verify for us. That was what we did this year; and as soon as we started paying, those racketeers started fighting because no kobo could leak out. “Now from the report I’ve gotten from JAMB, the number of infiltrators has dropped drastically. The infiltrators, our findings show, were from the polytechnics, which we did not ask JAMB to screen. But next year, it’s either JAMB or nothing,” Eghagha concluded.

p-for-free’ at Easter at the programme will one way or the other bless their lives, it will make impact on them. “We are not concerned about whether or not they came to be part of our ministry, but we are of the believe that one day, they will reciprocate the love Christ has shown them but deciding to give their lives to Him. Ultimately our concern is to bless people and point them to Jesus at the fullness of time they will give their lives to Him. “Apart from this programme, Kings Assembly as a Church has well mapped out humanitarian programmes. Every quarter we send out people to go out to the streets, places and homes of people to be a blessing to them. “Sometimes we target those living in make shift (Batcher) houses, we go directly to their residents, to take provision to them ranging from wears, food items; we also undertake needful projects in rural communities, I can say touching peoples’ lives directly is our lives style,

and we feel elated when we see people smile as we impact their lives positively.” Pastor Ugoh recalled to the army of worshippers the story of the death and resurrection of our Lord Jesus Christ, and its significance to every living soul and encourage them on the need to reciprocate the great sacrifice by giving their heart to God by repenting from their sin, and inviting Jesus into their hearts. He later prayed for as many as indicated interest to repent of their sins and turn to God. He expressed joy that lives were touched, and noted that no amount of funds sent on the programme that could be equated to the gift of the Father of His son Jesus to mankind, especially His (Jesus) suffering and death for us all. The Pastor pledged that the Church would continue to touch the lives of members of the society.

‘Empowerment projects behind my popularity’

NE good turn, they say, deserves another. This is true for the people of Rebisi community in Mile 1 Diobu Port Harcourt, who have given the nod to Hon. Wodo Lucky Stanley, the Councillor representing Port Harcourt Ward 11 in Port Harcourt City Local Government of Rivers State to seek a second term. The lawmaker told Niger Delta Report that his people want him to go back so as to complete some projects he has initiated in his constituency. Hon. Wobo was elected in June 2011 and has two months left to go. But his constituency projects especially in the area of youths and women empowerment, through his 30, 30, 30 pet project speaks volumes of him. He said the idea was to change people’s impression toward some councilors who are unable to provide the dividends of democracy to their various constituencies. Branded the “Action Councillor”, his achievements have not only stands him out in the midst of crowd; it has also made him a political celebrity in his ward and outside his constituency. This is attested to by awards he has received since he was elected. He has also been pencilled to receive a Honorary Doctorate Degree Award in Grassroots Politics and Empowerment by a USA-based university. He received an award of Excellent Service and Humanity from Rotaract

From Precious Dikewoha, Port Harcourt

Club of Port Harcourt and a Character Award, from the League of Character Club of Nigeria. His achievements also attracted his alma mata, the Rivers State University of Science and Technology (RSUST), to confer E x e m p l a r y Leadership award on him. Wobo explained it was on this premise that his people decided that he should ask for more tenure to complete some of his projects he initiated in his ward. He disclosed •Stanley that despite his contribution to empower youths in the area of skill acquisition he also registers 30 youths for the National Examination Council (NECO) and West African

Examination Council (WAEC) as well as give N20,000 nonrefundable loan to 30 women in the area. “The money I gave to women was to assist them to start up s o m e t h i n g especially the traders. One other thing that has made me prominent in my ward is my ability to ensure that people, especially pregnant women, have access to free medical care. “I am very happy that I am serving my people in this capacity and I will be glad to have more as they requested. My lovely wife is the pillar of my encouragement for giving me the go-ahead for the empowerment programmes taking place in my ward.”

NEMA urges Rivers to set up SEMA

HE South-south Zone of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has expressed disappointment at the inability of the Rivers State Government to set up State Emergency Management Agency (SEMA). The Zonal Coordinator of NEMA, Mr Emenike Umesi who stressed the importance of SEMA for Rivers State, said that it would amongst others help to prevent, reduce and assist the national body in disaster management. Umesi, who spoke in Port Harcourt at a one day workshop on flood prevention, mitigation and preparedness with stakeholders, also expressed regrets that out of the six states in the zone, only Rivers and Edo states are yet to establish SEMAs despite the legal frame work backing up such an agency for states. While urging Rivers and Edo states to borrow a leaf from other states, the NEMA boss stressed that “we need the establishment of SEMA here to coordinate disaster management issues, reduce administrative bottlenecks and attend to issues promptly. “The agency will have its own budget, its own responsibilities and better trained manpower to handle disaster cases.” In his own speech, the General Manager Climate Services of Nigerian Metrological Agency (NIMET) Mr Joseph Alozie, disclosed that the rainy season in South South zone this year has been predicted to be normal. According to Mr. Alozie, the cessation date for the rains would be slightly extended beyond the normal conditions, making the

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

length of the rainy season to be longer and good enough for the people of the zone. “We are not predicting too much rainfall; we are predicting normal, but slightly above normal rainfall in the zone, especially in most part of the Southern region. It is a good season for agriculture, water management, land and riverine transportation”, he declared. He also warned the people to note that even the smallest of rainfall, had the potential to cause flooding and appealed to them to be careful of their environment. Officials of line Ministries, Departments and Agencies like Ministries of Special Duties, Education, Health, Environment, Works, Nigeria Police Force, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corp , Federal Roads Safety Commission attended the workshop. It should be noted that NEMA is a federal government body saddled with the responsibility of disaster and emergency management in the country, with zonal offices in the six geopolitical zones, while its national head office is in Abuja. The highlight of the event was a sing song and drama presentation by the Roll Back Malaria Volunteers, CDDs supported by health workers on malaria prevention and control.

Rolling back malaria in Rivers

ORRIED at the rate malaria scourge is attacking people especially the riverine communities in Rivers State, Africare, a non-governmental organisation has joined in enlightening people on how to prevent the disease Giving an overview of MAPS-C Project team of Africare when the group visited Abalamabie community in Bonny Local Government Area (LGA) of Rivers State, the Project Coordinator of Africare, Dr Edet Imaikop said that his organisation which is out to promote good health in Africa has decided to implement its medical outreach in Rivers and Akwa Ibom states. At the event which took place at Abalamabie Health/ Community Centre in Bonny, Imaikop said the choice of the facility is to encourage its maximal use. He also said that in Rivers state, Africare chose Ogu-Bolo and Bonny LGAs for their medical outreach pointing out

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt

that they were also using the 2014 World Malaria Day celebration whose theme is “Invest in the future, defeat Malaria” to reactivate their facility in Abalamabie for effective use. The Chairman of Abalamabie Community Development Committee (CDC), Chief Amasenibo Sinclair Jumbo commended Africare for the choice of Abalamabie community for the 2014 world malaria day celebration and encouraged the community members to develop the habit of visiting the Africare facility for medical services whenever there is need for it. Speaking on behalf of the Medical Officer for Health and Bonny Local Government Council, Dr. Adams Oluseye Iduwangiari commended the efforts of Africare MAPS-C project which was supported by ExxonMobil foundation for

the provision of free health care services in the rural communities. Iduwangiari commended Africare MAPS-C project for collaborating with the Bonny local government council to implement the project there. The Roll Back Malaria Focal Person for Bonny LGA, Mrs. Ibelema Hart who represented the State Roll Back Malaria Unit in Rivers State Ministry of Health in her goodwill message gave brief intervention strategy of the malaria control in Rivers State. Hart commended the efforts of the Rivers State Governor, Rt. Hon. Chibuike Amaechi in the provision of model health facilities in the state and free malaria testing and treatment. She also lauded Africare project team for the choice of Abalamabie community for the 2014 world malaria day celebration and the community for supporting the project. The event featured Health talks on malaria prevention and control, medical outreach,

demonstrations of Long Lasting Insecticide Treated Nets (LLITNs) and LLITN hanging campaign in the community. A total number of 314 residents of the riverine community benefited from the free medical outreach which was carried out there alongside the distribution of LLITNs to pregnant women who participated in the ceremony and the hanging of LLITNs campaign in the households. The pregnant women that participated in the ceremony were also encouraged to attend their ante-natal clinics for proper care and to receive intermittent preventive treatment for malaria prevention. The event was attended by Abalamabie council of chiefs, the CDC, women leaders, youth leaders, Head of facility, Health workers, members of the Faith Based Organisation, members of the Community Directed Distributors (CDDs) and Africare MAPS-C Project team.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

NIGER DELTA REPORT COMMENT & DEB ATE EBA

BOMOGBOMO. It is Yoruba’s word for a kidnapper, especially the variant who specialises in the abduction of children. The child’s age does not matter. Neither does the sex. And unlike the other variant, who makes a phone call to the parent or guardian or employer of the ‘hostage’ to demand ransom, gbomogbomo never calls anyone. He or she just grabs the child and disappears with the child. And most of the time, it is forever. His motive is not the money from the parents or guardians or employers of their victims. Their loyalty, like those of hired assassins, is always to their patrons, who we have been told are usually the rich and the powerful. And it is believed that gbomogbomos thrive when major elections are around the corner. There are also those gbomogbomo whose specialty is to steal kids and either sell to childless couples or into the underground slave market. It is the sort of tragedy that nothing prepares a man or woman for. For us in this business of minding other people’s business, the activities of gbomogbomo is big news, especially when it is on a high scale. What an average news editor will ask upon being told of kids’ abduction is: how many children were involved? The higher the figure the better the headline. But it is a different ballgame when it happens to you or someone very close. That is when one realises that people make up statistics and that statistics are not just numbers. If you scratch further, you will see that they have faces, blood and addresses. Consider: Calabar, the Cross River State capital, which the state government has done all within its power to market as the tourism headquarters of Nigeria, has had and is still having scary moments as a result of gbomogbomo. Kids are disappearing and no one is calling to ask for ransom. They just disappear and are never seen again. It is a situation that has put parents on the edge because of its frightening dimension. There are also instances where children were snatched from the arms of their mothers or guardians by abductors who pretend to offer them lift in their cars; others are abducted right from their homes while their parents are not at home or in another part of the house. The targets, we are told, are children under 12. Their background, whether from rich or poor families, means nothing. After all, these little ones are not abducted for money. Like typical gbomogbomo cases, several theories, from abduction for rituals, trafficking and sale to childless couples, have been formulated to explain the development, which has forced parents to take extra precautions to save their children from the hands of these agents of darkness. A report in this paper last Friday quoted a

OLUKOREDE YISHAU

ABOVE WHISPERS

•A weekly intervention on Southsouth people

olukoredeyishau@gmail.com

Gbomogbomo of Calabar ‘ nor any Neither Calabar part of our country deserves this sort of tragedy. This madness must stop. I also declare that evil will be the lot of gbomogbomo and their patrons. Tragedy of uncommon hue will be their lot. They will know no peace until they fall prey to drunk drivers. It shall not be well with them. By fire, by force, their families will mourn them

•F ace of a suspected Cala bar kidna pper •Face Calabar kidnapper

single mother of three children as saying: “I now pray double about the safety of my children. Whenever I am not with them, for instance when they go to school, my mind is never at rest until I see them again, safe and sound. Personally, I have also taken precautions on my own to ensure their safety. I don’t let them play around the house anymore. Now, I ensure they are always indoors, if there is nothing necessary to take

LAST WORD

QUOTE OF THE WEEK

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I now pray double about the safety of my children. Whenever I am not with them, for instance when they go to school, my mind is never at rest until I see them again, safe and sound...It has become a worrisome situation and we are praying they should do something urgently about it. We know Calabar as a peaceful place devoid of all these kinds of things. Now, we don’t know what is happening

‘

A mother on kidnapping in Calabar __

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them outside. It has become a worrisome situation and we are praying they should do something urgently about it. We know Calabar as a peaceful place devoid of all these kinds of things. Now, we don’t know what is happening.” The sad part of the gbomogbomo of Calabar is that no place is sacred. God means nothing to them, neither does His house. Earlier this year, a boy, identified simply as Victor, was

snatched by an unknown person in a church during service. He is just 3. His parents must be asking all those rhetorical questions: Why us? Who did we offend? Of course, they offended no one. They were just victims of men whose happiness comes from nothing but wreaking havoc on others. The modernday slave merchants, whose hearts, I know, have been sold to the devil. Damn heartless bastards. That is what they are. They are just so heartless. Imagine a case at Ikot Ansa in Calabar Municipality, a child was supposed to be dedicated in church on a Sunday, arrangements were made. Food and drinks were ready. Invitees must have also been salivating about the food and perhaps practised one dance-step or the other. But, when members of the household woke up in the morning, the baby was nowhere to be found. The baby was abducted the night before. The family was shattered. They did not know when someone came in and abducted the child. Or, did the baby crawl away from the bed? The mother, I understand, has been in a coma and the father is hysterical. It was a tragedy nothing prepared them for. Not their education; not their age; not their intelligence. What should have been a celebration of life, with azonto and ethighi dance steps just became a macabre dance, which no one likes to be part of. Another terrifying case was that of a fouryear old boy, Effiong, son of a bank security man and a fried yam seller, who was abducted at the Ekorinim axis of C74alabar in a car with no registration number. But nemesis is catching up with some of them. Some weeks back, four girls, aged between four and six, were hawking sachet water on a street in Calabar when some men attempted to snatch them. They raised the alarm and the men were snatched instead and taken to the Atakpa Police Station where a mammoth crowd gathered to see the faces of evil. Victor Bassey, whose face lights up this column, was arrested after a failed attempt to snatch a baby from her mother inside a cab. The situation has become so disturbing that a member of the State House of Assembly, Ngim Okpo, brought a motion of Urgent Public Interest “on the increasing incidents of child snatching where in recent times, have been several reported cases of kidnapping of innocent children by some unscrupulous elements for alleged ritual purposes”. My final take: Neither Calabar nor any part of our country deserves this sort of tragedy. This madness must stop. I also declare that evil will be the lot of gbomogbomo and their patrons. Tragedy of uncommon hue will be their lot. They will know no peace until they fall prey to drunk drivers. It shall not be well with them. By fire, by force, their families will mourn them.

•Last Word is Niger Delta Report’s verdict on Southsouth affairs

Dickson, Miss Oyintarila is still waiting

E took steps which showed he was willing to help. But months have rolled by and M i s s E k a d e Oyintarila, who as a youth corps member, participated in the last voter registration exercise during which she had an accident, has not heard from her governor, Seriake Dickson. He promised he was going to help her get out of the small room at Akenfa, a suburb in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital where she is now confined. The 27-year-old graduate of Economics from the Niger Delta University (NDU), told Niger Delta Report: “Sometimes, I even get tempted to commit suicide because of the situation I found myself. I have tried suicide not once. When I became a graduate, I felt I had achieved one of my dreams in life. I got my NYSC letter and went to camp and came out . What I wanted to do after my youth service was to get a good job, be useful to the society, my family and myself. “I had an accident. On the last day of the preview, we submitted all our computers, tools they (INEC) gave to us and also collected our allowances. Actually, I was on the way to collect the

allowances when I had the accident. “I later discovered myself in an ambulance. I asked the man with me what happened. He told me it was an accident. He asked me of my people’s address. It was only my father’s phone number that I could remember off by heart then. “He called my dad immediately and I spoke to him. My father asked me not to worry, that I was going to be okay. That was the last thing I remembered. I went back into a coma. “I was at the recovery ward, the former President of INC was even in the same ward with me and some government officials were coming to see him. I tried to get their attention –to let them know what was happening to me and that I needed help-nobody was willing to help.” She wrote Dickson. The governor received the letter and sent a reply dated August 15, last year. Dickson followed up by sending Commissioner for Health Dr. Anapurere Awoli to visit Oyintarila and assess her condition. The commissioner visited the family and rekindled the hope of the victim.

However, several months have gone by, Oyintarila’s hope is hanging. The commissioner said he forwarded a memo of his recommendations on the victim’s condition to the governor on August 21, last year. A November 12, last year letter by Miss Oyintarila thanked the governor for sending his commissioner to her. She reminded the governor that the file of her case had been sent to his table. She begged: “His Excellency, l now have a renewed hope that l can walk again as my file is on your table for approval. I am a hard-working girl. I was serving my nation Nigeria on INEC assignment as a corps member when l had an accident. “But NYSC and INEC abandoned me at my critical time in hospital and now. Most of my colleagues are all working now but l am still on crutches. Please, sir, help me so that l can go for the final surgery in India to enable me walk and work and contribute my services to the Restoration Agenda.” Dickson seems to hold the key to Miss Oyintarila walking again. She is waiting and we beg, once again : please make her walk, your Excellency.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

SHOPPING

Fight touts, fake products, traders urge

RADERS at the Onitsha International Electronics Market, Anambra State, have urged the new president of the market, Mr Izuchukwu Okoye, to ensure he fights touting and sale of fake products in the market. The traders believed that as a former Chief Security Officer of the market, he would be able to protect the traders. The group’s Secretary-General of the market, Comrade Damian Ogudike, spoke during their early morning prayer session. Ogudike said: “Whoever feels that the election was not free and fair should go to court to obtain justice instead of carrying propaganda that the election was rigged or that some people were disenfranchised. There was no stealing in the market when Okoye was the chief security officer’’. The traders who expressed surprise that some traders complained that the election was not free, fair

and credible added that it was the most credible, peaceful and without bias on the part of the electoral committee. Former President-General of the market, Chief Dona O. Obi, Dominic Okechukwu Mba and Philip Iheanacho, described the new president as capable of restoring sanity in the market, urging those opposing his election to accept defeat as sportsmen and help in moving the market forward. Chief Emma Onyekwe Ogege, a stake-holder, Uzor Godwin Nwosu, chairman of the state Musical Producers Association and the Public Relation Officer of the market, Samuel Ikechukwu Onyeama said that the issue of touting would be a thing of the past with the election of Okoye. They commended the electoral committee headed by Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo, the security operatives and traders for their contribution towards a successful election.

Viju fetes distributors, says Nigeria is a good market

HE management of Viju Industries Limited has held the fifth edition of its Distributor’s Party to reward distributors for their support. The event, which held at the Airport Hotel, Ikeja, was an opportunity for the company’s management to meet with its 127 distributors spread across the country. Its overall best distributor, Bincon Ltd smiled home with N2.5million. Others had N1.5 million. Head of Department, Viju Milk, Tom Hod, said the event was held to sum up results, share experience and plan for the future. He lauded the company’s distributors as the hands it uses to get to the market, and agent that has helped it grow to be one of the preferred Nigerian brands. He said since the inception of the company in 2005, Nigeria has been a big market and doing business in the country is good, as compared with other countries, noting that it will be delving into other markets which is the production of biscuits and bottled water, before the end of the month of July, having just moved to its big factory in Ibesa, Ogun State. “This initiative is geared towards making our distributors earn more money and ensuring that Nigerians enjoy more quality of Viju products.

By Nneka Nwaneri

The diversification will make Viju the preferred beverages and milk drink for both individuals and companies.” he added. He however lamented some of the challenges associated with doing business in the country such as inflation in raw material prices, bad roads, security and electricity. Marketing Manager of Viju Industries Limited, Sulaiman Solomon, said the distribution of cash money is not part of the profit but its own way of appreciating its partners in progress in the business. He also noted that in the last 2 years, it has lost its market in the entire north due to the insecurity challenges and other infrastructural decadence associated with doing business. Charles Isintume of Pico Industries, who spoke on behalf of the distributors, urged the company to look at price control and uniformity to achieve a symbiotic relationship. He however asked for a formidable price and for the company to work out a savings scheme for the distributors that can help them cater for expenses when needed. The company has over 2000 workers, comprising both Chinese and Nigerians.

10 things Nigerians are buying

AY is truly a fun-filled month to Nigerian shoppers, fashion lovers, football lovers, students and others looking forward to events, such as the UEFA champions league final, roland garros, school resumption, shopping discount days, Workers Day holiday and Children’s Day. The month kicked off in a grand style with the smashing Konga Worker’s Day mega sale which offered customers a whopping 70 per cent discount across categories. And customers’ shopping trends so far offer credible insight on what Nigerians are interested in at the moment. So, if you are on the fence regarding what and how to shop this month, this list of ten hottest items Nigerians are buying should serve as reliable pointers. Phones and Tablets: Google Nexus Lenovo A369i, Infinix and Samsung GalaxyS5. May is emerging as a popular month for Nigerians looking to upgrade their smart phones with these three devices emerging as the most popular ones so far. Books and Stationery: Half of a yellow sun, this month has seen an increased interest in Chimamanda

Adichie’s international bestselling novel ‘Half of a Yellow Sun’ thanks to recent heavy press the release of its accompanying film is garnering, plus the book is a totally great read. Computers and Accessories: Dell Inspiron 3521 at N69,500 and HP Pavilion 15-n002sia at N89,250 are currently the most bought laptops this most. The specifications on both laptops are perfect for work or play. Fashion: Apparently, it isn’t just the women who love the women accessories hot and stylish, fashionable male can’t seem to get enough of these new arrivals. It seems Konga customers are keeping up with global fashion trends observed from different celebrities in the month of April. Games, Music and Movies: Playstation 4 console; Nigerians definitely love their game consoles, and the latest gaming console from Sony at the best price in Nigeria seems to be very popular among Nigerians. To encourage more Nigerians to jump on the trend, Nigeria’s largest online marketplace, Konga.com will be continuing the mega sale to make sure everyone has a chance to grab a bargain.

•From left: Public Relations Strategist, Konga.com Ifeanyi Abraham; Head, Marketing, Konga.com Gabriel GabUmoden and President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA) Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar, at the NACCIMA Most Innovative Retail Brand Award in Lagos.

Consumers worried over cement monopoly, ate and fair to all parties concerned, that ONSUMERS are worried over we wait for an expeditious outcome of high price the high cost and non-availabilthe technical committee meeting on the ity of cement in the country, es-

pecially in Lagos State. They claimed that few cement manufacturing firms are monopolising cement production and the industry has been in the spotlight in recent time. The reason for this is not far-fetched. The recent introduction of newly packaged 42.5 grade packaged by Dangote Cement Plc, is attracting lots of reactions from the sector. According to the manufacturers of the new cement grade, popularly called 3x by users, the new grade comes with new qualities which according to them, will bring about stronger structures and assist in reducing building collapse cases in the country. Some stakeholders said the introduction of the 42.5 grade of cement has attracted call by many consumers for the ban of the traditional 32.5 grade. The major reason for this call, was the allegation that the 32.5 grade has been responsible for increase in the cases of building collapse in the country. They claimed that the 32.5 grade is of low quality and most have been adulterated. Can this assertion be true? While Dangote Cement Plc believes that some cement manufacturers and importers deal in substandard cement, Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON) stressed that there was no substandard cement in Nigeria, explaining that it was a matter of application of cement in practice. The SON Director-General, Dr Joseph Odumodu, said the challenge was misapplication of the cement rather than the quality of cement that is used. Odumodu explained that the argument that substandard cement were majorly responsible for increased cases of building collapse was neither here nor there as according to him, most building collapse were due to the wrong application of the cement. The director-general further said that any nine inches block that is sold below N200 is substandard. While saying that cements were classified into three grades of 32.5, 42.5 and 52.5, with its own different application, Mr. Odumodu noted that misapplication occur when a builder uses a cement that should be used for building a house to construct bridges. “When this happens, such structure is bound to collapse,” he said. The Managing Director of Dangote Cement, Devakumar Edwin, said the new product was seen as part of the company’s social responsibility towards protecting the consumers by offering them the best product of international standard with more features. A cement dealer in Ibafo, Mr Sunday Ayodele told The Shopping Nation it is noteworthy to state that 32.5 is not a bad grade for cement, adding that it has served and will continue to serve many purposes. “However, the right type of cement must be used for the right type of construction. The advantage which the higher grade of cement has over the lower is that the higher

(42.5) can perform most functions which the lower (32.5) can perform, but such is not obtainable when the reverse is the case. I have travelled far and wide and the practice is the same” he said. The Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Heaven Homes, Mr Tayo Sonuga, lamented that the price of cement has not only become exorbitant but the commodity has also become difficult to find. He said: “Cement is too important to be left to the vagaries of private or public monopoly. You cannot build without cement so the government cannot remain silent about this matter. It calls for urgent action. “I really think the government should do something drastic and urgent about the cement market. In December 2013, a bag of cement sold for N1,650 but now it is selling for N2,200 per bag and yet we cannot even find it readily to buy, this is clearly not acceptable, so I would want the government to do something urgent about it,” he said. Sonuga, who said Nigeria needs about 18million units to bridge deficit gap, said the easy availability and affordability of cement cannot be overemphasised. “If the government at the federal and state levels are truly sincere and determined in their resolve to address the housing problems of Nigerians, this is how they can show it by making cement not only cheap and affordable but also easily available. “The enabling environment should be created for manufacturers of cement to source easily the ingredients they need to produce cement. They should be encouraged so that they will in turn produce cheaper and more affordable cement product,” he added. He said, it is also imperative for the decision makers to take a stand on the cement dispute, with a view of taking a decision that is in the best interest of Nigerians. A builder, Mr. Kunle Awobodu, said the newly introduced 42.5 cement was not available in the location, saying most of the distributors’ claims in the last one week were that they have run out of stock, while awaiting new arrival. Besides, he said high price of the new cement product in few spots where it was available has made many people to stick to the old cement grade. According to him, a 50kg of the 42.5 cement grade was selling for N2,700, while the 32.5 grade was selling for N2,300. Besides, he bemoaned high prices of the products, saying by this period of the year when the raining season has set in, the expectation was that the product prices would fall due to low construction activities. Against the backdrop that many people should have shunned the use of 32.5 grade of cement for the high grade newly introduced, Awobodu said that there was nothing wrong with the former except that the latter’s fast setting and packaging. A cement analyst in Lagos, Mr Musbau Razak said it is only appropri-

review of standards. He said this will provide the country and all stakeholders with the right guidelines for sustained activity in Nigeria’s cement industry, keeping in mind, the overall well being of the economy and its people. His words: “Let us first examine the issue of adulterated cement. The basic fact here is that adulteration is common with every good product but the fact still remains that no matter the cases of adulteration reported in a product, the genuine one still exists. Limiting the issue of adulteration to 32.5 grade of cement is just giving a dog bad name to hang it. Even the so called 42.5 grade is liable to adulteration. “Those calling for the outright ban of 32.5 grade of cement are not students of history. The current beautiful bride, 42.5, is a new product which has just been introduced into the market. The logical argument therefore is that a grade of cement has been in existence before the 42.5 grade came in. The 32.5 grade has served and still serving manufacturers, builders and corporate organisations well. The greatest buildings in Nigeria like the Cocoa House, the NITEL building and other skyscrapers were constructed using this particular brand of cement. They never collapse! “Coming to the grassroots level, this is the brand used in constructing most of our residential buildings which have stood the test of time till today. “Going back to history, increase cases of building collapse is not up to five years in Nigeria, yet buildings constructed with the 32.5 brand has been in existence for long. “In essence, rather than laying the blame of building collapse at the doorstep of the so called inferior quality of 32.5 grade of cement, stakeholders should examine deeper, the major reasons for building collapse in the country. “Calling for the outright ban of the 32.5 range of cement has a whole negative multiplier effects on the economy. An economy that wants to grow and still growing will not throw its manufacturing companies out of business because this is what will happen to manufacturers of this range of product. “Another negative effect of this is unemployment. Of course, nobody needs the wisdom of Solomon to know that if a product is outlawed, the manufacturers of such product close shops and throw their workers into the labour market. “Perhaps, the greatest negative effect will be creating a monopoly of a particular product leaving the consuming public at the mercy of the Shylock manufacturer.” He said creating a monopoly of cement production is not good for the country. It is anti-democracy where right to make choice is a major ingredient. “Rather than calling for the outright ban of 32.5 brand of cement, the supervising agencies should increase their quality control strategies to ensure that the product and the so called 42.5 brands do not lose their qualities,” he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

THE NATION

BUSINESS

AGRICBUSINESS

e-mail: agrobusiness@thenationonlineng.net

Stallion Group forges ahead in local rice production Determined to ensure food security in the country, the Federal Government, through the Agriculture Transformation Agenda, prioritised domestic rice production. Stallion Group has taken bold initiatives in this direction to promote local rice production across the country. This development will not only save the nation the yearly foreign exchange spent on rice importation into the country, it will also boost farmers’ earnings from its production. LUCAS AJANAKU reports.

VER the last few years, the Federal Government has been focusing on and strengthening its Agriculture Transformation Agenda (ATA) under the Minister of Agriculture and Rural Development, Dr. Akinwumi Adesina. Rice is cultivated in Nigeria’s agroecological zones - from mangroves to the swamp ecologies of the Niger Delta to the dry Sahel zones in the north. Nigeria produces paddy rice mainly in the rainy season but with a renewed focus and energy, it is also been produced in huge quantities during dry season. In the past, most of the produce were consumed at subsistence levels, however, with the impetus provided by the Ministry of Agriculture, largescale private sector investments have fuelled growth in local production commercially. Stallion Group, the local multibusiness conglomerate, is one private sector organisation that has made rapid strides in the development of a fully-integrated rice value chain in the country. The initiatives of the firm is a reflection of the group’s vision of developing large scale local industries in the country. Stallion owns and operates the country’s largest integrated rice milling facility. It has formed the Popular Progressive Farmers Association (PPFA) that is working tirelessly to improve farm yields and bring in sustainable and scalable growth to farmers. The Group has a fully backward integrated its rice value chain, namely production, procurement through collection centre, association with co-operatives and farmers, logistic and post-harvest services, marketing and acting as a catalyst toward sustainable growth. But with the efforts of the PPFA that is working with the co-operative farmer association to convert subsistence farming into commercial farming by providing technical input for land preparation, crop care, weed management, moisture management and post-harvest care, the fortunes of the industry has since been trasnformed. The group is also assisting in improving storage methods resulting in acceptable levels of moisture in the paddy which in turn results in higher milling recovery. Stallion’s foray into agri business started in 2007. Under the guidelines of the Federal Government’s ATA and with the assistance of a team of agricultural experts from around the world, they started deliberating on various Agricultural Extension &

•A rice field

•Processing

•Bagged rice

Training Programmes among the farmers’ groups at strategically located rice farms. Furthermore, the challenge of milling and processing the rice paddy has taken its importance This made the company to start its commercial production (made-inNigeria rice) from locally procured paddy by putting a state-of- the-art rice miller in Kano, the Kano State capital. The company is operating a fully integrated state-of-the-art rice mill in the country with an aggregate capacity of 360,000 metric tonnes per year and is producing a premium variety of rice from local paddy being marketed by the company under the names “Royal Stallion Shinkafa” and “Super Champion’’ which are the most popular locally produced indig-

enous brands of rice. Stallion’s focus is to strengthen the local farming community and their know-how of rice farming so that it could be snowball to rice revolution into the country. It is a multi-levelled approach not only to increase the area under cultivation but also to transform the rice farming and rice business sector through the quality produce and farm productivity. Stallion is implementing a comprehensive strategy to positively impact a vast geographical area under rice farming and thousands of progressive farmers are being targeted under the initiative to PPFA. As a pioneer in the rice value chain, the deteriorating plight of the farmer and the impending threat of global competition have been the concerns for the company. This concern is not driven only by a sense of social responsibility, but Stallion also recognises that the company’s fortunes are strongly tied to the well-being of the farmer. To better the farmer compensation requires providing the farmer with the know-how and resources to raise production and supply better quality input and access to markets. Stallion effectively uses its expertise and technology. It believes in the capacity to bring the power of scale

to the farmer. Stallion’s vision is to preserve and enrich rice production by ensuring genetic integrity of the seed, encouraging farmers to adopt scientific agricultural practices and leveraging world-class rice processing technologies and emerge as the industry benchmark for product quality and customer service. Over the past years, the firm has been actively involved in various programmes such as out growers and crop health programme; seminar cum technical sessions; demonstration through extension programme; rural youth programme; paddy quality awareness programme; farmers cooperatives training programme; distribution of extension materials, such as technical bulletin, leaflets and video CDs, model farm demonstrations under its corporate social responsibility (CSR) activities. At present, Stallion has a dedicated team of agric professionals spread across various centres and regional agric offices. The company has extended these activities to various states with the objective of increasing the area under rice cultivation, increasing the production per unit area by implementing “Low Cost No Cost Technology” to the farmers. Simultaneously, the firm assure

‘Stallion is implementing a comprehensive strategy to positively impact a vast geographical area under rice farming and thousands of progressive farmers are being targeted under the initiative of the Popular Progressive Farmers Association (PPFA)’

consistent supply of certified quality seeds under seed multiplication programmes in various rice producing states. As part of these initiatives, the company is also extending assured buy back of harvested paddy from the farmers for its processing facilities. Under its flagship Out Growers Scheme, the organisation has devised and demonstrated focused approach, which is to make the rice farming more Productive & Sustainable, Scale Up the Out Growers, Farming/Communities on a sustainable basis, bring in latest and modern rice farming techniques on the farm; assist farmers with farming inputs availability and advising on dry season irrigation management. Others are developing the farmers group/farmers communities in terms of knowledge and self-sufficiency for higher farm production and increased per unit earnings and to provide buy back mechanism to the rice produce on fare and prevailing market prices. The company has established several collection centres spread across rice producing states of Adamawa, Taraba, Benue, Niger, Jigawa, Sokoto and Kano, which not only assist farmers in understanding modern rice farming techniques but also focuses on forming associations with various farmers cooperatives and progressive farmers to lead the rice revolution.

Fertiliser distribution Under its Rice Backwards Integration Scheme, the firm has a direct approach to more than 5,000 farmers and almost 20 various cooperatives, which ensure that farmers become scalable into their approach and farm income becomes lucrative. Understanding the local irrigation system and source of irrigation and further scaling up this has been a crucial part of farmers success. Dry rice farming with sustainable rice productivity has been the key factor where the company’s efforts have been yielding good results. Stallion has been pioneering in providing easy and quality input through its centres. Farm fertiliser, certified seeds, modern farming bulletins have been distributed among thousands of farmers. Their on-farm demonstrations on modern rice farming techniques have been a successful endeavour which started giving a positive results and increased productivity upto additional 50 per cent rice farm productivity have been reported.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

AGRICBUSINESS

‘Finance gap threat to agric’

GREEN revolution cannot materialise in Nigeria if effort is not made to secure finance for agriculture, the Dean, Faculty of Agriculture, University of Uyo, Akwa Ibom State, Prof Ini Akpabio, has warned. He said to strengthen the sector, the focus should be on increasing public budgets for agriculture and exploring partnerships with the private sector. At the moment, he said, the gap in finance is more acute and that less than 10 per cent of small farmers have access to finance they need to expand their production and raise their income. He said the sector has struggled to access the financing it needs for sustained growth, adding that in most cases, it was who politicians benefit from the government‘s

Stories by Daniel Essiet

schemes to boost agriculture to the detriment of genuine farmers. He said failures in critical infrastructure, such as inadequate cold storage facilities, unexpected disruptions in commodities trading, lack of adequate feeder roads to production areas, inadequate dry storage facilities, and congested ports prohibiting the export or import of products are threat to the sector. Akpabio said farmers were confronting delays in the supply of critical input, such as fertiliser, seed and fuel because of transportation difficulties in getting goods to market. Without tackling these constraints, and their effect on lending, the don said green revolution

would not be achieved, calling for investment in the sector. He advised also that clustering farmers into cooperatives would help mitigate repayment default risk, noting that making farmers dependent on each other and therefore less likely to default on a group, but also giving them greater negotiating strength. He called on the government to offer tax incentives and make preferential procurement choices for companies that source from small farmers and to developing inclusive financial models that combine incentives, reduce debt risk and promote longer-term agribusiness model. Akpabio advised that the government to come up with proposals aimed at helping it address the key challenges hampering the involvement of youths.

•Beneficiaries at the event.

200 widows in Rivers get cash for farming O

VER 200 widows of Okori in Eleme, River States have received funds from HRH Appolus Chu Foundation to hire farmlands for cultivation in the season. The event was one of the programmes of the Foundation to assist the less-privileged, particularly orphans and widows. The widows sang praise songs and danced as they collected the funds. Encomiums were poured on the founder of the Foundation, who is also the paramount ruler of Okori in Eleme Local Government Area of Rivers State, Chief Appolus Chu Okori, by the widows for the gesture. The Coordinator of the foundation, Mr. Ngbala Okpabi, noted that a piece of farmland in the community costs N5, 000 to rent, adding that each beneficiary will get N20, 000 to enable them to acquire two pieces of farmlands and use the balance for cultivating. Okpabi also said the funds were part of the second phase of the foundation’s programme where over 500 youths, women and men were billed to benefit from its various skills and community development schemes. He said: “This is a farming season and we want to give them some funds with which they would use in hiring farmlands on which they would engage in farming. “It is believed that by so doing, the foundation is not only providing food to Eleme, but also to the entire state and the nation as a whole.” About 215 widows received N20,

By Mercy Michael

000 each to hire and cultivate farmlands. The coordinator advised the widows not to misuse the funds nor put it into any other use apart from that which it was given. “We expect that beneficiaries of this scheme would involve in farming, produce food crops and enhance food security for not just their immediate families, but also for Eleme people at large and even the neighbouring communities,” he said. He called on those who are in the position to help but have not, to reconsider their stand and imbibe the spirit of compassion and love for the less-privileged. An elated widow and a women leader in Alode, a community in Okori-Eleme, Mrs. Comfort Saka, said: “Today is a wonderful day for the widows in the Okori community and we are most grateful to the founder of HRH Chief Appolus Chu Foundation, who has done so many things for us. First, he gave me the opportunity to be the women leader in OkoriAlode and then he gave me a power bike. This is apart from so many other things he has done for the entire community and me. And now he has made me to feel free to carry out my farming business this season without bothering myself with so much thoughts and anxiety,”Saka said. She continued: “ In Eleme, if you

do not have a husband, nobody gives you a farmland and even when you struggle to get one, you get a fresh farm where you have to look for someone to clear the bush before you could plant your crops and as a widow, this takes a lot of struggles. But today, I can do my farming confidently, without bothering my head so much on how the work will be carried out. Appolus Chu has made things easy for us and so we have made up our minds not to disappoint him.” The President, Widows’ Association of Eleme, Mrs. Elizabeth MbaNgei, thanked Chief Appolus for the gesture. “We give God the glory for what He has done through our son, Chief Appolus Chu,”she said. She added: “Wealth is from God and it is not a sin, but failure to assist others with your wealth is a sin. Let us show concern and love to everybody that needs our help just like Chief Appolus Chu is doing with his wealth. “While alive, let us love and care for one another because we would no longer be able to amend our ways when we are dead. We should learn to render assistance to others no matter how little it may be as long as it is within our reach. This is what our brother and son, Chief Chu, has done with his wealth. “I want to assure our brother that what he is doing in this land of Eleme has gone a long way to bring sunshine to the lives of many who would have been dead and gone by now. He is not the only wealthy man in Eleme but out of love, compassion he did this.”

Kogi disburses Vitamin A cassava seedlings

O fewer than 2,000 farmers in Koton Karfe Local Government Area, Kogi State have received Vitamin A fortified yellow cassava seedlings. Speaking at the kick off of the exercise at the palace of the OhimegyeIgu of Koton Karfe, Alhaji Abdulrazaq Sani Isa Koto, Governor Idris Wada said the initiative not only conforms with his administration’s campaign promise to make farming a respectable occupation, but also fulfil the Federal Government’s desire to promote agribusiness. He said: “We want to modernise and make farming a pleasant profession and a business where you improve your life and those of other people around you.’’ While urging indigenes of the state to organise themselves into cooperatives so that the government could facilitate loans for them to establish agricultural enterprises, he announced that the government has arranged with the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) to support those who are interested in commercial agriculture. The governor thanked HarvestPlus, the initiator of the programme and leader in the effort to enhance the nutritional value of crops through bio-fortification. Describing cassava as an important crop, Wada said: “This cassava (vitamin A cassava) even though it looks the same as the cassava that we have been growing here traditionally, this one is special because it has a much better nutritional value. People in the local government areas do not have the means to obtain Vitamin A in a proper dose and with this improved variety of cassava, they will have as a normal meal without having to pay extra to get vitamin A into the system of our children.” Vitamin A, the governor noted, is important for eyesight and the immune system. “Your body will do better in preventing all kinds of diseases through the consumption of Vitamin A cassava so, it’s highly recommended to our farmers,” he said, adding that Kogi is the first state in Nigeria that has the cassava staple crop processing

By Chikodi Okereocha

zone, a model, which, according to him, would transform rural communities in the state by absorbing youths and the older ones in agricultural endeavours. He urged them to have a farm, adding that farming is the way forward. “As revenue from crude oil is depleting, we are looking to the future that cassava will be the next main source of income for Nigeria. So, anybody who takes to cassava farming now is joining the train that will be moving Nigeria into the future of agriculture,” he added. Alhaji Koto, who is also Chairman, Kogi/Lokoja Area Traditional Council, said the beneficiaries of the cassava seedlings were selected from the three geo-political zones of the local government to multiply the new variety of cassava from HarvestPlus. Apart from selecting three locations in Kogi Local Government Area as demonstration farms, he said he has set aside 10 hectares of land for the cultivation of maize and fortified vitamin A yellow cassava. He however called on the government to provide more assistance to farmers in technical assistance and farm input. The Country Manager, Nigeria, HarvestPlus, Dr. Paul Ilona, explained that the Vitamin A cassava dissemination programme is demand-driven. “What we are doing is actually demand-driven. We don’t want to be seen being superficial so, if a state wants development and they want us to contribute to it, we are willing to come on board,” he said. He explained the choice of the state for this year’s kick off, noting that it was based on its position as one of the major food baskets in Nigeria. “The profession of the people of Kogi State is farming. Again, Kogi is bordered by nine other states. Kogi shares boundaries with the Southwest, Southeast, and the Northcentral states. So, for us its almost becoming like a hub from where we expect technology to diffuse into the key agricultural belts in Nigeria,” he added.

Expert urges govt on food preservation

HE Provost, College of Agriculture, Olabisi Onabanjo University, Ayetoro, Ogun State, Prof Oluwatobi Adeokun, has urged the Federal Government to improve preservation infrastructure to prevent food shortage. He reiterated the need to preserve food, if the nation is to achieve food security. Speaking ahead of his inaugural lecture, Adeokun said food security is not the only advantage to be gained from efficient storage systems, but that grain storage can increase the farmer’s income from the sales of stored seed when other crops are out of season. According to him, if farmers can store and preserve their food efficiently they can sell them over a longer period of time, reducing the cycles of surplus and scarcity connected to the seasons. He said one of the sector’s greatest need is an effective and economically viable storage and preservation solution that would integrate the supply chains for commodities from the production centres to the consumption centres, thereby reducing waste and loss of value of perishable commodities. Stressing the need for the gov-

From Jeremiah Oke, Abeokuta

ernment to focus on food preservation, the don urged the government to introduce various incentives and policy changes to curtail production wastage and improve the country’s rural infrastructure. He observed that there are gaps in the supply chain, in terms of both capacity and integration. He noted that Nigeria is blessed with resources which the government needs to tap from. Adedokun advised the government to fix prices for commodities, saying this would ensure food security. He urged the Federal Government to assist farmers with credit to enable them to produce in abundant. On his inaugural lecture, the don said it would serve assist the government in policy planning and implementation. “My paper has been arranged in such a way that it will serve as a reminder for the government in terms of agricultural policy making, planning and implementation. I will also highlight some challenges we are facing over the years in terms of agricultural development and proffer solution to it,” he added.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

BUSINESS EXTRA

Nigeria’s GDP rebasing and boosting intra-Africa trade

ATA released by the Nigerian Bureau of Statistics following the recent rebasing of the country’s Gross Domestic Product (GDP) shows that the economy is much more diversified than we had thought or acknowledged. But it was not altogether surprising. Efforts in structural transformation of the Nigerian economy have been ongoing for the better part of the last 10 years. The Transformation Agenda of President Goodluck Jonathan has provided additional fillip in the last four years of supporting private sector-led, non-oil sector growth. So here we are. And this is what we now know about the Nigerian economy after the rebasing. Agriculture, largely subsistence farming, which used to contribute 35 per cent to the GDP now contributes 22 per cent. The oil and gas sector which used to account for 32 per cent of the GDP now contributes 14 per cent. Those are the headline downward adjustments. The structural adjustment that has taken place shows these sectoral gainers. Manufacturing, which had accounted for approximately 2 per cent of the country’s GDP jumped to 6.8 per cent. From 0.9 per cent, the contribution of the telecommunication sector has expanded to 8.7 per cent. The biggest leap was made in the services sector with a rise in contribution from 29 per cent to 52 per cent. Past trade trend Data provided by Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) for the period 1981 – 2010 shows structural rigidity to Nigeria’s external trade. In 1981, crude oil accounted for 96.89 per cent of the country’s exports. All through the 30-year period, there was no noticeable change in the trade pattern; oil export stood at between 95 per cent and 98 per cent of total export merchandise. A 2004 data shows that roughly 60 per cent of non-oil exports from Nigeria consisted of cocoa and rubber – primary products as well. In this period, the country’s very narrow export goods base invariably meant that Nigeria was trading with very few countries. In-

By Roberts Orya

deed, the United States received about 50 per cent of Nigeria’s oil export. A handful of developing economies, mainly China and Brazil also received Nigerian oil export. Nigeria’s imports are mainly in finished products. Thus, our imports are mainly from the industrialised world, again principally the United States and China, and from few countries in the European Union (EU). With this trend, Nigeria was not able to lift intra-Africa trade. Trade within the continent has been very low. At 11 percent of total trade volume by African countries, trade within Africa has been the lowest compared with trade within other regions of the world. An assortment of policy, tariff and non-tariff barriers to intra-Africa trade has been identified. In addition to this, lack of political will to integrate the economies of Africa beyond fruitless policy engineering to aid trade has been cited. However, many African countries have exactly the same economic structure as Nigeria; they export primary goods to the leading industrialised nations while they import finished products from the same countries. For this reason, the most knotty of the issues that constitute barriers to intra-Africa trade is the narrow base of economic activities of scale on the continent. This issue then expresses itself in the narrow external trade channels. Likely new trade scenario The possibility that Nigeria will now influence a new trade scenario within Africa is established in the far-reaching structural adjustment in our domestic economy, as revealed in the new GDP data. The trade influencers are tied in both the absolute size of the country’s $509.9 billion GDP (which is by a

wide margin the biggest in Africa), and the structural diversification that is revealed in the recent GDP rebasing. For example, the Nigerian services sector is now worth $265 billion. With the banks accounting for significant part of this economic value, little wonder that over the past few years, Nigerian banks have been playing big in international trade in banking services in Africa. Like it played out for the South African external sector performance, the widening footprint of Nigerian banks across sub Saharan Africa will pave the way for other sectoral trade in Nigerian goods and services in Africa. Financial market infrastructure is a facilitator of international trade. With the linkages the banks have established with other SSA markets through the operations of their subsidiaries, a key facilitator of Nigeria’s external trade within Africa has gained ground. However, a unidirectional trade flow from any African country cannot, mainly because of geopolitical concerns, lift intra-Africa trade. What we now see with the Nigerian services sector’s value of $265 billion is that it will accelerate on foreign participation. While trade flows in the Nigerian services sector will be led by the Western countries because they are more able to tap the Nigerian opportunities, the sheer size of this sector leaves enough head room for other African countries to come in. We also expect the export of services from other African countries into Nigeria. Cross-border trade in research and legal services are immediately contemplated to influence trade flows into Nigeria. Several foreign acquisitions which Nigerian businesses are expected to make in Africa makes this quiet imaginable. The Nigerian manufacturing sector, now worth $35 billion and constituting 6.8 per cent of GDP, has

also assumed scale. Gradually, we have begun to see the outflow of Nigerian manufactured products into our sub-regional markets. From cement, sacks to biscuits, Nigerian manufactured products are making a showing outside our borders. Now that the sector has become recognised again with its 6.8 per cent contribution to GDP, coupled with the consumption profile of Nigeria’s over 170 million population, Nigeria will evolve to be a major manufacturing hub, attracting investments as well as merchandises from other African countries, thus maintaining desired two-way directional trade flows. The big lesson The most important structural adjustment to note in the Nigerian economy is that it is now dominated by the private sector. Indeed, further transfer of public sector assets through the ongoing privatisation programme, including in the power sector, will unlock resources, accelerate growth and broaden the economic base. Therefore, policies supporting private sector development and broader economic base are critical to opening the clog in intra-Africa trade pipelines. As we look to leverage Nigeria’s diversified economic base to boost trade within the continent, the example Nigeria has set is worth emulating by other African states. Why DFIs are relevant Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank) is the designated trade policy bank of the Federal Government of Nigeria. As a development finance institution, NEXIM Bank has been supporting the process that is leading to the more diversified Nigerian economy. In the last five years, NEXIM Bank has pushed forward, through its communication programme, the

‘The most knotty of the issues that constitute barriers to intraAfrica trade is the narrow base of economic activities of scale on the continent. This issue then expresses itself in the narrow external trade pipes’

• Orya

policy agenda which accentuated the big sectoral gainers in the structural adjustment that was revealed by the GDP rebasing. Through our “MASS Agenda”, we have presented Manufacturing, Agro-processing, Solid Minerals and Services as the key sectors for economic diversification and job creation. This being the case, the bigger contribution we now see from services and manufacturing, as well as the strong showing of the entertainment industry in the Nigerian GDP basket, is a big plus for this Administration. While policy support for economic transformation is very important, it is not enough. Accordingly, NEXIM Bank and other DFIs in the Nigerian space have received institutional reinvigoration and financial backing from the Federal Government so as to be able to effectively intervene in the sectors that made good showing in the GDP data. Moving forward, financial intervention in SME manufacturing, services and the other areas of our focus at NEXIM will be critical to maintaining growth momentum. As we know, lower cost credit, which development banks provide is important for lifting businesses in these sectors to the point where they can afford and therefore attract commercial credit. NEXIM Bank has lifted a number of firms to this position, helping them to realise export potentials. Orya is Managing Director/CEO, Nigerian Export-Import Bank

FCMB Capital Markets: Funding to close Nigeria’s power generation gap The new owners of the power plants carved out from the PHCN will require huge capital injection to stay afloat. The role played by the investment arm of FCMB is a step in the right direction, reports ALVIN AFADAMA

• FCMB MD Ladi Balogun

CMB Capital Markets Lim ited, a highly respected finan cial institution, has again demonstrated its power sector credentials by being sole arranger for the Naira component of the financing package for Nigeria’s first large-scale, privately-funded and project financed Independent Power Plant (IPP). FCMB Capital Markets was sole arranger for the Naira equivalent of US$150 million, as part of an international group of investors and banks working on the US$750 million Azura-Edo IPP. The Azura-Edo IPP project is a Greenfield, 450MW Open Cycle Gas Turbine, power station near Benin City in Edo State. It is the first phase of a 1,120MW power plant facility that is targeted to begin producing electricity in early 2017. The project, which will lead to further economic development, is also forecasted to create

over 1,000 jobs. The Presidential Task Force on Power Generation report, dated February 8, 2014, showed peak electricity demand in Nigeria at 12,800 MW - which is three times the peak power generation. For a country with a population of approximately 170 million, actual energy generation equates to 0.02 KW per capita for Nigeria, compared to 0.80 KW per capita for South Africa’s (40,000 MW generation; 50 million population) and 0.52 KW per capita for Brazil (100,000 MW generation; 192 million population).Using those 2 countries as benchmarks, Nigeria should be generating 88,000 MW to 136,000 MW of electricity. In summary, Nigeria needs to generate about 40 times more electricity than we do to bridge the significant gap. In 2011, the National Planning Commission forecast that Nigeria needed 35,000 MW of power generation capacity to achieve Vision 20:2020; this capacity was to be achieved from the 10 National Integrated Power Projects (NIPPs), large hydro plants, IPPs, and renewable power plants as well as through granting incentives to encourage new entrants to invest in the power generation space.

The role of the private sector in this plan was considered critical; hence, the successful privatisation in 2013 of five previously government-owned power generation and 11 distribution companies. The sale raised approximately $2.6 billion for the goverment thus demonstrating the appetite and availability of capital to be invested in the sector. We anticipate that the next stage of privatisation, covering the 10 governmentowned NIPPs, will generate similar or higher levels of sale proceeds since the assets to be sold are newer and in much better condition. New sources of power generation such as the Azura-Edo IPP, therefore, have a significant role to play in closing the power generation gap. In the recent past, it was challenging,for private investors to raise capital to develop and finance Greenfieldpower projects in Nigeria owing to the inability to structure a bankable business case due to the absence of a robust tariff framework, gas supply, and suitable off-taker arrangements supported by appropriate financial guarantees and other credit enhancements. Over the past three-4years, however, the government has invested considerable financial and other re-

sources as part of it’s Power Transformation Agenda, to encourage private investors to make substantial investments in the Nigerian electricity industry. This has created the enabling environment in which private investors now have confidence to work in partnership with government to ensure that power projects like the Azura-Edo IPP can be made bankable. Financial close of the Azura-Edo IPP is anticipated for the end of June 2014, and will involve the investment of equity, mezzanine finance, and non-recourse loans, raised from local and international sources. The Power Purchase Agreement (PPA) for the project was signed with NBET in April, last year, and the project financing structure will benefit from the World Bank Group support in the form of a Partial Risk Guarantee and MIGA Political Risk Insurance.The capital structure also includes a BoI Power and Aviation Intervention Fund tranche, which FCMB Capital Markets arranged. Equity investors in the AzuraEdo IPP comprise the lead sponsor, Azura Power Holdings, African Infrastructure Investment Managers, Aldwych International, and Asset & Resource Management (ARM).

In addition to FCMB Capital Markets arranger role on the BOIPAIF loan tranche, other banks involved in the project include Standard Chartered Bank as Global Mandated Lead Arranger and Structuring Bank; IFC and FMO as Joint Lead Arrangers for the DFI loan tranche; First City Monument Bank Limited (FCMB) as Disbursement Bank for the BOI-PAIF loan tranche and First Rand Bank Limited (acting through its Rand Merchant Bank division) as Joint Mandated Lead Arranger for the offshore commercial tranche. Also involved in group of lenders were Siemens Bank, Swedfund and CDC. An international power solutions’ company has been selected as the Engineering, Procurement and Construction Contractor and a tier one Nigerian contractor as the civil works contractor. Separately, a Nigerian independent oil and gas exploration and production company is the preferred Gas Supply Contractor. Speaking on the transaction, FCMB Capital Market’s Executive Director, Mr. Tolu Osinibi, explained that the firm’s involvement in the project was a demonstration of its commitment to the development of Nigeria’s power sector. ‘’We are excited to be part of this landmark transaction which will go a long way to close the power generation gap thereby boosting electricity supply in the country,” he said.

COMMENTARY

EAR Nigerian youths, This letter being addressed to you through this medium (The Message)is not by design but by accident. Nigerians of my age and beyond (60+) never had an opportunity to be so addressed. Let it be known to you that except life and sound health, none of Allah’s bounties to man is as treasure-able as youthfulness. The definition of youth varies from place to place and from faith to faith. But generally, youthfulness spans from the age of puberty (at 16) to that of reasoning (at 40). That is the second stage of human life as it follows that of adolescence. It can be said therefore that the juiciest part of human life is what people call youth. And whoever is blessed with it is blessed with all hopes of life. Youth is the spur of ambition and risk. It is the period of determination and resolution. It encourages attraction between genders and engenders association across boundaries. All efforts in human life that yield results in old age are made at youthful age. To an average youth anywhere in the world, the sky is never the limit. There are still many other firmaments beyond the sky. Youth is the stage of hard work. It is the stage of planning. It is the stage of vision and mission. That is why the youths of any nation are seen as the bone marrow of such a nation and the beacons of the future. And fortunately, youths invariably constitute majority of the existing people at any given time in any given nation.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9 2014

FEMI ABBAS ON femabbas756@gmail.com 08115708536

Letter to Nigerian youths

Implications

Youths before now

In the years past when life had meaning and culture had value, youths were seen as the pride of the nation. They were the natural arrows fixed to the parental bows which were often shot through the iron gate of life. This was the case in Nigeria before and during the colonial era. And after the country’s independence, the youths constituted the glory and hope of their parents. Their role in the family encouraged the bearing of many children as they partnered their fathers in tilling the farm land and harvesting the crops. In short, they formed the live wire of their families. When a father was said to be rich in those days, it was only because he had many children (male and female) who constituted the workforce of the family. The father’s pride then was not just the number of children he had but the volume of contribution made by those children to his wealth. Thus, children were considered as wealth. In those days, youths were not just helpers of their parents on the farms or in their trades they also assisted them in training the younger ones. Yet, they had the highest esteem for those parents in their utterances and in their conduct. The level of discipline in those days was such that boys were handled by their fathers while girls were mostly handled by their mothers. And the mothers dared not utter a word while any child was being subjected to discipline by the father. In a nutshell the upbringing of a child was the main key to societal serenity.

Change of trend

Today, Nigeria is a different story altogether. The youths of yesteryears have become the elders of today. They have left the chord of discipline that escorted them into the world of decency to the new train of indecency. And that chord is no longer suitable for either today or tomorrow as the trend has changed dramatically. The current trend began in January 1966 when some uncultured youths in military uniform, spurred by blind ambition, threw the value of age and experience to the winds and killed the then leaders of the Nigerian nation in what was called a military coup d’état. By that unfortunate act they plunged the nation into a precipitate civil war that rendered the youth wild and eroded the value of youthfulness. For 13 years thereafter, the vagabonds remained in power using whim in place of experience. And when a brief civilian interlude came on board in 1979 for only four years, the vagabonds perched on the governance again and like hungry vultures, they fed on the carcass of democracy to their fill. Through that unbridled usurpation of power, the so-called Nigerian military weaned themselves from the

cle. But while pinching the back of the elders you often forget that sooner or later you may become elders whose back will be pinched by the youths who succeed your own generation. You have forgotten that most of the scientific discoveries and technological advancement of your age which lured you into roguery were not available for the past youths. There were no such things as hard drugs, cyber crimes, armed robbery, sophisticated fraud through manipulation of figures and forgery of signatures. There were no cases of rape, child trafficking, audacious prostitution and day light murder with impunity as are rampant among you today. To you, all these crimes are either professions or callings in which you actively engage. Thus, you do not believe in the existence of any demarcation between decency and indecency an indication that ‘family name’ which was highly valued in the past has no meaning to you. Unlike most youths of the past, you were sent to school but your goal was mere certificate rather than knowledge. And what you acquired in those schools in the name of education is hardly worth the paper on which your certificates are printed. For most of the years you spent in school, your preoccupation was either cultism or other frivolous activities that have no bearing with education. That is why most of you turn out to be unemployable University or Polytechnic graduates. A few of you who secured public employments have been discovered to be sheer misfits on those jobs as your competence remains questionable.

•Muslim youths ladle of integrity and destroyed whatever was left of their nomenclature. Here we are today, looking desperately like a starved hawk and hanging restlessly in the balance like a gagged hyena. Virtually every Nigerian has forgotten the real cause of our calamity. The cry everywhere is now about the effect of that calamity on the nation. No one endeavours to look back and see where the downfall started from. And without looking back, there can never be any correction as to how to rise again. A Yoruba adage states axiomatically that when a toddler falls down he looks forward (to see if there is any adult around to lift him up). But when an adult falls he looks backwards (to see the cause of his fall). That is the difference between experience and potential. Banking on potential to govern a nation that requires experience as did the eaglet Nigerian military can never bring any meaningful result. Both potential and experience have their role and chance in any society. But neither can take the place of the other.

The difference

You the youths of today are different from those of yesteryears in many ways and the differences are clear. The youths of the past were very hardworking and dedicated. They served their parents diligently and stood by them in all circumstances. They sought their parents’ advice and learned from the latter’s experiences. You the youths of today are very lazy, slothful, time wasting and lackadaisical in your attitude to life even as you are served by your parents from infancy to old age. Yet you despise those parents and treat them with disdain like nonentities. You believe that those parents had worked on your behalves and that you are only in the world to enjoy the fruits of their labour. The youths of the past were patient contended and full of respect for the elders. They were humble, obedient, always eager to know as they queued up to learn. You the youths of today are very inpatient, greedily ambitious and you see yourselves as masters of knowledge when in actual fact you are slaves of ignorance. Unlike the youths of the past, you the youths of today are mostly emptyheaded, very arrogant, highly materialistic and hastily avaricious. You always want to start your lives from

the peak of your parents’ achievements without asking about what those parents had gone through before reaching the peak. You spend money lavishly without working for it and you never think of bearing any responsibility either in the homes or in the society. You are generally characterised by all the conducts that were classified as shame in the past. To you shame has its price. And as long as you can pay that price in coins by whatever means, you are important in your own estimation. Thus, shame, as far as you are concerned, is a vital aspect of culture which has no negative effect on your lifestyle. As a matter of fact you have taken shame for pride. If a few youths of the past can be described as a bunch of problems for their society, due to their misbehaviour, majority of you today’s youths are the real cogs in the societal wheel of progress. To you, life has no meaning except it is heavily coded in money. Your slogan that “long life is irrelevant in the absence of money” is a testimony to this assertion. That life span in Nigeria has dropped so drastically is due to your disappointing lifestyle which often creates hypertension for your parents and leads to their early death. Few parents talk of heirs nowadays because those of you who are supposed to be their heirs have long thrown away the toga of worthy heirs. In the past, mothers were not known for staying with their daughters in the latter’s matrimonial homes while leaving their husbands behind without care. This strange but new trend that has almost become a part of Nigerian culture arose because of the incompetence of today’s young women, even after many years of training, is questionable. Thus, despite the ubiquity of young men and women, there is scarcity of husbands and wives just as there is dirge of fathers and mothers. Virtually everything that matters to you today’s youths is devoid of our known core value. By your measure, the value of life can be found only in the volume of naira.

Causes of generational change

Whenever there is cause to review the generational trend with the intention of righting the wrong, you the youths of today are often quick in pointing accusing fingers mischievously at the generations ahead of you saying they caused the deba-

The implications of all these are many. While most of you are not quite useful to the present you are also not hopeful about the future. •A calendar There is hardly any major crime in Nigeria today that is not principally committed by you today’s youths all in the quest for money. It seems that the only language you understand is money and only those who can speak the language of money command your respect. Many centuries before our time, an Arab poet intuitively came up with a sonnet fits perfectly into today’s Nigerian situation. He said: “Here is the era against which we had been warned through the admonitions of Ubayy Bn Ka‘ab and that of Abdullah Bn Mas‘ud; an era in which truth would be totally rejected while falsehood and insurgence would be glorified and held aloft; Should this era linger without any change (of attitude) neither cry at a funeral nor smile on the announcement of a new birth would be experienced”. Which of the situation expressed in the above poem is not applicable to Nigeria today. What impact does religion have on the society again? We used to know of motor spare parts. Today, spare parts are no more of motor but of human beings. And the most active merchants of this queer business are you the youths of today. When we talk of illegal oil bunkering, it is the business of the youths. When we talk of kidnapping, it is the business of today’s youths. When we talk of suicide bombing and terrorism, it is the business of today’s youths. And all these are for money and nothing else. Where is Nigeria going from here?

Conclusion

The aim of this expository article is not to malign or denigrate the youths of today. All the children of this columnist are today’s youths who do not constitute a separate island. But preaching is like a mud surrounded by men and women in immaculate regalia. No one of them will be spared if the mud is splashed. As a onetime youth and now a father qualified to be called an elder, it is not expected of my type to start throwing stones while residing in a glass house. But truth knows no boundary. It cruises on like a surging train without minding whose ox is gored. To rekindle Nigeria’s old hope or create a new one for the future, the youths of today must return to the established values of the past. It was through those values that the tranquility of the world was solidly upheld. And it was through deviation from it that the world became as restive as it is today. If tranquility must return as wished by many, you the youths of today must change your loins. And that is the only atonement that the world requires to return to tranquility.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

PEOPLE THE NATION

A SIX -PAGE SECTION ON SOCIETY

Kaduna State Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero has been conferred with the title of Dalhatun Zazzau (The Trusted One) by the Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris. Yero is a Prince of Zazzau. Vice President Namadi Sambo led other dignitaries to the ceremony. TONY AKOWE (Kaduna) reports.

•Governor Yero (second left) during the traditional mini durbar

T was not a durbar, but it had all the trappings of one. Horses and heavily turbaned riders raced through the court of the Emir of Zazzau in Kaduna State. The crowd cheered as some of the horse riders performed some stunts. The palace was thick with a crowd which gathered to witness the decoration of Governor Mukthar Ramalan Yero as Dallatun Zazzau (The trusted one), a title reserved for princes. He is the 19th Dallatun Zazzau and the third to be decorated by the Emir of Zazzau, Dr Shehu Idris. The governor's father, Ramalan Yero, is the Turakin Dawakin Zazzau. Praise singers had a field day plying their trade. But petty traders had it rough as they were pushed far off the palace by security men. Dignitaries started trickling into the palace as early as 7am. Most of the governor's aides, particularly those from Zaria were in white flowing attire with turban. Vice President Mohammed Namadi Sambo was also in traditional attire. Kaduna State Deputy Governor Ambassador Nuhu Audu Bajoga came to celebrate with his boss. The emir turbaned the governor and his wife, Fatimah. She was decorated as Tauraruwan Dallatun Zazzau. However, she was not publicly decorated. Following the opening prayer by the Chief Imam of Zaria, Muhammadu Sani, the event took off with Governor Yero sitting at the feet of the emir. The Lawani (the long head scarf) was tied around the governor’s head with a red cap by a palace chief. The dressing was completed with a long flowing embroidered red royal gown draped round the governor’s shoulders..

All hail ‘The trusted one’

Yero, in line with tradition, paid homage to the emir before the monarch addressed the gathering. There was also a traditional mini durbar, involving some traditional title holders in the Emirate and their subjects. The governor took part in it. The Salanken Zazzau, Dr Bello AbdulQadir, explained why the governor was honoured while his father, who is also a traditional title holder, is still alive. He said: "The title of Dallatun is reserved for the princes of Zazzau. It can also be given to someone who the emir trusts, as well as some indigenes that have dedicated themselves to the service of the people. “Governor Yero has those qualities. His father is the Turakin Dawakin Zazzau. By this, he is a prince. He has also demonstrated his

capabilities in the human development, the development of the state and the Zazzau emirate. The title is also meant to encourage the governor to do more for his people, state and the nation," he said. The emir said he honoured the governor because of his contributions to the development, peace and social unity of his community and the state. Dr Idris said: "The traditional title of Dallatun Zazzau is one of the highest traditional titles which existed in Zazzau Emirate for many decades. It is always conferred on the most distinguished son of Zazzau. We believe Governor Yero deserves the honour not only because he is the governor of the state, but because of his humility and leadership ability."

‘This honour, will spur me to remain focus and committed to good governance all through my tenure as the people's leader in the state and ensures the current peaceful atmosphere in the state is sustained’

Vice President Sambo charged the governor to follow the footsteps of those before him. "As a custodian of our rich history, culture and tradition, I urge you to follow the footsteps of your predecessors by being steadfast in the responsibilities assigned to you. You must, at all times, keep in mind that you represent our rich and noble values and must continue to protect the positive image of the emirate locally and internationaly," he said. The governor, Sambo said, has done well in sustaining peace in the state. Governor Yero, pledged his continued loyalty and commitment to the emir. He said: "This honour, will spur me to remain focus and committed to good governance all through my tenure as the people's leader in the state and ensures the current peaceful atmosphere in the state is sustained." Niger State Governor Muazu Babangida Aliyu thanked the emir for honouring Yero. Ambassador Bajoga said the honour done to his boss was well deserved. "This new responsibility given to the governor confirms popular views that Yero is an embodiment of leadership whose quest for service to humanity is unparalleled. No doubt, the Dallatun Zazzau will bring his wealth of experience to bear on the development of not only the emirate and Kaduna State, but the country," he said. More pictures on page 44

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

SOCIETY ALL HAIL ‘THE TRUSTED ONE’

•Vice-President Sambo (second right) with (from right) Dr Idris; Kastsina State Governor Ibrahim Shema and Governor Aliyu

•From left: Chief of Kagoro, Ufuwai Bonat; Emir of Jama'a, Mohammadu Isa Mohammadu and Agwan Takad, Tobais Maiwada

•Ambassador Bajoga (left) and another guest

The maiden Nigerian Healthcare Execellence Award (NHEA)has been held in Lagos, reports WALE ADEPOJU .

Promoting healthy living

T was time to unwind for medical personnel. Many doctors put away their stethoscopes to catch some fun. It was the maiden Nigerian Health Care Excellence Award (NHEA) organised by the Global Health Project and Resources (GHPR) and the Anadach Group. The event was held at the Eko Hotel and Suites on Victoria Island, Lagos. The awards were in 16 categories. They included a lifetime achievement award presented to Professor of Surgery Adeyemo Elebute. Elebute, who came with of his wife, Prof Oyin, said when he was approached by the organisers, he asked for more time to think about the award. He called for a universal health care coverage for Nigerians, saying: "That is the level the country should get to. Dreams without expectations are only hallucination," he said. Other recipients were 445 NAF Laboratory, Lagos, which won the Laboratory Service of the Year; Pathcare Nigeria Limited won that of the private sector. Pharmaceutical company of the Year

•Dr Soyinka presenting award to Hygeia Group chairman Mrs Fola Laoye

•BIOSTADT Managing Director Dr Emmanuel Ajayi (left) receiving award from Dr Adeyeye

•From left: Prof Elebute, his wife Prof Oyin and Dr Alabi

•Dr Parker

award went to Fidson Healthcare Plc; Rivers State got the Outstanding Government Healthcare Programme of the Year award. NHEA Chairman, Dr Anthony Omolola said he did not believe in posthumous award as most people preferred to be honoured while still alive. "I would like to be recognised when I'm doing well. When

Wale Alabi described the award as recognition for individuals and organisations that contributed to the development of facilities and service delivery in the sector. Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi said the award did not come as a surprise, adding: "I wasn't surprised to have won the award because the state had achieved 100 per cent in routine

people are recognised they will be encouraged to do more," he said. The selection of winners, he said, was carried out by a credible committee. “The committe is thorough and the award is not a "cash and carry one" because the awardees deserved the honour.” GHPR Chief Executive Officer Dr

immunisation coverage in the assessment by the World Health Organisation (WHO)". Amaechi, represented by his Commissioner for Health, Dr Tamunoiyoriari Parker, said the state would work harder to consolidate its gains. "People no longer die from preventable/avoidable deaths. They now enjoy unfettered access to health care. "The state built 120 functional Primary Health Care (PHC) centres with doctors and other health care workers working in the facilities. This has solved 70 per cent of the problems people face," Amaechi said. In attendance were Ogun State Commissioner for Health Dr Olaokun Soyinka; former Lagos State Commissioner for Health Dr Leke Pitan; Special Adviser to Lagos State governor on Public Health, Dr Yewande Adeshina and Majority Leader, Lagos State House of Assembly Dr Ajibayo Adeyeye, among others.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

SOCIETY

The remains of former Business Times Editor, Pa Godfrey Jesuorobo Bamawo were interred last Friday after a funeral service at the All Saints' Anglican Church in Yaba Lagos. AMIDU ARIJE reports.

COMMUNICATE YOUR IDEAS

Afterdinner speech

•From left: Stella Bamawo, Isabel Odusoga; Senator Ganiyu Solomon and Mr Koya Odusoga

•The Widow, Mrs Yetunde Bamawo and Son, Benbella

•Osayande Bamawo (right) and Bolaji Obe

IS children remember him as a disciplinarian. He was strict but loving. He lived by the scripture spare the rod and spoil the child. So, he did not spare the rod so that his children will not become spoilt. That is the kind of father the late Pa Godfrey Jesuorobo Bamawo was. The remains of Bamawo, a former editor of the defunct Business Times, was interred in Lagos last Fridayafter a funeral service at the All Saints Anglican Church in Yaba. He was the father of Stella Bamawo of The Nation. The funeral service began a few minutes to 11am; with the priests led by Rev. Olusegun Oloju receiving the body from the pallbearers at the church entrance. The hymn, “Jesus lives”, was taken. It was followed with the reading of Thessalonians 4: 13-18 from the Bible. The sermon centred on the life of the late Pa Bamawo.

•Mr Saliu Osawaye and his wife, Mary

•Precious Odusoga

Farewell to a disciplinarian Rev. Oloju urged the gathering to fear God and be prayerful. The service ended with the withdrawal hymn, “I am a stranger here”. Pallbearers took the casket out of the church amid songs. After a short prayer, the Bamawo’s family moved to the Atan Cemetery. At the cemetery, the hymn, “Sleep on beloved, sleep and take thy rest” was taken. The body was lowered into the grave about 1:30pm. The train moved to the Viginis Event Centre, Yaba for the reception. The hall was beautifully decorated. The Sunny Jay Music Int'l dished out melodious songs to the admiration of all. There was never a dull moment. The Bamawo’s and their guests celebrated the late Bamawo’s life.

The children took turns to dance with their guests. The widow, Mrs Yetunde Bamawo, said she would miss the care and love of her husband. The vacuum he left, she said, "is too big for me to fill". "He was a very strict but also very kind man. I will miss him because, if the children misbehaved, he would scold them, but now I am the only one to correct them," she said. The first daughter, Mrs Isabel Odusoga, described her father as an accomplished man. "He lived a fulfilled life. The last time I met him he asked me if I wanted soft drink, I said 'yes', he told me to buy it for him; after I bought it, he sipped it and said to me 'God bless you my daughter'," she said.

Stella Bamawo, said her father meant the world to her. Mrs Funmilayo Ekundayo was also full of praises for their father. "He was a very good man though a disciplinarian, but it was all the best for us. Today we are happy that he gave us the best training any child could ask of a parent. I will miss a true friend, teacher and confidante," she said. Mr Benbella Bamawo, of the Dangote Group, said the memory of his father remains evergreen. The last son, Osayande Bamawo, a Biochemist said his father's memory would forever be etched in his heart. "It is so hard for me to describe him, but he is a very loving, caring and understanding father," Benbella said.

ELCOME to your regular column on public speaking. Today, we shall take a step further in our journey through brief remarks by exploring the after-dinner speech. Special events take place all the time and we AMODU LANRE OLAOLU usually enjoy being part of (Ph.D) sospeak2lanre@yahoo.com. them. As we have men07034737394 tioned several times since @lanreamodu the beginning of our current series, every event is made up of several programmes and each one is important in its own way. Nevertheless, the speech given by the host or guest of honour is usually the highlight of such an event. Dinners are organized for several reasons, e.g. to launch a product, to meet with the stakeholders of an organization, to declare the contestants or honour the winner of game shows or competitions, and to honour distinguish personalities, to mention a few. No matter the reason for organizing the dinner, there must be an after-dinner speech to complete the event. After-dinner speech also falls under one of the categories we have previously explored- entertaining speech. It is entertaining in nature because it is usually light-hearted, notwithstanding the event being formal or informal. Considering that a dinner is supposed to be an event in which all guests are comfortable and at ease, an after-dinner speech should not be too serious minded. Here are a few other things you should note about the speech: •It should not be too difficult to digest: An after-dinner speech is not an opportunity to discuss the financial state of your organization. In fact, it should not be informative except the information you are passing across is merely for general interest and does not require the guests to take any action. •It should not be radical or controversial: Avoid sensitive subjects that may generate mixed reactions. In this case, what you really need is a speech that will unify your listeners, not one that will divide them. By the time you start attempting to convince them about a particular subject, they will begin to suspect the motive behind your hospitality. Keep your speech safe. •It should not reflect any negative emotion: A dinner is usually organized to celebrate something; the after-dinner speech should not contain any form of bitterness or criticism. Even if it is a fund raising dinner for the eradication of HIV/AIDS, you don't want to get too serious about the subject. Remember that your guests are in attendance already because they are willing to make donations; don't make them lose their appetite by giving inappropriate details. Rather than focusing on the horrors of AIDS, focus on the hope that the money that will be raised will create and how coming generations will look back with gratitude at the event of the day. •It should be humor filled: humor is very essential in an after-dinner speech. It is even preferable that you begin your speech on a humorous note to put your audience at ease. The more humorous you are, the more you are likely to succeed at the speech. It is, however, very important that you don't force it. If you are not good at it, take enough time to learn and prepare. I will even suggest that you try it out on a person or two so that they can give you their candid opinion. I will also suggest that you stir clear of sensitive subjects like religion, gender, etc. The best humor, really, is one that is generated from the event itself. This humor is the best because it is drawn from the collective experience that all the guests are sharing right there. The speaker can also make jokes out of his/her own experiences, thereby making the guests laugh. In this case, the guests feel comfortable laughing at the speaker while they feel safe. •It should be brief: always keep in mind that we are discussing brief remarks. This speech should be as short as possible so as not to bore your guests. Of course, it puts a lot of pressure on you to make your point and get laughs in the shortest possible time. It was once reported that after enduring a pretty long speech, Albert Einstein said, "I have just got a new theory of eternity." •It should show appreciation: you have invited people and they have showed up for your dinner, that's a lot to be grateful for. Appreciate your guests for their time and goodwill. Even if the dinner was organized in your honour, avoid making everything about you. As a matter of fact, it will be nicer to tell your guests what they mean to you and how they contributed to your success, than to tell stories of your own achievements. Dr. Amodu teaches at the Department of Mass Communication, Covenant University, Ogun State.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

SOCIETY

Pa Zacheous Adedayo Ogundeko and wife, Florence, parents of Mr Segun Ogundeko, a director in the Legal Department of the Lagos State House of Assembly, have celebrated their 100th and 93rd birthdays. The event took place at Aladeshoyin Hall in Noforija, Epe in Lagos State. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

‘They are wonderful parents’

T was a rare twin birthday celebrations. The husband was celebrating 100 years and the wife, 93. Pa Zacheous Adedayo Ogundeko and his wife, Florence, turned 100 and 93 on April 26. Their Epe, Lagos State hometown stood still that day as they celebrated their birthdays. The Centenarian was a teacher and store keeper at Kingsway Store in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital in his younger days. He also loved teaching, reading, prompting him to establish his own private lesson in Ibadan where he was referred to as “Baba lesson” (Father of lesson). His wife, an industrious woman is fondly called “Iya Olole” (Mother of beans cake). She was certified as a food vendor in Oyo State; she supplied food to various schools on daily basis. April 26 was a joyful day for the Ogundekos. The Aladeshoyin Hall in Noforija Epe, where they marked their birthdays brimmed with guests. The hall was decorated in blue and white. Most of the guests wore the blue Ankara fabric chosen for the occasion. Guests were treated to both continental and local dishes and drinks. The celebrators wore the same white traditional attire with blue cap/head gear to match. The celebrators sat beside each other, with their children, Femi and Sesan and Gbenga on the front row. Many came at intervals to exchange pleasantries with them. The celebration began with praise and worship. It was led by the Choir of Christ Apostolic Church (CAC), Revival Centre, Poka, Noforija, Epe. They took the hymn: “E fi ogo fun Oluwa”. Pastor Paul Oluganna of CAC, Aiyepe-Ijebu in Ogun State, in his sermon, described the celebrators as people committed to the work of God. “They took good care of their children and brought them up in the way of the Lord,” he said. He told the congregation to live in accordance with the will of God. The choir sang a special anthem and some of the songs that Baba loves to sing, including; “Awa ju eniti o segun lo,” Apata ayeraye”, “Fi ibukun fun Oluwa iwo okan mi.” Thanksgiving followed. The couple cut their birthday cakes at the spelling of JESUS. They sat behind the blue and white colour cakes. One was in the shape of 100 and the other 93. Family members, relatives and friends took turn to take photographs with them. An elated Pa Ogundeko thanked God for sparing his life to see the day. Mama was grateful and thanked God for her life and that of her husband and family. “I give God all the glory for keeping me and my husband alive till this day.

It has not been by our power but by the mercy of God. “I trust God to keep us healthy till He will take us home,” she said. She joined the guests on the dance floor and she was sprayed new naira notes. Mr Sesan Ogundeko, a director in the Legal Department of Lagos State House of Assembly described his parents as caring, good and nice. “They brought us up well, struggled to make us what we are today and spent all their life on the children and other peoples’ children,” he said. He said his dad’s love for teaching made all his children to go the extra mile in reading and that made them to excel. “My mum is a disciplinarian. If you don’t wake up by 4am, she will beat you and throw things at you until you are awake. “Even though we were only two left out of about 11 or 12 children that my mum gave birth to, she will not spare the rod on us. He prayed that they should remain healthy. Mr Gbenga Ogundeko described his parents as pillars of the family, who support their children with prayers. Prof Wasiu Olowu said the celebrators are his maternal parents, adding that they are everything to him. “Words cannot express what they mean to me because they are my all,” he said. Mrs Adewumi Ogundeko, a daughter-in-law said, the celebrators have been wonderful in-laws to her. “Mama keeps no secret from me, I love her and she is the best. She treats me just like her own children and she stayed in my house for several years taking care of my children. Mama is wonderful and awesome, I love her so much for her care and she is ever ready to help and support,” she said. Mr Femi Ogundeko described his parents as disciplinarians. He said they are devout Christians, who still fast despite their age. He thanked God for their lives. Mr Adeshina Adebanjo whose mother is a sister to Pa Ogundeko said he wished the celebrators good health. Adeyinka Adebanjo Okunade, a granddaughter, described her grandparents as easy going people. “They love their grand children and like talking to them, showing them the way to go. I wish them many more years in good health,” he said. Aduragbemi Ogundeko, a grandson, thanked God for the celebrators, life. Dignitaries at the event include: the Aladeshoyin of Noforija Kingdom, EpeLagos, Oba Babatunde Ogunlaja; Alade Uraka of Poka land; Oba Aare Kolawole Aleru and their chiefs; lawmakers, heads of departments and members of the Lagos State House of Assembly.

•Pa Ogundeko and wife Florence

•Sesan Ogundeko and wife Adewunmi

•From left: Alaba Bada; Kamar Raji and wife Olapeju

FUNERAL

•From left: Mr. Ayinla Salaudeen; Mr Gbolahan Majekodunmi; Mrs Esther Majekodunmi Olasojumi; Mrs Olabosipo Adesanya and Mrs Abosede Mesimo during the funeral of Mrs Christiana Ashabi Majekodunmi in Lagos

PHOTOS:ADEJO DAVID

WEDDING

•Mr Nicholas Otu and his wife, former Miss Nsisong Udoh during their wedding at Christ Faith Church of Redemption, Eka Nto Obo, Abak, Akwa Ibom State

POLITICS

FRIDAY MAY 9, 2014

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

Bayesa State Governor Seriake Dickson spoke with reporters in Yenogoa, the state capital, on his developmental programmes and other issues. Correspondent MIKE ODIEGWU was there.

‘Dependency syndrome affecting governance in Bayelsa’

HAT have you achieved in the last two years? I’m working with a competent and dedicated team. When I was campaigning for the office, I knew the agenda I wanted to pursue, if elected. And two years and three months down the line, nobody is in any doubt about all the areas I said I was going to make a difference, whether it is in the area of reform of the governance process, transparency and accountability and openness that now drives our government or in the area of the promise I made about turning Yenogoa into a massive construction site or is it in the promises I made in the declaration of emergency in the education sector or in the promotion and defence of the Ijaw fundamental interest, promotion of our language and security. How has the state been coping with the shortfall in revenue allocation? At a time the revenue of states dropped to the extent that some states of the federation were not able to pay salaries four months. Development projects in most states were not stalled because of prudence and discipline we have brought into the system; things are moving. What have you achieved in the education sector? We have within two years built schools. I’m not talking of the conventional school. I’m not talking about the College of Education that is one of the best. I’m not talking of the polytechnic that we have set up. I’m not talking about the Maritime Academy. Look at the schools we are building; secondary schools, teachers’ training institutes. You know that our focus is on human capacity building. That’s why Bayelsa as a state has more scholars in different fields of human endeavour than any other state in Nigeria.I budgeted N1 billion for the post-graduate scholarship, but I ended up giving close to N7 billion. It is unfortunate that when I had accommodated all of that, the revenue of the state crashed. Our commitment to human capacity remains the central focus of our government. Every state needs to do that. The crippling poverty that is ravaging our people can be traced to insufficient skills, insufficient knowledge in an increasingly competitive and global world, so we remain committed to that. Is there any empowerment programme for the aged? I believe that they are the most important components of the society. They matter more than we the leaders and it is a failed government that do not impact on their lives. The people must remain the central focus of all activities of government. One of the sections of our population that had been ignored before now are the old people. All of us, you will agree with me, are praying to grow old too. I am well a welfarist. I believe that government must be committed to the welfare of the individual, especially the vulnerable in the society. The elite usually wants to corner everything. They get all the contracts, they get all the appointments. When they don’t get what they want, they start a fight. But the vulnerable people in our society, the aged, those who have some disability of one form or the other and women are not always considered in the scheme of things. What we are presently doing is to pay them N5,000 every month. Once you are 70 and above. Our government spends between N60 million and N65 million

‘At a time the revenue of states dropped to the extent that some states of the federation were not able to pay salaries four months. Development projects in most states were not stalled because of prudence and discipline we have brought into the system’ • Dickson

every month. That’s a huge amount. So, in a year we are spending seven hundred and twenty million plus administrative cost. Could you shed light on the volunteer scheme? The volunteer programme that was unfolded less than a week ago. We engaged one thousand people who will earn N15,000 every month. After a rigorous selection process, which will be community based and an orientation course organised for them, they will all have to stay in their respective communities. That one alone is a welfare programme. Once they graduate from there and have businesses of their own or have gainful employment, they slip out of that scheme and others take their place. In addition, we’ve also made room as a welfare programme for the accommodation of one hundred graduates on a voluntary scheme. So, for the first time, we have two categories of volunteers. We have the volunteers who are not graduates, who will earn N15,000 per month. Then, you also have those who will be officers, who are graduates and they also need to be trained. How are you fighting the infrastructure battle? We are working on the health insurance programme that will be comprehensive. The hospitals and the other facilities that we are building are of world class standard. If you see the diagnostic centre, you will think for a moment that you are in London or America.All these things are designed in such a way that, not only that Bayelsans too can have access to world class medical facilities, but we also want to be the centre of world tourism in Nigeria. The government hospital complex, it is like a Five-Star Hotel. It’s a clinic, but because of my passion for the people, I’ve said that other wings should have access. The public should have access to it because that is one clinic where light will not go off. As long as there is light in the Government House, the people that are on medical treatment undergoing surgical operation, who are on oxygen, they too need to enjoy it. In Bayelsa, some people still want the govern-

ment to be giving them free money. How are you coping with this? That actually is one of the major areas we all need to work to address. Our people must stand up to these challenges and take responsibility for their lives. I am also a product of this environment. I am not someone who dropped from the moon. I started life from the scratch, stayed in my community, went to primary school, went to the Government Secondary School, Toru-Ebeni, in my local government and was over 19 years before I to joined the Nigeria Police as a constable, taking responsibility for my life, taking responsibility for my future. I’m not saying I am what I am because of my hard work. I attribute it to the mercies of God. But, every human being must work hard. In the old Rivers State, we were far from government. But, in Bayelsa State, people now want the stateto provide dinner for them. The state will now buy a car for you, even marry a wife for you. The state will now, if your vehicle brakes down, will fix it. That’s dependency syndrome. You need to make your sacrifices today to make your tomorrow better. If you don’t, there is no one you will hold responsible for your plight. My answer is that they must take responsibility for their lives. I am convinced that this attitude, the prevailing attitude is wrong. My mates who were children of big people live in Port Harcourt and other places, they don’t know how to farm but there is no work I didn’t do. There is nothing in the village that a young man can do that I didn’t engage in. So, living has a cost. Are you expected to share the money after paying salary every month for everybody? There are complaints that the projects you are doing are dragging... It will surprise you. It’s so bad that because we know the economic position of our people, even jobs that could have been done by one person, say for instance, in Sagbama and this applies to all the jobs in the state. Those jobs have about 15 buildings, fifteen to twenty buildings. In-

Group refutes claims by Fayose aides

HE National Coordinator of Democracy Vanguard (DV) Mr. Adeola Soetan, has refuted the claim by the Director of Information, Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation, Mr. Gboyega Aribisogun, that the Al l Progressives Congre ss (APC) is training fake electoral observers. In a statement, he said the false alarm that the party was training fake observers on the group’s was misleading. He sai d : “Ordinarily, we would not have dignified such

balderdash and tissue of lies with a response, but, for the sake of some gullible people, who might be infectious consumers of this mendacious allegation.” Soetan explained that DV, a nonpartisan, nonpolitical organ-isation, has no political relationship with political parties, and candidates. He added that the aim of DV is to mobilise the electorate for the full participation in elections, defend the sanctity of elections and entrench the in-

alienable rights of Nigerians to freely choose their leaders. Soetan said: “Contrary to the shameless fabrication that DV members were being clandestinely trained as fake election monitors by APC as alleged by Gboyega Aribisogun, the Director of Information, Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation, we hasten to say that election monitoring is least considered and not on our priority list. “The sanctity of electoral processes leading to election is of more significant to us for now.

stead of giving it to one contractor, we now share it into different compartments. What efforts are you putting in place to improve on the power situation in the state and reduction in sea piracy? Very soon, we shall be launching the power programme, ‘Operation Lighting Up Bayelsa’. We have made huge investment, connected a lot of areas to the national grid, now up to Ofoni in Sagbama Local Government. We are working on the Central Senatorial District, connecting all these Famgbe, Angiama areas, and Nembe. Once the gas turbine is finished, and even before the gas turbine is brought back, the commissioner has briefed me. We now have extra power to be able to sustain us, even in the communities that are affected by the breakdown of the gas turbine. We are having it good in the area of electricity. Our plan is connecting all areas to the national grid. In all the local governments, in all the senatorial districts, massive work is going on. How cordial is the government/labour relations? You know I’m a very labour friendly governor. There is a little misconception. I call on the labour leaders and all workers to ensure that they don’t allow misguided politicians, politicians who can’t stand the issues, to influence them. If you want to do anything, come and stand on the issue. Tell us how many roads and bridges you can build. Tell us what agenda you have that is better than ours on education and on eecurity. Instead of doing that, some people under this cover go to labour leaders. You talked about arrears. I’ve had meeting with organised labour and we agreed on the procedure, time frame for payment. You see there are so many issues we deal with. For example, since 2006 till I came in, this state owed pensioners. That is very sad. We condemned it. It is criminal. Two months ago the state House of Assembly uncovered N25 billion massive monumental scam allegedly perpetrated by banks operating in the state, from overdraft and bank deductions. What’s your view? First of all, I want to commend the House of Assembly for being alive to its oversight responsibilities. I came from a parliamentary background. I told them to feel free to exercise the full weight and ambit of their jurisdiction, in terms of over-sighting my government. And these are the kind of things the House of Assembly ought to be doing. What they have done goes to affirm their rating as the best in the country. Now, I won’t characterise what they have discovered as a monumental fraud that you in the press would want to call it. For now, that is refreshing news for me. My eyes are red for money to do our work. But, I want to call it a discrepancy, a discrepancy which I’ve directed the Commissioner of Finance to find out. I have a finance team, a competent finance team of experts to work with the House of Assembly to ensure that the discrepancies and any amount so concerned are reconciled.Then, the state will make a move to ensure that these monies are paid to the state and let me tell you, I’m keenly following up this matter. And I look forward to the day to do the reconciliation so that I can have funds for the state because I’m doing big ticket infrastructural items.

Our members and volunteers in Ekiti State are daily campaigning in nooks and crannies of the state on voters’ education and interfacing with election managers to guarantee free and fair election in the state.” He challenged the Ayo Fayose Campaign Organisation to report any act that is capable of endangering free and fair election to law enforcement agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), if it was sure of the spurious allegation.

• Soetan

THE NATION FRIDAY MAY 9, 2014

POLITICS Comrade Kunle Oloworaran is a community leader in Okunland, Kogi West Senatorial District. In this interview with Assistant Editor GBADE OGUNWALE, he speaks about the marginalisation of the Yoruba in the Northcentral state and how their sense of belonging can be restored by government.

What Lagosians expect from Fashola As Governor Babatunde Raji Fashola moves into the last lap of his administration, Lagos residents list the areas he should focus on to sustain the tempo of development. Assistant Editor LEKE SALAUDEEN reports.

Political leaders have failed L Okun people, by Oloworaran

HERE is muffled disenchant ment among the Yorubaspeaking people of Okunland, in the Kogi West Senatorial District. Having voted massively for the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in the 2011 elections, the electorate are beginning to feel shortchanged. According to them, most of their elected leaders at various levels have not kept their electoral promises, three years after they were elected. One of the leaders of the community and grassroots mobiliser, Comrade Kunle Oloworaran, has vowed that the Okun people may, be forced to rethink their loyalty ahead of the next year’s general elections. According to him, the people are have discovered a credible alternative in the All Progressives Congress (APC). “We believe that there should be legitimacy and morality in government and that our leaders ought to be judged by their words. Posterity will not forgive us if we allow our leaders to lead us by the whims or in manners that could cause disunity among our people. The vehicle that will usher in the wind of change is always the people and as such Okun people should be considering the need for change and for a system that will allow our land have a sense of belonging on well-structured democracy,” Oloworaran said. Stressiing that the integration of Okun people is basic to their development, he said henceforth, local politicians would be identified and endorsed based on their antecedents and past records. He said: “It is important to elect the right people at the helm of affairs in Okunland for us to enjoy the benefit of democracy in 2015 and beyond. So we have decided to vote for people that will be sensitive to our plight and who will be willing to improve the lot of the masses. This time around, we are going to vote for credible individuals, regardless of the political party or the platform on which they may be seeking election. The political leaders that will represent Okunland come 2015 should be individuals with the a tradition of proven honesty and strong moral principles. “They should be those who have the ability to learn, understand and think logically. They should be development-oriented and commit-

• Oloworaran

‘Oloworaran decried the situation where cars were allegedly distributed to selected traditional rulers and some local politicians in Okunland as patronage, saying that over N40 million was committed to the project’ ment to using their position to improve the welfare of the people.” Deploring what he described as the winner-takes-all mentality among the local politicians, Oloworaran said many of the political leaders in Okunland are arrogant, unaccountable and repressive in outlook. According to him, they tend to believe that power is derived from their financial prowess, rather than the people, who are their source of authority. Oloworaran admonished the politicians to exercise caution in their dealings with the electorate and place the interests of the larger community above their personal interests. “Our people in Okunland are being ignored and the fortunes of the common people are fast dwindling. “The quest for wealth among our

politicians has been allowed to snowball into a monster that is almost squeezing the breathe out of our various communities,” he lamented. Oloworaran decried the situation where cars were allegedly distributed to selected traditional rulers and some local politicians in Okunland as patronage, saying that over N40 million was committed to the project. “It is sad to note that the political leaders in Kogi West Senatorial District don’t believe that our people deserve befitting development. They have made it impossible for credible people to emerge as leaders at various levels of political representation. Come 2015, we are going to mobilise our people to vote wisely and avoid falling prey to the dictates of the money bags in our midst,” he said. On the poor infrastructure in Okunland, Oloworaran said politicians have done very little for the people that elected them. He lamented that the local healthcare system has continued to deteriorate, while the roads have become death traps. The education sector, he said, leaves much to be desired at the primary, secondary and tertiary levels. Leaders representing Okunland in the Senate and House of Representatives are not spared. According to him, they have failed to fulfill their electoral promises to the people three years into their four-year tenure, saying that the people are surprised to hear these politicians seeking re-election ahead of the 2015 general elections. Oloworaran stated that the electorate in the various communities in Okunland would not be led by the whims into voting for a particular party in the 2015 elections. “They will vote for people who are patriotic enough to use their finest minds for the good of the land. We should not allow certain moneybags who are determined to use packaged funds to deceive us. We must not allow desperate politicians to further underdevelop Okunland. We must avoid old pitfalls by not voting in wrong candidates,” he added. To drive home his point, Oloworaran quoted the late sage, Chief Obafemi Awolowo, while declaring open the first congress of the Unity Party of Nigeria (UPN) on October 2, 1978: “We are about to tread a new path.”

• From Left: Wife of the former Governor of Lagos State, Sen. Oluremi Tinubu (right), condoling with Lady Doja, PHOTO: NAN widow of former Lagos Governor, Sir Micheal Otedola in Lagos... yesterday.

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola is on the last lap of his eight-year tenure. Analysts believe his administration, like that of his predecessor, Asiwaju Bola Tinubu , has changed the face of Lagos through their of people-oriented policies and landmark projects. Fashola, according to them, has proved wrong his critics who seven years ago wrote him off because he was not a professional politician. Their assumption then was that the emergence of a dark horse as governor would draw back the hand of the clock in the Centre of Excellence. Political observers are of the view that Governor Fashola has raised the bar of governance and that his regime has become a role model for other state governors. He has excelled in service delivery, transparency, accountability, and policy execution, no matter whose ox is gored. They argued that his administration has impacted positively on Lagos residents through massive road rehabilitation, clean environment, construction of new classrooms in public schools, ensuring security of lives and property and traffic law enforcement. Commendable as the performance of his administration is in the last seven years may be, the people of Lagos are expecting more from him even now that he is in the last year of his tenure. The message is that Governor Fashola should sustain the tempo of his performance till his last day in office. A resident of Okokomaiko along Badagry Expressway, Mr. Justus Okereafor commended the governor for his effort in expanding the highway from six to 10 lanes to ease traffic flow on the international route that links Nigeria with other West African countries. Okereafor noted that even though the highway leads to Seme, the point of entry where the Federal Government generates huge revenue, the Lagos State government has taken it upon itself to rebuild the road. He said before the state government intervened, the road was a death trap, dotted with giant man-holes that caused traffic gridlock. Okereafor, who commutes between Okokomaiko and Victoria Island daily for work, said he used to spend five hours when going back home from the island. But, according to him, since the reconstruction started there has been a little improvement. His plea to Governor Fashola is that he should give completion of Badagry highway priority. He should make it a parting gift not only for those who live within the axis, but all Nigerians and foreigners that ply the road. Okereafor said of Fashola’s administration: “He has tried for Lagos State just like former Governor Bola Tinubu. My appeal to Fashola is that he should not rest on his oars. He should continue to perform until he hands over to his successor. He also advised the leadership of All Progressive Congress (APC) to put the interest of the people of the state into consideration when searching for Fashola’s successor. I think they should lay emphasis on ability to perform and transparency, so that the good work started by Tinubu and consolidated by Fashola would continue. A banker and resident of Ikorodu, who works on Lagos island, Mr. Hakeem Oladimeji, also commended Fashola for his commitment towards improving the welfare of Lagosians. He spoke of the traffic problems he encounters on daily basis along Lagos-Ikorodu highway, saying the on-going expansion of the road is a bitter pill the people have to swallow. Ironically, the highway also belongs to the Federal Government, but the Lagos State government in its bid to ease the traffic jam along the road is undertaking a giant step of increasing it from four to six lanes. Oladimeji said he must leave home by 4.30 a.m., if he must get to his office by 7.30 a.m. According to him, “under normal circumstance, the journey from Ikorodu to CMS in Lagos Island should not take more than 45 minutes. I still face the same problem on my way back home. Sometimes, I return home by 12 midnight or by 1.00am.” He said when the road construction is over, it would bring joy to those who make use of it and boost the economic activities of the state. “It is on this basis that I find it imperative to appeal to our amiable Governor Fashola to tell the contractors to accelerate the completion of the road project. This call has become absolute necessary in view of the fact that Governor Fashola has just only one year to spend in office. This project must not wait for another regime to complete. Fashola should take full credit for the project,” he added. On her part, Mrs. Janet Awobusayo, a trader, wants Governor Fashola to construct more markets before leaving office. Awobusayo, who was a shop owner at Tejuosho market, Yaba, said many of the shop owners at the market before it was reconstructed had been displaced because they cannot afford to pay what the developers are demanding. “ Where will I get N10 million to pay for a shop? For almost six years now, many of us are out of business. The state government promised that the former shop owners would be given priority in shop allocation after reconstruction, but the terms and conditions being put in place by the developers are beyond our reach. The best that the state government can do to placate us is to build new markets that will be within the reach of the ”real” market women. If Governor Fashola can do that for us before he leaves office, we will never forget him.” The security challenge in the country is the concern of Ahaji Mustapha Ibrahim. He said Governor Fashola should not to relent in his efforts to make Lagos a nogo area for criminals. Ibrahim lauded him for setting up Trust Fund for security to which the private sector has been making huge contribution. The fund, according to him, has made it possible for the state government to procure equipment for federal police operating in the state. The state also motivates those serving in Rapid Response Squad through payment of monthly allowance. He wants Governor Fashola to mobilise other governors in the country to ensure that the National Assembly adopts the recommendation on the establishment of State Police. He said the existence of local police side by side with the federal police would enhance crime detection. Local police are in a better position to tackle crimes in their area of jurisdiction because they are familiar with the terrain, he said, and added that the creation of state police will create jobs for the unemployed youths. Mustapha urged the Fashola regime to intensify its fight against street urchins, touts and undesirable elements whose stock in trade is to foment trouble and unleash terror on law abiding citizens. He said the Task Force on environment has gone to sleep as “area boys” have taken over • Fashola the bus stops again.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

SOCIETY

The Lesi and Somolu families have become one following the wedding of their children, Olugboyega and Oreoluwa, in Lagos. OLATUNDE ODEBIYI reports.

HE day of the week was no hindrance to the guests who came from far and wide to rejoice with the Lesi and Somolu families when their children Olugboyega and Oreoluwa got married. Olugboyega is the son of the late Prof and Princess Foluso Lesi. Oreoluwa is the daughter of Mr and Dr Foluseke Somolu. The wedding took place on Wednesday, April 30, at the Ruby Gardens on Lekki/Epe Express Way, Lekki in Lagos. Guests looked resplendent in traditional, formal and dinner wears. Some of those from the bride's family wore forest green lace with gold head gear and cap. Those from the groom's side donned royal blue lace with red head gear and cap. Oreoluwa came in a silver Prado Sport Utility Vehicle (SUV); Olugbenga used a black Prado. Oreoluwa looked elegant in her white flowing gown. She entered the hall with her father. All guests stood as they entered amid the hymn, “Give you more” by J. Moss and “Great is thy faithfulness”. They moved to the front where the groom, Olugboyega, in a Navy blue suit, was standing with Pastor Carlton Williams of the High Life Church, Lekki. Pastor Williams read from the book of Ephesians 3:21. He told the bride to submit to her husband and urged Olugboyega to love Oreoluwa. He urged them to do everything in their power to see that the union worked. The couple exchanged marital vows and rings following which they signed the marriage register. Pastor Williams told the couple that their love and faith in God would keep them going. He said they must always wear the ring, adding that it is a reminder of their love and faith in each other. He prayed for them and presented them as husband and wife. The congregation stood and clapped as the recessional hymn "God give us Christian homes" was taken. Guests moved to the big hall of Ruby Gardens for the reception. The hall was filled; some guests sat outside under a tent. A bevy of women clad in bronze dress and flat black shoes led guests to comfortable seats. There was a lot to eat and drink. Helen Paul a.k.a. Tatafo was the Master of Ceremony (M.C.). Faith Music entertained guests. The arrival of the Alake of Egbaland, Oba Adedotun Aremu Gbadebo, who chaired the occasion, caused a stir. He entered in the company of his chiefs amid trumpeting and chanting of his praises. The couple danced in with their friends and family members to songs from ATTE Disk Jockey (D.J.). The entourage formed a big circle at the centre stage and the couple danced in their middle for about 10 minutes. Oba Gbadebo led the guests to observe a minute silence for the groom's late parents. He prayed that their marriage would be a blessing. He told the couple that God must always be in their marriage, adding that they must spend time to pray together always. "There are no rules for any marriage but it is the duty of the two of you to write out how you will conduct your own affairs. Do not share different rooms no matter how big your home is, complement your wife at all times, do not economise the good things you see about her and never make her feel unwanted," he said. He told the wife that Olugboyega is the head of the home and he has no permission to be the head, saying: "Permit him to do anything he wants to do whenever and wherever he wants to do it. He should kiss you anywhere in the body and anywhere in the house; he should grab you any

‘Complement your wife always’

•From left: Oba Gbadebo with the couple, Oreoluwa and Akinlolu

•Bride’s parents, Mr Foluseke Somolu and his wife, Olatokunbo

•Representatives of the groom’s parents, Mr Ogunlana and his wife, Kehinde

•Chief Sanny Oyekunle (left) and Chief Smith Akinbogun

•From left: Prince Adeyinka Ademiluyi; Olukoyede Adepoju and Prof Charles Aworh

•Chief Arekola Oyepeso (right) and Chief Oladipupo Onabanjo

where he sees you". "A man never accepts that he is old for anything; men are always ready. Women, never make your husband feel that he is not wanted. As a married couple, you must do everything not to let the fun get out of both of you because that is where problem starts in every marriage; when the woman says she is tired or the man says he is busy all the time".

He supervised the cutting of the four step cream and green cake at the spelling of JESUS. The couple fed each other and had their first official dance. The toast followed; it was led by the groom's friend, Ayo Akinloye. The groom said he was glad that he now has a new set of parents. "From the first day I met the Somolu family, I knew there would

•From left: Asiwaju Femi Somolu; Chief Fola Ogunlesi and Chief Kehinde Smith PHOTOS: RAHMAN SANUSI

be no one else to raise a perfect woman into my life," he said. He led the guests to observe a minute silence for his late sister-inlaw, Ayoola Somolu The bride's father, Mr Foluseke Somolu, urged the couple to continue to love each other. He urged them to build a home and ensure that they kept their problems to themselves.

Dr Olatokunbo Somolu told the couple to be tolerant, understanding and patient with each other. Representative of the groom's father Mr Olabode Ogunlana, an insurance magnate, urged the couple not to shun the advice given to them during the wedding. "Follow all the counselling we have been giving you since you agreed to get married to each other and all will be well," he said.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9 2014

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

MONEYLINK

‘FMBN needs N250b to operate effectively’

HE housing challenge being faced by millions of Nigerians will continue for a while unless the Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria is effectively funded to the tune of N250bn, to enable the mortgage institution discharge its responsibilities. According to the Managing Director of the mortgage institution, Alhaji Gimba Yau Kumo, the FMBN has collected the sum of N134bn since the inception of the National Housing Fund in 1992. He disclosed this at an interactive session with newsmen in the nation’s capital, Abuja, yesterday. Noting that paucity of funds has gravely affected the drive by the bank to provide affordable housing for Nigerians, Kumo said the bank’s management is liaising with some mortgage institutions both in and outside the country with a bid to meeting the housing challenges

•NHF hits N134bn From Yomi Odunuga,

Deputy Editor, Nation’s Capital

while not compromising quality. He said: “We are not only involved in driving foreign investments in the nation’s housing sector but also taking the advantage of the private-sector driven affordable mass housing strategy of the Nigerian government in line with the transformation agenda. “We have to do this because the sector is grossly underfunded. As things stand today, if the FMBN is to effectively discharge its responsibilities, it requires a capital base of N250bn and it has nothing close to that. But we are glad that reputable companies in the sector like the Industrial and Commercial Bank of China; the China Export and Credit Insurance Corporation; Shelter Afrique; and Globus Financial

crease the number of contributing states to 31, including FCT. Kumo urged the Federal Government to provide infrastructure, insisting that the bank, in most cases, would provide infrastructure to estate developers apart from giving loans to them. He said the total refund of NHF before 2010 was less than N1 billion and that it has been presently raised to N2. 7bn. He assured the public that the contributions to NHF remain safe, noting that the bank would pay contributors as at when due. “Your contributions are not lost; all will be paid in full with two per cent interest as at when due; so have the confidence that your contributions are safe,’’ he said. Kumo also said the bank had been consistent in providing affordable houses across the country, especially for the low income earners.

Services in the United States of America are prepared to partner with us.” Speaking on the bank’s cash flow, Kumo said the monthly collection of the bank stands between N2.2 and N2. 5 billion, while efforts are being made to improve on it by convincing more state governments to contribute to the NHS. He said though the Federal Government approved N5bn as the capital base in 2003-2004, the current capital base stands at N2.5 billion which was contributed by the Federal Government while the Central Bank of Nigeria is yet to contribute its 30 per cent share. He, however, noted that the management has succeeded in convincing many states to buy into the NHS’ scheme, noting that before December, 2010, between 22 and 24 states were contributing to the NHF while the bank had been able to in-

Bank lending to agric expected to hit 10% soon, says govt

ANK lending to the Nigerian agriculture will grow to between seven and ten per cent very soon. Akinwumi Adesina, Minister of agriculture gave this hint yesterday at the ongoing World Economic Forum (WEF) in Abuja, under the ”Doing Agric in 2014: What Catalytic Public Investments Can Do for Agric”: Lessons for 2014, The African Union Year of Agriculture.” Adesina said Nigeria’s success story in agriculture today is because it is now being treated not like a developmental activity but as a business, and also by unlocking the huge potentials in the sector. The agriculture minister noted that Nigerian bankers are excited about

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor)

agriculture now more than when the sector attracted only about 0.7 percent of bank lending. He advocated that there is need to leverage the private sector, suggesting that public sector funds should be used to leverage private sector investments into the sector. Adesina reiterated that due to government’s commitment to agriculture, government has been able to “end 40 years of corruption in input and seed sector and that number of seed companies in the country grew from five to 80 seed companies.” He said government has registered 1.5 million farmers with bio-

that ”it is not possible to drive inclusive growth without going through agriculture.” To tap Africa’s huge agricultural potential and make small holder farmers more competitive, Kaberuka suggested that the continent’s leaders must do four things which include, building infrastructure to make markets functional, consider commodity exchange to allow price discovery by allowing farmers get value for their production, use technology to manage such vital inputs like water and farmers need subsidies. Also making his contribution, popular musician D Banj urged youths to embrace agriculture, as that “is where the future is.”

metric information, linking them into National identity Management System, adding that, ”we produced 15 million metric tones of food in two years and these examples show the importance of political commitment by government, commitment by private sector, including farmers with the ’We can do’ attitude.” Nigeria he said should be able to “make stupendous wealth from agriculture giving the country’s comparative advantage.” President of the Africa Development Bank (AfDB) Donald Kaberuka observed that no country in history - from Europe to Asia has gone through development and transformation without passing through agriculture, stressing

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year

35m 35m

11.039 12.23

19-05-2014 18-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m 400m

MANAGED FUNDS

NIDF

Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33

OBB Rate

Price Loss 2754.67

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day

Amount 30m 46.7m

Rate % 10.96 9.62

Date 28-04-2012 “

C/PRICE 0.90 1.68 2.31 0.84 3.39 9.18 1.07 129.40 2.90 2.24

NGN USD NGN GBP NGN EUR NIGERIA INTER BANK (S/N) (S/N) Bureau de Change

Year Start Offer

Current Before

C u r r e n t CUV Start After %

147.6000 239.4810 212.4997

149.7100 244.0123 207.9023

150.7100 245.6422 209.2910

-2.11 -2.57 -1.51

149.7450

154.0000

154.3000

-3.04

152.0000

153.0000

155.5000

-2.30

(S/N)

GAINERS AS AT 08-05-14

SYMBOL O/PRICE NPFMCRFBK 0.83 LEARNAFRCA 1.60 MANSARD 2.20 ABCTRANS 0.80 LIVESTOCK 3.23 BERGER 8.75 CONTINSURE 1.02 MOBIL 123.50 CUSTODYINS 2.77 UBCAP 2.14

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10%

CHANGE 0.07 0.08 0.11 0.04 0.16 0.43 0.05 5.90 0.13 0.10

DISCOUNT WINDOWx Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

12%

Standing Lending Rate ,, Deposit Rate ,, Liquidity Ratio Cash Return Rate

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00%

LOSERS AS AT 08-05-14

SYMBOL IKEJAHOTEL PAINTCOM WEMABANK OASISINS IPWA VITAFOAM WAPCO UACN PZ NESTLE

O/PRICE 0.60 1.64 0.99 0.55 0.56 4.30 111.99 57.00 36.00 1,080.00

C/PRICE 0.57 1.56 0.95 0.53 0.54 4.18 110.00 56.00 35.60 1,070.49

CHANGE -0.03 -0.08 -0.04 -0.02 -0.02 -0.12 -1.99 -1.00 -0.40 -9.51

ELECOMMUNICATIONS companies are unfairly taxed in Nigeria because the industry supports other areas of the economy, chairman, India’s largest mobile phone service provider, Bharti Airtel, Sunil Mittal has said. “The taxes are very high. That needs to come down. If telecoms are seen as a rightful infrastructure for the growth of many other sectors in the economy and the multiplier force, then I think it doesn’t deserve to be taxed so high,.” Mittal said in an interview yesterday in Abuja, venue of the World Economic Forum. Telcos in the country have been crying out loud over multiple taxation by all the three tiers of government and other agencies. Bharti, which competes with Johannesburg-based MTN Group Ltd. (MTN) and AbuDhabi-based Emirates Telecommunications Corp. to woo users in Africa’s most populous country, is seeing a recovery in Nigeria after a sales decline last year because of changes to interconnect charges, Mittal said. The New Delhi-based company was also among carriers that were banned from selling new SIM cards in March after missing service quality goals.

DATA BANK

FGN BONDS Tenor

Telecoms firms are unfairly taxed, says Airtel chair

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96%

Amount Sold ($) 399.9m 399.9m 399.9m

Exchange Rate (N) 155.75 155.8 155.7

Date 2-5-14 2-3-14 1-29-14

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

NSE

6-2-14

28-10-11

% Change

CAP Index

N13.07tr 40,766.16

N6.617tr 20,903.16

-1.44% -1.44%

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name Offer Price AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUND 153.82 ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH 9.17 BGL NUBIAN FUND 1.06 BGL SAPPHIRE FUND 1.17 CANARY GROWTH FUND 0.72 CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST 1.39 CORAL INCOME FUND 1,637.31 FBN FIXED INCOME FUND 1,070.14 FBN HERITAGE FUND 115.47 FBN MONEY MARKET FUND 1,087.30 FIDELITY NIGFUND 1.67 INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND 1.05 KAKAWA GUARANTE ED INCOME FUND 143.11 LEGACY FUND 0.78 NIGERIA INTER DEBIT FUND 1,916.66 PARAMOUNT EQUITY FUND 12.72 STANBIC IBTC ETHICAL FUND 1.07

Bid Price 153.13 9.08 1.05 1.17 0.71 1.33 1,634.46 1,069.86 114.69 1,087.00 1.62 1.03 142.62 0.76 1,909.29 12.40 1.04

• UBA BALANCED FUND • UBA BOND FUND • UBA EQUITY FUND • UBA MONEY MARKET FUND

1.2757 1.3248 0.9277 1.1698

Movement

1.2871 1.3248 0.9463 1.1698

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000

Movement

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 08-05-14

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 08-05-14

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

EQUITIES

Fidelity Bank outlines growth strategy

IDELITY Bank Plc plans to grow its retail accounts to three million and deepen its deposit base by 20 per cent by the end of this year as it pursues a short-term strategy that focuses on underserved consumer banking segment and small businesses. Managing director, Fidelity Bank Plc, Mr. Nnamdi Okonkwo, yesterday at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) outlined the growth strategy and targets of the bank at a “Fact Behind the Figure” presentation to explain the underlying trends in the bank’s performance to the investing community. According to him, the bank is leveraging on emerging consumer credit bureaus and bank-wide risk management framework to provide loan products to grossly underserved consumer banking segment. He said the bank would be deepening its retail banking in grow-

Stories by Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

ing its business in 2014 noting that the target is to grow retail accounts to three million accounts across 230 branches by the end of 2014. He pointed out that the bank would focus on strengthening its strategic alliances with various institutions including schools, microfinance banks and supermarkets to increase retail customers’ base. He added that the bank is starting aggressive deployment of smaller, cheaper, easily accessible and available branches that will focus on cheap deposit mobilization while it would also strengthen its lending and deposit mobilization in the Small Medium Enterprises (SMEs) and retail segments. “We offer these SME’s advisory services in terms of financial, technology and human resources solu-

tion. There are a lot of concerns in these risk areas in the past but the future and success of banking in future goes to the retail and I assure you that we are taking steps to prepare ourselves. We are leaving a lot of returns for the customers because we don’t want to take risk. We have built capacity on this and we have put in place product and proper pricing to improve our bottom-line. We have put in a lot of resources. We are deploying customer relationship management system and business analytics tools to gain deeper customer insights and increased penetration ratio for our branded retail and electronic products,” Okonkwo said. He outlined that the bank would continuously increase its operating efficiency through consistent business processes while extending the leverage on the value chain of its corporate banking to extract maximum value from the commercial

and retail businesses to achieve a 50:50 loan split between corporate and commercial loan. According to him, the bank is targeting between 15-20 per cent on tax rate, 20 per cent average on deposit growth, 15-20 per cent average on loan growth, 30-35 per cent on proposed dividend and 10 per cent growth on Return on investment (ROE). He added that the bank would also deepen its participation in the fast-growing and key sectors of the economy especially energy, oil and gas and telecommunications by leveraging its enhanced balance sheet and expanded distribution network. “If anybody is interested in buying a stock that shows consistent return, stable management, stable liquidity and increased capital base, it is a good time and now to buy Fidelity bank stock because we are taking this bank somewhere,”

How to make successful investment in Africa, by Oduoza

ROUP Managing Director, United Bank for Africa (UBA) Plc, Mr Phillips Oduoza, has advised international investors seeking to invest in Nigeria and other African countries to partner with credible domestic partners to navigate the market and understand the intricacies of the local economy. Speaking at the panel on pan-African businesses at the recently concluded three-day Milken Global Conference in Los Angeles, California, Oduoza said it is imperative for the investors to partner with local players like UBA that understand the business terrain to help them navigate around some of the seeming challenges of investing in Africa. Understanding of the local culture, customization of products and initiatives were identified as

critical factors to successfully invest in Africa by the panel which was made up of Oduoza ; Ahmed Heikal of Citadel Group in Egpyt, Pade Durotoye, CEO Oando Exploration and Production Limited and Jonathan Berman of Dalberg Consulting among others. The panel also called on prospective investors from developed countries to evolve new financial models that will enable them invest in the ports, transportation and power sectors. According to the panel, there is need for more of structured financing and capacity building, more dialogue and engagement of stakeholders by prospective investors and improved focus on Africa by more Export Credit Agencies (ECAs), Development Finance In-

stitutions (DFIs) and Sovereign Wealth Funds (SWFs). The panel discussed how entrepreneurs and industry leaders are harnessing the enormous potentials in Africa to transform the continent in diverse fields like manufacturing, technology, real estate, financial services, infrastructure and agriculture. The main discussions centered on the questions that confront investors and businesses when approaching the African market, entry strategies as well as obstacles that threaten growth. The Milken Global Conference brings together some of the world’s leading thinkers, visionaries and decision-makers to help find solutions to critical issues facing the world. The 2014 Confer-

ciety. Since its inception in 2004, the PACI principles have served as a call to action for businesses around the world to commit to zero tolerance of corruption in all its forms. Oando became an active member of PACI in 2008. Senior director and head, Centre for Global Industries, World Economic Forum (WEF), Mr. Alex Wong noted that transparency makes businesses to be more resilient and risk free. According to him, a community of chief executives who are committed to a business society free from corruption would give rise to sustainable growth within their companies, industries and countries. Group chief executive, Oando Plc,

Mr. Wale Tinubu also underlined the importance of ethical business practices in the global business environment urging government to do more in creating a corrupt free business environment. “There’s clearly a new world order, companies need transparency to grow and raise capital, and the world demands it in everything. Corruption is no longer fashionable,” Tinubu said. Chief compliance officer, Oando Plc, Ms Ayotola Jagun noted that Oando’s involvement in anti-corruption initiatives has played a major role in the company’s success story. She pointed out that a more collaborative action is the viable means of fighting corruption and changing the business landscape in Ni-

OTC derivatives hit $710tr

O •Oduoza ence was the seventh edition and it brought together more than 3,000 people from around the world — senior leaders with the mind and the means to create positive action for four days of intense discussion.

Oando, WEF harps on transparency as mainstay for sustainable growth

ANDO Plc and the Partnering Against Corruption Initiative (PACI) of the World Economic Forum (WEF) have stressed the importance of ethical and transparent business dealings as key elements for sustainable corporate and national growth. At a breakfast meeting held on the sidelines of the ongoing WEF, top executives of Oando, WEF and other stakeholders explored the theme of inclusive growth and the role business transparency has to play in achieving this. PACI is a global, multi-industry, multi-stakeholder anti-corruption initiative set up by the World Economic Forum (WEF) to raise business standards and to contribute to a competitive, transparent, accountable and ethical business so-

Okonkwo said. He blamed the decline in the bank’s net bottom-line in 2013 on increased costs and constrained income sources noting that a clawback of N4.4 billion on previously sold loans to Asset Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON) and increased levy due to AMCON as well as a one -off additional provision of N1.8 billion in respect of actuarial valuation on gratuity and pension obligation negatively impacted profit. Audited report and accounts of the bank for the year ended December 31, 2013 showed profit before tax of N9.03 billion, representing a 57.7 per cent decline from the N21.35 billion recorded in 2012. Gross earnings increased slightly by 6.5 per cent to N126.92 billion in 2013 as against N119.14 billion recorded in 2012. Net interest income had dipped by 16.3 per cent to N30.81 billion as against N36.81 billion in previous year, as the bank struggled with spillovers that emanated from tightened monetary conditions, which increased cost of funds. Noninterest income meanwhile recorded a modest growth of 4.0 per cent to N40.66 billion in 2013 compared with N39.10 billion in 2013. This was also impacted by the new tariff regime introduced by the CBN in second quarter of 2013. The report showed that operating expenses rose by 8.1 per cent to N54.82 billion as against N50.71 billion. Meanwhile, the balance sheet of the bank firmed up as total assets rose by 18.2 per cent from N914.36 billion in 2012 to N1.08 trillion in 2013. Total customer deposits increased by 12.5 per cent from N716.75 billion to N806.32 billion while net loans and leases grew by 23.3 per cent to N426.08 billion as against N345.50 billion in previous year. Shareholders’ funds closed the year at N163.46 billion.

geria. She cited Oando’s involvement in local anti-corruption initiatives and global campaign as evidence of the company’s commitment as an active member and advocate for ethical and transparent business environment. The breakfast meeting was also used for the soft launch of the Clean Business Practice Initiative (CBPI), an indigenous private sectordriven anti-corruption body set up to compliment government efforts in fighting corruption in Nigeria. By committing to develop and implement anti-corruption practices in institutions, systems and processes, the initiative aims to help level the playing field in trade, commerce and industry. Jagun is a member of the board of CBPI.

TC derivatives markets continued to expand in the second half of 2013 with the notional amount of outstanding contracts rising to $710 trillion by the end of 2013. The notional amounts had closed June 2013 at $693 trillion, substantially above $633 trillion recorded by the end of 2012. OTC derivatives statistics released by the Bank for International Settlements (BIS) yesterday, showed that while the notional amounts increased, the gross market value of outstanding OTC derivatives declined to $19 trillion by the end of 2013, from $20 trillion in mid 2013 and $25 trillion at the end of 2012. Gross credit exposures equalled $3.0 trillion by the end of 2013, down from $3.8 trillion recorded by the middle of the year. The gross market value represents the maximum loss that market participants would incur if all counterparties failed to meet their contractual payments and the contracts could be replaced at current market prices. Market participants can reduce their exposure to counterparty credit risk through netting agreements and collateral. Gross credit exposures adjust gross market values for legally enforceable bilateral netting agreements but do not take account of collateral. The report noted that the decline was driven by interest rate derivatives and, in particular, by a narrowing between market interest rates on the reporting date and the rates prevailing at the inception of the contracts.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9 2014

NEWS Catholic bishops declare ‘holy hour’ for Chibok girls

From Nwanosike Onu, Awka

HE Catholic Bishop of Awka, Anambra State, Rev. Paulinus Ezeokafor, and his Ahiara counterpart, Rev. Peter Okpalake, have declared “Holy Hour Prayers and Procession” for the rescue of the over 200 schoolgirls abducted from Chibok, Borno State. The clerics spoke yesterday in Awka, the state capital, during the celebration of their 25 years of working for the church.

The celebration began with Eucharistic holy mass, presided over by Rev. Ezeokafor. The rosary procession for the Chibok girls will hold on Sunday (May 11) at all parishes in every diocese in Awka. The clerics said the Catholic Church would pray for the release of the abducted schoolgirls. Ezeokafor said the church would not relent in its prayers to reunite the girls with their families.

I wasn’t in Anambra during voters’ register display, says Obiano

ITH 41 days to the expiration of the 180 days in the petitions against his election last year, Anambra State Governor and All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Chief Willie Obiano, returned yesterday to the witnaess box at the State Election Petitions Tribunal. It was his third in a week. He sometimes contradicted himself during his cross-examination. Obiano testified yesterday in the case filed by Mr Tony Nwoye, the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate. The tribunal has set aside Friday, May 23 for the adoption of the final addresses in the two petitions, besides the case filed by Senator Chris Ngige and his party, the All Progressives Congress (APC). All the three cases have been consolidated at the hearing. Another petition by Dr Chike Obidigbo, an APGA member and claimant to the candidature of the party for the election, is standing alone. The tribunal has reserved judgement in the Obidigbo case, after the parties adopted their addresses on Wednesday evening. During criss-examination by counsel to APGA, Mr Patrick Ikwueto (SAN), the govenor told the tribunal that he was not in Anambra State during the INEC display of voters’ register. Obiano later said he applied for the transfer of his Lagos registration particulars in the office of the Electoral Officer for Anambra East Local Government Area, Mr Nsofor, at a period which coincided with the time of INEC voters’ display. The governor confessed that he signed and thumbprinted Exhibit P.402, which was an application for registration under the CVR programme. Yet, he later claimed that it was his transfer form.

•Lady Doja Otedola, widow of former Lagos State Governor, Sir Michael Otedola, former Accountant General of Lagos State, Akinwunmi Ambode and former Deputy Governor of Lagos State, Mrs. Sarah Adebisi Sosan during a condolence visit to Lady Otedola at her home in Epe...yesterday

Anxietyas‘hostcommunities’invadeFUTO

HERE was tension yesterday at the Federal University of Technology Owerri (FUTO), Imo State, when hoodlums, suspected to be indigenes of the host communities, invaded the university. The invaders reportedly demolished buildings and destroyed other school property worth millions of naira. The heavily armed thugs were said to have demanded the immediate relocation of the institution from their ancestral land. They allegedly threatened to raze the school, if their demands were not met. The suspected thugs, who were said to be from

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

Umuchima, Ihiagwa and Umuanunu, in Owerri West Local Government Area, accused the institution of encroaching on their land. But the vice chancellor, Prof Chigozie Cyril Asiabaka, who conducted reporters round the institution to show the level of damage, insisted that the invasion was unprovoked and barbaric. The vice chancellor said FUTO had been having a cordial relationship with the host communities until their recent demand that part of the land, which was legitimately acquired by the Federal Government for the institution, be ceded to them. According to him, none of the management workers,

The vice chancellor stressed that the invasion and other distractions did not affect academic activities. He said: “The university is still moving on, despite distractions around us. The students will begin their examinations on Monday. We are not distracted by the activities that are going on.” The traditional ruler of Ihiagwa Autonomous Community, Eze James Muruako, said the action of the communities might have been triggered by a statement from a top FUTO official. He also alleged that the communities had sued FUTO over the land. The monarch added that no adequate compensation had been given to the communities after ceding over 5,000 plots of land to the Federal Government.

Army begins recruitment

HE Nigerian Army will begin today the online registration for the 71st Regular Recruit Intake for both Trade/NonTradesmen and Women. A statement by the Army Public Relations Officer (PRO), Captain Ojo Adenegan, said the applicants for non-tradesmen/women must possess WASC/NECO/ GCE/SSCE/NABTEB with at least four credits, including English language, in not more than two sittings. The statement also said applicant must be between the ages of 18 and 22 by July and stand at not be less than 1.65 (male) and 1.56 (female) meters. Nigerians have decried the inability of the military and other security agencies to foil attacks or nab perpetrators criminal acts due to inad-

including himself, had the powers to cede the land to any community. Prof Asiabaka said: “FUTO is not at loggerheads with the communities. Why should they vandalise our property? The damage they unleashed on the university is massive and unprecedented. FUTO’s land belongs to the Federal Government; we have not encroached on their land. “Their demand that the school should return part of the land to the communities is impossible because nobody here can approve that, except the Federal Government. We have convened an enlarged management meeting and far-reaching decisions have been taken. These include the immediate perimeter fencing to forestall further encroachment on the university’s land.”

equate man power. Dr Doyin Okupe, an aide to President Goodluck Jonathan, re-echoed the inadequacy during an interview with the Cable News Network (CNN). He explained why insurgents operated freely in Northeast states, despite the existing state of emergency there since last year. Okupe said the number of military personnel is not enough to secure all the nooks and crannies of the country. CaptAdenegan said: “Applicants for tradesmen/ women must possess the following educational and professional requirements; WASC/SSCE/NECO/GCE/ NABTEB with at least 4 credits, including English Language and OND, NCE , Trade Test/City and Guild Certificate. Tradesmen and women

must be between the ages of 18 and 26 Years by July 31, and must not less than 1.65 (male) and 1.56 (female) meters height respectively. “Applicants are to obtain their e-vouchers online directly through the Army erecruitment Portal www.narecruitment.org with master card, visa and verse cards or paper vouchers from all branches of Union and Unity Bank Nationwide at the cost of N 1000.00,” the statement said. The registration will end on June 21, while the prescreening examination will hold on July 5, 2014 at the centre of the applicant’s choice nationwide. Candidates are expected to check the website on July 16 for the list of shortlisted candidates to attend zonal screening exercise.

Imo shelves carnival

HE Imo State Government announced yesterday the indefinite postponement of its maiden carnival in solidarity with families of the abducted schoolgirls in Borno State. The government, after an emergency State Executive Council (Exco) meeting, said the governor’s wife, Mrs. Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, will lead a peaceful rally of female students and teachers in solidarity with the kidnapped schoolgirls and their families. In a statement yesterday

From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

in Owerri, the state capital, by the Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on Media, the government said: “Following the worrying unknown fate of the 200 female students abducted by the Boko Haram elements in Chibok, Borno State, and the general outcry the ugly development has generated throughout the world, the Imo State Government held an emergency Expanded Executive Council meeting and reviewed the mood of the nation and the world at large.

“As a sensitive, responsible, conscious and people oriented government, and in view of the painful mood of the nation and the rest of the world, the state’s planned carnival, slated to begin on Friday, May 9, (today) was postponed indefinitely. “Instead of the carnival road march programmed for the Friday, the council decided that the governor’s wife, Mrs Nneoma Nkechi Okorocha, would lead a road march that will involve female students and all mothers who are teachers in the state school system.”

THE NATION FRIDAY MAY 9, 2014

NEWS

I worked as a bus conductor, says ex-minister

ORMER Minister of Sports Bolaji Abdullahi said yesterday that he had worked as a bus conductor. Abdullahi made the revelation in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at the annual public lecture of the Association of Business and Social Science Students (ABSSS) of the University of Ilorin. He said he was conversant with poverty but overcame the challenge. The former minister advised the students to design a template for themselves by diversifying into vocational skills.

According to him, vocational skills will help address unemployment. The former minister said 80 per cent of students are merely in schools, especially universities, because they consider it as the next stage after their secondary education. He berated parents who send their children to schools only to brag about it. Abdullahi challenged students to identify their unique selling points to overcome the problems caused by tunemployment.

“I was a bus conductor in Ilorin because I didn’t have money to go to school and I know what poverty means because I grew up with it. “We must stop pretending about our problems,” he said. The former minister said the essence of sending students to school was for them to be economic agents and contribute to the growth and development of the society. Abdullahi advised them to know the direction they were going, if problems must be solved.

He added that society requires thinking and skills to solve the multifarious problems. “I want to call on our youths to be skillful because you are winners,” he said. He urged the Federal Government to create a special fund for young people to tackle unemployment, saying they should also be trained on how to use the fund judiciously. Abdullahi blamed some elite in the society for their conspiracy against the masses in obtaining free education.

Oshiomhole warns council chairmen

DO State Governor Adams Oshiomhole has asked local government chairmen to stop the collection of illegal taxes. The governor warned against double taxation, saying it amounts to extortion of taxpayers. Speaking during a meeting with the chairmen of the 18 local governments yesterday, Oshiomhole said: “Our local governments must be careful on the issue of revenue collection. “I recognise the legitimacy of tax collection. Everywhere in the world, taxes are paid. Government needs it to run and provide services for the people. “I know as local governments you have obligation to pay salaries, obligation to provide and

maintain markets and there are a couple of areas where you are supposed to be active. “You also have a number of health centres and several other purposes that you need tax to operate. “If someone who is not authorised by the law to collect tax goes about extorting money from the public, the police and the SSS would arrest and prosecute him, if found guilty, he will be sent to prison. “Local governments must desist from illegal tax collection. Where the state is supposed to collect taxes, local governments should not interfere, where local government collects, the state should not collect because the law is clear.“ Oshiomhole reminded them

that they have a responsibility to maintain law and order in their councils. "As chairmen, it is true you have responsibilities for the security of your area but you can only discharge that responsibility when you liaise with stakeholders in your local government. "So I want to encourage you as you go back to your local governments, try and work with the police, security agencies, traditional rulers and community leaders so that they can share information.” Responding on behalf of her colleagues, Mrs Itohan Ogbeide said: "The local governments are not against collection of legal levies and taxes. “What we are concerned

Again where is the NSA? We had echoed this question on this page recently as the Boko Haram terrorists gain the upper hand in the war and many people rushed in defence of the National Security Adviser, (NSA) Col. Sambo Dasuki (rtd). But this was before the abduction of the Chibok school girls and the Nyanya I and II bombings in Abuja. The sect leader (Shekau) was supposed to have been killed yet he still sends us scare videos. When is the next blast and where? Upon his appointment we were made to believe that he had influence among the trouble

makers and, indeed, he could open a link with the sect. But about two years on, we even forget these days that we have an NSA. Even the U.S. report quoted above indicts him thus: “…While counter-terrorism activities of these agencies and ministry were ostensibly coordinated by the Office of the National Security Adviser, the level of inter-agency cooperation and information sharing was limited.” Where in the maze is our NSA? WEF: our illusion of grandeur. It’s so sad that Nigeria is currently saddled with leaders

with no grand vision or the ability to drive even the basic and ordinary run of business. Were they imbued with such virtues they would understand that even in the best of times, Nigeria does not have the capacity to host the world or any major international event right now. Second, the World Economic Forum, Africa (WEF) is a private sector-led showpiece (jamboree) suited for advanced countries like Switzerland, which has long overcome the basic worries of development. But Mrs Ngozi OkonjoIweala and her cronies choose to ignore this point. You can’t deign to host the world when

From Osagie Otabor, Benin

DO State House of Assembly said yesterday that gunshots heard within the Assembly premises were not as a result of an alleged change of leadership in the House. It clarified that the shooting was an accidental discharge from the gun of a police orderly attached to a lawmaker. A statement by Senior Special Assistant, Media to the Speaker, Charles Ayeni, said the shooting occurred when the orderly wanted to open the door of the lawmaker’s office. The statement said the shooting “had no connection with the unfounded rumour of impeachment”. It said the Assembly was calm and peaceful and urged the public to discountenance the speculations.

Kwankwaso launches road project

HE Kano State government has awarded the contract for the building of the Makarfi– Fulatan – Rogo – Karaye Road. Governor Rabi’u Kwankwaso said the 55km road will have asphalt concrete and will be completed by December. Kwankwaso said the government embarked on the project to ease pressure on the Karaye-Rogo-Makarfi axis. He pledged that the admin-

•Oshiomhole

about is the illegal collections at road blocks where spurious demands are made. "We condemn illegal radio levies, advertisements and all kinds of tickets. “We support the state government in all its developmental efforts," she said.

The unfolding American sorcery Continued from back page

‘No leadership change in Assembly’

you don’t have electricity, you don’t have basic potable water; pupils still sit on bare floor or study under the shade of trees; you still grapple with common diseases like cholera and polio. Serious leaders would tackle these basic worries fiercely instead of competing with Switzerland to host WEF. By the way, how much is WEF costing Nigeria, don’t we have a right to know? Why is it that members of our economic team are adept at showmanship and at grandstanding; smart talkers but poor workers? The economy withers under them yet they pretend all is well. They are leading us no where and we know it. LOSS OF DOCUMENT I Mrs Generosa Olayinka Ajayi, a Female Nigerian of Block 582 Flat 2 Abesan Estate, Ipaja Lagos hereby declare that I am the rightful owner of the above property. That the original receipt and allocation paper were issued to me dated 11\11\1982 by LSDPC .But these got lost in transit and all effort aimed at locating these had prove abortive.

From Kolade Adeyemi, Kano

istration would ensure that the project was completed on schedule. The governor urged the people to vote for the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the May 17 local government elections. Commissioner for Works, Housing and Transport Abba Kabir Yusuf said the contractor will be strictly monitored.

Church to hold 21-day vigil

HE Ileri Ayo Cherubim and Seraphim Church will hold a 21-day vigil from today till May 30 at its auditorium, 3, Idowu Crescent, Ilupeju Iloye, Adalemo, Sango-Ota, Ogun State. The host, Prophet Tobi Adebayo, said the programme, which holds from 11pm till 4am daily, will feature prayers, counselling and deliverance. Ministering are Evang Akewu Shola, Snr Lady Evang Bose, Snr Evang James (Ologo Asaola), Snr Lady Evang Challote (Adaba Orun), Master Ibiyemi Olawale, Apostle Prophet Kolawole (Ogo Agelu), Rev Mother Olubunmi Odumaye, Prophet Obanijesu (Atupa), Pastor James Ajeigbe and Evang Funmilayo.

Lawmaker distributes tricycles

HE member representing Yola North/ Yola South/Girei Federal Constituency in the House of Representatives, Aishatu Dahiru, distributed yesterday 30 tricycles as soft loan to physically challenged persons in her constituency. Presenting the tricycles at a ceremony in Yola, the Adamawa State capital, Dahiru said the beneficiaries were expected to pay N100, 000 per unit, which amounted to 77 per cent subsidy. “You are to contribute only N100, 000 to own the tricycles after a period of use so that it provides seed money to establish a revolving loan scheme that would sus-

tain the programme,” she said. The lawmaker said the gesture was to complement government’s effort in empowering the less privileged. She said the measure was the second of its kind after the initial one conducted last year, where she presented 400 tricycles to women at 50 per cent subsidised rate. The chairman of the occasion and Minister of Special Duties, Tanimu Turaki, lauded the gesture, which he said was in line with the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) manifesto and President Goodluck Jonathan’s transformation agenda.

LSDPC and general public please take note.

PUBLIC NOTICE

OGONI ENTREPENEURIAL DEVELOPMENT INITIATIVE TRUSTEES 1. RT. Hon.. (Barr.) Leyii Kwane -Chairma 2. Mr. Gospower Igwe- Secretary 3. Dr. Kiaka Wey - Member 4. Barr. Letam Nzidee- Member 5. Mr. Nwiene Tambari Collins- Member 6. Mr. Dum Sylvester Amanikpo - Member AIMS AND OBJECTIVES 1. To carry out trading in adaptive entrepreneurial skill 2. To enhance mental, physical and financial equioment of the citizenry for self reliance 3. To assist local people access market for their locally-made goods. SIGNED: BARR. LETAM NZIDEE (SOLICITOR)

PUBLIC NOTICE

MAWOSI I, formerly known and addressed as Miss Nancy Tope Mawosi, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs. Ikechukwu, Nancy Tope Mawosi. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. EBONG I, formerly known and addressed as Miss IMELDA OKON EBONG, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs IMELDA MARCEL INYANG. All former documents remain valid. General public take note. ALONGE I, formerly known and addressed as Miss ALONGE ESTHER DUPE, now wish to be known and addressed as Mrs Morgan, Esther Dupe. All former documents remain valid. General public take note.

THE NATION FRIDAY MAY 9, 2014

NEWS Youths to protest non-funding of NDDC From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

IGER Delta youths, under the aegis of Niger Delta Youth Stakeholders’ Forum, have given a 14-day ultimatum to oil and gas companies to comply with the Federal Government’s directive on funding of the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC). The group’s National Coordinator, Edisemi Yiki, in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital, yesterday declared that there was no going back on the ultimatum. Section 14B of the NDDC Act stipulates that oil companies operating in the Niger Delta pay three per cent of their annual capital budget to the interventionist agency. Yiki expressed displeasure that the companies had refused to pay NDDC since 2000. He warned that youths would protest against the oil and gas firms, if they fail to pay.

180 for training in South Korea NIGERIA LNG Limited (NLNG), through its subsidiary, Bonny Gas Transport Limited (BGT), is sponsoring the training of 180 technicians by Hyundai Heavy Industries (HHI) in South Korea. The trainees will acquire requisite competencies and skills in ship building, as part of Nigerian Content Development activities agreed between BGT & HHI. Of the technicians travelling for the three-month programme, the best 28 will remain to join in the building of six new vessels. BGT, last year, ordered six vessels at $1.6billion from HHI and Samsung Heavy Industries to boost its shipping capacity. As part of the agreement, 580 Nigerians will be trained in various aspects of ship building and construction in fulfillment of Nigerian Content Development for the “BGT Plus Project”. NLNG Managing Director & Vice-President of BGT Babs Omotowa said: “Every action we take in NLNG Limited, we seek to help build a better Nigeria. That is why so many gains are riding on these contracts with HHI and SHI. “We want to ensure the right technology skills are transferred to help develop our maritime industry and this procurement provides us a good opportunity.”

FCT minister loses mum From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

THE mother of the Federal Capital Territory Minister, Senator Bala Mohammed, is dead. Hajiya Aishatu Mohammed died on Wednesday of agerelated ailment. She was 81. She is survived by four children- Adamu Yahaya,(Wakilin Bauchi) District Head of Duguri; Bala Mohammed, Hajiya Hauwau, Hajiya Asmau- and 31 grandchildren.

•Fashola (middle) with beneficiaries during the distribution of 2,000 Life Jackets to boat operators and passengers at the Ebute-Ojo Jetty, Lagos...yesterday.

PHOTO: OMOSEHIN MOSES

Fashola orders compulsory use of Life Jackets

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has ordered the compulsory use of life jacket on Lagos waterways. He gave the directives yesterday while distributing life jackets in Ebute-Ojo Jetty located in Ojo area. He said the state government took up the responsibility of providing the Life Jackets to avert loss of lives in case accidents occur on its waterways. He said: “We have come here to flag- off compulsory use of Life Vests on our waterways. Ordinarily this should have been the responsibility of our boat operators to procure and provide this as part of their services, but because we under-

By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

stand that many of them are small businesses struggling for survival government has again taking the lead to provide these life vest free. We will do so gradually across all the water points of Lagos. “I like to appeal to all passengers whether on locally made canoes, Motor boats or the more sophisticated ferries that now ply our waterways must insist that the boat operators must provide them life jackets because we are going to issue those life vests and all the operators must also insist that every passenger on their boat must wear that life vest or disembark the passenger. This is

all about safety He assured that the life jackets and officers of Lagos Water Guards Corps will ensure safety of the passengers. “We will continue to do our best to make our waterways safe. We have started the dredging, continuous signing by lifebuoys. We have completed the dredging of this place up to Lagos Island and we have installed lifebuoys which are the navigational signs of boat operators. “I have just been briefed this morning that one the lifebuoys has been stolen. If government provides facilities to aid and assist our lives and safety, and some unscrupulous people remove it. That

Tension in Delta communities over $16b gas project

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan is expected in Delta State tomorrow for the ground breaking of the $16 billion Ogidigben Gas Plant and Export Processing Zone in Ugborodo, Warri South West Local Government Area. The President will also lay the foundation for a federal maritime institute in Okerenkoko, Gbaramatu Kingdom. The community’s regent, Elder P.T Heavens and committee chairman, Godspower Gbenekama, have urged indigenes to show up for the event. They said: “This is the first time a president will visit

From Shola O’Neil, Port Harcourt

the area after over 50 years of oil production. “We are very excited about the projects, especially the university, and we are determined to do everything possible to ensure successful take-off of the project.” It was gathered that Jonathan’s visit to the area has heightened tension among stakeholders and hosts of the EPZ facility. The project had created tension among the various contending groups to the leadership of Ugborodo community.

It had also generated controversy between Ijaw and Itsekiri indigenes over ownership of the land earmarked for the project. President of Federated Niger Delta Ijaw Communities (FNDIC) Bello Oboko told our reporter yesterday that there was tension over ownership of at least one section of the land. He said: “Work has long begun on the EPZ gas project site at Ogidigben amid complaints in several Ijaw quarters that they were not carried along. He appealed to Governor Emmanuel Uduaghan to

means community leaders owe us responsibility to be vigilant. Those who do that are saboteurs and must be expose.” The governor also informed that about 1.6million people currently ply the state waterways monthly. “Very soon we will complete the concessioning of other water terminals in the state and we expect to see increased passengers using the Lagos waterways. Earlier, the state commissioner for Transportation Comrade Kayode Opeifa said the provision of the 2000 life jackets was the first phase of the 10, 000 life jackets earmarked for distribution.

•Jonathan

identify communities with genuine claims and carry them along to avoid crisis. Oboko cautioned that if oil investments were not to suffer destructions, it was necessary to avoid the mistakes of the past.

Police arrest 14 ‘pirates’, five ‘paedophiles’

HE police in Bayelsa State have arrested 14 suspected pirates on Igoli River close to Brass Island, Brass Local Government Area. Commissioner of Police Hilary Opara said some of the pirates were intercepted by marine policemen on Snake Island in Brass. Opara, who spoke yesterday in Yenagoa, said the operatives engaged the hoodlums in a shoot-out before

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

apprehending them. He added that 15 other persons were arrested for cultism. The police chief said the suspects, including a 22year-old cult member identified as Small Boy Danger, were held for bloody clashes and killing of four persons in Opolo and Ekeki. Opara decried the activities of paedophiles and said

five persons, including a 64-year-old man, were apprehended for violating minors. He lamented that the prosecution of cases of rape and defilement were stalled because of lack of will by parents and victims to follow them up. The police commissioner said the police and the government have set up a committee backed by law to ensure that cases of rape

and abuses, including violence against women, are properly prosecuted. Opara called on the people to be vigilant, observe and report strange movements to security agencies. “People in public places, such as motor parks, should be security conscious. “They should observe and report strange objects, abandoned bags and suspicious persons around them,” he said.

He said the state government in addition has continued to carry out massive awareness campaign on water transportation safety in the state.

Alele-Williams blames govt for corruption From Osagie Otabor, Benin

HE first woman ViceChancellor of the University of Benin, Prof Grace Alele-Williams, has said the inability of both the federal and state governments to enact laws to deal with oil theft pushed the country into corruption and poverty. Prof. Alele-Williams said Nigeria’s economy has grown but attention was not paid to extending the results of an increased wealth to what Nigerians owe each other as their brothers’ keeper. She spoke yesterday in Benin, the Edo State capital, at the presentation of two books by Prof. Patrick Igbinovia and his wife, Blessing. The books are: Oil Thefts and Pipeline Vandalisation in Nigeria and The Economic and Financial Crimes Commission in Nigeria: An Appraisal. The former UNIBEN VC said Nigeria could use new technology to provide power from wasted gas to rural areas where oil is produced. Her words:“With laws that are fair, opportunities equal and areas such as health, transportation and agriculture improved, we can begin to help each other to appreciate that we are included in using our wealth for the people.” Prof. Igbinovia said the books were written to evolve serious thinking and strategies to help solve oil theft and make the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) more effective in fighting economic and financial malfeasances. He said EFCC’s potential has not been matched by reality. The author said government would be able to raise funds for national growth and development, if oil theft is reduced or curtailed.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

NEWS Jonathan predicts end to Boko Haram insurgency Continued from page 2

force by 2020. And that, by 2035, the combined size of the African labour force would be greater than that of the most heavily populated countries in the world, including China. This prediction, he described as “daunting, and should be a wake-up call to all of us in Africa to work harder on job creation with a great sense of urgency”. “We have a lot of young people who are unemployed but who also do not necessarily have the required competencies or skills, even if the jobs are available and that again, is a major challenge.” The private sector will be the engine of growth and job creation and government is putting in place the necessary conditions to

support private sector growth such as ensuring stable macro economic environment, low inflation and exchange rate, investing in critical infrastructure and development of skills of our people. The President also added: “After our GDP rebasing, our GDP for 2013 is now estimated at about 510 billion US Dollars. Yet, the quality of our growth has been less than desirable in the sense that we are not creating as many decent jobs as we need to.” The government, he said, has “focused on a number of priority sectors which have high jobcreating potential, such as agriculture, manufacturing, housing and construction, and the services sectors. And in each of these sectors, we are working to unlock

the various obstacles faced by businesses so they create jobs.” The recent GDP rebasing, Jonathan said, shows that the services sector now accounts for about 51 per cent of our economy, up from 26 per cent previously, “so we are introducing targeted measures to further harness this sector by supporting the development of our SMEs”. “For example, we are working to develop our housing and construction sector, given its potential to create jobs for our craftsmen and artisans. We also recently launched our National Industrial Revolution Plan which will further invigorate our manufacturing sector.” Chinese Premier Li Keqiang assured that China would continue to prioritise infrastructural

development in its cooperation with Africa, adding that China will work with Africa to upgrade and build transport infrastructure to promote connectivity on the African continent. He said: “Africa has a total population of one billion and an economic aggregate of over $2 trillion. Of the worlds 10 fastest growing economies in 2013, seven are in Africa, which indicates its growing weight in the developing world, Africa is therefore also a major pole in global economic growth.” According to him, the rise of Africa as a new pole will only make the world “more democratic, stable, dynamic and more colourful and better facilitate peace, development and progress in the world”.

Some of the protesters said they believed that the Federal Government was not doing enough to rescue the girls. Women in Plateau State marched against the abduction. On the streets of Jos, state capital, they chorused: “We want the girls rescued from their abductors immediately.” In a communique read by their spokesperson at the Government House, Reyfield, Mrs Esther Ibanga, the women expressed pain and sadness at the abduction. “We Christian and Muslim women on the Plateau of every ethnic group, social location and age, express our anguish,outrage and sorrow over the terror unleashed against the most vulnerable segment of our nation” Mrs. Ibanga added: “When terrorists resort to the kidnapping of children and,specifically the commoditisation of girls, they have attained the highest level of criminality ,insensitivity and evil.” The women, under the umbrella of the “Plateau Women Solidarity Movement”, urged the government to be “proactive and decisive in their action and not just be reactive”. They made some demands, among which are that the

“Government must show the will power to prosecute and jail sponsors and perpetrators of terror,irrespective of political affiliation or considerations, that particular attention should be paid to securing porous borders as well as the premises of government and academic institutions, politicians must stop playing politics with the destiny of Nigerians and this great nation, and that security funding must reach the troops on the field and other areas where it is most needed to guarantee successful operations”. Plateau State Governor Jonah Jang, who was represented by his deputy, Ambassador Ignatius Longjan, said the government was working hard and being careful in their approach so that attempts to rescue the girls would not lead to harming them. Longjan said: “Together, we will fight this evil; we believe that within the shortest time the girls will be rescued.” He promised the women that their message would be forwarded to the President. Wife of Adamawa State Governor Hajia Zainab Nyako led the protest in Yola. Groups comprising members of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), the Federation

of Muslim Women of Nigeria (FOMWAN) and the Adamawa Peace Initiative blamed the Federal Government for not justifying the resources expended in the fight against insurgents. They presented a protest letter to the Chief of Staff, Adamawa State Government House, Alhaji Abdurrahman Abba, who represented Governor Murtala Nyako, and decried the poor handling of the rescue issue. Describing the abduction of the girls as a national tragedy, the Chief of Staff assured the protesting groups that the state government would continue to support the security agencies with a view to solving the insecurity in the Northeast. At the Adamawa State House of Assembly, the group was received by the Chairman House Committee on Women Affairs and member representing Demsa Constituency in the House of Assembly, Wale Fwa, on behalf of the speaker. Hajiya Zainab Nyako urged President Jonathan to ensure the release of the girls. The representative of the Women for Justice and Peace in Nigeria, Turai A.A Kadir, said Nigerians were not satisfied with the government’s response to Boko Haram.

Chibok girls: Protests in Ibadan, Osogbo, Yola, Jos Continued from page 2

ty across the country. Ajimobi noted with that “what has happened in Chibok is the worst result of terrorism in the country”. Some residents of Osun State, led by Governor Rauf Aregbesola’s wife Serifat, staged a protest to demand for the girls’ immediate rescue. There were thousands of women and girls, including students under the aegis of the National Association of Nigerian Students, to join the protest. They defied the early morning downpour to converge on the state secretariat on Gbongan Road, Osogbo, the state capital, to stage the protest. Aregbesola urged the Federal Government not to hesitate to use force and get the cooperation of some neigbouring countries, including Niger, Chad and Cameroon, in rescuing the girls. Aregbesola, who noted that neigbouring countries could possibly be accomplices in the insurgency, demanded that the Federal Government should involve them in the search for the abducted girls and see them as enemies if they refuse to cooperate.

World leaders rise for Nigeria Continued from page 2

free the schoolgirls. In a blackand-white picture posted on the Twitter account of her educational fund, she holds up a piece of paper inscribed with the now-familiar plea: “#BringBackOurGirls”. Barack Obama “Boko Haram has been killing people ruthlessly for years. This may be the event that helps to mobilise the entire international community to finally do something against this horrendous organization that’s perpetrated such a terrible crime. “We’ve long sought to work with Nigeria in dealing with them and we’re going to do everything we can to assist them in recovering these young women. Obviously what’s happening is awful. As the father of two girls, I can’t imagine what the parents

RESIDENT Goodluck Jonathan met yesterday the United States Ambassador to Nigeria, Mr. James Entwistle to discuss modalities for the actualisation of the offer made by President Barrack Obama to assist Nigeria in rescuing the school girls abducted from Chibok, Borno State. They met, according to a statement by the Special Adviser on Media and Publicity, Dr. Reuben Abati, on the sidelines of the ongoing World Economic Forum on Africa as a follow-up to talks held on Wednesday between

are going through. “In the short term, our goal is obviously is to help the international community, and the Nigerian government, as a team to do everything we can to recover these young ladies. But we’re also going to have to deal with the broader problem of organizations like this, that, uh, you know, can cause such havoc in people’s day to day lives.” Kofi Annan “I think the reaction of Africa should have been faster. I also believe that the Nigerian Government should have shared a bit more with its own population. And I believe now it is very clear that all security forces should be used to try to free these girls and I would hope they would also work to gain the confidence of the people so that they would also work with the Police. “If the People are alienated

from the security forces, they are not going to get any help from them. I’m grateful that the US, UK and others have offered help. You need to work across international borders to be able to contain terrorists and deny them their opportunities.” David Cameron “ I’m the father of two young daughters and my re-action is the same as every father or mother in this land or the world. “This is an act of pure evil, it has united people across the planet to stand with Nigeria to help find these children and return them to their parents. “This is not just a Nigerian issue; it is a global is-sue. There are extreme Islamists around our world who are against education, against progress, against equality and we must fight them and take them on wherever they are.”

Dangote to invest $16bn Continued from page 2

huge population and positive government policies which he described as an advantage. Africa’s richest man noted that Foreign Direct Investment (FDI) is attracted by local confidence in the economy. Using himself as an example, Dangote said he invested $4 billion in the last two years in the Nigerian economy with another $2.3 billion in agriculture for rice and sugarcane. He cautioned, however, that the growth required in Africa “is that that will benefit everyone, not the 5 per cent growth that is widely reported”. He said less than 10 per cent of arable land in Africa was being utilized for agriculture thus leaving room or large cultivable arable land. He urged investors to do business in Africa because “there is a lot you can get”, Africa is the place to invest with a guaranteed 30 per cent returns on investment,” Dangote said. Dangote, who said that his company was focusing on agriculture to address unemployment, said the group was partnering the Federal Ministry of Agriculture to achieve the goal. “The most important aspect of our business today is the agricultural side which we were not doing before. “What we are doing right now is that we are partnering the Ministry of Agriculture to do a million tonnes of rice. “We have got a letter that 60,000 hectares of land is available in Niger State, 60,000 and in Edo we have 64,000 hectares,” he said. The business icon, who said that the only way to stop the terrorism, especially Boko Haram, was to create jobs, adding that Dangote Group had put measures to support the government in that regard. “We decided to invest a total of two billion dollars in sugar by making Nigeria self-sufficient in sugar. We are going to six states in the Northeast; we are going to Taraba and Adamawa. “In the Northwest, we are going to Kebbi, Sokoto and Jigawa, and then in Northcentral, we are going to Kogi and Kwara. “But when you look at all

these, after investing in rice and sugar, we are going to have an opportunity to create 180,000 jobs,” he said. Dangote cautioned against looking at the negative side of the economy, saying there were opportunities waiting to be exploited. He noted that the government had done a lot to improve the investment environment, adding that there was the need for Nigerians to be creative and make use of available opportunities in the economy. He called on Africans to invest their money in the continent rather than saving it abroad. “The biggest challenge we are facing today is that some of us here in Africa will rather keep the money abroad than invest in Africa, but, by doing that, you are not creating confidence. “You have to invest your money as an African to create confidence for foreign investors to bring in their money,” Dangote said. The Executive Director of Oxfam, Winifred Byanyima, said that Africa was still lagging behind because its growth was mainly from oil and gas, not much from other sectors. “This is a serious problem for Africa because Africa is the second most unequal continent in the world, next to South America. “Six out of 10 unequal countries in the world are here in Africa and this inequality is widening in the continent. If we are going to have growth that is more shared we must do a few things. “African people must be provided a proper and adequate education and health facilities and if we don’t do this, growth will continue to rise and inequality will continue to expand,” she said. Byanyima said that there were adequate resources in Africa to cater for its needs in education, health and others, adding that “because of illicit financial flow in the continent, it loses at least 63 billion dollars annually’’.She said that this money would have been channelled to the provision of adequate health and education facilities in the continent.

NSA, Service chiefs visit Chibok Continued from page 2

•Annan

•Ki-Moon

who would not want to comment on the issue of number, noted that every single life is important to the nation and no effort will be spared at finding the girls. “He appealed to the members of the immediate community and the general public to provide security agencies with useful information that will lead to the rescue of the girls. “The team was conducted round the school by the Vice Principal Administration, Bulama Modu. Some of the facilities inspected include burnt classrooms, dormitories and a laboratories. The team has since returned to Abuja.”

UN, ECOWAS, others back Nigeria against terror From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

Mr. Entwistle and Nigerian security officials on the United States offer of assistance. Jonathan reiterated Nigeria’s appreciation of the United States offer to deploy security personnel and assets to work with their Nigerian counterparts in the search and rescue operation, which was conveyed to him on Tuesday by the U.S. Secretary of State, Mr. John Kerry. He told Mr. Entwistle and other delegations which met sepa-

rately with him at the venue of the World Economic Forum that the much greater support which Nigeria was receiving from the United States and other members of the international community in the aftermath of the Chibok abductions, will certainly help the country to rapidly overcome the Boko Haram insurgency. Others received by President Jonathan include the President of Ghana, Mr. John Mahama, and the President of the ECOWAS Commission, Mr. Kadré Désiré Ouédraogo, who brought

him a message of solidarity from ECOWAS Heads of State and Government. President Mahama informed President Jonathan that to support Nigeria’s efforts to rescue the abducted girls and defeat terrorism, ECOWAS leaders have decided to invoke the community’s protocols on counter-terrorism. The Ghanaian leader said that a meeting of Heads of Intelligence Services of ECOWAS membercountries will hold in Accra next week to work out a new framework for intelligence sharing in support of the effort to eradicate

the threat of terrorism in Nigeria and the entire West African Sub-Region. President Jonathan also had private meetings with Prof. Klaus Schwab, the Founder of the World Economic Forum who said that Nigeria deserved the maximum solidarity of the world at this trying moment. He later met with President Jakaya Kikwete of Tanzania, former President Lula Da Silva of Brazil and the Prime Minister of Mali, Mr. Moussa Mara all of who conveyed the solidarity of their governments and people.

The Secretary-General of the United Nations, Mr. Ban Ki Moon also spoke with President Jonathan on the phone yesterday to convey the sympathy and solidarity of the global community with the government and people of Nigeria. Mr. Ban Ki Moon assured President Jonathan that the United Nations was ready to help Nigeria in every possible way to rescue the abducted girls and achieve greater security of lives and property in all parts of the country.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

CITYBEATS

Police arrest suspected robbers

By Jude Isiguzo

FOUR suspected robbers have been arrested by the police in Lagos. In Egbin, Ikorodu, on outskirts of the city, youths arrested two suspects and handed them over to the Police. The others were apprehended at Ijora-Badia, a Lagos suburb. The Nation gathered that the bandits came from Lekki in a boat with five others now at large. The hoodlums were said to have moved from house to house stealing, raping and injuring those who had no money at home. Some youths in the area were said to have confronted the bandits. They chased them with their loots and caught up with two of them. Five suspects were said to have escaped with their loots with the speed boat they came in. Police spokesperson Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP) confirmed the arrest. She said: “On May 4 about 4:30pm, some youths in Egbin area, Ijede, arrested and handed over two suspected armed robbers to the police at Ijede Division. Items recovered from the suspects are a wooden toy gun, two cutlasses, a sword and a knife. “ The suspects confessed that they came from Lekki with five others that are now at large in a boat to rob members of the community. Effort is being made to arrest the other suspects with their boat. The case is being investigated at the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Panti, Yaba. “Also in Ijora area, at about 8am, policemen attached to Ijora Badia Police Station responded to a distress call at Ijora Seven-up under bridge and arrested one Mojeeb Mustapha and Tobi Babatunde. The suspects had shot into the air and robbed people of their belongings on the bridge. Items recovered from the hoodlums are three cutlasses, two empty cartridges, two arrows and broken glass blades used as missiles.”

CITYBEATS LINE: 08023247888

Family grieves over teenager’s ‘disappearance’

•Mother: Everyday, I feel like dying

HERE is 18- yearold furniture apprentice Bamidele Oluwapelumi Oyeleye? His where-about remains unknown 27 days after he left home for work. His parents are in anguish over his disappearance. Bamidele’s mother Mrs Oluwatotin Oyeleye said at their Ipaja, a Lagos suburb home yesterday that she “feels like dying” over not seeing her son. She recalled what transpired a few hours before Bamidele left home on April 11. Mrs Oyeleye said: “Pelumi is a softspoken boy. We had to withdraw him from school because he wasn’t catching up with his education as we expected. So, we enrolled him in the furniture place to learn. My husband works at a hotel; I am a gold-smith. “On the morning of that fateful day, he had listened to a Yoruba newspaper review

By Joke Kujenya

programme. If he is not doing that, he will be busy fiddling with his phone. That morning, as he was enjoying the news, he beckoned on me to come and listen to a particularly interesting news item. We were together when his boss called him. So, I told him to hurry up and heed the call of the man with whom he had been working for about three years. My son quickly ran to my husband for transport fare. And off he went to meet his boss.” Mrs Oyeleye went on: “By 7pm when we did not see Pelumi, we called his boss, who is a member of our church, to ask for his whereabouts. It was then the boss told us that when they got to the home of a woman they planned to work for, she complained of lack of money; hence, the work was postponed. The boss said he added N50 to Pelumi’s fare to take him back home as they parted ways. He

said he knew nothing about Pelumi’s whereabouts. “Instantly, we became worried. But people told us we could not go to the police until after 24 hours. I could not wait. I started crying and throwing myself on the floor. By 7pm April 12, my husband and some men went to the Ipaja Police Station to lodge a complaint. Promptly, the police arrested the boss and kept him in custody. “Since then, we have been

looking for him. We have gone everywhere. We have been to police posts such as Federal, Moshalashi, Egbeda and then, Police Headquarters at Oduduwa in GRA, Ikeja. We have been to radio stations to help us announce his name to the public in case anyone would help us find him. Even our church, Life Restoration Assembly in Jakande Estate, Opeki, Ipaja, has been holding prayers for him so that God

can help us.” The church, Mrs Oyeleye said, helped the family to print posters that were pasted everywhere. Writhing in agony, the woman said: “Till today, we haven’t sighted my son. I feel like dying everyday. Each time I wonder what could have happened to a young boy like him.” She said her household is always fasting and praying to seek God’s face on the boy’s fate.

‘Save my leg from being amputated’

• Seria

• Mrs. Oyeleye ... yesterday

• Dele Pelumi Oyeleye

INE years after an accident, a lawyer, Seria Azike, is still battling to regain the use of her lags. The 30-year-old lawyer requires N4.5million for a surgery in India on her leg. She has been walking with the aid of a frame since the accident on Oru-Awa road in Ogun State in which 15 died. Azike said: “I was involved in an accident nine years ago in an 18-seater bus along Oru and Awa towns in Ogun State. Only three of us survived and were rushed to a nearby health centre. Later, we were transferred to Ogun State University Teaching Hospital (OSUTH), for first-aid attention: “From there, my father took me to a private hospital in Lagos for surgery.” Since then, she said: “I have been walking with a frame. Life has been very difficult for me; moving around has been a huge problem. I have always relied on friends to help me do most things.” In September, last year, she

•Lawyer needs N4.5 for surgery

By Olatunde Odebiyi

said, the pain got severe, adding: “I went to the National Orthopaedic Hospital (NOHI) in Igbobi, Lagos, where it was confirmed after series of tests and x-rays that the iron and screws used to hold my right femur during the first operation had shifted and were loose; hence, they said the leg needed another surgery.” The consultant in charge, she said, told her that the operation would leave her left leg shorter than the right and might take over a year for it to regain its normal length. ”He also told me that my right femur might have been infected and would have to be treated, adding that my oper a t i on i s a r a r e c a se i n Nigeria with a 50/50 chance of my legs regaining good shape,” Azike said. After getting the same result from some private hospitals, she was advised to go to India for the

surgery because her case is “unusual.” “For the past two months,” she said, sobbing, “my pain has been severe and has reduced my hope for normal life again. I can’t stand or sit without suffering excruciating pains daily. At over 30 years, I am virtually useless now. Will I ever wed if my leg remains this way?” If the surgery is not done in time, she risks her right leg being amputated. She is calling on well meaning Nigerians to save her leg from being cut. Her family cannot afford the cost, which covers air tickets, accommodation, drugs, feeding, walking frame, blood, dressing, treatments, check-ups and postsurgery treatments. Appealing to the public for assistance, she has opened an account with Diamond Bank under the name: AZIKE SERIA, with number, 0042569197. She can be reached on 08182563755.

How to fight Boko Haram, by security experts

ECURITY experts have urged President Goodluck Jonathan to treat the Boko Haram insurgency as an act of war. At a Security Stakeholders Forum organised by the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Lagos State Command and the Private Guards Companies (PGC), they noted that what began as an insurgency has grown to a conventional force, which should be treated as a conventional war. President, Society of Security Practitioners of Nigeria (SSPN), Col. Shobo Nojeem (rtd) advised Jonathan to step up efforts to stop the insurgency. Speaking on: “Insurgency

By Uyoatta Eshiet

as major threat to national cohesion and development - a problem for all”, Nojeem said Boko Haram has grown from being insurgents to being a conventional force. The Nigerian conventional forces, he said must meet them at that level. “They attack military, Police formations, United Nations Building, moving about in convoys with sophisticated military armaments and destroying things and people at will, they have declared war on the Nigerian state, they should be met at that level.” The nation, he said must look at the possible collateral damage in rescuing the

abducted Chibok school girls, regretting that the Federal Government has failed to take private guard companies along in the efforts to rescue the girls. NSCDC Commandant in Lagos State, Mr Donatus Izuka Ikemefuna bemoaned insecurity and violent crimes in the country. He said the forum was designed to brainstorm on finding solutions to violent crimes, especially the Boko Haram insurgency. Ikemefuna said the joint stakeholders forum would be held regularly, urging the private guard companies to strive to obey the law as his administration would not hesitate to move against any erring firm. He said companies still oper-

• L-R: Ikemefuna and Deputy Commandant Daniel Apeh ... at the Forum

ating illegally would be shut down and urged participating companies to always send their officers for regular training with the NSCDC.

Commissioner of Police Mr Agboola Taiwo, urged Nigerians to be their brothers’ keeper. He blamed dearth of information as a cause of the lack of intelli-

gence in the Police. He lamented that intelligence gathering system has broken down, urging the government to revamp the security agencies.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

FOREIGN NEWS

South Africa elections: ANC wins huge victory

HE African National Congress (ANC) has won a commanding victory in South Africa’s general election, partial results show. With about 80% of the results in, the ANC has 63% of the vote, followed by the Democratic Alliance (DA) on 22%. The BBC’s Andrew Harding says inequality, unemployment and corruption are big problems but the electorate has shown it has not lost faith in the ANC. The Economic Freedom Fighters (EFF) party is in third place with 5%. The electoral commission said voting passed off peacefully in most areas, with turnout at just over 72%. The Democratic Alliance has much to celebrate. It is the only party that has consistently increased its vote-share from election to election. The party has achieved success from moving “more to the centre” says political analyst Ralph Matshekga. He says the DA has learnt that it must move from simply opposing anything proposed by the ANC to becoming a “problem-solver”.

Mr Matshekga says while the EFF has emerged as another opposition party, it should be careful not to become a one-hit wonder. He warns that in parliament, it may have to tone down some of its rhetoric, but “a softer approach may cost them the radical voter who wants drastic change now”. Analysts agree that a stronger opposition can only be good for the country’s young democracy, hopefully teaching the ANC not to be complacent and to deliver on its long list of promises. For its part, the ANC says it is happy with its tally, saying the results are testimony to the party’s hard work. The elections are the first since the death in December of Nelson Mandela - the country’s first black president - and mark 20 years since the end of whiteminority rule. Dissatisfaction with the government has been growing over high levels of unemployment, a lack of basic services and allegations of widespread corruption. Our correspondent says the ANC is likely to use its impressive mandate to try to drive

through its National Development Plan - rejecting nationalisation, and emphasising investment and infrastructure. The business-friendly plan has alarmed South Africa’s powerful unions - some of which may soon break away to form their own party, he says. He adds that, on 5%, the EFF are no threat to the ANC but their aggressive populism will keep ministers on their toes, and South African politics more abrasive than ever. The DA has increased its share of the vote from 17% in the last election to 22%, according to the latest results. Early yesterday, DA leader Helen Zille told AFP news agency that she expected her party’s final vote to be around the 23% margin. “We’ll see how it goes. Of course, we hope it will be more. We did as much as we could,” she is quoted as saying. The DA has been trying to make inroads into the black electorate - its support is mainly concentrated in the Western Cape which has a large white and mixed-race population. Those born after the end of

Jordanian journalists destroy desk in TV row over Syria

JORDANIAN television discussion on the crisis on Syria has descended into chaos, with the participants destroying part of the set. Journalists Shaker al-Johari and Mohammad al-Jayousi were debating the conflict on Jordan’s Seven Stars programme on Thursday. Al-Jayousi accused al-Johari of supporting the revolution in Syria, and was in turn accused of backing President Bashar alAssad in exchange for money.

•Zuma

apartheid in 1994 were able to cast their ballots for the first time, although only a third of those entitled to do so had registered to vote. An ANC victory would return President Jacob Zuma for a second five-year term. He was dogged by allegations of corruption in the build-up to the election after an independent inquiry found he had “unduly benefited” from an expensive government-funded upgrade to his private residence. Speaking as he cast his vote on Wednesday, Mr Zuma said he thought “the results will be very good”, but added that the campaign had been “very challenging”. In the last election in 2009, the ANC saw a slight drop in support, polling 66% of the vote.

Pakistan frees FBI agent detained at airport

AKISTAN released an FBI agent on nearly $10,000 bail yesterday after three days in custody, officials said, a move that is likely to prevent the situation from escalating into a diplomatic spat. The American man, who has been identified as Joel Cox from the bureau’s Miami field office, was detained after airport authorities found him carrying ammunition and three knives Monday as he was about to board a flight for the Pakistani capital, Islamabad. The arrest had threatened to open a new chapter in troubled relations between Pakistan and the U.S., which have been uneasy allies since the Sept. 11 terror attacks. But the relatively

fast release suggested efforts to defuse any tensions. Washington needs Pakistan’s help fighting al-Qaida and stabilizing neighboring Afghanistan, as NATO uses Pakistani roads to supply its troops. However, relations have strained over a series of incidents. CIA contractor Raymond Davis shot and killed two Pakistani men in Lahore in January 2011. The U.S. unilaterally killed Osama bin Laden in the Pakistani city of Abbottabad in May 2011 and American forces accidentally killed 24 Pakistani troops along the Afghan border the same year. U.S. drones strikes in the country also have angered Pakistanis.

U.S. raises concern over South China Sea clash

HE US has spoken out over “dangerous conduct and intimidation” in the South China Sea, after ships from Vietnam and China collided in disputed waters. The collisions came as the Vietnamese ships tried to prevent China setting up an oil rig near the Paracel islands. The incident is the most serious between the countries at sea in years, with dozens of boats now in the area. The US state department called Beijing’s move to introduce an oil rig in the area “provocative”. “This unilateral action appears to be part of a broader pattern of Chinese behaviour to advance its claims over disputed territory in a manner that undermines peace and stability in the region,” spokeswoman Jen Psaki said in a statement. “We are also very concerned about dangerous conduct and intimidation by vessels operating in this area,” she said, calling on all parties to operate in a “safe and professional manner”. The events, she added, highlighted the need for claimants to disputed areas to clarify their claims in accordance with international law.

Syria: Huge blast ‘destroys Aleppo hotel’

•Pro-Russia rebel leader Denis Pushilin at a news conference in Donesk, East Ukraine...yesterday

Ukraine: Rebels vow to go ahead on referendum

HE leaders of the “Donetsk People’s Republic” defied President Vladimir Putin yesterday and vowed to hold a referendum on Sunday on independence for this region of eastern Ukraine. Mr Putin had urged them to postpone this poll, but Denis Pushilin, the self-proclaimed “prime minister” of the “People’s Republic”, said the contest would go ahead as

planned. This was a unanimous decision of the 78-member “People’s Council”, he added. Mr Putin would learn of the outcome from the media like everyone else, explained Mr Pushilin. “We have not had direct contact with President Putin. We have had our meeting and now we are having our press conference and he is going to be aware of the decision,” said

Mr Pushilin. He said that a state of “war” existed between the “People’s Republic” and Ukraine’s government and warned of efforts to thwart the referendum. “We are waiting for provocations - even today we are waiting for them. But despite this, the population wants to have the referendum. There are millions of people waiting to cast their votes,” he said. The question on the ballot

paper will ask whether voters want the Donetsk region to become an independent republic. This area has 4.5 million people and is the industrial backbone of Ukraine’s economy. Whether a credible referendum can be staged is questionable. Mr Pushilin’s allies promise that 1,200 polling stations and 53 counting centres will be ready on Sunday.

Thailand ex-PM faces corruption charge

HAILAND’s anti-graft body has indicted ousted leader Yingluck Shinawatra over a controversial rice subsidy scheme. The case will now be voted on at the Senate. If impeached, Ms Yingluck will be barred from politics for five years. On Wednesday, a Thai court ordered Ms Yingluck and several cabinet ministers to step down over separate charges. Thailand has been in political turmoil since anti-government protests erupted in November 2013. In February, snap

elections were annulled. The National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) unanimously voted to indict Ms Yingluck, the commission’s chief said yesterday. “The committee has investigated and there is enough evidence to make a case ... We will now forward it to the Senate,” Panthep Klanarong said. The NACC is also considering whether to file criminal charges against Ms Yingluck. Ms Yingluck has previously said she was only in charge of formulating the policy, not the

day-to-day running of the scheme, and has said that the commission treated her unfairly. Under the rice subsidy scheme, the government bought rice from Thai farmers at a much higher price than on the global market. However, it resulted in the accumulation of huge stockpiles of rice and hit Thailand’s rice exports hard. Critics said the scheme was too expensive and vulnerable to corruption. Anti-government demonstrations have

called for Ms Yingluck’s removal since November Thailand’s rice exports suffered after the government stockpiled supplies as part of its subsidy scheme Government supporters, known as “red shirts”, have planned a mass rally on Saturday Separately, on Wednesday, Thailand’s Constitutional Court ruled that Ms Yingluck acted illegally when she transferred her national security head to another position in 2011.

LARGE explosion in the northern Syrian city of Aleppo has destroyed a hotel and several other buildings, state media and activists report. Rebel fighters are believed to have detonated a bomb placed in a tunnel beneath the Carlton Citadel Hotel, near the city’s medieval citadel and souk. The UK-based Syrian Observatory for Human Rights said government troops had been based there and at least 14 died. Both sides have been trying to end a long-standing stale-

mate in the city. In recent weeks, rebels have been trying to advance on areas where government forces are entrenched, while rebel-held areas of Aleppo have come under fierce aerial bombardment since mid-December. The state news agency, Sana, reported that “terrorists” had blown up tunnels they had dug underneath archaeological sites in the Old City. Preliminary reports said the hotel had suffered “huge damage”, it added, without saying if there had been any casualties.

Venezuelan security breaks up protest camps

ENEZUELAN security forces have broken up a number of protest camps and arrested almost 250 people, officials said. Interior Minister Miguel Rodriguez said four encampments in the eastern part of the capital, Caracas, had been cleared. He said members of the National Guard had found “drugs, weapons, explosives and mortars” in the tents. More than 40 people have died since anti-government protests began in early February and thousands more arrested. Mr Rodriguez said 243 protesters had been detained and that the authorities were currently determining who to charge. The minister alleged that protesters used the camps as bases to launch “violent attacks”, after which they would “hide in the camps saying they were taking part in a peaceful protest”. The arrests come three days after the pressure group Human Rights Watch (HRW) accused the Venezuelan security forces of illegally detaining and abusing opposition protesters. Mass deployment The local mayor said that 700 military police officers were sent in to clear one camp alone.

THE NATION FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014

FRIDAY, MAY 9, 2014 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

HE President’s advice to the national conference delegates was to think of national interest in all their deliberations. It is becoming increasingly clear, however, that whatever understanding of national interest the delegates had prior to their arrival in Abuja has been the prime mover of their contributions to conference debates. This is by no means to be lamented. Delegates come from different backgrounds and they will prioritise the interests that they perceive as directly congruent to their respective conditions. It would appear then that in a situation where delegates present conflicting proposals based on their interests, there can be no arbiter or objective umpire. For contrary to the idealist belief that political deliberation and voting is a process of discovering the truth, what we are faced with is a different reality. Where interests are prioritised, reference to truth must take a back seat. That is to say, there is no truth to be discovered, only interests to be canvassed and promoted. Contrary to the mindset captured in the preceding paragraph, I would like to argue that even if interests are prioritised, there is still room for an objective determination of the means to achieving those interests. Confab delegates certainly have an interest in security because their various constituencies, including ethnic nationalities, professional groups and religious organizations, understand that without adequate security, they cannot satisfy any of their other interests. For this reason, there is a committee on National Security and at least one of the other sub-committees includes security as part of its mandate. This is the Committee on Devolution of Powers. From the reporting on the conference deliberations, however, it appears that both of the subcommittees that focus on security have rejected the proposal for the institutionalisation of state police in the constitution. From the Committee on Homeland Security, we have a recommendation for scrapping the Ministry of Police Affairs and replacing it with the Ministry of Homeland Security, which is to coordinate the “activities of the National Guard, Nigerian Police Force, Civil Defense Corps and the Nigerian Prisons Service”. What is significant, however, is not so much what the committee included but what it rejected. For while it endorsed the creation of a Ministry of Homeland Security, it rejected the creation of a decentralised police structure and opted instead for the continuation of the failed centralised security system that has demobilised us for almost fifty years. It is unclear from the reports what arguments the committees proffered for their support for

The unfolding American sorcery

N old Igbo street speak insists that nwa beke wu agbara, which translates roughly to mean that the whiteman is a spirit. It is an evocation which emanated from my brothers marveling at the inventive capacity of this long-nosed, funnycomplexioned fellow. For instance, the thought of a giant mass of iron (ship) floating on water or a huge iron bird cruising in the skies would often elicit the thought that whoever wrought such a magical act must have transcended the realm of the human. He must indeed be a spirit of sort. If you thought the above is street talk, what shall we say of America’s prediction of the terminality of this political entity call Nigeria in 2015? About 10 years ago, a U.S. organ had supposedly made a study and determined that the Nigerian state had an expiry date. The government of the day had dismissed the prediction nonchalantly as they are wont to react to almost all serious matters of state. There was no attempt to ascribe to the report, the thought and seriousness it required by setting up a thinktank to study it and follow through some of the indications. Absolutely no reasoned response than to abuse the Americans for wishing us evil; yes, President Olusegun Obas-

VOL.9 NO.2,843

TODAY IN THE NATION ‘This is what Nigeria has been reduced to; today, the nation’s leadership, despite our claims of being Giant of Africa, is reduced to a contemptible minion on the pages of a struggling and highly partisan – but aren’t we all partisan – and unethical American news medium’ OLA TUNDE OL OLADE OLATUNDE OLOLADE

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

SEGUN GBADEGESIN Fallacious reasoning for centralised security regime gbadegesin@thenationonlineng.net

•President Goodluck Jonathan

a centralised and against a decentralised security regime. But if precedent can be a rational guide in these matters, the arguments are too familiar and remain fallacious on all counts. If there is a common interest in security, the question we must answer is, “has a centralised system been effective since 1966?” The answer clearly is “no.” If we are rational human beings, we must be willing to jettison a failed approach and embrace one that has been shown to be successful in other places and make it work for us. In the recent past I have had to deal with the spurious arguments against state police and at the risk of repetition I shall once more rebut those closet unitarists whose idea of a federal system is the extreme antithesis of what it is. The arguments against decentralised (state) police are samples of immature and unsound reasoning. The first is that state police has the potential for abuse by politicians, especially governors and the party in power. The second argument is about funding the system. So, there is widespread agreement on (i) the present perilous state of internal security, (ii) the inadequacy of the federal police to deal with it, and (iii) the universally acknowledged effectiveness of state and local police in dealing with internal security in any nation. But because of the fear—imagined or real—that

politicians, especially governors are likely to use it as an instrument of oppression, plus uncertainty about funding, otherwise reasonable people are against the institution of state police. Neither of these concerns is unresolvable. They are challenges that reasonable people can meet and overcome. Take the case of funding. If security is the foremost responsibility of government, surely state governments can be expected to source for the means of discharging this responsibility even if it requires moderating expenses in other sectors. What is more, an effective system of internal security has the potential for generating internal revenue that not only pays for itself but also yields substantial dividends for investment in other sectors. Certainly such a regime can expect to attract a decent amount of domestic and foreign investment into the state. With business and industrial investment, opportunities are created for youth employment which in turn creates buying power, which leads to more investment and the circle can only be a virtuous one. There is a second consideration about funding. Even now that the police falls under the exclusive list of the Constitution, governors cannot be unconcerned about resources available to the police commands in their states, for they are still responsible for securing their citizens. A good number of governors have created State Security Commissions that raise funds for the police, while some raise their own vigilante groups. The major concern of opponents, however, is that in the hands of governors, state police is a weapon of harassment. This is not an imaginary fear because it happened during the First Republic. But the reality of the experience of almost half a century ago, vivid as it might be in our minds, cannot be a reliable yardstick for determining how we should

now live our lives. The mark of our humanity is rationality and with this endowment we are able to think through the most efficient and effective means of meeting the challenges that we face and identifying the most efficient means of satisfying our wants and needs. If we are wary of the experience of the past— premiers using state police to torment opponents—and we know that federal police has not worked efficiently and effectively to secure us—the blind can see it—then we must put on our thinking caps and device an effective means of avoiding the unacceptable experiences of the past. We could ensure that governors have no monopoly of supervisory authority over the state police by creating a civil and apolitical policing system. Each state might have a transparently independent Police Commission, with representation from major sectors of the civil society and financially autonomous, with constitutionally guaranteed revenue. Secondly, if we are fearful that governors may use state police to rig elections—harassing political opponents while empowering the rigging industry of supporters—then again we must device a means of avoiding such an inauspicious outcome. In any case, if the first proposal is acceptable and there is an independent supervisory agency, then the fear of using the police to rig elections would have been misplaced. For far too long, there has been one constant refrain against proposals for changing our way of doing those things that we all agree are not working. Whether it is change from dictatorship to democracy or unitarism to federalism, the opposition has always expressed a baffling lack of confidence in our collective maturity. We were told that we were not mature for democracy; that the kind of federalism we seek is dangerous in light of our present political circumstance. And state police is for mature societies which ours is not. The people making these claims consider themselves mature. This is what gives them the audacity to advise us against attempting what they believe the country is not ready for. While I cannot pronounce on the veracity of their claims to maturity, what is clear to me is that their arguments are self-serving and shortsighted as such. Federal control of security serves their self-interest. They forget, however, that control of the center is unpredictable and a failed security regime is an equal opportunity victimiser against which nobody has proven immunity. Hopefully, the entire conference at its plenary will vote for a decentralised police system. It is an important measure of a successful conference.

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

STEVE OSUJI

EXPRESSO

steve.osuji@yahoo.com

anjo who was at the helm then merely made a joke of such piece of early warning intelligence. Of intelligence, sorcery and sabotage: Today Nigeria unravels so speedily that the question on our lips now is: will Nigeria survive beyond 2015? Things are happening so rapidly, they indeed cascade beyond our control. The American script plays out unyieldingly, un-forgivingly towards a catastrophic destination. It seems intelligence has combined with sorcery (and laced with a bit of sabotage?) to force the expiration of this land. Intelligence: The auguries were conspicuous over a decade ago that Nigeria was indeed a failing state and devoid of a critical intelligent elite or leadership, it was bound to go to pieces. Sorcery: How come the Nigerian political system threw up the weakest and worst leadership in her history at this critical moment? Sabotage: Is America fuelling the fire of Nigeria’s disintegration and demise? America’s post-Nigeria strategies: If the

U.S. had foreseen the end of Nigeria, she surely has a post-Nigerian script prepared. What it means is that if Nigeria’s life after life is more expedient for the U.S., it makes strategic sense to orchestrate the demise of this current shambling contraption. Who’s noting, who’s working? Here are a few posers to ponder upon: was the Yar’AduaJonathan ticket a happenstance after all? Is this Boko Haram insurgency ordinary? Who are the masterminds and tacticians? Who are the financiers and how come we can’t track the huge funds required for this magnitude of operation? Where are the arms, ammunition (tanks and RPGs inclusive) and logistical supplies coming from? How come the U.S. has paid only lip service to this incipient terrorism in Nigeria five years on? Why has the U.S. established quasi military bases with drones and all, north and south of Nigeria? Why is the U.S. issuing incessant terror alerts in Nigeria, the latest being last weekend when the U.S. Department of State (USDS) warned that “groups associated with terrorism planned to mount an unspecified

attack against the Sheraton Hotel in Nigeria near the city of Lagos.” If the U.S. could pick this kind of information in her radar, how come she misses the movement of funds and arms fuelling the Boko Haram activities? Finally, was that a gloved hand recently when the U.S.DS made a statement that the Federal Government had failed in “addressing grievances among the northern populations.” This assertion is said to be contained in the U.S. Bureau of Counter-Terrorism 2013 Country Report. According to the report, “The government of Nigeria’s efforts to address grievances among northern populations, which include high unemployment and a dearth of basic services, made little progress. Some of the state governments in the North attempted to increase education and employment opportunities, but with almost no support from the Federal Government.” The Federal Republics of Northern and Southern Nigeria? And now see who is here at the nick of time to rescue the girls and solve all the terror problems – the Americans. This must be sheer sorcery? Well, Korea was split; Vietnam was split; so were Ireland and Congo, and most recently, Sudan and Ukraine. Might Nigeria be split? What is the game plan? •Continued on page 57 •For comments, send SMS to 08111526725

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