Nov 18, 2013 by The Nation

Nigeria’s widest circulating newspaper

Ajimobi: why I picked Obas’ children NEWS Page 7

News Gunmen at Ekiti hospital for babies P7 Sports W/Cup ticket special, says Enyeama P24 Business Nigeria’s debt stock now N8.32tr P25 www.thenationonlineng.net

VOL. 8, NO. 2671 MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

TR UTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM TRUTH

N150.00

‘Govt funded 2013 budget deficit with N544bn bond’

HE Debt Management Office (DMO) said yesterday that the Federal Government raised sovereign bond worth N544.06 billion to fund the 2013 budget deficit. The DMO DirectorGeneral, Dr Abraham Nwankwo, stated this at the opening of a two-day

workshop in Badagry, Lagos. The workshop, with the theme: “Transformation of Nigerian bond market and its benefits”, was organised by the Capital Market Correspondents’ Association of Nigeria. Nwankwo, who was represented by his Head of Policy, Strategy & Risk Manage-

ment, Mr Joe Ugoala, spoke on the topic: “The Role of DMO in the Transformation of the Bond Market”. Nwankwo said that N744.44 billion was spent on funding fiscal deficit in 2012; N852 billion was also raised in 2011 for the same purpose against N1.36 trillion in 2010. The director-general said

that before the resuscitation of the sovereign bond market, government borrowing from the domestic market was mainly in the form of 91-day treasury bills. He said that four Nigerian banks took advantage of the sovereign benchmarks established in the International Capital Market (ICM), to Continued on page 4

•PRESIDENCY BACKS U.S. ON BOKO HARAM P4 •TWO POLICEMEN KILLED IN LAGOS P10

•FUR Y OF WOMEN: A crowd of women protesting their disenfranchisement in Awka...yesterday •FURY

PHOTO: JOSEPH JIBUEZE

Parties reject Anambra poll APC, PDP, LP call for cancellation

HERE is outrage over what has been described as the fatally flawed governorship election in Anambra State. Candidates of the All Progressives Congress (APC), the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and the Labour Party (LP) called yesterday for the cancellation of the Saturday election. The APC said its initial call for a

SOME QUESTIONS ON THE ELECTION •Did INEC display voters register? •Why did people with voter cards fail to find their names in the register? •Why were observers detained? •Why were materials surplus in some areas and virtually missing in others? •Why did officials report late in many areas? •Why were result sheets not in some areas? •What role did the police and other agencies play?

From Augustine Avwode, Nwanosike Onu, Chris Oji and Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Awka

rerun in four local governments had been overtaken by the full report it received from its agents and observers (local and foreign).

It accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of “setting up” a multi-layer arrangement to ensure that most of the

With what has transpired and the degree of fraud... we make further demands for the cancellation of the exercise —Ngige

would-be voters were disenfranchised. The APC candidate, Dr. Chris Ngige, said: “We thought it was to be the freest and fairest election, with the presence of soldiers. But the op-

It was an election whereby soldiers assisted in harassing and chasing away voters. It was scientific (rigging) —Nwoye posite is the case. I hereby call for the total cancellation of the election. Jega should come and conduct it by himself.” “With what has transpired and Continued on page 4

•SPORTS P23 •CEO P27 •JOBS P32 •TRANSPORTATION P45 •POLITICS P47

THE NATION MONDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP POLL

Why we I • President, Chartered Institute of Arbitrators, Aare Afe Babalola (second right) presenting the Aare Afe Babalola's FellowsBatch B Prize to Justice Barbara Molokwu (second left) at the institute's annual President’s Dinner in Lagos…at the weekend. With them are former World Court Judge Prince Bola Ajibola (right) and Lagos State Attorney-General Mr Ade Ipaye. PHOTO: ADEGUNLE OLUGBAMILA.

•From right: Nigerian Ambassador to Japan, Ambassador Godwin Agbo, National President of Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar and the 2nd Deputy President, Iyalode Alaba Lawson at the Nigerian Embassy in Tokyo,during NACCIMA's Trade Mission to Japan. PHOTO: ABIODUN WILLIAMS.

•Managing Director/CEO, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Seni Adetu speaking at the company’s 63rd Annual General Meeting of Guinness Nigeria Plc in Benin City...at the weekend. Listening to him are the company’s Chairman, Guinness Nigeria Plc, Babatunde Savage (left) and Vice Chairman, Nick Blazquez.

•Minister of Finance Dr Ngozi-Okonjo-Iweala (second right) , Managing Director, Nigeria Liquefied Natural Gas Limited (NLNG), Babs Omotowa (right) , General Manager, External Relations, Kudo Eresia-Eke (left) ; General Manager, Production, Chima Isilebo (second left) and Deputy Managing Director Basheer Koko during the minister’s visit to the NLNG Plant in Bonny... at the weekend.

NDEPENDENT National Electoral Commission (INEC) chairman Prof Attahiru Jega has explained why the governorship election was rescheduled in 65 units in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area. He said an Electoral Officer in charge of the area sabotaged INEC’s preparations by allegedly withholding materials rather than distributing them. Besides, he said the result sheets, which differ according to units, were jumbled up. The commission took time to rectify the mix-up, which resulted in the delays experienced, he said. Jega said he suspected that the officer was induced by someone who wanted to subvert the process, adding that the alleged culprit has been handed over to the police for prosecution. The INEC, chairman, who spoke on AIT during a programme on the election, which was monitored in Awka, said efforts would be made to get to the root of the alleged sabotage. He said: “We made all the preparations and decentralised the process of distribution of materials in order to ensure that they get to the polling units in time for the commencement of the election. That was before Saturday. “Unfortunately and regrettably – we are human. We can do all the preparations, but if people are determined to subvert the process, one way or the other they will subvert it. “So, they used our staff. I think we should be very careful when we have a staff of about 12,000 in INEC, when one person has committed an offence and then you use it to generalise or condemn everybody in INEC. “Our Electoral Officer in charge of Idemili North Local Government, for inexplicable reasons, messed up the distribution of ballot box papers and result sheets. That was the cause of the delay in the distribution of materials in Idemili. “All materials were to have been distributed by Friday evening, but for some odd reasons, they made sure that they held onto some of the result sheets, and they also gave wrong result sheets to different polling units. “For Anambra election, as we did in Edo and Ondo, every polling unit has a unique result sheet. So, you cannot take one result sheet to a different place, because it will not work. “I assured the stakeholders when we met in Awka that materials must get to the polling units before commencement of election. “So, when we discovered at about 1am that there was this mix-up, and we tried to reach the Electoral Officer and the supervisor and there was confusion, and we knew something was fishy, we said there would be no deployment until we sorted out the problem. “As I speak, we have handed over the Electoral Officer to the police because clearly what he did is a sabotage of the electoral process, including the Local Government supervisor. “It took us until about 1pm to be able to sort out what they had jumbled up. We communicated with the community as at 1pm that we were ready to distribute to all the other wards, and materials were distributed.” Jega said INEC officials consulted with the community before rescheduling the election, which the All Progressives Congress (APC) rejected. “In Obosi ward, people were so agitated. Our people who were there,

•Jega

From Joseph Jibueze, Awka

they prevented them from going out. “Every effort to persuade them and to explain to them what caused the delay, and how we were willing from 1pm – accreditation is for four hours – to extend the period of accreditation by two hours, so that voting can begin and end in the day time. “They prevented us. By 5pm, we had to take a decision. Because at that time, even if they agreed for the election to hold, it was too late to do it, it would be at night and there would be more chaos. “We said, ‘look, we cannot cancel this election because there are prescribed regulations for cancellation. We recognise that by some fault of our own staff, we’re responsible for the delay in the commencement. Let us discuss’. “The community themselves said we could do it the following day. So, we rescheduled the election for Sunday, because the community had agreed to it. “It was the people who were there, who had prevented us from going out, that were discussing with the officials, and they agreed. That was the condition under which they removed their blockade. So, that was what happened.” Jega added that attention should focus on those aimed at corrupting their officials. “We should pay attention to those who are getting our officials to do this. Our responsibility is to ensure our officials do right. If they don’t do right, we should have the capacity to catch them, and to subject them to appropriate punishment. “We should be focusing attention on those who don’t want election to hold, who want to prevent it from holding, who want fraudulent activities to take place – they will do everything possible, including reaching out to our people who are fraudulent, to subvert the process. “I want to assure you that we’ll do everything possible to investigate this matter, but remember we are not the court, we are not the police. But we are serious about this matter; we’ll investigate it. We’ll ensure prosecution. “We have strong suspicions that he

THE NATION MONDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP POLL

failed in Obosi, by Jega ‘

We did the continuous voter registration in August, long before the November election. We displayed the register in the polling units so that anybody who is not on the electronic database can complain, and can be captured and included in the register. We said there would be no addendum register in Anambra election. So, if you gave people an opportunity and they didn’t take it, how can we be blamed?

‘

•Labour Party (LP) candidate Ifeanyi Uba, APC candidate Dr Chris Ngige and PDP candidate Tony Nwoye at a news conference rejecting the election...yesterday.

•Obiano

Parties induced voters with money, say monitors Disenfranchisement: Women protest in Awka T H HE Independent Election Monitoring Group(IEMG) yesterday said the conduct of the governorship poll in Anambra State showed that the voters’ register is padded. It also claimed that political parties induced voters with money. The IEMG made the submissions in a preliminary statement on its evaluation of the poll, which was signed by its National Coordinator, Mr. Festus Okoye and the Coordinator for Southsouth Zone, Anyakwee Nsirimovu. The statement said: “The voters register is still padded and additional and substantial work must be done by the Commission to make the voters register credible. “The Independent National Electoral Commission must review its operational strategies and methodologies ahead of the 2015 elections. “It must review its logistics in terms of understanding the geography and terrain of each state. It must review the operations of its offices in the various Local Government Areas and carry out a comprehensive audit of its offices and personnel. “ It must review its mapping of constituencies and flashpoints and synchronize same with the reform of the electoral framework for the conduct of elections. It is embarrassing that logistic challenges have been a recurring decimal in all elections conducted by the Independent National Electoral Commission since the 2011 elections. Although it said the elections were peaceful, it asked INEC to address its perennial logistic challenges. The statement added “The elections were generally peaceful. The actual voters conducted themselves well. Most of the voters understood the voting process and stayed on to witness the accreditation, voting and declaration of results of the election at the polling units. “The Independent National Electoral Commission must solve the perennial

connived with some people in order to undermine the electoral process.” On the missing names in the voters register, Jega said: “We have one single register from the database. And in Anambra State, there is a copy of it. In producing the register that goes out for an election, we have to

From Joseph Jibueze, Awka

UNDREDS of women have marched on the streets of Awka, the Anambra State capital, protesting alleged disenfranchisement by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) in the governorship election. The women, most of who are from Idemili North Local Government Area, said they were denied the right to choose their leader due to late arrival of materials at the polling units on Saturday and the rescheduling. The women said rescheduling the election to Sunday morning when most of them were in church was “a wicked act” by INEC. They sang songs depicting their anger, saying: “We no go gree oo, we no go gree, anyi aturo vote (we did not vote), we no go gree.” As they attempted the march on the INEC headquarters, policemen stationed at the junction leading to the commission’s office stopped them. The women dared the police to shoot them, singing in Igbo: “Iwe na ewe anyi, ehh, iwe na ewe anyi, anyi aturo nu vote oo, iwe (we are angry because we didn’t cast our votes).” One of the women said: “It’s our right to choose our leader. Jega promised us free and fair election, yet he failed us. “Election didn’t hold in many local government areas, yet they are preparing to announce results. Which results do they want to announce? Where did they get the results? It is a rigged result.”

From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja and Tony Akowe, Kaduna

challenge of late arrival of election materials and deployment to some polling units. “The late arrival of materials and election officials in some Local Governments and wards creates serious security challenges and diverts attention from the overall progress made in other polling units and Local Governments. “The various Political Parties must reform their ways and encourage the voters to vote in accordance with party programs and policies. It is brazen and irresponsible for Political Parties to be patrolling polling units on Election Day purposely to corrupt the electoral process.” The Election Monitoring Group however said contrary to general claim, there was low turn out of voters on Staurday.

make sure the register that is certified for the election, that there is complimentarity between what is in our database in Awka, for instance, and our national database. “So, there is certification. The register of voters that is certified and distributed to political parties 30 days

It added: “On the surface the voter turnout appeared to be high but a proportion of those at the polling units were not registered voters and were only at the polling units to await the arrival of representatives of some of the political parties that were financially inducing both registered voters and those malingering in some of the polling units. “Some of the voters with their voters’ cards could not locate their names on the voters register. Some of them who registered in 2011 did not revalidate their registration during the revalidation process in 2013 and could not find their names on the voters register. “ Others had their names omitted in the process of separating the registers and creating additional voting points. This cut off the alphabetical sequence of the registers and the excision of some names from the voters

before election and the one we use for election, under normal circumstances, is a register certified by us. “We are to trying to move away from a situation of chaos and unreliability of the voters register. That is why we did biometric registration. At the time we did the 2011

register. “While many people turned up at the polling units, the number of persons on the voters’ registers and those that submitted themselves for accreditation did not add up. In general, there was low voter turnout while so many people were hanging around the polling units because some of the Political Parties were inducing the voters at the precincts of the polling units. “Logistics and operational challenges bogged down the operations of the Independent National Electoral Commission in Idemili North and Idemili South Local Governments. This led to confusion and the ordering of the r-run of the elections in 65 polling units in Obosi ward in Idemili North Local Government. “Some of the Political Parties openly and brazenly induced voters at the precincts of the polling units. They shared money openly and did not care who was watching. The restriction of movement in and out of Anambra State created hardship for travelers and those plying Federal Highways to other States. “The independent National Electoral Commission must intensify voter and civic education ahead of the Governorship election in Ekiti State and the 2015 General Elections. The turnout of persons at the polling units on Election Day did not correlate with the number of persons on the voters register and those that carried out accreditation.” It faulted the military and police siege on Anambra State. The IEMG said: “Elections in Nigeria must be made a routine matter as the armada of arms and military and police personnel deployed for the conduct of elections in Nigeria gives the impression that Nigeria is in a war situation. “In future elections involving one State, the Police and the security agencies must create safe corridors in Federal Highways to allow for the movement of persons and goods. “ Total lockdown of a State for two days on account of a Local Election hurts the economy and creates hardship for the people of the State and people in contiguous States.”

elections, in spite of the biometric registration, it was still not perfect. There were so many addendum registers. “We did the continuous voter registration in August, long before the November election. We displayed the register in the polling units so that anybody who is not on the electronic

database can complain, and can be captured and included in the register. We said there would be no addendum register in Anambra election. “So, if you gave people an opportunity and they didn’t take it, how can we be blamed?”

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS

Parties: cancel Anambra poll

Continued from page 1

the degree of fraud, especially the question of result sheets not being sent with other election materials, we make further demands for the cancellation of the exercise,” Ngige said. PDP candidate Tony Nwoye said the election was full of irregularities. Nwoye, who could not vote because his name was missing on the register, said: “Jega knew what went wrong. He simply refused to fix it. The Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC) in Anambra, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukaogu, laid the foundation. But the full blame must go to Jega.” He added: “What happened in Anambra State on Saturday is a monument fraud. It was a big embarrassment. It shows that we are not in anyway better than we were in the days of Prof. Maurice Iwu. I have never seen an election like this in all my life. “It was an election whereby soldiers assisted in harassing and chasing away voters. It was scientific (rigging). It was

‘Govt funded 2013 budget deficit with N544bn bond’

Why Anambra election should be nullified, by APC

HE All Progressives Congress (APC) gave reasons yesterday why the Anambra State governorship election should be cancelled. In a statement by its National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Lai Mohammed, the party said its demand was “based on the massive disenfranchisement of people across the state, caused by the blatant incompetent and/or deliberate sabotage by the electoral commission itself”. The party said the call for total cancellation supersedes its early call for a rerun in four local government areas, “based on the report received from agents as well as from local and foreign observers during the poll”. It accused Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of inexplicably using a voters’ register that is totally different from what it gave to political parties ahead of the election, with the result that the new register did not contain the names of most of the regiswell planned and aptly executed. “Whatever is the outcome of the election today or any day they choose to announce the result, it is not acceptable to us.” Speaking on his inability to vote, Nwoye said: “On the eve

tered voters. The party said: “Worse still, delivery of materials to the stongholds of the APC candidate, Senator Chris Ngige, was either done very late or not at all, a development that further robbed over 300,000 of his supporters in three key local governments of Idemili North, Idemili South and Awka South of their franchise. ‘’After consultations with our agents as well as with local and foreign observers, we have discovered that what we earlier complained about was a child’s play, compared to the widespread disenfranchisement that was orchestrated by the same body given the responsibility of ensuring a free, fair and creditable election on Saturday. ‘’We discovered that INEC has set up a multiContinued on page 55 layer arrangement to ensure that most voters in the

of the election, an INEC official called to inform me that they had removed my name from the voters list. My unit had over 500 registered voters, but they removed most of the names, including those of my parents. They used the military Continued on page 55

Continued from page 1

raise 1.85 billion dollars (N290.45 billion). Nwankwo said the amount was raised between January 2011 and November 2013. He said the banks that issued eurobonds during the period were GTB, Access Bank, Fidelity Bank and First Bank. According to him, 20 Nigerian corporate organisations have raised long-term capital of over N200 billion from the domestic debt market from 2005 to 2012 to fund the development of the real sector. “The transformation of the domestic bond market in Nigeria and the ICM provided alternative source of funding for government’s financing gaps and develop-

ment of the domestic debt market”, he said. Nwankwo said the new bond market led to the establishment of international benchmark for foreign debt issuers by International Finance Corporation (IFC), a member of the World Bank group. He said the IFC, in March 2013, issued a naira denominated debt instrument worth $76 million in the domestic debt market. He said that the succession of large budget deficits in the recent past resulted in the rapid growth of public debt. Nwankwo also said government had instituted a regime of fiscal consolidation to ensure reduction in government’s domestic borrowing over time.

Our position, by PDP, APC, LP

HE candidates of the three leading opposition parties in Anambra State rejected yesterday, Saturday’s governorship election, calling it a monumental charade, which should be cancelled. The candidates are those of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Dr Chris Ngige, the People’s Democratic Party (PDP), Comrade Tony Nwoye and the Labour Party (LP), Dr Ifeanyi Ubah. They called on the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) to conduct a fresh election before the March, 2014 handover date by Governor Peter Obi. Speaking on behalf of the candidates, Ngige said the call became necessary because the election was characterised by irregularities and fraud. “We are here to tell the whole world that as a result of the high scale irregularities and fraudulent practices which characterised the faulty election, we call for the cancellation of the election, which held yesterday in Anambra State and we hereby

•Jega

•Kaduna Commissioner of Police Adenaike (left),with Collon…yesterday

From Augustine Avwode, Nwanosike Onu, Chris Oji and Odogwu Emeka Odogwu, Awka

use this opportunity to call on the INEC to do that and arrange a new governorship election in the state at which the people will elect a governor of their choice in a free and fair manner,” Ngige said. Explaining their decision, Ngige listed five grounds, which necessitated their line of action. He listed a fraudulent voters register, the manipulation of results Sheets, security harassment, and large scale financial inducement of voters at polling units by the ruling party. “So, when we reviewed all these things, we have come to the inevitable conclusion that this Commission is determined to go back to the old ways of doing things, and we will not accept that. The gains of the 2011 elections have been lost through this singular election in Anambra State. We, therefore, without equivocation, call for the canContinued on page 55

Presidency supports U.S. action on Boko Haram

HE United States declaration of Boko Haram and Ansaru as foreign terrorist organisations is a significant boost to Nigeria’s effort to end their violent campaigns, says Rueben Abati, Special Adviser on Media and Publicity to President Goodluck Jonathan. Abati said the U.S. action deepens a strong collaboration with Nigeria, in the fight against global terrorism. The designation denies the groups access to U.S. financial institutions and allows banks to freeze assets held in the United States. “What the US has done is an expression of further support for what the Nigerian authorities are doing, and a clear indication indeed that tackling terrorism is a global responsibility,” said Abati. “For the Nigerian government, this is a welcome and constructive development, and it provides further opportunities for deepening the existing collaboration between both countries in dealing with the scourge of terrorism and insurgency.” In a meeting in October, Presidents Barack Obama and Jonathan discussed violence perpetrated by armed groups,

Kidnapped Frenchman freed in Kaduna

FRENCH engineer taken hostage in Nigeria in December 2012, Francis Collomp, has been freed, President Francois Hollande said yesterday. In a statement, Hollande expressed thanks to Nigerian authorities for helping to secure the release of 63-year old Collomp, but provided no other details of how he was freed. “The president greets with joy the release of our compatriot Francis Collomp,” Hollande said. “France had never ceased to make every effort to achieve this happy outcome. The president expresses all of his gratitude to Nigerian authorities, with whom France worked in close cooperation, for their decisive action,” Hollande said. “This long-awaited news does not make us forget our seven compatriots who are

including Boko Haram in some parts of Nigeria. Abati said both countries have demonstrated determination to defeat terrorism in Nigeria. “Both Abuja and Washington will work together to make sure that terrorism does not continue to pose a threat to human progress in Nigeria or in any parts of the world. So there is that existing understanding, and what has happened now just takes it further,” said Abati.

still being held in Syria, in Mali and in Nigeria. France will continue to work tirelessly for their release.” The statement said Hollande had asked Foreign Minister Laurent Fabius to make his way immediately to Nigeria to receive Collomp. Collomp was kidnapped by around 30 armed men who attacked the residence of French firm Vergnet, the company for which he is working, in Rimi, Katsina state on the border with Niger. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that Collon, an engineer, was working with the firm handling the Katsina Wind Mill Power project, when he was abducted at his residence. Two people, a security guard and his friend, were shot dead during his abduction, while the Divisional Police Office in

Abati added that the designation strengthens the Nigeria administration’s efforts to thwart violence often carried out by Boko Haram and Ansaru, which creates chaos and insecurity in several parts of the West African country. “It reinforces the position of Nigeria, and puts to end terrorism, [from] the insurgencies to the proliferation of small arms and light weapons….[It] is something that requires the cooperation

Rimi was set ablaze by the kidnappers. Kaduna State Commissioner of Police Mr Olufemi Adenaike told reporters that the 63-year old French man was released by his abductors in Zaria on Saturday, after his initial incarceration in Katsina and Kano. According to him, the kidnappers did not demand any ransom since the man was kidnapped about a year ago. He said Collon was dumped by the roadside at Dan Magaji in Zaria, from where he took a commercial motorcycle to the Dan Magaji police station. Collon, accompanied by French Embassy officials, did not comment on the incident. The commissioner said the man would be departing Nigeria for France immediately to reunite with his family.

of the international community,” said Abati. “What has happened is clearly a demonstration of that — that wherever it exists, terrorism is a threat not just to the immediate community, but (also) to the entire world.” Abati said the country would hold Boko Haram accountable for the committing gross human rights violations against the people of Nigeria. Last June, the Nigerian government designated Boko

Haram a terrorist organisation. Earlier this year, the government declared a state of emergency in Borno, Yobe and Adamawa states as a strategy to curb violence perpetrated by Boko Haram. The measure has been renewed for a sixmonth period. “The security agencies have shown great capacity in containing this scourge, in routing the terrorists and displacing them, and making it im-

•Abati

possible for them to continue to challenge the sovereignty of the Nigerian state,” said Abati. Critics, however, say the Continued on page 55

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THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS

The Nation MD’s mum dies at 82

CBN to sanction dealers of ‘free funds’

By Collins Nweze

UTHORISED dealers who violate foreign exchange (forex) policy through “free funds” will be sanctioned, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) has said. The apex bank at the weekend said some dealers failed to document forex demands and sales to their customers, as required under the Retail Dutch Auction System (RDAS). In a circular to dealers, the CBN Director, Trade and Exchange, Batari Musa, said the regulator noted that some authorised dealers had continued to deal in “free funds” without adequate documentation, contrary to the provisions of extant regulation. The circular, on behalf of Musa by W. D. Gotring, said: “Further to the circular ref: TED/AD/2004 of March 4, 2004, titled: Transaction in ‘Free Funds’ by Authorised Dealers’ said it observed that some authorised dealers have continued to deal in ‘free funds’ without adequate documentation contrary to provisions of extant regulation.” The CBN reminded the dealers that the circular was still in force. It said all dealings in foreign exchange must be supported with appropriate documentation and returns rendered to regulatory authorities, irrespective of the source of the funds. The apex bank said dealers who violated the laws would be sanctioned.

From left: Corporate Media and Brand Public Relations Manager, Nigerian Breweries Plc, Mr Edem Vindah; Managing Director, Lagos State Signage and Advertisement Agency (LASAA), Mr. George Noah; Commissioner for Information and Strategies, Alhaji Lateef Ibirogba and Director, Corporate Communication and CSR, Airtel, Mr Emeka Opara, during a media parley with Noah in Lagos... at the weekend.

New PDP to Jonathan: account for missing $5b T HE New Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) has challenged the Federal Government to account for the $5 billion, which has reportedly disappeared from the nation’s Excess Crude Account (ECA). The factional party was reacting to allegation of the missing fund by the Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) Chairman and Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi when he opened the second annual retreat of the NGF in Sokoto at the weekend. Amaechi alleged that the Excess Crude Account stood at $9 billion in January but

had now shrunk to $4 billion. A statement yesterday by New PDP National Publicity Secretary Chikwuemeka Eze said the allegation was too weighty to be swept under the carpet, because of the realities on the ground. The statement said: “For all intents and purposes, Governor Amaechi is not a frivolous person and is not known for making frivolous

claims. We told Nigerians about the poor handling of our common patrimony by this administration but sadly, nobody took us serious. “Today, the unmistakable evidence is that Nigeria is broke, as the Federal Government now finds it difficult to meet its obligations to states, local governments and contractors.” The factional party hailed Amaechi for bringing the matter to the open and challenged the Federal Govern-

National Assembly sued over state creation

MDGs unattainable, says Presidency

From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor, Abuja

From Olugbenga Adanikin, Abuja

HE Senior Special Assistant to the President on the Millennium Development Goals (SSAP-MDGs), Dr. Precious Gbeneol, has said the challenge of insecurity and unemployment may prevent the Federal Government from attaining the MDGs. The presidential aide said the challenges affected the 2015 deadline. Gbeneol spoke in Abuja at the World Science Day for Peace and Development. She urged the public to embrace peace and support the present administration to ensure a secured society where the larger population could access meaningful and sustainable development. A statement yesterday in Abuja by the Office Head, Information and Communication, Dr. Christopher Otabor, said no meaningful development could be achieved in an environment that is threatened by insecurity, especially when the people were unemployed. Gbeneol noted that the security challenges in the country, especially in the Northeast, had prevented development and erased government’s earlier gains. She said: “Though eradication of extreme poverty and hunger remains one of the most difficult to attain in view of the current challenges, there is, however, a better outlook on hunger reduction. But by the consistent progress in the past decade and current efforts, through the agricultural transformation agenda, it is possible that the proportion of underfive children, who are underweight, now 24.0 per cent, can be brought down to 17.85 per cent by 2015.”

From Gbade Ogunwale, Assistant Editor, Abuja

ment to tell Nigerians what it did with the money. It also challenged the nation’s anti-graft agencies to probe the whereabouts of the missing fund. The new PDP said: “That this administration is running for a price award as the most corrupt administration in the annals of governance in Nigeria is not in doubt. “We urge Nigerians to heed the advice of the NGF and stop being docile in the face of monumental impunity in the country. This, in reality, is the only way to rescue Nigeria from the path of doom...”

•Ekweremadu

EPUTY Senate President Ike Ekweremadu at the weekend saidfor one of the groups agitating state creation has sued the National Assembly for its failure to create new states. Ekweremadu spoke in Abuja when a group seeking the creation of Bori State from Rivers State met him. The Bori State Movement, led by a Second Republic Senator Gbene Nunieh Cyrus, met Ekweremadu on the update of the group’s records for the creation of the state. Another prominent member of the group, Senator Magnus Abe, noted that Cyrus had been instrumental to the creation of Bori State. Abe said the proposed Bori State comprises seven local government areas - Oyigbo,

Eleme, Andoni, Gokana, Kana, Tai and Okpoponkoro. Though Ekweremadu did not name the new state movement, a source said it was Adada State Movement, as the group has reportedly gone to court. The Deputy Senate President said the group went to court to compel the National Assembly to create new states. He stressed that going to court to seek an injunction to compel the National Assembly to create new states was not the way to go about state creation. Ekweremadu said: “I am told that one of those agitating for states has taken the matter to court. I think they are from my state. “Instead of doing the right thing, they preferred to go to court to waste the state’s resources in the name of getting the court to compel us to do our work. It does not work that way. “The issue of state creation for us is very fundamental, and because we are lawmakers, we believe in obeying laws and doing things the way they are written in the law. We are persuaded mostly by the principle of self-

determination, which is an international law principle. “We believe that people should have the opportunity to decide where they want to live and how they want to live. It is a fundamental human right that has been recognised in almost all treaties. “More importantly, our constitution makes provisions for state creation and we are given the responsibilities to ensure that this happens. So, we will continue to do our best in that regard. “Regrettably, during the last exercise we did, we discovered that out of sheer enthusiasm, most of the states’ requests did not meet the requirements of our Constitution, especially Section 8, which talks about those who are to sign the requests. “In most instances, we discovered that traditional rulers quickly signed this, maybe out of love and enthusiasm, without looking at the content of the Constitution about who should sign. “In some instances where parliamentarians, who the Constitution requires to sign this, signed many years ago before this particular dispensation. I believe some of those requests did not meet

the requirements of the Constitution.” The Deputy Senate President noted that the Bori State Movement was on the right course, saying: “So, you have taken the right step by looking at your papers, updating them and bringing them today.” He reminded others who might take a legal action that “anybody who goes to court, we have to wait until the court has finished its processes before we process their papers”. Ekweremadu advised groups seeking the creation of new states to take a cue from what Bori State Movement had done. He urged them “to look at their papers, update them and if they still want the state, they should as much as possible send their requests and we will be happy to process them and do what we have to do”. To the new state agitators, he said: “Now that you have brought your papers, we assure you that very shortly, we will meet to consider your request and if it meets the positions of Section 8 of the Constitution in respect of the signatories to this request, we would be will to have it sent to INEC for referendum to be conducted.”

SURE-P votes N15b as unemployed graduates’ allowances

HE Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) has earmarked N15 billion to pay the allowances of unemployed graduates participating in its Graduate Internship Scheme (GIS). The Head of the programme’s GIS, Mr Akubo Adegbe, addressed reporters yesterday in Minna, the Niger State capital. He said each of the 50,000 participants to be recruited for the internship programme would earn N25,000 monthly. The agency chief said the scheme was aimed at providing participants with requisite experience in various disciplines preparatory to getting jobs. Adegbe said the graduates would be placed in firms and organisations, non-governmental organisations (NGOs) and

selected government agencies on a one-year internship. He said: “The interns are expected to acquire professional skills, training and work experience to improve their job-placement opportunities. “The Federal Government will be responsible for paying monthly stipends to them, while participating institutions will be expected to provide adequate opportunities for training and mentoring.” Adegbe said the scheme would enhance the chances of the 50,000 unemployed graduates by improving their skills during the internship programmes. He urged the graduates to ensure that they registered for the scheme.

ADAM Elizabeth Okheren Ifijeh (nee Obadan), the mother of The Nation Managing Director/Editor-in-Chief, Mr. Victor Ifijeh, is dead. She died on November 4 in Benin, the Edo State capital. She was 82. In a statement yesterday announcing her transition “with total submission to the will of the Almighty,” Ifijeh said the burial would be announced later. The late Madam Ifijeh is survived by many children, grandchildren and great grandchildren.

NYSC to corps members: don’t fear insecurity From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

HE National Governing Board of the National Youths Service Corps (NYSC) has urged corps members undergoing this year’s Batch ‘C’ orientation course at 34 camp grounds across the country not to be afraid of insecurity in their state of deployment. The Chairman of the NYSC Governing Board, Gordon Bozimo, assured that tight security had been arranged to protect the corps members anywhere in the country. The chairman addressed corps members at the NYSC permanent orientation camp in Ikot Itie Udung, Nsit Atai Local Government Area of Akwa Ibom State. He noted that corps members were unique people who deserved special protection. According to him, the establishment of a distress call centre two years ago by the NYSC management was meant to ensure that corps members report any form of threat to their lives. He said: “I hope you have received adequate briefing on the operations of the centre and other safety measures contained in the pamphlet, titled Security Tips. I want to encourage you to be securityconscious and pay close attention to your security lessons here on camp.

Mark decries poor funding of legal body From Onyedi Ojiabor, Assistant Editor and Sanni Onogu, Abuja

ENATE President David Mark at the weekend decried inadequate budgetary allocation to the Body of Benchers. Senior lawyers, Judicial officers, including serving and retired Chief Justices of Nigeria, Attorney-General of the Federation and those of the states, are members of the Body of Benchers of Nigeria. The Senate President, however, promised that the National Assembly would consider appropriate allocation to the body in next year’s budget. A statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Paul Mumeh, said Mark’s remarks followed the requests by the Body of Benchers for adequate budgetary allocation to the body, which is believed to be cashstrapped. The Senate President, who received a delegation from the body in Abuja, said this was necessary to enable the body function properly and contribute to making the society better.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS ‘Nigeria doesn’t have 100m destitute’ From Augustine Ehikioya, Abuja

HE Federal Government has faulted a World Bank official’s statement that the country has 100 million destitute. A statement by the Chief Economic Adviser to the President, Dr Nwanze Okidegbe, said the claim was faulty. The statement reads: “We have read with utter dismay the statement by World Bank’s Country Director, Marie-Francoise Marie-Nelly, that 100 million Nigerians are living in destitution or extreme poverty. This spurious claim is astonishing on a number of levels. “First, it clearly contradicts the position of the World Bank on the level of poverty in Nigeria. During the visit of the bank’s Vice President for Africa, Makhtar Diop, in May 2013, he declared that poverty had fallen under this administration from 48 per cent to 46 per cent. Given our current population of about 170 million people, the country director’s imagery of 100 million Nigerian destitute seems to be based on a much higher poverty rate than that of her boss. The question that arises from this absurdity, therefore, is: who is right? “Second, according to the World Bank, to live in extreme poverty is to live on less than $1.25 per day, including the cost of accommodation, clothing, feeding and other incidentals. $1.25 per day translates to N200 per day (or N6,000 per month). On feeding alone, a loaf of bread costs over N200 in many parts of Nigeria, while a plate of food, even from a roadside food vendor, costs about the same amount. “Also, there are about 112 million active global system of mobile communication (GSM) lines in Nigeria. Even accounting for those who own more than one phone and netting out nearly 44 per cent of Nigerians who are under 15 years (and mostly do not have phones), this is not a description of a country with 100 million destitute living in extreme poverty.

Fed Govt generates N9b for MSMEs

By Toba Agboola

HE Federal Government, through the Bank of Industry’s (BOI’s) counterpart funding programme with 17 state governments, has generated N9 billion for Micro, Small and Medium Enterprises (MSMEs) for the implementation of the National Enterprises Development Programme (NEDEP). The Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr. Olusegun Aganga, spoke on the fund at the weekend in Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, at the launch of NEDEP and inauguration of the state’s MSME Council. The council has representatives from the state government, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN), Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN), the National Agency For Food Drugs Administration and Control (NAFDAC), the Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI), BOI and the Industrial Training Fund (ITF), among others. Aganga explained that the inauguration was part of the Federal Government’s efforts at growing the MSME sector through partnerships with states on job creation and wealth generation. He said: “We are here today in Bayelsa State to start the NEDEP and inaugurate the SMEs council because the MSME sector is the bedrock of inclusive economic growth. The sector represents 97 per cent of enterprises in Nigeria and employs 32 million, according to the National Bureau of Statistics and SMEDAN. “To address the lack of access to finance for the sector, the Federal Government, through the Bank of Industry, has developed a counterpart funding with 17 states, with more next year. This scheme has generated approximately N9 billion for MSME development.” The minister stressed that NEDEP was developed to address the challenges militating against MSME’s growth and development.

Budget: Anxiety as New PDP Senators, Reps meet

HEAD of tomorrow’s presentation of the 2014 Appropriation Bill by President Goodluck Jonathan, the New Peoples Democratic Party senators and members of the House of Representatives have scheduled a meeting to take a position. While the senators will meet on Monday, House members may hold theirs’ an hour before the President’s presentation on Tuesday. It was learnt that the New PDP members in the National Assembly are insisting on $79 benchmark. The Executive has proposed a benchmark of $74 per barrel in the 2014-2016 Medium Term Expenditure Framework (MTEF) and Fiscal Strategy Paper (FSP). But while the Senate jacked up the benchmark to $76.5 per barrel, the

•Insist on $79 per barrel benchmark From Yusuf Alli, Managing Editor, Northern Operation, Abuja

House of Representatives voted in favour of $79. Although the Senate and the House are expected to constitute a Joint Conference Committee to harmonise the differences on the benchmark, the Executive was, however, said to be uncomfortable with either $76.5 or $79 per barrel. The New PDP senators and members of the House have decided to pitch tent with the masses and the 36 states, which may be cash strapped if $74 benchmark was adopted, it was learnt’ New PDP Senators and the House members were said to have been summoned to an emergency meeting to-

day and tomorrow by 9am before the presentation of the 2014 budget by the President at 10am. A text message to the Representatives yesterday simply said: “New PDP members in the National Assembly will meet on Tuesday by 9am.” A key member of the group in the National Assembly said: “We want to meet and chart a position on the benchmark. You know, the next stage is a joint conference committee to harmonise the differences. “We do not agree with the proposal from the Executive, we are in favour of $79 benchmark. We decided to talk to weigh options in case the Senate is infiltrated to stick to $76.5 per barrel. “The fact is that the 36 states would

not be able to survive if the benchmark remains at $74 per barrel.” Another member of the group’s caucus in the National Assembly said: “We have intelligence report that the Executive opted for $74 benchmark to reduce the funds available to the 36 states because of 2015 poll. “The strategy is that if states could barely survive, their governors won’t get money to spend in preparation for 2015. “And for governors, who are seeking a fresh mandate in 2014, they will be left with only recurrent expenditure, no money for capital projects to sell their candidature. “We are, however, looking beyond the permutations of the Presidency. 2015 election or not, Nigerians deserve quality service and sustainable infrastructure.

•From right: Governors Babatunde Fashola (Lagos); Deputy Governor Ahmed Ibeto (Niger); Chairman, Nigerian Governors’ Forum (NGF) Rotimi Amaechi (Rivers); Aliyu Magatakarda Wamakko (Sokoto) and Dr. Kayode Fayemi (Ekiti), during the second annual retreat of the NGF in Sokoto...at the weekend.

Family urges govt to rescue member from Chinese jail

HE family of Tony Oluwafemi, a Nigerian serving a 10-year jail term in a Chinese jail, has urged the Federal Government to rescue him. Oluwafemi and his wife, a Chinese woman, were sentenced on November 7 for alleged robbery and aiding and abetting robbery. Oluwafemi’s brother, Olu, told The Nation on phone that the couple was not given a fair hearing before they were sentenced. He said their two children had been left without parental care. Olu, in a statement, said: “My brother was sentenced by the Chinese people’s local court to 10 years in prison for an alleged robbery case he knows nothing about. There is every indication to prove his innocence but the court has refused to admit his proof. “He was arrested and detained on October 25, 2012, before he was sentenced on November 7. His lawyer made an appeal on his behalf, which the court accepted but due to the Chinese law, I don’t think the appeal would make any change, if proper measures are not taken. “The Nigerian Embassy is aware of this incident but it has refused to show any interest. It even declined twice the invitation extended to it by the court during the sittings. I believe the embassy’s presence at the court would have made a good impact. But I am yet to understand why the officials never showed up. “While I was at the embassy, after the court judgment to complain why its officials were not present at the court, the Deputy Chief of Mission threatened me with the police because he felt I was not in a position to question his authority. Before using the police to threaten me, he said: ‘Do you want to tell me you did not know your brother actually robbed? If he did not rob, he won’t have been convicted.’

By Olukorede Yishau

“I strongly believe someone, who is close to him, gave him that impression and that same person, because of his close ally with the police, gave the police same impression. From my observation and assertion since the beginning of this allegation, I strongly believe that my brother’s case was highly conspired and misinterpreted not only by the complaints but also by a Nigerian, who he had some personal issues with. Since then, I have been restricted from the embassy. “His lawyers have really tried to prove his innocence, but with regards

to the Chinese law, they have limited power to defend their clients, especially when the prosecutor has submitted its verdict to the court. “The Chinese judicial system is one I respect very much because of their good records of operating a fair and responsible judgment. But on this case, there is a high degree of misconception from the prosecutor due to the high degree of conspiracy... “I am calling on fellow Nigerians and whoever it may concern to make the Federal Government call the attention of the Nigerian Embassy in Beijing to help me follow up the case at the Appeal Court so that the court can make sure that my brother is proven inno-

cent and released. But if he has been found guilty of this allegation, which I largely doubt, they should give substantial evidence.” Olu added that his brother’s two babies are just three years and a year old. “He (Oluwafemi) is Type 2 diabetic. I learnt he complains of inadequate medical attention in detention. I don’t want my brother’s case to be like the Florida man, James Bain, who was found innocent after spending 35 years in prison; or like the case of Yu Yinsheng in China, who was found innocent after spending 17 years in jail on the alleged murder of his wife.”

Arbitration best for dispute resolution, says Afe Babalola By Adegunle Olugbamila

•Babalola

EGAL icon Aare Afe Babalola (SAN) has said the arbitral measure of dispute resolution is the best way for litigants to avoid time-consuming cases. Babalola, who is the president/ chairman of the Council of Chartered Institute of Arbitrators of Nigeria (CLARB), spoke at the weekend in Lagos at the institute’s annual presidential dinner at the Lagos Sheraton Hotels and Towers, Ikeja. Babalola said the process is conviv-

ial, adding that practitioners were as much competent as the judges in normal courts. “Arbitrators, by virtues of their training and functions, play the same role as judges in regular courts, albeit, deriving their jurisdiction from agreement of parties to submit themselves to arbitration. “Arbitration is recognised all over the world as a speedy, friendly, cheap and surest way of settling disputes. Our law also recognises it as a means of settling disputes. “If Nigeria is to do well and progress on the path of development, the process of arbitration must be accorded its proper place in our judicial system. No serious investor wants to be bogged down in long and tortuous litigation in courts, especially in commercial matters having time sensitivity. Such a development is simply not good for business and, since disputes must inevitably arise in today’s complex world

of business, no government interested in attracting investors to its country can afford to ignore the need to put in place an efficient process for parties to commercial and other transaction to resolve their disputes.” The legal luminary noted that despite the advantages of arbitration and its appeal to many countries, individuals and institutions still found it difficult to appreciate the basic differences between it and the “normal adversarial system of litigation”. He said CLARB, since its inception, have always prioritised standard. Babalola said this virtue also reflected in the crop of highly moral individuals the institute paraded. CLARB’s founding president and former World Court Judge Prince Bola Ajibola, presented certificates to 28 new fellows and 144 associate members of the institute, with assistance from Babalola. Justice Ajibola (rtd.) urged the new inductees to keep the institute’s flag flying.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS

Why I picked rulers’ children for exco, by Ajimobi •Alaafin: governor is following Awolowo’s footsteps

YO State Governor Abiola Ajimobi explained at the weekend why he appointed the children of some traditional rulers as commissioners. Ajimobi said he picked them based on their qualifications and record, adding that their fathers did not solicit their appointment. He spoke in his office while receiving traditional rulers in the state, led by the Alaafin of Oyo, Oba Lamidi Olayiwola Adeyemi III. Ajimobi said: “I am aware of what some people have been saying about the appointment of the children of some traditional rulers as commissioners. The question is: who among them was not qualified for the appointment? “I chose them. None of their fathers contacted me or requested appointment for any of the commissioners. I perused their papers and I discovered that they all had good records. We are proud of them. “The appointment was to show

respect to the traditional rulers, support the traditional institution and recognise their contribution to the state’s development. “Your visit is very encouraging. It is a demonstration of your love and support for our administration. It also shows that the people are with us and are very pleased with what we are doing. No leader can emerge except by the will of God and we thank you immensely for being with us since the beginning of our administration.” Restating his determination to continue to improve the state, the governor said: “We are determined to restore Oyo’s pacesetting status. We want to use the opportunity we have to make Oyo one of the best states in Nigeria.” The Alaafin said the visit was to applaud the governor on the achievements of his administration and his choice of commissioners and special advisers.

•Ajimobi (right) discussing with Oba Adeyemi...at the weekend.

Oba Adeyemi said Ajimobi was emulating the governance style of the late Chief Obafemi Awolowo. He hailed the governor’s “reverence and exemplary deference” to the traditional institution, assuring him that the present crop of rulers would not disappoint him. Oba Adeyemi said: “We shall strive to maintain the dignity of our revered office and serve as a veritable adjunct of pragmatic governance

in Oyo State.” He said the late Awolowo established the first bi-camera legislature in Black Africa when he inaugurated the House of Chiefs to run contemporaneously with the House of Assembly in the old Western Region in 1959. Oba Adeyemi said the idea of giving ministerial appointments to Obas to create rapport between the executive arm of government and the traditional institution, which

Car, housing loans for Ekiti teachers

KITI State Governor Kayode Fayemi has approved car and housing loans for teachers in public schools, it was learnt at the weekend. The government will give special grants to teachers deployed in rural areas and organise regular training pro-

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

grammes. It plans to provide a twobedroom bungalow for any teacher and education manager posted to the hinterlands. Deputy Governor Prof. Modupe Adelabu and Education Commissioner Kehinde Ojo announced

these at the opening of the annual training of 2,500 teachers from the three senatorial districts. They said World Bank officials were expected in the state this week for the inauguration of the 10 per cent rural allowance incentive for teachers.

They said the government would start paying the allowance in January. Mrs. Adelabu said a committee had been raised to look into teachers’ promotion. She said the training was organised by the State Universal Basic Education Board (SUBEB).

‘Ekiti PDP not ready for power in 2014’

KITI State Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) Vice-Chairman Mr. Olatunde Olatunde has said the party cannot win next year’s governorship election. He said the party’s many problems “are indications that it cannot dislodge Governor Kayode Fayemi in 2014”. Olatunde said the poor leadership style of the party’s Chairman, Chief Makanjuola Ogundipe, was responsible for the PDP’s problems. He said he decided to speak out on the party’s problems after efforts by well-meaning members to resolve them failed. Olatunde, who is also the PDP Chairman in Ekiti North Senatorial District, said only a fool would not notice that all is not well with the party and its officials.

•My vice has joined the enemies, says party chair From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

He accused Ogundipe of stalling efforts to hold a PDP State Executive Council (SEC) meeting since the inauguration of the present state officials, an act he said was contrary to the provisions of the party’s constitution. Olatunde said: “Ogundipe is not leading the party aright. Do you want to talk about the way he junkets about? This will certainly not assist the party’s cause. Ekiti PDP has been embroiled in intra-party problems and efforts by the national body to resolve them have failed. Olatunde said: “The Presidential Committee on recon-

ciliation gave us a marching order after the reconciliation that we should come together and bury our hatchets. In the last three months since the order was given, our chairman has not deemed it fit to bring everybody together. “The SEC is the highest decision making organ of the party and the State Working Committee (SWC) is supposed to be working on SEC’s behalf. But we have never had any SEC meeting since inception and the excuse has been that we do not want to be criticised. A child that refuses to heed the advice of his parents will definitely be destroyed. “The present PDP leadership is fond of saying this is our group and we do not want to work with the other

group.” Ogundipe said Olatunde has “made up his mind to pitch his tent with the enemies of the PDP in Ekiti”. Speaking through his media aide, Femi Omolusi, the PDP chairman said contrary to Olatunde’s claims, there is unity in the party. Ogundipe said: “Our Exco has been working as a team. It is quite unfortunate that Olatunde is bringing up this kind of issue. I learnt he has joined forces with some elements bent on removing me from office. “I do not want to call him a liar because he is elderly, but I do not think he is saying the truth. We have held SEC meetings more than three times.”

Osun community votes 30 per cent income for education

RAGBIJI community in Osun State at the weekend urged the government to set a minimum standard for education in the country. It called for gender parity in schools and voted 30 per cent of its annual income to develop education in the town. The community made the call during its annual conference, tagged: Iragbiji Community Development Summit and Day. Provost of the College of

By Evelyn Osagie

Agriculture, Ejigbo Campus, Prof. Olorede Bayonle called for improved monitoring to ensure quality education in public and private schools. He said the school environment should be made more child-friendly, urging the government to change the existing educational pattern to an all-inclusive one that would benefit rural areas. Advocating capacity build-

ing in educational management, Bayonle said: “True education is the harmonious development of the physical, mental, moral (spiritual) and social faculties of human being. There is an urgent need to set a national minimum standard for education, especially for primary education, which must be followed by all providers, whether public or private. Efforts should be made to promote gender balance in schools through gender sen-

sitive curriculum, teachers and teaching materials.” The Aragbiji of Iragbiji, Oba Abdur-Rasheed Ayotunde Olabomi, said: “Education is key to development, so the education of our children is at the top of our agenda. Not less than 30 per cent of our community’s annual income would be dedicated to education. We would focus on primary, secondary and tertiary education while adopting the functionalist strategy.”

was initiated by the late Awolowo, was also borrowed by the Second Republic Governor of Oyo State, the late Chief Bola Ige, with the appointment of the then Ataoja of Osogbo and Eleruwa of Eruwa as commissioners without portfolios. He said: “I am of the strong opinion that the factors that made the experience succeed before will also be around to ensure its success during your time too.”

Police trail abductors of nonagenarian

From Damisi Ojo, Akure

HE police in Ondo State have said they are on the trail of the kidnappers of a 90-year-old woman, Ayiwobu Rachael Ibidapo. The nonagenarian was abducted from her home at Ikare Junction in Owo by four gunmen around 2pm last Friday. It was learnt that the hoodlums forced her into a Nissan car with Rivers State registration number, shooting intermittently into the air to scare people away. Sources said they escaped through the Ifon-Benin road. Police spokesman Wole Ogodo assured the victim’s family that she would be rescued unharmed and the gunmen apprehended.

Ritualists storm birth centre

USPECTED ritualists invaded a public health centre in AdoEkiti, the Ekiti State capital, in the wee hours of Saturday, demanding a day old baby. It was learnt that five suspected ritualists went to a health centre in Irona Quarters around 12:30am. An official of Ado-Ekiti Local Government Council said: “The hospital workers tried to convince them that babies delivered in the last one week had been discharged, but their explanations fell on deaf ears. They were dealt with mercilessly. This angered them and they beat up the medical personnel. They ransacked the wards and left when they did not find any baby.” She said one of the victims sustained a leg injury and was receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital in AdoEkiti.

From Sulaiman Salawudeen, Ado-Ekiti

During his visit to the centre, the Council Chairman, Mr. Tope Olanipekun, described the attack as “the height of callousness”. Olanipekun said: “The incident actually happened and we are taking steps to forestall a recurrence. The doctorin-charge has reported the case at the Okesa Police Station and we are planning to fence all health centres and strengthen security. “I have instructed that night duty be suspended until adequate security measures are put in place. We have also advised that expectant mothers in labour should be referred to Okeyinmi Health Centre.” Police spokesman Victor Olu-Babayemi said the incident had not been officially reported to the police.

YCE to discuss ‘neglect of Yoruba’

HE Yoruba Council of Elders (YCE) has said the ‘neglect of the Yoruba’ will be a central part of the Yoruba’s agenda at the proposed national conference. YCE Secretary-General Mr Idowu Sofola (SAN) spoke with reporters at the end of the council’s meeting in Ibadan, the Oyo State capita, at the weekend. Sofola said the group raised a committee to coordinate its activities on the conference. He said the group had

From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

reached out to other Yoruba groups to present a common position at the confab. YCE said the Yoruba would not allow themselves to be relegated to the background in the country, adding that the issue needs to be addressed. It lamented the face-off between the Federal Government and the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), which has left the universities closed for four months.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS ANAMBRA GOVERNORSHIP POLL

Ex NAN MD disenfrachised in Obosi

Former Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) secretary, Anambra State, Dr. Tony Akachukwu (left) and Deputy Director, Tony Nwoye Campaign Organisation, Mr. Chike Anyaonu, at a news conference on the conduct of the election in Awka... yesterday

PHOTO: NAN

Electoral official in police net, says CP

NAMBRA State Commissioner of Police Bala Nasarawa, yesterday confirmed the arrest of an electoral official involved in Saturday’s governorship election. Nasarawa told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) in Awka that the Police were interrogating the official but declined to mention the pre-

“Yes, I can confirm to you that we arrested one official, but I don’t know if that is the one you are talking about. Yes, we arrested one official,’’ he said. The election could not take place in 65 polling units in Obosi, following the late arrival of INEC officials and the materials for the exercise.

It was reported that prospective voters waited till 4 p.m. when the officials arrived, eight hours behind schedule, prompting the elders of the area to call for the rescheduling of the election. INEC rescheduled the election in the area for Sunday, prompting at least two parties – APC and PDP – to call for a boycott.

Umeh: INEC performed creditably

LL Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) National Chairman Chief Victor Umeh, has dismissed allegations that the Saturday’s governorship election in Anambra State was marred by irregularities. On the contrary, he hailed the efforts of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) and security agencies, which he said, forestalled the plan by the opposition parties to rig the election. Umeh said the security agencies stopped the opposition parties on their track and that accounted for the allegations. He said the election was free, fair, and violence free. He denied that they

sumed offence. The commissioner was reacting to inquisitions about the statement credited to the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) Chair, Prof. Attahiru Jega, that the official who bungled the elections in Obosi in Idemili North Local Government Area, had been handed over to the police.

R Nwabu Mgbemena, a former Managing Director of the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) was yesterday disenfranchised in the rescheduled Anambra Governorship Election in Idemili North. The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that INEC on Saturday rescheduled the election in the area following the late arrival of materials, leading to the refusal of the electorate to participate. NAN reports that sensitive and non-sensitive materials arrived in the area at about 4 p.m. when voting in the election was supposed to have ended. INEC National Chairman Attahiru Jega, in a television interview yest erday, blamed the incident on the official in charge of the area, whom, he said, “messed up” the commission’s arrangement for the area. Meanwhile, accreditation for the rescheduled election started late on yesterday as INEC officials waited for regis-

From Augustine Avwode, Nwanosike Onu, Chris Oji and Odogwu Emeka , Awka

helped his party to rig the governorship election. Wike said INEC lived up to its promise to conduct free, fair and peaceful governorship poll. “Other political parties were crying foul because their plot to rig this election was frustrated by the vigilance of the security agents.” “People who in their usual characteristics would want to rig the election could not this time, rather they started disparaging INEC and security agencies in order to discredit the poll. “The performance of

‘I am surprised that some candidates who did not campaign were making spirited efforts to discredit the election even when they know that there was no way they could have won the election’ APGA in the election was not unusual as they have campaigned in the past two months. “I am surprised that some candidates who did not campaign were making

spirited efforts to discredit the election even when they know that there was no way they could have won the election,” he added. The APGA national chairman said that the former Minister of the Federal Capital Territory deserved the in-house detention he got from men of the State Security Service. The SSS officials had prevented him from leaving the hotel where he lodged on election day. “If he (El-Rufai) hadn’t any ulterior motive on that election day, why then would he want to monitor an election in which he had no accreditation,” said Umeh. He said: “Yesterday (Sat-

•Umeh

urday) was election, it wasn’t campaign time, so what had he come to do in Anambra State if not to perfect his rigging plans and then implement them. “He came all the way from Katsina State and he was confined to his room.”

We got N2,000 only, say police officers on duty

OME police officers deployed to provide security during Saturday’s election claimed they have only been paid N2,000. The officers, who pleaded not to be named, accused the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) of being insensitive to their needs. Three of the police officers, who were among those guarding the road leading to INEC headquarters, asked our reporter to hold on for a minute after he identified himself as a journalist. The officers, who took turns to speak, said they were deployed from various states for election, but

From Joseph Jibueze, Awka

were not well cared for. “You can’t believe that since I came to Awka a day before the election, I have only been given N2000 for feeding and accommodation. “They didn’t provide anything else for us. No accommodation, nothing. Some of us have been sleeping on chairs and in police vehicles. Sometimes there’s even no place to shower. This is not fair at all,” one of them lamented. One of the officers asked our reporter if he is aware of “any provisions made for police officers sent from other states.”

Earlier, a police officer was overheard telling a journalist: “You people will go to your hotels, bath and refresh, and when you’re coming back you won’t even buy us a bottle of water, and later you people will claim we’re one.” INEC Public Relations Officer in Anambra State Mr Frank Egbo said those who were on election duties on Saturday have been paid. “If each of them said they were paid N2000 each, then we have been magnanimous enough,” he said. According to him, each polling unit had a budget of N3000 for the police officers attached to it. Egbo said if there are six

police officers in a unit, for instance, each of them would get N500, which is the minimum an officer is expected to be paid for the day. Where they are two, each of them will get N1500. He said INEC was only indebted to only those who worked in the units on election day. Asked if all of them had been paid, Egbo said outstanding allowances was still being processed. He added that the commission was liaising with the banks to work out a means of transfering the funds more easily, considering the huge amount involved.

Meanwhile, police officers said they were directed to allow only “18 selected” media organisations into the INEC headquaters for the result announcement. Premium Times reporter Ben Ezeamalu said when he contacted the INEC spokesman on phone, he was told his online medium “would not be allowed to cover the final collation.” “You are not on the list so you better leave before the police embarrasses you,” he quoted the PRO as saying. “Police dogs have been used to chase un-selected journalists away from INEC headquarters in Awka,” Ezeamalu tweeted.

tered voters to return from church. NAN reports that Amb. Ahmed Wali, the INEC National Commissioner involved in the rescheduled election, stopped INEC ad hoc staff from allowing Mgbemena, an indigene of Obosi, from voting. In an interview over his disefranchisement, Mgbemena said that he was at the verge of being accredited when the INEC commissioner walked in. He said the office had cleared him and laminated a print out of his registration card containing his picture, following his complaint of the loss of his original voter registration card. “When I got to this polling unit located within St. Mary’s Anglican Church, Obosi, I approached the INEC presiding officer, who said my name was not in the register. “Later, the officer said my name had been located in the register and that I should come forward to be accredited. As this was going on, I saw the INEC national commissioner walk in and approach me over the issue. “After explaining to him and showing him the card from the INEC office in Ogidi, he walked up to the presiding officer and simply told them not to allow me to vote. “When I asked him why, he said INEC Law says nobody should vote without a voter’s card. “I am totally dissapointed and ashamed that these are the crop of officials running the affairs of this nation,” Mgbemena said. An INEC official who confirmed the incident to NAN on grounds of anonymity, said they were never asked to stop people without voter’s card from voting. “The directive is to allow those whose names are in the register and whose faces match the picture in the register. “We were shocked when the national commissioner directed us not to allow him to vote, despite the fact that his name was on the register with his picture and he had been cleared by INEC office.” According to him, INEC workers cannot disobey the directive of a superior officer, even when they have their reservations regarding the matter, adding: “and the fact that he is an old decent man”

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS

ABUTH gets cancer equipment From Tony Akowe, Kaduna

HE Ahmadu Bello University (ABU), Zaria, has donated a laser equipment for the treatment of prostate cancer (endourology surgery), worth about $120,000, to the Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital. Presenting the equipment to the board and management of the Teaching Hospital, Chairman and Pro-Chancellor Mohammed Dewu said the donation was to assist a sister organisation in realising its objective of quality health care to the people. Dewu said the equipment would carry our surgery for prostate cancer with minimal ease and less blood. “It is efficient and will improve the health of the patient. The rate of recovery is fast because you are not doing the surgery with surgical blades, but by laser. “There is no public hospital in the country that has this equipment. There may be one or two in the private sector. “It is the first to be owned by any public hospital in Nigeria. We are doing this to improve the health care delivery services at Ahmadu Bello University Teaching Hospital. ‘’I am sure that with this donation, the number of surgery to be performed by the university will increase.”

Award for Kwankwaso, Wamakko

ANO State Governor Rabiu Kwankwaso has received the 2013 Best Governor award of the African Film Festival and Academy for his contribution to education and youth empowerment in his state. Kwankwaso and Sokoto State Governor Aliyu Wamakko, who got the best governor awards in development projects, received the honours in London on Saturday. Wamakko was represented by Muhammed Galadima, an official of the Nigeria High Commission in London. In an interview with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), Kwankwaso said the award would strengthen his commitment to youth development. “I feel great and I believe this award will strengthen us to work harder for our people, especially the young men and women in the film industry. “We are establishing a film institute in Tiga to create opportunities for training and professionalism, so that our artists can compete locally and internationally,” he said. Other personalities, who received awards for “Citizen Support’’ include Dr Dalhatu Tafida, Nigeria’s high commissioner in the UK, Chief Gabriel Igbinedion and Mrs. Faridah Wada, a philanthropist.

Five held for girl’s murder in Jos

IVE people have been arrested by the police in Plateau State for allegedly killing an 11-year-old girl in Fillin-Sukwa, Jos North Local Government Area. The suspects were alleged to have removed some parts of the victim for rituals. She was reportedly lured into an uncompleted building by the suspects. An eyewitness, Abubakar Tanko, who claimed to be one of those who ap-

From Yusufu Aminu Idegu, Jos

prehended the suspects, said: “We saw the girl’s grandmother and two other girls arguing with one of the suspects. “The grandmother had earlier told us that she had sent the girl to buy masa (local snack) for their breakfast around 7:30am on Friday but the girl never returned. “The masa seller said the girl left but returned to buy

masa for Auwalu Ajanguwa.” Tanko said Ajanguwa claimed to have seen Nafiu going up the hill with the girl, but after a search around the hills, the girl and Nafiu were not found. Her body was discovered the next day, with her eyes and tongue missing. Another eyewitness, Habibu Nakande, said: “We found her in one of the uncompleted buildings in the area after arresting Nafiu on Friday evening at 4:35 pm.”

Tanko said Ajanguwa’s arrest led to the arrest of Nafiu, Rabiu alias Rabson and one other person. It was gathered that the suspects claimed to have been paid N300,000 for the supply of the human parts by Alhaji Aminu, a shoe seller in Jos, who is also said to be in police custody. Police spokesman Felicia Anselm confirmed the arrest, saying investigation was on.

From Vincent Ikuomola, Abuja

THE Primus International Super Specialty Hospital, Abuja, has announced a downward review of all its medical charges to 30 per cent. The Indian-owned hospital also announced a free consultancy from November 18-30. Nigerians spend $3,000 to $400million yearly to access medical treatment abroad. The hospital management said its decision to crash its fees was part of its corporate social responsibility to open its services and equipment to Nigerians, who cannot afford treatment abroad. The hospital’s spokesman said: “MRI charges will be from N50, 000 onwards while CT scan will be from N25, 000 onwards. Radiology, Laboratory Services will cost 30 per cent less while drugs will cost 20 per cent less. The surgical procedures are at reasonable charges during the camp period.”

Dankwambo inaugurates N2.9b road From Austine Tsenzughul, Bauchi

•Bauchi State Governor Isa Yuguda (second left); Dankwambo (second right); Taraba State Acting Governor Garba (right) Umar, Commissioner for Works and Transport Bukata Bukar (left) at the inauguration...at the weekend.

APC files fresh application on Benue election

LL Progressives Alliance (APC) has filed an application contesting the earlier judgment of the Supreme Court, which gave victory to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) and Gabriel Suswam in the Benue State election. In a statement by the party’s state Acting Director of Publicity, Titus Zam Numa, the APC said the appeal was reinstituted at the Supreme Court last Friday.

By Wale Adepoju

He said the party sought the Supreme Court order setting aside its earlier judgment on the matter. Numa said the clarification became necessary against the backdrop of misrepresentation on the matter, which he said was capable of derailing justice. “First, the oral application by the APC counsel for the name, Action Congress of Nigeria, to be replaced by the All Progressives

Congress was successful as there was no objection from the lawyers of Gabriel Suswan, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) or PDP. “However, the prayer by the All Progressives Congress (APC) for the Supreme Court to set aside its earlier judgment on the issue was withdrawn by the APC counsel because he failed to attach a copy of the subsisting judgment as an exhibit. There was no objection from anyone to

the application for this withdrawal and consequently the case was struck out by the court. “It is needful to state here that the case has not ended yet as that was a deft move by the counsel to avoid future pitfalls and everyone should be informed that a fresh application has already been filed before the Supreme Court. “I, therefore, urge all APC faithful and those who desire justice to remain calm and steadfast.”

Suswam: we borrow to pay teachers

ENUE State Governor Gabriel Suswam has said the government borrows money to pay primary school teachers, who are on strike to protest the non-implementation of the minimum wage. Suswam spoke at his 49th birthday anniversary lecture in Makurdi, the state capital. The governor said the government spent over N3billion monthly on salaries of local government

From Uja Emmanuel, Makurdi

staff and teachers. He said despite the efforts to ensure that teachers don’t earn less than N18,000, “we are still faced with agitation by the teachers.” “It is just sad that people fail to understand that the minimum wage as prescribed by the Federal Government is only a threshold upon which we must build on.

“But all we have done is to ensure that no government employee earns less than the minimum wage and in doing that, we resort to borrowing to pay staff. “As at today, we expend a little over N3billion monthly on local government staff and teachers’ salaries, with little left for meaningful development project. “I only want to appeal to the striking teachers to return to the classrooms in the interest of our children; be-

From Adekunle Jimoh, Ilorin

ernment in 2007, 2010 and 2013 were yet to reflect in their pay. LGPAN claimed that its counterparts in ministries, departments and agencies in the civil service had been enjoying theirs since August 2011.

In a statement, the association’s Chairman and spokesperson, Isiaka Akanbi and Ademola Ajibade, accused the local government pension board of delay. “We note with concern the delay by the Pension Board, although a negotiation com-

mittee has been constituted to appraise and consider the pensioners’ demands. “Another striking damage caused by the non-implementation of the pension harmonised increase is the disparity between local government pensioners, who retired years

GOMBE State Governor Ibrahim Dankwambo has appealed to the Federal Government to take over the 83-kilometre Alkaleri– Futuk road in Bauchi State. Dankwambo spoke at the inauguration of the road built by the state government, asking the Federal Government for a refund. He said: “I’m calling on the Federal Government to take over and designate this road a federal road and by so doing refund the expenses incurred by the state. “The road is not limited to Bauchi State alone, but it will be used by neighbouring communities in Gombe and Taraba states. “The road will also provide an alternative gateway to Adamawa and Taraba states and improve access to the Federal University, Kashere in Gombe State.”

FRSC unveils ‘operation octopus’ From Johnny Danjuma, Lafia

•Suswam

cause we cannot afford to have our children out of the universities and primary schools at the same time.”

Pensioners demand implementation of pay rise

HE Local Government Pensioners’ Association of Nigeria (LGPAN) in Kwara State has demanded the implementation of the government’s pay rise. It added that the salary review carried out by the gov-

Hospital slashes prices

ago and those recently retired, whose benefits are calculated on the basis of the contentious salary increase circulars of 2007, 2010 and 2011. “The association perceives the delay of the pension increase harmonisation as a dangerous trend.’’

THE Federal Road Safety Commission in Nasarawa State has started a campaign, ‘Operation Octopus’, aimed at curbing road accidents during these months. State Sector Commander Francis Udoma yesterday in Lafia, the state capital, said: “We have launched our own ‘ember’ month crusade with ‘operation octopus.’ “Unlike before where some road users will sight us somewhere and inform their colleagues, this time they will be meeting our vehicles on the highway; moving from one particular end to another.” Udoma said since the campaign started, the porous Akwanga-Makurdi Road had not recorded any accident.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

CITYBEAT Lagos donates to less privileged homes By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

S part of activities marking this year’s Community Day celebration, the Lagos State Ministry of Rural Development has donated relief materials to three less privileged homes. Officials of the ministry led by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Rural Development, Babatunde Hunpe, visited the homes including Compassionate Orphanage Home in Alimoso; Children Correctional Centre for Junior Boys, Yaba and Vocational Rehabilitation Centre for Persons with Disabilities, Ikorodu. Materials distributed are food items, generating sets, freezers, and foodstuff. Hunpe, charged the children to be of good behavior and urged the orphanages not to relent in giving hope to the children and moulding them to become better citizens.

Four suspects held as robbers kill two T policemen in Lagos HREE policemen were yesterday feared killed by armed robbers who attempted to break into an Automated Teller Machine (ATM) belonging to Access Bank in Ayobo Ipaja, a Lagos suburb. But the state Command’s spokesperson, Ngozi Braide, a Deputy Superintendent (DSP), confirmed the death of two policemen and the arrest of the four suspects. The robbers were said to have shot dead the policemen who responded to calls of the bank’s invasion.

By Jude Isiguzo and Lucas Ajanaku

The robbers were caught by operatives of the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) sent as a reinforcement team. They were apprehended around Alhaji Akinyele in Ipaja on their bid to escape. Braide, said, “Today at about 200hrs, Ayobo Division received a distress call that

armed robbers were trying to break into an Access bank ATM in Ayobo. A patrol team led by the Operation Officer (OP), Longinus Amuzie, an Assistant Superintendent (ASP), responded swiftly”. She said the hoodlums on sighting the police patrol vehicle opened fire and the responded. “Sadly, two of our officers lost their lives while four of

the robbers were arrested. The robbery operation was also foiled”, Braide said. SARS operatives sent to reinforce the Ayobo team,’ adding that those arrested interrogated. Braide urged the public to give the police information that will lead to the arrest of suspects, who escaped with bullet wounds. A resident said: “Blood

David-West unhappy with U.S.’s designation of Boko Haram From Bisi Oladele, Ibadan

A FORMER Minister of Petroleum Resources, Prof. Tam David-West, has condemned the positive response of Nigerians to the classification of the Boko Haram group as an international terrorist organisation by the United States. He said Nigerians seem not to understand that by the classification, the USA is now free to send its drones to attack Boko Haram suspects anywhere in Nigeria with many innocent civilians ending up as casualties. David-West also added that by the classification, the US can fly into Nigeria anytime to carry out attacks on suspected terrorists without any recourse to the nation’s sovereignty. The US classified the insurgent group as a terrorist organization last week to the applause of many Nigerians. The university don emphasised that the classification was an indictment of the Federal Government of inability to tackle insecurity within its territory. According to him, the government should bury its head in shame that it is unable to provide security for its citizens. He said: “I am surprised that everybody seems to be jubilating that the US classified Boko Haram as an international terrorist organisation like Al-Qaeda. I am taking a different stand because I believe in skepticism. “Terrorism, in the present day, is not limited to national boundaries. We may then say that the classification may be intellectually justified on the surface but what are the implications to Nigeria? “There is nothing to jubilate about. It is an indictment that Nigeria, which prides itself as the giant of Africa, cannot provide security for its citizens.”

•L-R: President, Old Grammarians Society, CMS Grammar School, Lagos, Mr Toyin Johnson; Amb. Dapo Fafowora, Sen. Akin Odunsi, and Chairman, Eagle Paint Nigeria Ltd, Chief Akin Disu, during the 2013 Merit Award and Fund Raising in Lagos... yesterday.

Infrastructure key to education, says Fashola

AGOS State Governor Babatunde Fashola has stressed the importance of infrastructure in promoting quality education. Fashola, who spoke in Lagos over the weekend at the inauguration of two blocks of classrooms at Adesonwon Junior Grammar School Ilara, Epe and Odogunyan Secondary School, Odogunyan, Ikorodu, said the event was part of his administration’s effort in providing quality education. In a satatement by the Public Relations Officer in the Ministry of Education, Jide Lawal, the governor said: “Lagos state government recognizes the importance of infrastructure in the overall quality of education needed by a child to realize his or her full potential and that it is why we are keeping faith with our promise to provide quality education by putting in place the requisite facilities such as the one being commissioned

today.” Commissioner for Education Mrs. Olayinka Oladunjoye, who represented Fashola said the commissioning was informed by the need to keep up with the tempo of sustained provision of quality infrastructure of international standards for schools in the state. She said the result of government’s investment in education was already yelding results as demonstrated in the increased schools’ enrollment and attendance. “I am happy to report that already, we have started to see the results of the turnaround in the education sector because schools’ enrollment and attendance have increased and this, in my opinion, is a testimony to the renewed confidence that the people now have in public schools,” Fashola opined.

Fish farmers get cold room

HE Lagos State Ministry of Rural Development has donated a cold room to fish farmers and traders at Oluwo Market in Epe on the outskirts of Lagos. The donation is part of government’s efforts at reducing their loss because of lack of preservative means. Commissioner for Rural Development, Cornelius Ojelabi said the donation was part of the programmes lined up to mark the 2013 Community Day celebration. Ojelabi charged the to maintain the facility which has a cold room, smoking kiln, washing and cutting slabs, generator, borehole with overhead tank and toilet. He inaugurated a management committee to ensure that the facility was well maintained . The committee Community Development Association (CDAs), Head of Agriculture Department in Epe Local Government and two representatives of the Minis-

•Ojelabi during the handing over of the coldroom... at the weekend. By Miriam Ekene-Okoro

try. The committee is to fix the price for the use of the facility, and the utilisation of the proceeds for the maintenance and sustainability of the project. In a related development, the commissioner has handed over the Okemagba Commu-

nity Hall to the people of Eredo on the outskirts of Lagos. The hall is to serve 11 communities/villages in Eredo Local Council Development Area. They are Igbo-Oye, Ilara, Odoragunshin, Odoyangunshen, Ibonwon, Odoroga, Odogbawojo, Odosiwola, Odo Ajogun, Ita Awo and Odo Ayan. Ojelabi said the Ministry

was approached in 2010 to fix the dilapidated hall after the community had invested so much on it. He urged the communities to set up a committee to manage the hall, sustain it and also look inward to generate funds and partner with the government to improve and develop their communities.

stains were found on the kerb and part of the untarred road leading to the community. Almost adjacent the Deeper Life Bible Church, a pool of coagulated human blood was found on the floor. The policemen killed may have resisted the attempt of the night marauders to attack the bank. Sources in the community said the preceding week unknown gun men invaded the home of You and I Hotel proprietor in Atan Kekere. A resident relieved the incident: “I thought they were in the community to rob Access Bank again. They have robbed the bank about five times now beginning from when it was Intercontinental Bank to when it was acquired by Access Bank. So when the staccato of gunshots took over the air, I thought it was another onslaught on the bank because I do not know any other institution or persons in the community that robbers could be targeting,” she said, urging the police to come to the community’s rescue. A resident of Samuel Street, Atan Kekere, said the robbers were on black and hooded. “You know this man that owns You and I Hotel lives in this community. So when dogs started barking and I peeped, I saw the robbers trying to enter a Celestial Church that had no doors. They were ostensibly under pursuit by policemen from both Ayobo Division and Alagolo. So they were looking for an escape route but when they opened fire again, I took cover,” he said.

‘We won’t demolish Sunday market’

By Seun Akioye

HE Chairman of Ojodu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) Hon. Julius Oloro has denied rumours that the council administration will demolish the popular Sunday market in Ogba by December. “ How can I drive the people away, they voted for us to bring succor to them, there is no way I can do that. We are not demolition the market in December that is not true at all. At several meetings, I have explained the vision of the government to them and how we intend to implement the project that would be to the benefit of everybody without infringing on anyone’s rights,” Oloro said. He explained that the council plans to develop the market but it will be in phases, adding that the first phase will start at the back of the market which is not currently in use for any commercial purpose. He said containers have also been procured for those who will be relocated pending the time the project is completed. “What we plan is a five storey modern shopping mall, comparable with any one of its kind globally. There will be security, parking facilities and the shopping mall will have sections where people can get food stuff, machineries, clothing and other items. Every section will be designed comparable to international standards,” he said.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

CITYBEAT

House collapses into canal A

portion of a house has fallen into a canal in Ikeja, Lagos, raising questions about its integrity. House 9 Duro Daniel Close Off Adeniyi Jones in Ikeja sits on the canal’s edge. Occupants of the remaining section of the house have been living in fear since the November 2 incident. Some tenants described it as a “horrifying experience that would take a long time to heal.” An eye witness, who was visiting when the incident, occurred said: “I went into the kitchen to warm beans in the microwave, and then left around 3: pm to watch the English Premier League match. When I came back around 5:30pm and attempted to go to the kitchen, I found the kitchen, the toilet and the bathroom had disappeared. They just vanished like that, I look down and saw that the remainder of the house was standing on a cliff and the canal was several feet down under us. I couldn’t even find the bricks of the kitchen, it went into the canal.”

Fear of attack grips community By Dada Aladelokun

•The main section of house. Inset: The collapsed boys quarters

By Seun Akioye

During a visit The Nation that the house close to the canal dividing Agidingbi road and Adeniyi Jones. The gulf also serves as sits drain for the industrial waste from companies on Agidingbi and the water from houses in the neighbourhood. “ All the water in this estate comes down to this canal. As you can see, this whole area has

erosion problem and all the water comes down here, so it is just a matter of time before further disaster happens,” a tenant said. The tenant said the matter had been reported to the landlord whose agents have promised to handle the matter. The Nation learnt that the house has no soakaway. All wastes is chanelled into the canal and this may have caused the forceful expansion of the

gorge that resulted in the partial collapse of the building. It was gathered that the canal has eaten deep into the main building, which boasts of a swimming pool and two apartments. Danger, experts say, still looms’ except something Is done to arrest the situation. The landlord started rebuilding the failed section without recourse to existing safety laws and approval from

appopriate authorities. Concerned residents are worried over the development, saying: “Can you imagine the landlord is rebuilding the collapsed section? I hope the authorities can come in and stop this before a major disaster happens.” There are other buildings on the street backing the canal which may also be in danger. Many of the buildings belong to prominent people including.

Falana asks Fayemi, Police to expose killers of Ogundare

AGOS lawyer Mr. Femi Falana has urged Ekiti State Governor Kayode Fayemi to collaborate with the police to expose the killers of Mr. Foluso Ogundare. In a statement yesterday, titled: “Halt politically motivated killings in Ekiti State now”, Falana said: “In the atmosphere of, impunity which has gradually returned to Ekiti land, the state government cannot wash off its hands like Pontus Pilate. As the chief security officer of the state, it is Fayemi’s duty to guarantee the safety of the life and property of every person living in Ekiti State.” He suggested the formation of a Committee Against Impunity to ensure the arrest and prosecution of suspects indicted for murder and attempted murder in Ekiti State from 2003-2013, adding that it was only by prosecuting the suspects and their sponsors that politically motivated killings could stop in the

By Adebisi Onanuga

state. Ogundare was attacked by thugs during a political meeting at Emure Ekiti on November 4. He was severely injured and was rushed to the hospital where he died. Falana said two days after the incident, he sent a petition to the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, demanding the arrest and prosecution of the culprits, but that nothing has happened since then. He said: “Since some people were on the scene where the dastardly act was executed in broad daylight, the police should quickly conclude investigation into the incident and charge the suspects to court for conspiracy and murder. “To stem political violence in Ekiti State, I urge the IGP to direct the Ekiti State Police Command to prosecute the suspects, as well as the criminals, who recently unleashed violence on law

‘Oyo ‘ll provide conducive atmosphere for investors’

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

IFE of the Deputy Governor of Oyo State, Mrs Janet Alake Adeyemo, has reiterated the commitment of the state government in providing a conducive atmosphere for investors. She spoke at the opening of the new Foodco Home Collection outlet at Cocoa mall, Dugbe, Ibadan. She said the overall objective of the present administration was to make life more meaningful for the people of the state and to create a conducive atmosphere for business investment. “We are happy that new business outlets are opening everyday in this state. This is to show that there is a peaceful and conducive environment already, and the present administration led by Governor Abiola Ajimobi will continue to promote the business of our people in order to make life better for them,” she said. While appreciating Foodco management for investing in the state, Mrs Adeyemo enjoined them to be more committed to expanding their business venture, adding that it would bring about the desired development in the state. The Chairman, Foodco Nig Ltd, Dr Sun Basorun, said the idea of diverting into home collection products was to correct retail abnormality in the country.

abiding citizens at a burial ceremony at Iyin-Ekiti and at a political meeting in AdoEkiti. The thugs and their masterminds should not be given the impression that they have immunity from prosecution, after unleashing violence on innocent people.” The activist remarked that since 2003 successive governments in Ekiti state have treated indicted murderers like sacred cows, lamenting that criminals whose hands are soaked in blood have held Ekiti people hostage. “From the information at my disposal all the suspects responsible for the politically motivated killings in Ekiti state for the past 10 years have

MMEDIATE past Chairman of Ayobo Ipaja Local Council Development Area (LCDA) of Lagos State Abdurahaman Bisi Yusuf has been honoured for excelling while in office. Yusuf now a member of the House of Assembly received the award from the Ipaja Community Welfare Association (ICWA) at its 3rd anniversary and Merit Award Ceremony held at the Anglican Comprehensive High School Hall in Ipaja, Lagos. Other recipients of awards at the event are chairman of the Ayobo Ipaja LCDA, Alhaji Shakiru Yusuf Adisa, Elder Olushola Esan (JP) the Chairman of the Ayobo Ipaja Community Development Committee (CDC), Alhaji Chief A.A Onasanya, Prince Owen Alao Adeniran and Mr. Wale Odunayo, proprietor of Topmost Group of Schools. Others are Alhaji Karmaden Owode, Mr. Sunday Gbenjo, Chief Steve Okomah of Nigeria Customs Service, Chief Isaac Kole, Chairman/CEO of Tasty Time Nig Ltd, Chief Mrs. Ruth Ajike Ogunbiyi, the Iyaloja

been identified by the Police and the State Security Service. Indeed majority of the suspects were charged to the State High Court holden at Ado Ekiti. But the cases were deliberately programmed to fail leading to the release of the suspected murderers including those who had admitted their role and involvement in such heinous crimes. “A political chieftain of and his police orderly who were convicted and jailed for killing two students of the Ikere College of Education were granted pardon and set free in 2009. At about the same time, the suspects who were standing trial for the gruesome murder of Dr Ayo Dar-

amola and Mr Tunde Omojola were granted bail in questionable circumstances. Since then the whereabout of some of the suspects has remained unknown and the cases may soon be struck out for want of diligent prosecution. “No government which allows murderers whose hands are soaked with the blood of innocent people to walk free can seriously stop the shedding of the blood of innocent people”, he said and urged the people of Ekiti State to be vigilant and continue to expose and shame the few murderers and other criminals who have recently exposed the State to odium, ridicule and embarrassment.”

Community honours lawmaker, others

•Yusuf receiving his award from Alhaji Chief Olowolagba the Chairman of ICWA Elder.

General of Ipaja Market, Chief Olukunle Akinola: Posthumous award was bestowed on

the late Chief Sikiru Ayinde Oluwo founder of the Ultimate Microfinance Bank.

GUN State Governor, Ibikunle Amosun and the Inspector General of Police Alhaji Mohammed Abubakar have been urged to prevent the breakdown of law and order in Itele, Ado-Odo/ Ota Local Government Area of the state. The call was contained in a petition sent to the governor by the Alagbeji Descendants Family of Itele, which was signed by its head, Chief Saibu Olugbode. The petitioner said their petition arose from the incessant threats by thugs believed to have been hired by a rival family, following a recent court judgment. “The people of Itele and its environs have since been living in fear for their lives and property,” the family said. The petition said intelligence reports by some security operatives who are among the landlords in the community, have it that the family, which had been threatening to take over the landed in the town, had hired thugs for the purpose. Chief Olugbode, who is the Balogun of Itele, said the the intervention of the governor and the IGP was needed before things go awry. He said despite the Alagbeji Descendants Family filing a motion for stay of execution and a notice of appeal at the Federal Court of Appeal in Ibadan, Oyo State, the hoodlums. Some residents, he said, had started fled, while many landlords have either suspended or abandoned their projects to avoid trouble.

Waging war against Measles By Yetunde Oladeinde

NTERNATIONAL Association of Lion’s club, Multiple District 404 Nigeria has flagged off its 2013 Integrated Measles Campaign programm tagged, “One shot, one life. The club has mapped out the Integrated campaign which began with a Road show at the Lagos Island local Government , visit to the Oba of Lagos , Rilwan Akiolu as well as monitoring the immunization process across the country. Dr Yinka Griffin, of a member of Lions Integrated Measles campaign committee, “this is the second national campaign. Early in October the northern campaign was flagged off. We paid advocacy visits to traditional leaders to intimate them on what we were doing in compliance with MDG goal number four to eradicate measles.” Griffin explains that: “As the campaign kicked off, you find Lions in their duty post. We have also had the south campaign which includes the South East, Uyo, Benin and Akure. The first phase of the campaign was in 2011 in Abuja with heads of states and Ministers in attendance. In the south we had a large turnout in Ajegunle and Alimosho local government areas. This year’s campaign is in collaboration with the National Primary Healthcare Development Agency, World Health Organisation (WHO) and UNICEF. The challenge in the past has been keeping the vaccines and this has been addressed by the Agency”.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS (SHOWBIZ)

Desmond Elliot, Uche Jombo win big at AFRIFF

Father U Turn is dead

OLLYWOOD actress Uche Jombo and male colleague Desmond Elliot at the weekend in Calabar, Cross River State, added another feather to their caps, as Africa’s Best Actress and Actor respectively. The awards and gala night was the peak of activities marking the third edition of the Africa International Film Festival (AFRIFF), at the popular Tinapa Business and Leisure Resort. Jombo won the coveted prize for her role in her film, Lies Men Tell, while Desmond Elliot, for the lead role he played in the same film, directed by Ikechukwu Onyeka and released on DVD few months ago. Both actors received a cash prize of $2000 each from United Bank for Africa, one of the supporters of the festival. Also, The Meeting, co-produced by Rita Dominic and Mildred Okwo won in the Best Nigerian film category, also getting the $2000 UBA prize money. The big winners on the night were films from South Africa. The country’s controversial film, Of Good Report, directed by Jamil Qubeka was adjudged Africa’s Best feature film, just as Roberta Durrant also from South Africa won the Best Director as well as Donovan Marsh whose iNumber Number won the Best Screen Play award.

•Desmond Elliot and Chineze Anyaene Producer of ‘Ije’ By Victor Akande

Every winner went home with $2000, except the winner of the Best Film who received $6000. Speaking at the award night, attended by over 500 filmmakers and movie stars across the world, Governor Liyel Imoke of Cross River State said, hosting the festival in the state was a realization of the vision of his administration for the Nigerian movie industry. According to him, “several years ago, we decided as a team of young men to position ourselves and our

economy as a destination for service driven economy, as well as a destination for entertainment where tourists can live in harmony with nature and with our people. Hosting this event in the state culminate in the realisation of that dream for our people and for Nigerians.” Some of the biggest names from black Hollywood who graced the weel-long event were Lynn Withfield, who was one of the festival ambassadors, Venessa Williams, Nigeria’s born Hollywood actors, Wale Ojo, Ngoli Okafor and Gbenga Akinnade among others.

Cross River unveils plans for Carnival Calabar

•Rita Dominic with Lynn Whitfield

HE popular Calabar Carnival has, every December, since 2005, staged what many describe as the largest street party in Africa. Put together by the Cross River State government, the multiple events show, received the endorsement of several Nollywood stars, who were present at media parley where the State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke unveiled plans for this year’s edition of the show. The artistes who included Nollywood actress Rita Dominic and her Hollywood counterpart Lynn Withfield said they would love to expand the content of the festival by instituting a Nollywood Band that would join the street show on December 26th. The State has in the last one week been playing host to over 200 movie practitioners in Africa, who attended the Africa International Film Festi-

By Victor Akande

val (AFRIFF) at the TINAPA Business and Leisure Resort. Others include Ramsey Nouah, Uche Jombo, Uti Nwachukwu, Desmond Elliot and Hollywood star Vanesa Williams. Imoke, who was supported by his wife and officials of the Information, and Tourism Ministries, said proudly that format of the festival is unique and cannot be said to be compared with its likes in Brazil or Ttrinidad and Tobago He noted that the festival which enters its 9th anniversary this year, started as a competitive event in 2005. He said the festival is a class leveler, where Kings and Princes, on the December25th, walk a 16-kilometer distance, exhibiting colourful costumes amidst music and other merriments. Usually, the train cultural

parade features 18 Local Government in the State and troupe from Cameroun, Ghana, Rwanda, Trinidad and Tobago and Brazil. According to the Governor, an addition to the carnival, this year, is a Special Carnival Band from Rio, Brazil, which will be playing on the December 27th. The Governor noted that the annual event is used to drive tourism, while also embarking on some charity projects to ensure that kids are taken off the street. “The carnival is a tremendous value-added brand for Cross River State and Nigeria. The image if Nigeria is not about Boko Haram, violence and kidnapping. The true beauty of Nigeria is in the Carnivalwhere everybody in Cross River state is in the band,” the Governor said excitedly, adding that he used to be a member of one of the carnival bands, but could not continue as a governor. Governor Imoke said the event is not all about expenditure, and that December, when the event holds remains the highest revenue generating month for the State. “It’s not just as an event, but one of commercial value. And that is why our theme for the event this year is, “Ain’t No Stopping Us”. He enthused, adding that the beauty of the competition is that it makes each carnival better than the previous, with every band expected to interpret that theme in creativity.

LUFEMI Sylvester Mayomi popularly called ‘Father U Turn’, one of the notable ghetto-inspired singers of the 90s is dead. ‘U Turn”, a dance hall artiste, songwriter, recording artiste, TV presenter was said to have died in Lagos yesterday. The entertainer, reports say passed away at Okokomaiko, following a brief illness. He was 36-year-old. A conflicting report however said the singer was killed in a car crash, while another said he had been suffering from kidney ailment. He is said to be survived by siblings, wife Ajimoh and five children. A statement from promoters described the late dance hall artiste as someone who “rose from poverty as an orphan, and built a successful and inspiring career as a songwriter, recording artiste, TV presenter and performer.” The deceased hailed from KabbaBunu in Kogi State where he first tried his hands on entertainment, working as a radio and TV presenter. He had a brief stint at NTA in Lagos before signing a deal with Ultima Records which released his early albums. The statement described him as “a little boy, with braids and a charming personality. And his signature intro Apoola Berekete was far beyond his stature. But he got the industry’s attention and got a leg in the door before long. After years of club tours and free gigs, he got his first break when he was signed to one of the biggest record labels of the time, Ultima Records. “Ultima engaged Nelson Brown to work on his first album which proved to be a huge success. “The hits African Culture and Shakara threw him into national limelight, instantly putting him in the league of bonafide ghetto stars like Daddy Showkey and Daddy Fresh.

•The late Father U Turn By Victor Akande

“He espoused Okokomaiko where he resided, with many songs dedicated to the Lagos outskirt. “His second album ‘Padlock Ur Mouth’ produced the smash hit Yetunde a collaboration with Pasuma Wonder. “With dozens of awards confirming his exploits, including multiple decoration by Awards for Musical Excellence in Nigeria (AMEN), Youths Awards for Excellence in Music (YAFEM), amongst many others, U Turn lead a generation of alternative dancehall cats by the hands. And in Okokomaiko where he spent the last two decades of his life, he was like a king. His success encouraged many children in the area to embrace music, and he supported many of them. “Although his later years were troubled by label issues with Bayowa Music, and career challenges that came with unsuccessful albums, Father U Turn remained dedicated to his art - recording endlessly and refusing to let go of his passion and dedication to reggae/ dancehall. He also vehemently refused to relocate from Okokomaiko, despite constant pleas from friends and family.”

Silverbird unveils CAAN Music Awards Dupe Ayinla-Olasukanmi

R. Guy Murray Bruce, managing director, Silverbird Group, was also at Jazzhole Ikoyi on Friday November 15, 2013 to unveil the company’s new project, tagged Caribbean American and African Nations Music Awards (CANN) slated for November 22, 2013 in Yenagoa. The Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency is also collaborating with the Silverbird Production Group to organise the maiden musical awards which according to information by the DG promises command global with rave making artistes from America, Africa and the Caribbean’s expected to grace the occasion. According to Mr Guy, “the CAAN Music Awards, in its first year of existence will compete on international level for a spot as one of the music attends award shows on the African continent. The awards will honour the best selling recording artistes from all over the world. The awards gala evening preceeding the awards night will feature festival style performances from both new and established acts from Africa, Caribean, and the U.S amid shows, dinner, presentation of some awards, panels, and so much more. “The maiden edition of CAAN Music Awards promises to be a pacesetter, leveraging, on the over 30 years of the Silverbird brands’s reputation as entertainment events. Other shows are n the pipeline which include CAAN Movie Awards and the MBGN bill for March and June 2014 respectfully”, he added. It was also revealed that no fewer than 100 artistes nominated for different categories will have a chance at receiving vying for the 22 glittering crystal trophies that will be handed out to the deserving recipients voted by their fans. Expected performance include some of the top artistes in Africa and U.S markets from Tuface, Sarkodie, Flavour, Kcee, to Mafikizolo among others.

Bayelsa holds maiden edition of International Jazz festival

HE Director General of Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency Mrs Ebizi Ndiomu Brown on Friday at a press briefing held at the Jazzhole, Ikoye Lagos unveiled the artistes for the forthcoming international Jazz Festival bill to hold on the 7th of December, 2013, and the reason the state is playing host to the musical concert. According to Mrs Brown, “This event which is expected to hold at the newly renovated ultra-modern cultural centre in Yenagoa on the 7th of December 2013 is packaged by the Bayelsa State Tourism Development Agency

By Dupe Ayinla-Olasukanmi

on behalf of the state government. We are involved in this project because music generally provides a veritable platform for the achievement of our set objectives.There is no gainsaying that Jazz music provides the needed ambience for the promotion of sustainable and responsible tourism in Bayelsa State. “Master classes and Arts Journalism classes will be included as part of the Jazz festival which would start on the 3rd of December, 2013. Details will be explained by Ayoola Sadare of Inspiro

Productions.Events such as the Bayelsa International Jazz Festival will open the doors to tourists and Jazz music enthusiasts to savour the beauty and serenity that we enjoy in Bayelsa State”, she added She further expressed, “Besides, the Jazz music festival in Bayelsa State aligns with the cardinal objectives of our amiable Governor, Hon. Henry Seriake Dickson in developing alternative sources of revenue generation in the state. As a visionary leader, Governor Dickson is looking beyond the present oil revenue sources to more

sustainable sources of income generation like tourism and agriculture. The choice of tourism, you will agree is deliberate given our rich cultural heritage and beautiful topography. We are proud of our festivals and the exquisite beaches that are spread across the state. When visitors come to Bayelsa because of our Jazz Festival we also have several offerings for them on the table to enjoy. Already, our people are eager to receive our guests because we are in the forefront of championing a new wave in responsible tourism development”.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

SIGMA PENSIONS DISBURSES N40BN TO RETIREES

igma Pensions Ltd (SPL) which was set up in 2004 following the Pension Reform Act of that year has paid about N40bn to 7,000 retirees from 2007 to date. The Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer of SPL, Umaru Modibbo who disclosed this at Retirees Forum the company organized in Port Harcourt, Rivers State also said that the 45 percent of these pensioners who have been paid are Police Officers, which is why the Police Command is encouraging its men to join his company. Modibbo said that the forum whose theme was “How to Access your Retirement Benefits” was put in place to do an assessment of its performances and share experiences with retirees with a view to making improvements. Represented by the

From Clarice Azuatalam, Port Harcourt Executive Director Technical of SPL, Hamidu Mohammed at the forum, Modibbo said that the company which had an authorized share capital of N1.25bn with N984million fully paid at the time of incorporation is now a leading Pension Fund Administrator in Nigeria with customer base spread over 1,000 organisations and 530,000 registered members across all sectors of the economy while the Pension Asset under is over N231bn. The SPL Boss also said that the “share fund is circa N2bn which is in excess of N1.0bn minimum prescribed by the National Pension Commission” adding that the company which has offices across the federation has now been appointed by 15 state governments

including Rivers to manage their pensions. Big organisations that have also signed on SPL to manage their pensions include CBN, NNPC,NEXIM and SEC . The Chairperson of Rivers State Pensions Management Board, Mrs Alikor who represented the state government commended SPL for its performances saying that “I still see Sigma as one of the best in the country” and urged it not to rest on its oars. The Head, Benefits Administration of SPL, Ibrahim Balarabe in his presentation enlightened the retirees and fielded questions from them on how to access their benefits. Goodwill messages came from several organizations including the Police and University of Port Harcourt that were represented by their Pension Desk Officers.

Mrs Alikor of Rivers State Pension Management Board with microphone, Mohammed in suit with other pension desk officers listening during the forum

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS Alberto plays patient game

IVERPOOL midfielder Luis Alberto is prepared to be patient as he awaits his firstteam chance. The 21-year-old arrived from Sevilla for a fee approaching £7million in the summer but has managed just 76 minutes of Barclays Premier League action over five appearances. He admits English football is faster and more physical than what he has been used to and has spent the last couple of months trying to bulk up a bit more. While he has been used sparingly by manager Brendan Rodgers, Alberto is seen as a long-term prospect and gave a hint of his talent with an Anfield hat-trick playing for the Under-21s against Sunderland in September. "I would like to play more, I am waiting for my chances. The truth is I need to play more and I hope to do it," said the Spaniard. "I want to play but there are many colleagues that are working well. "I have to wait for the manager to start having confidence in me and (then) repay his confidence on the pitch. "I have been working a few months and I have learned and I am going to wait for my moment. "I have discovered it is faster football, more physical, and you have to be in better physical condition. "I have improved in many aspects: my physique is better and I am heavier now - these details contribute to better preparation." Alberto is taking some inspiration from Brazilian team-mate Philippe Coutinho, just three months older than him, who has had an instant impact having arrived in January. Coutinho has more experience in having played in three different countries - he left his homeland for Inter Milan and spent half a season on loan at Espanyol - but has adapted almost seamlessly without having to compromise physically. "I admire Philippe and we get on well on and off the pitch," Alberto told LFC TV. "He can be one of the people who are an example for me. I look at many people as an example. "Not only Philippe but various others have said I need to be patient and work well and it will happen. "When it arrives, then I have to show that I am good enough for Liverpool." One thing Alberto has noticed is the competitiveness of the Barclays Premier League compared with his homeland. "It is a pity it is not like this in Spain," he said. "But there are teams who fight for fourth or fifth and I experienced it with Seville for two and a bit years. "Here the league is much nicer and the fans must be enjoying it quite a lot. "I think we cannot underestimate any Premier League team."

•Alberto

Carrick ruled out

ANCHESTER United midfielder Michael Carrick admits he will find it difficult to sit on the sidelines well into December as he recovers from injury. The 32-year-old has been ruled out for up to six weeks with an Achilles tendon problem, meaning could miss at least six Barclays Premier League matches, two Champions League ties - one away to Bayer Leverkusen - and United's Capital Cup quarter-final at Stoke. "A few weeks out for me. Hate missing games!" the midfielder wrote on Twitter. "Not used to this injury business. Heal quick n come back stronger!!" Carrick played in United's 1-0 win over Arsenal on Sunday but withdrew from the England squad preparing for friendlies against Chile and Germany on Tuesday. He underwent a procedure

where he had an injection to reduce the swelling around the affected Achilles, however, Press Association Sport understands that claims he may require an operation are wide of the mark, although he will be out of action for a while. "We can confirm that Michael Carrick will be out for four to six weeks with an Achilles injury," United confirmed in a statement. Carrick has appeared in 15 of United's 18 matches this season and his absence leaves manager David Moyes short in central midfield - an area which he tried to strengthen in the summer. Six weeks on the sidelines would take Carrick up to the Boxing Day clash at Hull, however, if he is out for the full duration is seems unlikely Moyes will throw him straight back into action in the midst of the busy

festive programme and he may not be match-fit for the Hull game or the trip to Norwich two days later. Carrick's United team-mate Danny Welbeck also pulled out of the England squad on Tuesday as he continues to battle with a knee injury which has kept him out since October 19. His situation will continue to be managed by United but there is no suggestion yet he will require surgery. Team-mate Phil Jones admits the absence of Carrick will be a blow just as United are looking to push on following the Arsenal defeat, sitting just three points behind second-placed Liverpool and five adrift of the Gunners at the top. "He is a great player and will be missed for club and country," said Jones.

•Carrick "He brings a lot to the side, with his range of passing. He will be sorely missed." On Welbeck he added: "He has done well on the international stage when he has been picked for England and he's another great player. Hopefully he'll be back soon."

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

COMMENTARY FROM OTHER LANDS

EDITORIALS

Disturbing signal

•Delay in budget presentation is bad for the economy

VEN if President Goodluck Jonathan had presented the 2014 budget estimates to the National Assembly last Tuesday as scheduled, the exercise would still have come too late for comfort. The postponement of the budget presentation till tomorrow is a disturbing signal that the factors that impeded the smooth consideration, passage and implementation of national budgets in the past are actively at work again to thwart the objectives of the 2014 budget. Citing ‘emergent circumstances’, the President sought and obtained the consent of the legislators to shift the unveiling of the budget till this week. The failure to do so last week naturally fuelled apprehension that the crucial budgetary process was once more swimming in stormy waters as had happened all too often in the past. Despite the presentation of the 2013 budget estimates to the National Assembly on October 10, last year, it was not until February 27 this year that it was assented to by the President. If the 2014" budget estimates will just be presented to the National Assembly tomorrow, it can best be imagined when the proposals will formally be passed into law for implementation, given the characteristic bickering between the executive and legislature on fiscal matters. From all indications, both houses of the National Assembly and the presidency are yet to find a way of working in a more coordinated and harmonious manner to ensure timely and effective implementation of the budget in the national interest. While both arms of government must adhere to the principle of separation of powers to promote good governance through appropri-

ate checks and balances, this must not result in an unyielding rigidity that hampers systemic efficiency. Given the unsavoury experiences of the past, for example, it is surprising that as at last week, both the legislature and executive were yet to arrive at an acceptable oil price benchmark for the budget. This perennially contentious issue ought to have been handled more expeditiously and a consensus arrived at much earlier. As it were, there is no indication that even after the budget presentation by the President, there won’t be disagreement on the requisite oil price benchmark, which may complicate the process of deliberating on and approving the budget, with negative implications for the economy. Similarly, since the Fiscal Responsibility Act requires that the National Assembly must approve both the Medium Term Expenditure Framework and Fiscal Strategy Paper before any budget presentation, both arms of government should have cooperated towards achieving this objective speedily. It is inexcusable that the delay on the part of the legislature in this regard was one reason why the budget could not be presented earlier. Some of the legislators are reportedly reluctant to consider the 2014 budget estimates because of what they perceive as poor implementation of the 2013 budget. While this school of thought contends that budgetary performance for the year was not more than 40 per cent, the Federal Ministry of Finance insists that a performance of at least 70 per cent was recorded. While the ministry’s figure may be true in respect of recurrent expenditure, the 2013 budget, like virtually all others since 1999, has

clearly performed far below par in terms of capital expenditure. Yet, it is the latter that can revitalise public infrastructure as the basis for job and wealth creation, to ensure that the country’s much trumpeted high growth rate is accompanied by meaningful development. If we are to redeem lost time and begin to make concrete economic progress, then all concerned must approach the 2014 budget with utmost seriousness. Once the budget is presented, it must be considered with despa tch without compromising thoroughness. Furthermore, the National Assembly must steadfastly and transparently undertake its oversight functions to ensure diligent implementation of the budget. And the government must, more seriously tackle the menace of corruption that has been a key factor in the poor implementation of past budgets and the continued impoverishment of millions of Nigerians.

‘This perennially contentious issue ought to have been handled more expeditiously and a consensus arrived at much earlier. As it were, there is no indication that even after the budget presentation by the President, there won’t be disagreement on the requisite oil price benchmark, which may complicate the process of deliberating on and approving the budget, with negative implications for the economy’

Little has changed

•Wanted! A new template for development in the Niger Delta

T is distressing that, despite the stark reality of oil-business related environmental degradation in the Niger Delta and the long campaign for correction, there is little or no progress. The ghost of Ken Saro-Wiwa, the writer and renowned environmental rights activist who championed a loud protest against the despoliation before his execution under the military administration of the late General Sani Abacha, must be agitated. This was implied by Senator Bukola Saraki, chairman of the Senate Committee on Environment and Ecology, who lamented that, 18 years after Saro- Wiwa’s death, “the struggle and message for which he was killed still resonates with us.” Interestingly, Saraki observed that “there is a regulatory and legal failure lending itself to the environmental impunity we see in the Niger Delta.” This thought is confounding, particularly given the existence of the Federal Ministry of Niger Delta Af-

‘However, it is worth emphasising that the problematic issue of gross underdevelopment in the Niger Delta needs to be addressed alongside the atrocious degradation caused especially by oil spills and gas flaring, which have been rightly described as “irresponsible environmental behaviour.” It is instructive that in a recent report, Amnesty International blamed oil pollution in the Niger Delta on corrosion and other faults in aging pipelines of the oil companies in the area’

fairs announced in 2008 by the late President Umaru Yar’Adua, “to coordinate efforts to tackle the challenges of infrastructural development, environment protection and youth empowerment in the Niger Delta.” Additionally, the Niger Delta Development Commission (NDDC) became a parastatal agency under the ministry. Sadly, with the evident lack of improvement in the region, it would appear that these structures are merely glorified; and there might be an urgent need for a new template for development. Specifically, reports indicate that the ministry has performed rather disappointingly, in spite of huge budgets: road projects, skill acquisition programmes, and water and electricity schemes are allegedly far behind schedule; waterfront development, including dredging and port development, was reportedly unimpressively insignificant. Also, certainly more disturbing is report of an immense disparity between federal budgetary figures and amounts released, which suggests a hampering unseriousness on the part of the central government. It is ironic that such callous treatment is the reward for a region responsible for the main portion of the country’s revenue. However, the role of governments in the oil-producing states deserves to be questioned as well, especially in the light of the statutory 13 percent derivation-based extra revenue allocation which they enjoy. Against the backdrop of their complaints about its inadequacy and clamour for more, it is logical to inquire how well such funds have been utilised to ameliorate socio-economic conditions in the states. It is no secret that official corruption contin-

ues to be a monstrous impediment to good governance not only in the oil-rich region, but across the country. It is on record that abysmal governmental neglect triggered the upsurge in militant activities by protesters, which eventually led to the Federal Government’s 2009 controversial amnesty programme that has essentially failed to arrest the people’s outrage. Regrettably, there are, today, strong signals that the era of militancy is not quite over. However, it is worth emphasising that the problematic issue of gross underdevelopment in the Niger Delta needs to be addressed alongside the atrocious degradation caused especially by oil spills and gas flaring, which have been rightly described as “irresponsible environmental behaviour.” It is instructive that in a recent report, Amnesty International blamed oil pollution in the Niger Delta on corrosion and other faults in aging pipelines of the oil companies in the area. It is inexcusable that gas flaring continues, and the official terminal date keeps shifting, demonstrating a condemnable lack of will by the authorities. Also, it is necessary to expedite action on the amendment of the National Oil Spill Detection and Response Act (NOSDRA) 2006, with a view to not only stipulating specific penalties and responsibilities for oil spills, but also enforcing the provisions of the law in cases of breaches. There is no doubt that the campaign for environmental revolution in the region needs to be sustained and reinforced; and the governors of the oil-producing states as well as the Federal Government monitored for greater accountability.

British press freedom under threat

RITAIN has a long tradition of a free, inquisitive press. That freedom, so essential to democratic accountability, is being challenged by the Conservative-Liberal Democrat coalition government of Prime Minister David Cameron. Unlike the United States, Britain has no constitutional guarantee of press freedom. Parliamentary committees and the police are now exploiting that lack of protection to harass, intimidate and possibly prosecute The Guardian newspaper for its publication of information based on National Security Agency documents that were leaked by Edward Snowden. The New York Times has published similar material, believing that the public has a clear interest in learning about and debating the N.S.A.’s out-of-control spying on private communications. That interest is shared by the British public as well. In the United States, some members of Congress have begun pushing for stronger privacy protections against unwarranted snooping. British parliamentarians have largely ducked their duty to ask tough questions of British intelligence agencies, which closely collaborate with the N.S.A., and have gone after The Guardian instead. Alan Rusbridger, the newspaper’s editor, has been summoned to appear before a parliamentary committee next month to testify about The Guardian’s internal editorial decision-making regarding the Snowden information. Members of Parliament have also demanded information on the newspaper’s decision to make some of the leaked information available to other journalists, including those at The Times. That should be none of Parliament’s business. Meanwhile, Scotland Yard detectives are pursuing a criminal investigation into The Guardian’s actions surrounding the Snowden leaks. These alarming developments threaten the ability of British journalists to do their jobs effectively. Britain’s press has long lacked the freedoms enjoyed by American newspapers. Now it appears they are less free from government interference than journalists in Germany, where Der Spiegel has published material from the Snowden leaks without incurring government bullying. The global debate now taking place about intelligence agencies collecting information on the phone calls, emails and Internet use of private citizens owes much to The Guardian’s intrepid journalism. In a free society, the price for printing uncomfortable truths should not be parliamentary and criminal inquisition. – New York Times

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

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

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THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

CARTOON & LETTERS

IR: The recent donation of about 200 vehicles to the youths in Abia State, by the Governor, Chief TA Orji, in the 4th phase of the Youth Empowerment and Poverty Alleviation Scheme is not the right way to go in the alleviation of poverty and empowering the army of unemployed youths in the state. The governor has merely window dressed youth empowerment and ignored tackling poverty alleviation with all the necessary attention it deserves. Vehicles are very important tools in assisting individuals and running the economy but, are not basics to creating employment and reducing poverty. The popular Chinese proverb of teaching a man how to fish rather than giving him fish is, usu-

IR: I am of the school of thought that all men are born equal; after all the sun will not refuse to shine neither will the day turn to night because a purportedly great child is born. Different circumstances may be prevalent during individual child’s birth though. More so, various but different environmental factors also play important role. It is seemingly becoming a culture in our clime to sing the praises of the rich and powerful into the high heavens, even though they mean little or nothing to the people around them or the average person on the street in terms of impact. Eulogies, sycophancies and ‘flatteries’ are the definitions of the way we celebrate the rich in our society especially on a day of birth like this, all because of the crumbs that may fall from their table may be. All you need to do to become an object of worship overnight in my country is to be rich either by hook or by crook, nobody cares. You can even rob Peter and Paul to pay John a token; it is allowed in our unfortunate society and; you can be sure your name and pictures will grace the pages of the dailies. In essence, celebrating people has been propagandised and bastardised. We do not know who is who, save the Holy Scripture’s admonition of ‘You shall know them by their fruit’ That Wole Olanipekun is an impeccable legal jurist, philanthropist of high profile integrity and a Godfearing man is no news; neither will such eulogies from a young Nige-

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Abia: How not to empower youths ally not adapted in Nigeria in the fight against poverty. The federal and state governments are involved in different programmes meant to alleviate poverty and empower the youths with billions of naira every year yet, we record very disappointing results. Abia State, to those who know it very well, is both a commercial and

industrial state. It would have made much sense to the people if the state government had invested in Aba, which stands as the commercial centre where millions of people visit to transact business daily. I have always argued about the importance of this city to the people of Abia State, Nigeria and Africa, hence the requirement for intensive

investment by the government to attract both local and foreign investors. No genuine poverty alleviation or empowerment of youths can take place here until the government decides to invest in the economic transformation, infrastructural development of Aba. Aba holds the magic wand for transformation, youth employment

To Wole Olanipekun at 63 rian like me count as much as that of the crème de la crème of the society whose praises carry heavier weights and lend credence to the personality in question. His contemporaries and other well-meaning Nigerians are adequately engaged in the business of acknowledging and giving voice to his giant strides in national development through his relentless commitment to the legal profession, education, philanthropy and other social engineering activities. The print media has also brilliantly played its role in giving due recognition to the sacrifices of this selfless legal avatar in securing an educated and a prosperous poster-

ity for our beloved nation. I have no doubt that only eternity can justly account for, and reward the selfless sacrifices of Olanipekun especially in a country like ours where greed has overtaken the people In the last 10 months of being privileged to work in his Lagos chambers, I have taken instructions from him, sat to hear him speak about the state of the nation. I have read news of his good works and interviews of him on the pages of different newspapers in his chambers’ library and some I have seen by myself. It has all inspired me and engraved a very strong message of living an impactful life. Space will fail me to highlight his philanthropic

gestures to indigent students from his home town, Ikere-Ekiti and across Nigerian university campuses since 1997. Olanipekun is a life worth celebrating on this day, November 18, not just because of his monumental and intimidating success as a lawyer or the blessing of God upon him that makes rich, but rather, his selfless life of blessing and philanthropy that is touching lives and raising a dependable and self-sufficient generation. One can only pray that God grant him long life in sound health, peace and eternity after his terrestrial sojourn. • Abiola Olarinde, Lagos

Nigerians are recklessly cut short by over-zealous drivers in the usually-long convoys of our respective state chief executives have become completely unacceptable. Recall that about the same time last year, the same Governor Idris Wada of Kogi State was involved in a ghastly road accident in which his former Aid de Camp died while he sustained serious leg injuries that kept him out of office for a considerable period of time. How they (governors, executives) remain comfortably in those recklessly-piloted motorcades to the detriments of pedestrians and other road users whose lives amount to nothing continue to baffle me. All over the world, the pri-

mary purpose of government is the security, sanctity of life as well as welfare of citizens. Our constitution in Section 14(2) (b) is clear on this, yet by the policies, actions and inactions of our governments, her citizen are being killed on regular basis. The deplorable state of our road infrastructure nationwide can hardly be discountenanced as a major contributory factor to this inglorious level of road mishaps. The entire academic unions in Nigeria particularly the ASUU which Iyayi led as the president between 1986-1988 as well as the Human Rights/Pro democracy community particularly the Committee for the Defence of Human Rights (CDHR)

and poverty alleviation in Abia State should the government decide to take advantage of such. In Aba, it is both a market and factory. We have factories for shoes and clothes, plastics and others here, but they are speedily dying because of lack of amenities/infrastructures to support and encourage the young men and women in business. Many of these manufacturers are closing shops and relocating or abandoning the business for other things. Almost all the industries in Aba and Umuahia are moribund. Since 1999, no government in the state has thought it wise that revamping and sustaining the economy of the state lies in this direction. Like our late sage Dr. Nnamdi Azikiwe said, show the light and the people would find their way. There is no where in the world where buying and sharing vehicles to people had advanced the economy of the state. Abia State government should take advantage of the ingenuity, industry, the enterprising skills of the people, coupled with the blessing of having Aba located in the state and think deeply on how best to harness these for development. We cannot continue in the practice of settling and buying cars for few of our friends in the name of poverty alleviation and empowerment. It does no one any good; rather, it further leaves the state unorganized, undeveloped and, the people ever impoverished. • Uzodinma Nwaogbe Lagos, Nigeria.

Iyayi: Death most unfortunate, avoidable

IR: On Tuesday, November 12, our collective psyche was further attacked by the circumstances leading to the very unfortunate but clearly avoidable death of the erudite, selfless and patriotic intellectual giant Professor Festus Iyayi. Thus far, the undisputed account is that the vehicle in which the Professor was travelling to Kano for a crucial ASUU leadership meeting was hit by one of the escort vehicles in Governor Idris Wada’s convoy leading to his instant death. Granted that this could be an accident as investigation many reveal, but the incidence and frequency of this category of avoidable disasters by which innocent

which he led as the National President from 1995-1997 must rise to the occasion on this score and ensure that this reckless killings stop. The fact remains that there is no correlation between the whooping and successive budgetary allocations to road infrastructural development and the conditions of our road networks which re-introduces the nagging question of severe corruption in our body politic. I join millions of aggrieved Nigerians and associates of Professor Iyayi all over the world to commiserate with his immediate family on this unfortunate but avoidable development. • Malachy Ugwummadu Esq. Lagos

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

COMMENTS

T is intriguing that General (retd) Yakubu Gowon, Nigeria’s military head of state from August 1966 to July 1975 and currently shepherd of Nigeria Prays, a Christian prayer group, is apparently consumed by his “awakening” and has surrendered his power of material analysis. It is too easy to spiritualize concrete events by appealing to so-called divine intervention, an approach Gowon adopted in his focus on a critical juncture in the country’s political history. Perhaps he was innocently ignorant of the underlying implications of his comments in a newspaper interview where he attributed the deaths of the dreadful dictator, General Sani Abacha, and the popular symbol of democratic resistance, Chief Moshood Abiola, to the hand of God guided by human supplication. His ahistoricity was not just simplistic; it was profoundly misleading. Such shallowness certainly should not be encouraged because it falsifies reality and promotes unawareness. Gowon’s incredible words: “But what the good Lord did was that, at that time, one of the serious political problems we had was Abacha/Abiola, the June 12 crisis. What happened then was that the good Lord took Abacha and paved the way for a return to civil rule and that was to give opportunity for the release of Abiola. Then Abiola, who was also at the other end of the crisis also passed on and therefore left the path for a reasonable, genuine restoration and return to a civil rule. That was achieved through some of the prayers that we did but we did not ask the good Lord for anyone’s demise.” There is no doubt that this was an effort at revisionism, which must fail because the essentials are incontrovertible. Against the background of a morally flawed grip on power,

‘Perhaps he was innocently ignorant of the underlying implications of his comments in a newspaper interview where he attributed the deaths of the dreadful dictator, General Sani Abacha, and the popular symbol of democratic resistance, Chief Moshood Abiola, to the hand of God guided by human supplication. His ahistoricity was not just simplistic; it was profoundly misleading. Such shallowness certainly should not be encouraged because it falsifies reality and promotes unawareness’

OME say he is obsessed. Others claim he is over-ambitious. While a fragment say the reconstruction of Benin City, for Adams Oshiomhole is a gargantuan project that would fail and as such, dismissed it outrightly when he assumed office as governor. In 1827 days, we all seem to have lost memory of where we are coming from; we forget in a hurry, the stench that pervaded Ring Road and the dilapidation and complete collapse therein. The modernization of Benin City proved taxing, no doubt to Oshiomhole himself. But with a goal-getter in Clem Agba, as environment commissioner, polishing and adding fillip to the Oshiomhole prose of a modern city, and , an Osarodion Ogie, the Works Commissioner sharpening the argument to assemble the scattered fragments of the city, Oshiomhole and his team, past and present, worked unconscionably long hours, both into the night, either in Exco meetings or project inspection so that an accurate job according to specification was carried out. If the work and task of the modern city was often hard, it was always great fun too; the convivial and stimulating times spent knocking heads together, the long distance trekking, and the sweating it out in the name of inspection. In all these, Oshiomhole can be said to be fortunate to have an Omo N Oba N Edo, Uku Akpolokpolo, His Royal Majesty, Oba Erediauwa, the Oba of Benin as his supporter who gave his royal blessing especially during the turbulent opposition in the House of Assembly coupled with an intolerant opposition party in the state in the midst of scarce resources. The Oba gave his all...surrendered his palace for “demolition”, if it posed a threat to the Oshiomhole dream of a modern ancient city. We seem to loose sight of the ring road nightmare, the Airport road nigh impossibility, the Uselu-Ugbowo-Lagos road quagmire, and the Five-junction chaos, the superiority of flood that defied ordinary solution, among other hydra-headed challenges that confronted Benin city and starred it on its face at the time; all these intimidated the ancient city and defeated it. It was in a bid to conquer these monsters that a single project such as the Benin City Storm Water Masterplan would demand over N30 billion before yielding to solution. This project, added with road construction, and beautification is the fulcrum of the Oshiomhole modern ancient city narrative. On erosion control, the Government secured a N25 billion

‘In all of these achievements, the good people of Edo state and residents of Benin city must be commended for aiding the government with their tacit support. Oshiomhole would never have succeeded in achieving this feat if the ordinary people withdrew their active participation’

Gowon’s Godism

Abacha’s unexpected death on June 8, 1998, smacked of machination, following five years of ruthless oppression of the pro-democracy opposition including presidential claimant Abiola, and an elaborate but unpopular preparation for selfsuccession. Although he reportedly suffered from cirrhosis, events of his final moments suggested that he succumbed to poison. Similarly, Abiola’s abrupt passing one month later on July 7, 1998, was supremely suspicious, particularly in the context of a consistently intense campaign for his release from detention and restoration of his ruptured electoral mandate. It is significant to dwell on the hazy circumstances of Abiola’s death, which happened on the day he was reportedly due to be freed. According to a BBC interview at the time with US special envoy Thomas R. Pickering, an American delegation, which included Susan Rice visited the caged Abiola who suddenly fell ill, and subsequently died presumably from a heart attack. It is revealing that although the official autopsy stated that Abiola died of natural causes, Abacha’s Chief Security Officer, al-Mustapha later alleged that he was tortured to death, claiming to have video and audiotapes to back his accusation. It is instructive that 15 years after, the final report of an autopsy carried out by a team of international coroners is still treated as a secret document. Also, there is irrefutable evidence that Abiola was denied proper medical attention for his existing health conditions while he was detained for four years. So, to go by Gowon’s mystical logic, where does God come into the picture? Evidently, as even Gowon noted, Abacha’s death offered an opportunity for Abiola’s release, which was not effected immediately, contrary to the dictates of fairness. Abacha’s martial successor, Abdulsalami Abubakar, failed to seize the historic moment and there is little doubt that this dilatoriness possibly cost Abiola his life. It is noteworthy that Gowon’s flat reference to Abiola as being “at the other end of the crisis” glossed over a fundamental detail, specifically, that the wealthy businessman and politician was the victim of a crude and inexcusable power

show by Abacha’s military predecessor, Ibrahim Babangida, who annulled the country’s momentous presidential election of June 12, 1993, which endorsed Abiola. Non-acknowledgement of this pivot, which amounted to a trivialisation of cause and overemphasis on consequence, is worrying, especially on account of its source who, at 79, is regarded as an elder statesman. Furthermore, Gowon’s argument that Abiola’s death perfected the removal of supposed barriers, and opened “the path for a reasonable, genuine restoration and return to a civil rule”, carried a ring of negative bias. Contemplating the path not taken, the question of the possible value of Abiola’s presidency, had he been allowed to rule, will continue to haunt the polity. Abiola’s “Hope 93” campaign was full of motivational vitality and the majority eagerly bought his alluring promise of constructive change. Perhaps it was a turning-point opportunity that will be difficult to regain. In addition, would Gowon seriously consider the country’s civilrule experience since Abiola’s aborted appeal worthy of his adjectives, “reasonable and genuine”? To try a reduction to absurdity, it is apt to wonder whether Gowon regards his inglorious overthrow in a military coup d’état as an instance of divine intervention, a clearing of the path in favour of a superior arrangement. However, even if unwittingly, Gowon succeeded in being helpful; his remarks, by inference, again highlighted the reality that Abiola’s death particularly is far from closure. It is precisely because of the possibility of misinformation by individuals of Gowon’s ilk that Abiola’s death deserves to be further probed and its cause conclusively determined. More important, the result of such definitive investigation should be open to the public. In this respect, the controversial death of Palestine leader Yasser Arafat in 2004 has parallel angles. While official medical records state that he died of a stroke resulting from a blood disorder, strong speculations that he might have been murdered were apparently validated following the exhumation of his remains in November 2012. After conducting tests on samples taken from his remains, experts at the Vaudois University Hospital Centre (CHUV) in Lausanne, Switzerland, produced a report that said, “Taking into account the analytical limitations aforementioned, mostly time lapse since death and the nature and quality of the specimens, the results moderately support the proposition that the death was the consequence of poisoning with polonium-210.” A highly radioactive substance, Polonium-210 is found in low doses in food and created naturally in the body, but can be fatal if ingested in high doses. In Abiola’s case, it is equally crucial to pursue the truth, even if only to shame the theories of premeditated murder. Unfortunately, until the issue is satisfactorily resolved, individuals of Gowon’s mentality will soften the complexity by blaming God.

Remaking an ancient city in 1,827 days By John Mayaki bond from the capital market to adequately tackle the erosion problem in a modern way. Known as the Benin City Storm Water Masterplan, the project is divided into phases and the first Phase, which is estimated to gulp over N30 billion has been launched. The first phase involves the construction of a Distilling basin of 120ft x l2Oft of massive drainage which takes all the floods from secondary drains into the primary drain which then flows into the Ogba River. The distilling basin will take a massive 20,000 metre tonnes of excavation, requiring 18,200 metric tonnes of cement and 20,000 pounds of boulder and it will have a 2.5m x 2.5m doubled culverts stretching for about 1km. Connecting the Distilling Basin, which will be self-cleaning and desilting is a trapezated drain which is 45ft wide at the top, l2ft wide at the bottom and almost 7m deep. It will run round parts of the state and will be completely covered by the road in densely-populated areas. It will take care of the flood problem in Teachers’ House, Uwelu axis, Akugbe road, Otete Street, lgbinaduwa, Adolor College road, Obakpolor, Textile Mill road, Oro Street, lheya, lvbiye Street and Lane, 3rd Cemetery and the Five junction area and adjoining streets, in the process taking care of about a quarter of the flood in the capital city. All the roads which will be constructed or rehabilitated in the storm water project will come with walkways, street lights and drains. Recognizing the simple fact that the main problem of the road is flood related, the state government has undertaken a massive drainage project for all the contructed road as well. The drainage from Adolor junction to the Traditional Grounds area is being re-established and reconstructed. A brand new underground drainage line has been laid and completed from the Traditional Grounds area to the moat at Eghosa Grammar School area. Furthermore, reinforced concrete box culverts are being constructed at the Five junction area as part of a complex network of drains in that area to take the flood waters away from the area to a receptacle again at Eghosa Grammar School moat. Finally, to ease congestion and enhance the beautification of the city at the Five junction area, a roundabout project has been awarded to Messrs RCC to enable our people enjoy the full benefits of the road. These facts speaks for themselves on a visit to the various project sites. The second leg of this discourse, is the beautification project. My first distinctive memory of Ring Road is of the traffic; the chaos and nightmare that characterized ring road now known as Oba Ovonramwen square. Today, it is probably the widest, roundest most beautiful of roundabouts in Nigeria.

Inside the roundabout is the National Museum, the most awesome water fountain in Nigeria, the military cenotaph in honor of the unknown soldiers, and a beautiful park and garden. Just around there is the symbol of one of the world’s most revered royalty, the palace of the Omo N Oba N Edo, the state House of Assembly complex, Central Bank of Nigeria, among other new generation banks. This spot was highly mystified due to inability of successive governments to do anything about it all these years. It was the place with no bedtime, and, therefore, no time for waking.....in the similitude of the pre-Raji Fashola Lagos Oshodi. Like Ojuelegba, near Surulere in Lagos, it used to be one bedlam of confusion; I mean Oba Ovonramwen Square. It was characterized by filth and almost everything indecent under the earthroad side traders, rough-shod motorists, pickpockets, rapists, street urchins, the homeless and other wayward characters were always there with different missions. Oshiomhole confronted the monster with requisite planning. He restored sanity to the place. Today, we have a new-look Ring Road to the bemusement of objective critics; making those who swore never to have anything to do with it eat their words. Now, most people transiting through or having to transact business on the Square, either in the day time or at night, have refreshing stories to tell. All the roads leading into it, have been illuminated: Airport road, Sapele road, Sokponba road, Akpakpava road, Mission road, Forestry road and Oba Market road from where crowds surges in seamless motion with no one looking at the other with suspicion at night anymore. There is, even now, a musical water fountain right inside the Square. “This is impossible”, Oshiomhole’s worst critics hollered on top of their voices when they were told of the plan to dualise Airport road. “Who told you it’s impossible? It is possible”, Oshiomhole would fire back. Soon after, the story changed to one of “ the most priced road contract per kilometre the world over” just as the unrepentant critics deliberately failed to recognize the complements of side drains, walkways, street lights, beautification and maintenance embedded in the project. In all of these mouth-watering achievements, the good people of Edo state and residents of Benin city must be commended for aiding the government with their tacit support. Oshiomhole would never have succeeded in achieving this feat if the ordinary people withdrew their active participation. The first lesson of course is that most people want good life and the majority will always stay behind a government that delivers the better life they seek. This public approval, therefore, provides the moral courage the leader needs to execute his plans. Without courage, of course, the evil and corrupt institutions that have held our state bound in poverty and chaos cannot be fell. • Maiyaki, writes from Benin City

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

COMMENTS

HEN two years ago the Abia State government came out with the obnoxious policy of sacking civil servants in its employ for being non indigenes, the measure had for good reasons, attracted widespread condemnations. Then, the state government rationalized the policy on the ground that it was inevitable for it to pay the minimum wage approved for workers in the public sector. It shut its eyes to pleas and the argument that the policy was imbued with the wider prospects of denting relations between it and the governments and peoples of the affected states and stultifying efforts at national integration. Abia State government was even quick to join issues with some other states trading words in a manner that further exposed the limitations of those who conceived that policy. Coming from a section of the country that has been upbeat in raising allegations of mistreatment from other sections of the country, the Abia incident was seen as unmitigated disservice not only to the unity of the country but that of the Igbo nation. It was very difficult to reconcile with the action, how the Igbo could still reasonably talk of alienation and marginalization in their relations with the central government when one of theirs has become the chief apostle of hate and discriminatory policy. The so-called non-indigenous civil servants were eventually sent packing in the most callous way. Since then, the media have been awash with the untold hardship victims have been exposed to. There was this story of a widow who had to be thrown out by her landlord because she could neither pay her rents nor any longer cater for her children on account of the sack. Some may have even died. It is not known that the government paid

If the purported increase in internally generated revenue is meant to justify the earlier one adduced for the exercise, I am afraid it has come with additional problems that put to task the competence and limitations of managers of that state.

Emeka OMEIHE 08121971199 email: EmekaOmeihe@yahoo.com

Orji’s belated penitence them disengagement benefits to cushion the debilitating effects of their sudden sack. That had been the sad tale from Abia State and their own contribution to nurturing bad blood and disunity among the people of that geopolitical zone that has not fared well within the Nigerian federation. Some of the states in the zone were so disgusted that they threatened reprisals. Ironically, this discriminatory policy came at a time some other state governments have been making concerted efforts to demonstrate that they are prepared to accommodate people from other states in their public service. Before then also, there had been heated debate on the necessity to incorporate the residency clause in the constitution to make it mandatory for those who have lived a certain number of years in a particular place to become automatic indigenes, enjoying the perquisites and privileges accruing to indigenes. These issues were raised as a way out of the increasing slide to centrifugalism and stave off the burdensome competition between the primordial units and the central government for the loyalty of the citizens. It is not surprising that the inability of this country to decisively address this key and unifying variable has been largely responsible for our failure at national integration 53 years after independence. In place of national cohesion, what we have harvested very bountifully has been the resurgence of ethnic nationalism. The Abia incident therefore had the prospects of pushing this negative tendency to a very ridiculous dimension if not checked. Two years thereon, we are now being told that the same government that hounded those who faulted the myopic policy has had a change of heart. Reports filtering from that state have it that the Abia State government

WO incidents of almost equal magnitude and public hype, in relation to their unusual nature, occurred in the past few weeks in Enugu and Bayelsa states as regards the appropriate legal circumstances and interpretations that can warrant the forceful demolition of private individual or corporate property. The occurrences bring to the front-burner, the disparate nature and modus operandi of the Nigerian ruling elite’s attitude and disposition to the enforcement of the Rule of Law, especially in the implementation of set government (or the leader’s) goals and policies in diverse circumstances. In the first instance, Governor Sullivan Iheanacho Chime of Enugu State finally made good his threat of August 2012 that he will demolish the South-east regional headquarters of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) Ministries, if after 72 hours, the authorities of the Christian organisation refuse to relocate from the site. Realising the enormity of the “fatwa”, MFM went to an Enugu State High Court seeking some judicial reliefs among which were an order restraining the governor and his agents from carrying out this threat until the determination of the main action which among others is to affirm MFM’s ownership of the plots of land in contention. For a year, Governor Sullivan Chime chose to obey the resulting court order that the status quo ante be maintained, in the breach. In an uncommon display of the law-abiding corporate citizen that it is, the MFM authorities listened to pleas of an out-of-court settlement bargain only to be saddled with a 20-plot alternative site between the Amaechi and Ngwo communities on Emeka Ebile Road. This ready offer of 20 plots of land turned out to be a Greek Gift and a hot potato as the Amaechi and Ngwo communities are currently locked in dispute over the rightful ownership of the ancestral lands. To compound matters, the same government had already allocated a sizeable portion of this land to another Christian organisation which has commenced development. It was in this mishmash of extant government’s approvals of 1998, 2002 and 2010; a legal Certificate of Occupancy and a subsisting Enugu State High Court order that the demolition “armada” of Enugu State government rolled on to the Zik Avenue Bridge, Uwani location of the MFM Regional Headquarters, some few weeks ago and laid waste the sprawling complex, in strict contempt of its own court! Conversely, on Wednesday, October 30, the private house of the sitting Governor of Bayelsa State, Henry Seriake Dickson, on Opolo-AIT Road, in Yenagoa, the state capital, was demolished by the Capital City Development Authority, supervised by the Deputy Governor of the state, Rear Admiral Gboribiogha Jonah (retd). The infractions? (a) Obstructing the Right of Way and (b) Intruding on the Capital City’s Master Plan, two offences that town planners say are

has put plans afoot to recall the same civil servants. According to reports, the decision was arrived at during the last executive council meeting presided by Governor Theodore Orji. There are conflicting versions of the nature and scope of the reinstatement as well as the rationale for it. While some reports said all the workers have been recalled, some others indicated that those interested are being asked to reapply. The state commissioner for information was even quoted to have said that those who reapply may either be reabsorbed in their former positions as civil servants or posted to schools as teachers. Some reasons have also been adduced for this curious twist. They claim it is on account of substantial improvement in the internally generated revenue base of the state. With more money in its coffers, it can now comfortably employ its indigenes dislocated from the northern states and re-engage the sacked workers. That should be something to cheer from a government that has come under constant challenge for its neglect of its prime commercial city-Aba. Not long ago, lawyers in Aba had to embark on demonstrations to bring to the fore the sorry state of roads there. Would it surprise anyone if the purported high internally generated revenue profile of the state was raised from that neglected city? But that is even beside the point. There are issues to be raised if it is true that the decision to reabsorb the sacked civil servants was due to an unexpected rise in internally generated revenue. It raises the question of bad planning. Modern governments make projections of expected revenue earnings

and expenditure and adjust their plans according to such indicators. Since planning is done in an incremental sense, it is possible using the projections of previous years to have a peep into the future. In other words, if Abia state really plans for its programmes, it was possible to predict that two years after, it would have a huge leap in its revenue base. Were that to be so, it would have perhaps, saved itself the embarrassment of having to sack these workers only to suddenly discover that it had no need to do so. Effective planning would have shown in very unmistakable terms that in two years time, it will not have problems not only with creating additional jobs but adequately taking care of those in her employ. That is the stark realty that has been raised to the fore by the reasons given by that state government for its policy summersault. If the purported increase in internally generated revenue is meant to justify the earlier one adduced for the exercise, I am afraid it has come with additional problems that put to task the competence and limitations of managers of that state. It is a sad commentary on the leadership quality of that state that they were incapable, using revenue growth projection of previous years to have a fair idea of what the situation will be in less than 24 months. That is the logical inference of what we are now being made to believe and it does no credit to that government. There are also problems with its plan to send some of the civil servants into its school system as teachers. It stands to be seen what point Abia state wants to make by this if it does not intend to ruin the education system. In all, it is either the Abia state government is playing to the gallery or it is intent on scoring cheap political points having realized the folly in sacking those workers. If it is sincere with the project, why not automatically recall the workers instead of asking them to reapply with the prospects of being sent to teach. It has the list of those it sacked and ought to have reinstated them before making public show of the matter. So nobody should be deceived by this subterfuge. It is all politics. With about 18 months to go, Orji may be seeking national relevance and may want to relieve himself of the political liability that policy has put on his shoulders. Even if Orji re-engages all those sacked, he deserves neither pity nor patronizing words because it is a self-inflicted baggage.

That Enugu MFM demolition By Erasmus Iyke Umerah prime criteria for such structure(s) to be demolished after the legally-allowed notice. In the case of the MFM Regional Headquarters, the Sullivan Chime administration accused the authorities of the Enugu MFM of intruding on the adjoining water channel over which the Zik Avenue Bridge traverses. The irony of it all is that relevant agents and prescribed authorities of the state government approved the initial Certificate of Occupancy issued in 1998 and subsequently okayed the remodelling/reconstruction works carried out in 2002 and 2010 to provide space for its continuously-expanding congregation. On all these occasions, the church had always maintained the legal set back limit from the adjoining water channel. More so, the “infraction” quoted by the Enugu State government, in counterpoise to the Bayelsa one, was a minor infraction on which the Chime administration visited the most drastic and inhuman weight of his government on the Mountain of Fire and Miracles. It is conventional wisdom that this Janus-faced application of the Rule of Law has, in many instances brought sorrow, despair and despondency to the victims, as in the MFM building case, and joy and contentment in the Bayelsa State one in which the actual Rule of Law was allowed to prevail without the extant law being circumvented. Cases abound where the assessments and eventual demolition or acquisition of landed properties by federal and state governments are predicated on extra-judicial parameters such as political affiliation, peer group, ethnic affinity, mutual religion etc. which are the prime indices of consideration in determining what structure should stand (or acquired), fall etc, regardless of what the extant relevant laws say. The framers of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria were fully conscious of the fact that ownership or acquisition, control and transfer or real estate of landed property are by nature, contentious and should be guided and shielded by explicit constitutional provisions in addition to that of the nation’s statute books. The condensation of these two lines of protection against arbitrary abuse sometimes does not provide the needful in terms of adherence to the Rule of Law. In many cases, some of these provisions have been consciously sidelined or misinterpreted by government agents to suit their whims and caprices. A vivid example is Chapter IV, Section 44 Sub-Sections 1a and 1b of the Constitution which

says “No moveable property or any interest in an immoveable property shall be taken possession of compulsorily and no right over or interest in any such property shall be acquired compulsorily in any part of Nigeria except in any manner and for the purposes prescribed by a law that, among other things – (a) requires the prompt payment of compensation therefor; and (b) gives to any person claiming such compensation a right of access for the determination of his interest in the property and the amount of compensation to a court of law or tribunal or body having jurisdiction in that part of Nigeria.” These provisions and other relevant ones are being obeyed in the breach by the Enugu State government as regards the Regional Headquarters of the Mountain of Fire and Miracles (MFM) in Enugu. In spite of these legal and constitutional provisions that tend to protect and guarantee the acquisition of immoveable property anywhere in the country, cases abound where some prescribed authorities (Federal, State and Local Governments) choose what court judgments, injunctions or orders to obey. In this conscious mindset of selective amnesia, the cause of justice is not served and the prevailing Rule of Impunity is strengthened, perpetuated and institutionalised. The Enugu MFM building demolition scenario did not follow due process as there was no synergy of purpose by the various government’s MDAs (Ministries, Departments and Agencies) involved in the approving, vetting, assessing and execution of any order on a property that had stood on that spot for 15 years. The Enugu State government should do the needful and put this sad episode behind her by apologising for the travesty of justice done in this circumstance; allocating a new site devoid of contention or bickering and paying commensurate compensation to offset the grievous acts of wilful damages visited on the Enugu MFM Regional Headquarters in Uwani, Enugu, the state capital. • Umerah writes from Asata-Enugu, Enugu State

‘In this conscious mindset of selective amnesia, the cause of justice is not served and the prevailing Rule of Impunity is strengthened, perpetuated and institutionalised’

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

BUSINESS THE NATION

E-mail:- bussiness@thenationonlineng.net

THE CEO

JOBS

‘Multiple charges stifle SMEs’ growth’ -P. 27 News Briefing $2.6b recovered in oil, other extractive sector ABOUT $2.6billion out of the S9.6billion trapped in the petrochemical, mining, manufacturing, among other areas, in the extractive sector has been recovered, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Extractive Transparency Initiative Industries (NEITI), Mrs Zainab Ahmed, has said.

- Page 26

Traders, exhibitors lament low sales at Lagos Trade Fair TRADERS and exhibitors have expressed sadness over poor sales at the just-concluded Lagos Trade Fair.

“Nobody in AMCON knows who Enterprise Bank bidders are. Nobody in AMCON knows how many the bidders are, or who will be shortlisted. It is only when they (the advisers –Citi Bank and Vetiva Capital) have looked at all of these people that they decide who and who are qualified,” -Asset Management Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON) CEO, Mustafa Chike-Obi

Unhidden treasure in stock marketing -P. 32

Nigeria’s debt stock increases to N8.32 tr N IGERIA’S total debt stock has risen to N8.32 trillion, data from the Debt Management Office (DMO), has shown. The country’s debt stock, which grew to this level in September, represents an increase of 10.20 per cent from the December 31, 2012 figure of N7.55 trillion. Data from the Debt Management Office (DMO) showed that the external debt (Federal Government and states) accounted for 15.50 per cent of the total debt stock at N1.29 trillion ($8.26 billion) at an exchange rate of N155.75/$1), while domestic debt stock accounted for 84.50 per cent of

From Nduka Chiejina (Assistant Editor), Abuja

the total debt stock at N7.03 trillion. The National Debt Management Framework (20132017) prepared by the Debt Management Office (DMO) has advocated an optimal ratio of domestic debt to external debt by the Federal Government to be 60:40, as opposed to the distribution of about 84:16 as at the third quarter of the year. According to the DMO data, external debt contrib-

uted about 13.59 per cent to the total debt in the second quarter of the year. There was also an increase in the contribution of external debt to the total debt stock in the third quarter of the year, these increases were as a result of “the benign interest rate environment in the international financial system, which the Federal and state governments utilised to their advantage.” The DMO had ruled that the maximum amount that the country can borrow in

next year is N1,249.52 trillion or $7.834 billion (domestic and external) by the Federal Government. This is because by the end of the year, the total public debt/GDP ratio is projected at 22.4 per cent as a result of the country’s stance at maintaining a very conservative debt portfolio. As such, the borrowing limit was calculated using the benchmark of 25 per cent Present Value (PV) of Public Debt/GDP ratio for next year. Accordingly, the available borrowing space will be 2.6 per cent of the normal GDP estimated at N48,057.35trillion or US$301.3 billion.

- Page 26

Group decries NIS’ N1000 recruitment fee A GROUP Progressive Leadership Organisation International has decried the collection of N1, 000 application fee from job seekers by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS).

- Page 29 DATA STREAM COMMODITY PRICES Oil -$107/barrel Cocoa-$2,686.35/metric ton Coffee - ¢132.70/pound Cotton - ¢95.17pound Gold -$1,800/troy ounce Rubber -¢159.21pound MARKET CAPITALISATIONS NSE

-N12.1 trillion

JSE

-Z5.112trillion

NYSE

-$10.84 trillion

LSE

-£61.67 trillion RATES

Inflation

-8.4%

Treasury Bills

-7.08%

Maximum lending -22.42% Prime lending

-15.87%

Savings rate

-2%

91-day NTB

-15%

Time Deposit

-5.49%

MPR

-12%

Foreign Reserve $46.9b FOREX CFA

-0.2958

EUR

-206.9

-242.1

-156

-1.9179

SDR

-238

RIYAL

-40.472

• From left: Managing Director, First Capital Limited, United Kingdom, Mr. Akin Pierrera; Managing Director, Goldbanc Asset Management Limited, Mr Abayomi Sanya; Group Managing Director,GTI Capital Group, Mr Abubakar Lawal; Director General, Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC), Ms Arunma Oteh and Executive Director, Market Operations and Technology, Mr Ade Bajomo, during the visit of the SEC’s DG to Nigeria’s first private trading floor built by GTI Securities Limited in Lagos at the weekend.

Sanusi cautions banks on oil, gas financing

ANKS should consider the environmental im pact of their financing and investments, especially when they concern the oil sector, the Central Bank of Nigeria (CBN) Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi, has said. Speaking at the Banking and Allied Matters conference for judges, he explained that global environmental impact of businesses which are largely financed by the industry suggests that the sector has not given adequate attention to environmental impact of their funding. The seminar, which has as theme, Sustainable banking practice in Nigeria: The journey so far and the way forward, was organised by the Chartered Institute of Bankers of Ni-

By Collins Nweze

geria (CIBN) and the National Judicial Institute (NJI). Sanusi said the tendency to view banking as an environment-friendly business was common place, adding that on the surface, it seems not to be of harm to the environment and society. “However, the banking sector has been profiting from financing of environmentally unfriendly sectors. Financing of the energy sector, which is usually the villain on matters of environmental degradation across the world, is a trite example. This sector is perhaps the most capital intensive sector and depends on the financial system to mobilise funds for its highly capital intensive operations,” he said.

Sanusi said statistics abound on how spillage has degraded environment and destroyed farmlands and aquatic life, thereby incapacitating the people economically and perpetuating poverty, adding that there have also been various reports of chemical emissions from our industries resulting in health complications within affected localities with its attendant societal/ public cost. He said until recently, the country’s banking industry had not given much attention to sustainability beyond ticking off environmental impact assessment on checklist for credit risk assessment for evaluation of loan applications, other jurisdictions have for decades been engraving

sustainability ethos in their financial system. He said since the 1980s, banks in the United States had been held directly answerable (under CERCLA-Comprehensive Environmental Response, Compensation and Liability Act) for the negative impact the businesses they financed had on the environment and some of them became bankrupt thereof. The Europeans followed suit in the mid-90s while the activities of multilateral development institutions, such as the World Bank, International Finance Corporation (IFC), European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, had influenced sustainability considerations in the financial sectors in Asia and South America.

Commission on cybercrimes in banking, oil and gas coming By Akinola Ajibade

HE Chairman, House of Representatives’ Committee on Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Hon Ibrahim Shehu Gusau has said the House, is planning to set up a commission that would tackle cybercrimes in the banking, insurance, I CT, oil and gas, among others. Speaking to The Nation at the sidelines of the 6th edition of the West African Convergence Conference (WACC 2013) in Lagos, he said the Commission to be known as Cybercrimes Security Commission would help in checking online fraudulent practices. He said: “We are working on laws that would ensure that cybercrimes are reduced across sectors. We are a bill that would enable Cybercrime Security Commission to be in place. Of course, this will reduce among other things cybercrimes in banking, oil and gas, ICT, among other sectors. As soon as the President assent to the bill, we would pass it.’’ He said the Economic and FinancialCrimes Commission (EFFC), and the police are the first port of calls when its comes to cybercrimes, adding that with the Commission will help in complementing the activities of such law enforcement agencies. He said there is no institution or office in the House of Representatives assigned to tackle cyber security crimes until recently when the Committee on ICT was set up. According to him, the Committee has passed Cyber Security Bill and Nigerian Communication Satellite Bill to ensure that the sector is afoot and stronger compared to its counterparts in developed countries. Gusua said this was the first time the House would have a Committee on ICT, noting that there was nothing of such in the past. Also, the Chief Executive officer, Omatek Computers, Mrs Florence Seriki, canvassed convergence, saying it is the in-thing globally, advising Nigeria to embrace it. He said with mobile devices, such as phones, I-PAD, among others, people can reach a convergence electronically on personnel and corporate interests. She said the company has an educational programme that enables it go to schools, distribute laptops to students, teach them how to use the device and making them IT compliant.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

BUSINESS NEWS ‘Collapsing inland waterways threat to farmers’

Flight Schedule MONDAY - FRIDAY LAGOS – ABUJA Departure Arrival 1. Aero 06.50 08.10 2. Associated 07.00 09.30 3. Air Nigeria 07.00 08.20 4. IRS 07.00 08.20 7. Arik 07.15 08.15 7. Chanchangi 07.15 9. Air Nigeria 08.15 09.35 10. Aero 08.45 10.05 11. Arik 09.15 10.15 12. Chanchangi 10.00 11.00 13. IRS 11.15 12.35 14. Aero 12.20 13.30 15. Air Nigeria 13.25 14.45 16. Chanchangi 13.30 14.30 17. Arik 13.45 14.45 18. IRS 14.00 15.20 19. Aero 14.10 15.30 20. Air Nigeria 14.50 16.10 21. Chanchangi 15.30 16.30 22. Arik 15.50 16.50 23. Aero 16.00 17.20 24. IRS 16.30 17.50 25. Arik 16.50 17.50 26. Chanchangi 17.30 18.30 27. Air Nigeria 17.35 18.55 29. Air Nigeria (T/TH) 18.30 19.50 20. Arik 18.45 19.45 31. Aero 19.20 20.40

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7. 8.

LAGOS – BENIN Arik 07.30 Associated 08.30 Aero 10.50 Arik 11.45 Associated 13.00 Aero 14.25 Arik 15.30 Associated 16.00

1. 2. 3. 4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

1. Arik 2. Aero 1. 2. 3. 4.

LAGOS – CALABAR 07.30 11.20 12.50 16.00 LAGOS – JOS 10.55 11.15

LAGOS – KADUNA Aero 08.00 Chanchangi 10.00 Arik 10.00 Arik 15.10

08.30 09.10 11.50 12.45 13.40 15.20 16.30 16.40 08.50 12.40 14.10 17.20 12.15 12.45 09.10 11.00 11.10 16.20

LAGOS – PORT HARCOURT (CIVIL) 1. Aero 07.15 08.35 2. Arik 07.15 08.35 3. Arik 09.00 10.20 4. Aero 10.50 12.30 5. Arik 11.40 13.00 6. Air Nigeria 12.00 13.10 7. IRS 13.30 15.00 8. Arik 14.00 15.20 9. Air Nigeria 16.00 17.10 10 Arik 16.10 17.30 11. Aero 16.15 17.30 12. Arik 17.10 18.30 1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

LAGOS – OWERRI Aero 07.30 Arik 07.30 Air Nigeria 13.40 Arik 14.00 Arik 16.30

08.40 08.40 14.55 15.10 17.40

1. 2. 3. 4.

Arik Aero Arik Aero

LAGOS – WARRI 08.15 11.50 11.55 14.55

09.1 12.50 12.55 15.55

1. 2. 3. 4. 5.

LAGOS – KANO Air Nigeria 07.10 IRS 08.00 Arik 12.20 IRS 14.00 IRS 18.15

08.50 09.45 14.00 15.45 19.55

LAGOS – OWERRI 07.20 14.00 16.30

08.30 15.10 17.40

1. Arik 2. Arik 3. Arik

LAGOS – MAIDUGURI 1. IRS 11.15 13.15 2. Arik 15.50 18.00 LAGOS – ILORIN 1. Overland 07.15 2. Arik (M/T/TH/F) 17.30

08.00 18.00

LAGOS – ABUJA SAT/SUN Arik 7.15; 10.20; 2.20; 5.20pm – 7.30; 9.15; 10.20; 2.20; 4.50; 6.45 Aero 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 – 07.30; 09.35; 13.10; 14.50; 20.20 Air Nigeria 08.15; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30 – 08.15; 13.30; 14.30; 17.15; 18.30

By Daniel Essiet

•From left: Executive Director, Commercial Banking/Public Sector, Skye Bank Plc., Mr. Gbenga Ademulegun; Proprietress, Rainbow College, Mrs. Oludolapo Odunlami; Executive Director, Corporate /Investment Banking, Skye Bank, Mr. Timothy Oguntayo, and Group Managing Director/ Chief Executive Officer, Mr. Kehinde DurosinmiEtti, during the inauguration of Rainbow College’s swimming pool donated by the bank in Asese, Ogun State at the weekend.

‘$2.6b recovered in oil, other extractive sector’

BOUT $2.6billion out of the $9.6billion trapped in the petrochemical, mining and manufacturing among other areas in the extractive sector, has been recovered, the Executive Secretary, Nigerian Extractive Transparency Initiative Industries (NEITI), Mrs Zainab Ahmed, has said. She said the extractive sector is of importance to the nation, add-

By Akinola Ajibade

ing that there is the need to reduce corruption in the sector. She said: “NEITI Report uncovered $9.8 billion discrepancies in 10 years. $2.6 billion has been recovered so far. The need for citizens to demand accountability was laid bare in the report.’’ Also, the Chief Executive Officer,

Seven Energy, Jeffrey Corey, said the country has huge gas reserves, urging the Federal Government to make good use of it. He said the nation’s gas potential could bring the desired economic growth, adding that the natural gas needs to be developed. He urged the government to explore opportunities in the extractive industry.

Africa needs $300b investment for connectivity, amount in the process. He said the FRICA requires $300billion in fresh financial inflow to says MTN chief rural areas are historically known ot

expand telecommunications infrastructure and enhance wider connectivity, Chief Technical Officer (CTO), MTN South Africa, Lambp Kanagaratnam, has said. He lamented that the continent was lagging behind in connectivity despite the availability of huge bandwidth capacity brought by several submarine cables, adding that MTN invested in four of those submarine cables. Kanagaratnam, who spoke on Guaranteeing quality connectivity Across Africa at the weekend during the justconcluded Africacom conference at Cape Town International Convention

From Lucas Ajanaku Cape Town, South Africa

Centre, South Africa, operators in the continent faced a lot of challenges during the process of laying optic fibre cables. According to him, problems arise because of the huge number of communities that have to be covered while the regulatory environment was also not helping matters. He lamented that while heavy machines had to be deployed in laying cables because of the difficult terrains, operators were spending huge

BoI loan for 200 SMEs coming

VER 200 Small and Me dium scale Enterprises (SMEs) are to benefit from commercial bank funding based on the new initiative of the Bank of Industry (BoI). Sources close to the bank told The Nation that the management of the bank has directed SMEs’ executives to forward their proposals to commercial and other financial institutions that have showed interest to inject funds into SMEs’ viable businesses. The Managing Director BoI, Evelyn Oputu told The Nation the BoI held a forum for about 200 SMEs, commercial banks and other financial institutions where they could sell their ideas to potential investors who have assured the bank of their readiness to invest in the growth and development of SMEs. She said the major challenge of SMEs was funding and that while BoI remains committed to helping the SMEs sector to grow, other financial institutions should get involved in SMEs’ development. “We will continue to create linkages between the SMEs and the financial institutions in the country because we want to see

By Oluwakemi Dauda

them grow, become sustained and globally competitive,” she added. BoI, she assured, would continue to invest in the development of the SMEs by organising trainings for SMEs’owners on how to develop good business plans which investors would be willing to fund. Oputu also said the efforts of BoI would continue to be geared towards implementing innovative solutions to the financial challenges of SMEs. She disclosed that screening would be done on SMEs’ operators to guarantee that they have what it takes to be given financial backing by would be investors. “We also expect that each of the SMEs operators we brought together should be able to present their ideas convincingly to potential investors because the investor has to be convinced about your passion for the business, that you have the skill and you have thought about the sustainability that is going to make an impact from an economic development standpoint,” Oputu said.

to have infrastructure, adding that African governments must give incentive to operators and other investors interested in investing on the provision of infrastructure in the rural areas.

ETERIORATING condition of the inland water ways can put the competiveness of the local farmers at risk, the President, Association of Small Business Owners of Nigeria (ASBON),Dr Femi Egbesola, has said. He said farmers and consumers were suffering from movement challenges. The situation, he noted, could have a negative toll on the farmers and if unchecked. He said the condition of the waterways could reduce farming produce output and result in low or no income to farmers. Less food production for consumption of the populace, he added, could result in, perhaps, loss of job, hike in food price, drought, among others. According to him, the inland waterways represent key infrastructure for transporting farm produce as farm produce can arrive at the ports in barges to be transported downstream. Having an efficient and reliable inland waterway system, Egbesola maintained is linked to competitive ports which is vital to the nation’s ability to provide affordable farm products domestically and to compete internationally. He observed that the rapidly deteriorating condition of inland waterways infrastructure imperils the ability of the waterborne transportation system to provide a service that will enable agricultural producers to continue to compete. He said improvements to the transportation infrastructure would make the movement of agricultural products more efficient, showing the effect on agricultural commodity prices-and on fertiliser prices, for farmers who depend on upstream river barge shipping.

TUC threatens strike over pension scheme

HE Trade Union President (TUC), Mr Bobboi Kaigama, has threatened to shut the economy should there be any case of corruption or fraud in the new Contributory Pension Scheme (CPS). Kaigama, who is also of the Association of Senior Civil Servants of Nigeria (ASCSN), said despite checks against abuses in the new CPS, labour would not hesitate to declare a strike should there be fraud. “We will not hesitate to shut the entire space if this happens,” he added. Also, employers in the private sector are kicking against a further hike in their contributions to the scheme, arguing that it would affect them. Director-General, Nigeria Employers Consultative Association, NECA, Mr Segun Oshinowo, said employers were over-burdened by various financial commitments, in-

By Toba Agboola

cluding payments to the Employees Compensation Act (ECA), insurance for employees, among others. He said the proposed review would have a ripple effect on the economy, adding that it could trigger layoffs of workers in organisations that may not be in position to accommodate further increase. “The argument is that it will become unsustainable. We should appreciate the fact that the scheme is to make life easy for employees. What of the ripple effect that will come with the increase in the percentage contribution? Some employers may want to reduce workforce because they cannot sustain it. Even government is finding it difficult to comply with the 7.5 per cent contribution, that is why they are having cold feet.

Traders, exhibitors lament low sales at Lagos fair

RADERS and exhibitors have expressed sadness over poor sales at the just-concluded Lagos Trade Fair. Companies’ executives also berated the huge amount of money they paid in acquiring spaces to exhibit their goods at the fair ground at the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS), Lagos. An exhibitor at the Abia State stand, Mr Cosmos Onyeibe, told The Nation that their stand was too small to accommodate about 17 exhibitors that came with the state government.

It was learnt that over 1,000 companies, several traders and hawkers participated in the fair, which held between November 1 and 10. Investigation by The Nation revealed that to rent a square metre of space at the fair cost as much as N8,000. The Sales Representatives, Eteleson Group, Mr Clement Odo, said the company recorded low patronage and sales for its products, saying that the fair should have been held at the usual Trade Fair Complex along Mile 2/Badagry Expressway.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

THE CEO

‘Multiple charges stifle SMEs’ growth’

• Kuteyi

PHOTO: OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE

In many societies, small and medium enterprises (SMEs) are the engine of growth. They drive their countries development as they create employment and contribute to the gross domestic product (GDP). But in Nigeria, SMEs face the challenges of funding, capacity building, competition and regulation. All these, says National Vice-President of the National Association of Small Scale Industries (NASSI) and Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer of Spectra Industries Limited Mr Duro Kuteyi, in this interview with OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE, inhibit SMEs’ growth.

HAT are the challenges of small and local manufacturers? Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) are faced with myriad of challenges which are affecting their growth. The most pronounced, however, is access to funds and effective infrastructure to operate, especially electricity. Small scale operators do not have the muscle to compete with the multinationals in terms of marketing because of what it takes in real terms to market a product. In addition, the volume one needs to produce to engage in profitable marketing to break even is also not there for the local manufacturers. SMEs by nature are supposed to be the bedrock of the nation’s economy but the operating environment has been very harsh for them to thrive. Currently, most of them can scarcely fund their operations and you

Profile Institutions attended

Obafemi Awolowo University, Ile-Ife.

Qualification

B.Sc Food Technology.

Previous position

Chairman, Nigerian Association of Small Scale Industrialists (NASSI) Lagos Chapter; Chairman SME Committee of Institute of Directors (IoD).

Present position

Chairman/CEO, Spectra Industries Limited.

Experience

Over 35 years

know when you are talking about mass production, you need a lot of capital, especially in the food and drinks sector. What are the sector’s other problems?

It would have been a different story if the sector was getting sufficient encouragement from the government with an enabling environment to operate. We also

need the government to do something, especially in capacity building. As it stands now how many local manufacturers can afford to attract and retain the right kind of staff that will take charge of sensitive and high tech positions in their companies. We also need the capacity to distribute produced goods around the country to reach the consumers but this also is a major challenge as it is almost impossible for the small scale manufacturers to achieve. All these are the challenges that are making the SMEs not to be up and doing. In other countries such as Malaysia, Thailand, China and India SMEs are responsible for more than 70 per cent of export and this is why these countries are growing in leaps and bound. What can the government do to stimu•Continued on page 28

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

THE CEO ‘We really do not mind regulatory agencies doing their jobs but when you have different agencies regulating and asking the same questions when they visit our factories with different cost requirements, we do have a problem with that’

‘Multiple charges stifle SMEs’ growth’ •Continued from page 27

late SMEs? There is a lot the government can do to grow the sector. When we look at the alternative way of funding, we came to the conclusion that effective use of SME industrial clusters will go a long way. When you talk of clusters, you talk of providing common facility and the common facility could be the machinery or the source of power with a central generator provided to serve the small and medium size industries in the cluster. Coming to specifics, for instance, on what is needed by the manufacturers, government can provide central equipment and machines that can be shared commonly in the production process. If this kind of environment is provided what the operators will do is to organise themselves in such a way that they will bring in their raw materials for processing with no hassle or encumbrance in paying for equipment purchase or maintenance fee. They will only come in with their raw materials and after processing will take their finished products away. We strongly canvass the need to have more clusters. From experience we have seen that it can be a success story. The pilot project in which the government experimented with bakeries in Lagos turned out well. Some people will wonder how consumers in Lagos are able to purchase the popular Agege bread not only in Agege but also in far places in the city such as Obalende, Apapa and others, with the same composition and taste. In the aforementioned places, what the bakers do is to bring their flour, use the bakery facility and leave with their finished products to sell to their customers or in the open market. In every local government in Lagos, there are bread bakers in clusters. So, the same way we can now use clusters to produce for export. We can use the clusters to provide employment for millions of Nigerians and that’s what we are doing in NASSI. This is a classical example of the success of a business cluster which we are advocating should be replicated in other sectors. We are working assiduously to strengthen the clusters in the bakery industry and then invite the Bank of Industry (BOI) to finance them. Thankfully, the BoI has agreed to do this and, in the next few weeks, results will start coming out. Do we need multiple regulatory agencies, such as the Standards Organisation of Nigeria (SON), National Agency for Food and Drug Administration Control

• Kuteyi

PHOTOS: OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE

‘Our position is that what we pay is too much and there is no need for SMEs to be subjected to such payments. We call for it to be discontinued; it amounts to double taxation of a kind’ (NAFDAC) and others? We really do not mind regulatory agencies doing their jobs but when you have different agencies regulating and asking the same questions when they visit our factories with different cost requirements, we do have a problem with that. For instance, we acknowledge that SON and NAFDAC have a job to do, especially in ensuring adherence to

stipulated standards and quality for the good of the consuming public and the manufacturers. The quality of the product can only be improved with their presence but the cost implication is what bothers us. For instance, in particular cases, NAFDAC comes and certifies your product with the issuance of a certificate that will last for five years and within those years NAFDAC will only

come on routine inspection without any cost implication until it is time to renew your certification. But in the case of SON, it comes yearly to say that we should pay certain amount of money for certification and registration. Our position is that what we pay is too much and there is no need for SMEs to be subjected to such payments. We call for it to be discontinued; it

amounts to double taxation of a kind. What are the effects of faking and sub-standardisation? We had issues with faking and adulteration many years ago but not any more due to the sophistication in our packaging. Currently, the chances of faking or adulterating our product are nil. What do you make of the local content policy? All our input materials are local; our raw materials are available in Nigeria besides, our workers are all locals. How are you confronting the problem of product storage which is common among small scale industrialists. We don’t have problem with storage. We have a strategic business plan which is implemented to the later. How do you see franchising and buy-outs? I do not know if there have been buy-outs and franchising in the sector, but l want to look at it in terms of the strategic decisions of the owners of the various businesses concerned. Some of them make business decisions to concentrate on their core competence while others buy new businesses because they have the fund and will eventually turn it around because of some strong points such as experience, working capital, quality of staff and add it to their existing businesses. For instance in this area many South A f r i c a n a n d A s i a n companies have excelled and are playing high stakes in our local economy. One thing these foreign companies have going for them is that they have the support of their home countries in terms financial muscle and the needed machinery to operate wherever their interest is. Our local companies don’t get such from our government that is why we are calling for more support from our government in terms of low interest loan and competitive infrastructure.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

LABOUR

Group decries NIS’ N1000 recruitment fee

GROUP Progressive Leadership Organisation International has decried the collection of N1, 000 application fee from job seekers by the Nigerian Immigration Service (NIS). Its President Mr Emmanuel Ezueme, said this was ilegal, adding that it it violates the job seekers’ right. The Minister of Interior, Mr Abba Moro, directed the agency to collect the amount to reduce the cost of processing application letters.

Stories by Toba Agboola

He said also that the consulting firm in charge of the recruitment had the backing of the ministry and the Federal Character Commission. In a statement, Ezueme said: “Labour condemns it because it is not a good policy. “The policy was atrocious, repressive and indefensible. How can you do that when Section 16 of the Constitution clearly states that the security and welfare of the people is the primary function of

government? “So, if the government is collecting money from young Nigerians seeking employment, the private sector will be encouraged to implement such policies.” Last month, the House of Representatives directed the Immigration to refund the fee. The Joint Committee on Public Service Matter, Employment, Labour and Productivity as well as Anti-corruption, National Ethics and Values, was mandated by the House to probe the racketeering of job placements in the public

service. At the two-day public hearing, the committee decried the contravention of public service rules by the NIS, Nigeria Customs Service (NCS) and Corporate Affairs Commission (CAC), among others, on recruitment. The three agencies were asked to return, having failed to provide the committee with documents on the procedure for their recruitment. According to the report, the NIS provided conflicting documents, and failed to follow due process

in its recruitment. A document showed that 2,005 people were employed in 2011, with another putting the figure at 2,550. Both documents, however, did not record the qualifications of the new employees. The House committee was shocked when the Secretary to the Board of Civil Defence, Fire Service, Immigration and Prison Service Board ( the body responsible for recruitment into those agencies), Sylvanus Tapgun, said he did not know the bank account into which fees realised from the sale of application forms was paid.

NITDA targets 300,000 jobs

• From left: Member, Sub-Sahara Africa Regional Industrial Global union, Beauty Zibula; General Secretary, Vice President, Nigeia Labour Congress (NLC)/National Union of Textile Garment and Tailoring Workers of Nigeria (NUTGTWN), Issa Aremu; Dr Okei-Odumakin; National President, NUTGTWN, Oladele Hunsu and Executive, National Union of Metal Workers (NUMSA) of South Africa, Christie Olivier, during the meeting in Lagos.

ILO assures Fed Govt of support in fight against human trafficking T HE International Labour Organisation (ILO) has assured the Federal Government of its support to fight human trafficking. ILO’s Country Director for Nigeria, Ghana, Liberia, Sierra Leone, The Gambia and Liaison Office for Economic Community of West Africa States(ECOWAS), Mrs. Sina Chuma-Mkandwire, made this known while presenting eight different publications on human trafficking and forced labour to the Ministry of Labour and Productivity, in Abuja. She said ILO would continue to collaborate with Nigeria on the

implementation of the European Union’s (EU) funded project to enhance cooperation with the Federal Government of Nigeria on the fight against human trafficking from Nigeria to Europe under which different training manuals, reports and a code of conduct for private employment agencies were developed and printed. Recently, the Deputy DirectorGeneral of International Labour Organisation (ILO), Greg Vines, called on United Nation’s (UN) agencies to work towards eliminat-

Activist seeks legal review to encourage more women in unionism

RESIDENT, Women Arise, Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin has advocated a legal review to encourage the participation of more women in unionism. She made the call in her paper titled: Mobilising women for active participation in trade union, which she presented at the Subsahara Africa Regional Executive meeting of the Industrial Global Union in Lagos. She said the need for women to be active in trade unionism could not be over-emphasised because they are in better position to speak on gender issues than men. She said: “It is also important that a fair distribution of family responsibilities is essential if women are to be mobilised to

take up positions of responsibility in trade unions. This will involve a change in attitude from both men and women. Lastly, the use of quotas can be a double-edged sword because parity in law does not necessarily lead to parity in practice.” She also said women organisations and groups could create more awareness on issues affecting women in the work place and provide women with effective representation in a union. According to her, women organisations can facilitate mobilisation and organisation of women workers, monitor gender parity in employer and worker organisations as well as provide educational opportunities for women in organising and workers’ right.

ing human exploitation. Vines, who addressed the AntiHuman Trafficking week in Switzerland, said the event was aimed at raising the awareness of the international community and the public on the different kinds of human exploitation that exist, such as forced labour, bonded labour and domestic servitude. He said: “Recognising our common goal to fighting human trafficking and human exploitation worldwide, the Geneva-based UN agencies must continue to work in

O fewer than five million jobs would be created under the National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP) in the next three years, the DirectorGeneral, Small and Medium Enterprises Development Agency of Nigeria (SMEDAN),Alhaji Bature Masari, has said. He spoke at the inauguration of the programme in Kaduna. His words: “The National Enterprise Development Programme (NEDEP), which is aimed at generating an estimated five million direct and indirect jobs between 2013 and 2015, is being implemented under three pillars. “Namely, the Technical/Vocational Skills Acquisition, Business Development Services (BDS)/Entrepreneurship Training and Access to Finance.’’ According to him, the BDS component of the programme would be anchored under the One Local Government One Product Programme (OLOP), meant to revitalise the rural economy, by providing employment and alleviating poverty in rural areas.

the future to promote better coordination on these important issues, and fashion a coherent strategy that brings together our complementary approaches.” The ILO director explained that the scale and diverse nature of the problem, calls for comprehensive solutions, such as strict punishment of those who benefit from exploitation, saying that this must be complemented by good preventive measures. He said such measures include strengthening labour laws, providing access to skills, information and training, as well as improved victim care and compensation.

CTING Director-General of National Information Technology Development Agency (NITDA), Ashiru Daura, has said his agency hopes to create about 300,000 jobs in the next three years. This, he said, could be achieved through harnessing the information and technology outsourcing. Daura, who spoke at the second national outsourcing conference organised by NITDA, in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Communication Technology in Abuja, said IT outsourcing had not been explored for addressing unemployment. He said: “The state of unemployment in the country, which is given at 23.9 per cent of the total population by the National Bureau of Statistics as at May 2013 is very disturbing. “This level of unemployment is disheartening, especially when we have not explored the opportunities IT outsourcing presents to us. “It is our resolve to support Mr President on this agenda by creating an enabling environment for providing job opportunities for our teeming youths through the use of IT enabled services.’’ He added: “Nigeria, with her enormous human resources and endowed skills, should be seen at the top of the ladder in providing ICT solutions and outsourcing opportunities. “Our aim is to be the market hub of outsourcing in Africa and provide over 100,000 jobs annually for our teeming unemployed youths in the next three years.”

5m jobs coming, says SMEDAN chief “Other benefits include the entrenchment of entrepreneurial culture, economic development, industrialisation of rural areas, industrial cluster development, increase Medium and small scale enterprises’ (MSMEs) contribution to gross domestic product (GDP), increase export potential, crime reduction, wealth creation and political stability.’’ He said the project would be achieved through the establishment of sustainable MSMEs in the 774 local government areas based on csome omparative and competitive advantages. He said the agency had conducted needs assessment in 22 states, and was doing a baseline survey and value-chain analysis in six others across the geo-political zones. “At this level of the programme, cooperative societies and trade associations are being formed and regis-

tered, and assisted to develop bankable business plans as a prelude to access to finance, markets and machinery/equipment. “Over 1,000 cooperative groups and their business plans are currently being handed over to Bank of Industry (BoI) for appraisal and eventual financing, while thousands more are in the process of been finalised.,’ he added. In a message to the event, the Minister of Industry, Trade and Investment, Mr Olusegun Aganga said the programme and others were aimed at ensuring economic growth and improvement in the standards of living. Aganga, who was represented by an aide, Mr Abi Mustapha, said the government was working towards increasing access to markets for small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs) operators.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

EQUITIES NIGERIAN STOCK EXCHANGE

Transcorp, Conoil, MRS headline bullish rally

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-11-13

RANSNATIONAL Corporation of Nigeria (Transcorp) Plc, Conoil Plc and MRS Oil and Gas Plc were the three fastest rising stocks at the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) last week as equities struggled between widespread profit-taking transactions and increased appetites for conglomerate and oil and gas stocks. Transcorp, which recently assumed ownership of the Ughelli Power Plant through its energy subsidiary, was the toast of the investors as the most active and fastest rising stock at the stock market. Transcorp's share price rose by 60.62 per cent in the five-day trading week to close at N3.63 per share. There are indications that the stock may rise further as brokers' logs showed massive unmet demand by the close of trading at the weekend. Conoil Plc, which recently reported what most analysts regarded as an impressive third quarter performance, recorded the second largest gain last week with a weekon-week increase of 47.63 per cent to close at N76. MRS Oil and Gas, which had also shown significant growths in its latest earnings

â&#x20AC;˘Oil and gas stocks return 89.22% By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

report, placed third with an increase of 25.65 per cent to close at N52.51 per share. Forte Oil consolidated its position as the best year-todate stock, in terms of capital appreciation, with a week-on-week gain of 10.24 per cent to close at N115.64. UTC Nigeria Plc rose by 10 per cent to close at 66 kobo. The gains by Conoil, MRS Oil and Gas and Forte Oil boosted the NSE Oil and Gas Index as the best performing subsector with average year-to-date return of 89.22 per cent. This implies that an investor who had at the beginning of this year spread his investments technically on oil and gas stocks would have witnessed a return of 89.22 per cent. The performance of the fast-rising stocks belied the widespread profit-taking that characterised transactions during the week as investors sought to lock-in profits from recent capital gains. Altogether, nearly two stocks declined for every stock that advanced last week. There were 28 gainers as against 50 losers, indi-

cating week-on-week reduction in advancers as against increase in decliners. The All Share Index (ASI), the common value-based index that tracks all equities on the NSE, underlined the testy market situation with a modest week-on-week gain of 0.03 per cent to close at 37,883.53 points. Aggregate market value of all equities also improved slightly by 0.14 per cent to close at N12.117 trillion. Market capitalisation was boosted by the listing at the weekend of 2.52 billion shares of Computer Warehouse Group at N5.48 per share. The NSE Banking Index, NSE Oil and Gas Index and NSE Industrial Goods Index appreciated by 0.86 per cent, 11.55 per cent and 2.85 per cent respectively while the NSE 30 Index, NSE Consumer Goods Index, NSE Insurance Index , NSE Lotus II Index and NSE-ASeM Index dropped by 1.04 per cent,3.95 per cent, 0.61 per cent, 1.73 per cent and 0.35 per cent respectively. Total turnover stood at 1.59 billion shares worth N15.85 billion in 23,453 deals. The trio of Transcorp, Wapic Insurance Plc and Computer Warehouse Group Plc ccounted for 582.873 million shares worth N1.69 billion in 1,604 deals, representing 36.78 per cent of aggregate turnover volume for the week.

DAILY SUMMARY AS AT 15-11-13

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

MONEY LINK Bank, firm partner on SMEs’ development

Currency stability drive tops MPC’s meeting today

Stories by Collins Nweze

HE discussion in today’s Monetary Policy Committee (MPC) meeting today would largely centre on how members react to the need for continuous coordinated policy actions to back the Central Bank of Nigeria’s (CBN) currency stability drive. The Managing Director, Financial Derivatives Company (FDC) Limited, Bismarck Rewane disclosed this in a report made available to The Nation. He explained that with October headline inflation rate at 7.8 per cent, inflation has maintained a downward year-to-date trend at an

average of 8.6 per cent. Nonetheless, members will put into consideration the rising core index and oil revenue shortfalls amongst other indicators. Consequently, Rewane said the MPC will retain interest rate as it is in its meeting, which holds today and tomorrow. The Monetary Policy Rate (MPR) has been at 12 per cent for the past two years, and during the last MPC meeting, left the Cash Reserve Ratio at 12 per cent but raised that of the public sector by 38 per cent to 50 per cent. He put preliminary estimate for November’s inflation at 7.59 per

cent adding that sufficient supply of food items in addition to base effects is expected to influence the prediction of a further moderation in inflation. In addition, he said that threats from increasing pressure on the naira may result in increased prices of imported food. However, any increase in the prices of imported food may be subdued by the global decline in food prices. According to the National Bureau of Statistics (NBS), the national headline inflation rate fell to 7.8 per cent year-on-year (y-o-y) in October 2013, its lowest level since March 2008. This is in line with our forecast

•CBN Governor, Sanusi Lamido Sanusi of 7.79 per cent for October and represents 0.2 per cent decline from the eight per cent year-on-year recorded in September, the report said.

Ecobank seeks improved funding for education sector

OVERNMENT at all levels need to give priority to funding education as its significance in the society cannot be over emphasised, the Managing Director, Ecobank Nigeria, Mr. Jibril Aku has said. Aku, who spoke at the C&S Primary School, Ikorodu, Lagos, one of the schools that received educational materials from the bank, said that there exists an inequality with regard to access to and standards of education, particularly in developing countries, including Nigeria. Other beneficiary schools include Government Secondary School, Kubwa Abuja (FCT) and Eastern Academy, Onitsha, Anambra State. “In recent years, statistics have shown that the Federal Government’s expenditure on education has been shrinking year by year, and is nowhere near the UNESCO recommendation of 26 per cent of national budgets. This

situation is worrying for experts, especially now that the strike action by the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) has stretched beyond 100 days,” a statement from the bank said. It is because of this reason that many have canvassed for more involvement by the private sector in the education sector, the bank said. According to the lender, many companies have responded to this clarion call by incorporating education into their corporate social responsibility (CSR) budget. “CSR has since gained increased interest from business organisations in Nigeria in recent years, having recognised the potential of CSR in strengthening brands, gaining competitive advantage, increasing profits and contributing to development. These corporate organisations have come to realize that they actually have responsibility towards the communities in which they exist and do business,” it said.

young people as key to a successful future for Africa.” Part of the objectives of the Ecobank Day, he said, is to assist with promoting quality education and youth development in Africa as well as inculcating positive values in young people. Commending the efforts of Ecobank towards the development of education in Nigeria, Otiv Igbuzor, a renowned educator and Director of ActionAid, said the bank’s initiative presents a ray of hope for the nation’s educational system and the younger generation of this great country. According to him, for the education sector to grow, the private sector will have to play a major role in supporting the efforts of the government. “It is impossible for any government to do it all alone. There is a role that the private sector needs to play in order to create sustainable development for education in Nigeria,” he said.

It also said that in its CSR is the community-inspired day or Ecobank day, which is Ecobank Group’s initiative that has set aside October 5 of every year for staff across the group to converge on select locations and devote the whole day to community-related services as a way of impacting the immediate host communities. He explained that the key objective of ‘Ecobank Day’ is to inspire, motivate and equip members of the communities where the bank operates. “Ecobank Day is our corporate activity day to contribute to the community where we live and work. The objectives behind it are community-inspired. From this year onwards, it would be celebrated annually on October 5.” It explained that the choice of this year’s theme “Education for Young People in Africa” was in line with the Bank’s corporate philosophy which identifies improved education of

FGN BONDS

DATA BANK

Tenor

Amount N

Rate %

M/Date

3-Year 5-Year 5-Year

35m 35m 35m

11.039 12.23 13.19

19-05-2014 18-05-2016 19-05-2016

WHOLESALE DUTCH AUCTION SYSTEM Amount Amount Offered ($) Demanded ($) 350m 150m 350m 138m 350m 113m

MANAGED FUNDS Initial Current Quotation Price Market N8250.00 5495.33 N1000.00 N552.20

NIDF NESF

Price Loss 2754.67 447.80

INTERBANK RATES 7.9-10% 10-11%

PRIMARY MARKET AUCTION (T-BILLS) Tenor 91-Day 182-Day 1-Year

Amount 30m 46.7m 50m

Rate % 10.96 9.62 12.34

Date 28-04-2012 “ 14-04-2012

GAINERS AS AT 27-09-13

SYMBOL MRS TRANSCORP LIVESTOCK WAPCO ETERNA PORTPAINT MANSARD AGLEVENT IPWA COURTVILLE

O/PRICE 47.63 3.30 3.42 106.00 2.82 4.45 2.15 1.57 0.73 0.58

C/PRICE 52.51 3.63 3.69 111.30 2.96 4.67 2.25 1.64 0.76 0.60

CHANGE 4.88 0.33 0.27 5.30 0.14 0.22 0.10 0.07 0.03 0.02

O/PRICE 0.80 1.43 4.50 3.33 0.84 1.30 0.90 0.52 0.53 4.05

C/PRICE 0.76 1.36 4.28 3.17 0.80 1.24 0.86 0.50 0.51 3.90

CHANGE -0.04 -0.07 -0.22 -0.16 -0.04 -0.06 -0.04 -0.02 -0.02 -0.15

Exchange Rate (N) 155.2 155.8 155.7

Date 2-7-12 27-6-12 22-6-12

CAPITAL MARKET INDEX

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

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

NSE CAP Index

27-10-11 N6.5236tr 20,607.37

153.0000

154.0000

156.0000

-1.96

DISCOUNT WINDOW Feb. ’11

July ’11

July ’12

MPR

6.50%

12%

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

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 1.00% 12.10%

8.50% 4.50% 25.00% 2.00% 12.10%

9.50% 5.50% 30.00% 2.00% 11.8%

% Change -1.44% -1.44%

28-10-11 N6.617tr 20,903.16

MEMORANDUM QUOTATIONS Name

LOSERS AS AT 27-09-13

SYMBOL ABCTRANS MCNICHOLS REDSTAREX JOSBREW NPFMCRFBK WEMABANK COSTAIN CILEASING UNITYBNK SKYEBANK

Amount Sold ($) 150m 138m 113m

EXHANGE RATE 6-03-12 Currency

OBB Rate Call Rate

ERITAGE Bank Limited has announced the establishment of an initiative to support small and medium scale enterprises (SMEs). Specifically, Heritage Bank in conjunction with the RSL Derivatives recently set up a club called the Paris Club SMEs whereby customers that qualify are given a certificate of membership and with which they would be able to approach the bank to finance their business. Speaking on the initiative, the Group Head, Heritage Bank Limited, Mr. Bayo Ogunnusi said the major reason why banks were not funding SMEs was because of risk. Ogunnusi added: “What we have done is bring up an innovative idea of how to finance SMEs without collateral. We are partnering with some organisations like RSL Derivatives and what we are doing is to identify the SMEs. We offer advisory services to them, we help them structure their business and also their cashflows. “If you qualify, you are given a certificate of membership and with that, you can approach Heritage Bank and we finance your business. Once we finance your business, it doesn’t end there, we work with you. There are advisors that will be checking on your business on weekly basis. “So, it is not going to be business as usual, where people get loans from a bank and do whatever they like. We are going to work with you. If we give a customer a N20 million facility, we withhold 10 per cent, which is put in an investment protection fund that is insured by Leadway Insurance Plc and managed by Stanbic IBTC nominees. This 10 per cent investment protection fund is like the collateral.

Offer Price

Bid Price

161.60

160.55

ARM AGGRESSIVE GROWTH

9.17

9.08

BGL NUBIAN FUND

1.10

1.08

BGL SAPPHIRE FUND

1.17

CANARY GROWTH FUND

0.75

0.74

CONTINENTAL UNIT TRUST

1.39

1.33

CORAL INCOME FUND

1,689.74

1,589.74

FBN FIXED INCOME FUND

AFRINVEST W. A. EQUITY FUND

1,000.00

FBN HERITAGE FUND

115.83

115.13

FBN MONEY MARKET FUND

100.00

FIDELITY NIGFUND

1.67

1.62

INTERCONTINENTAL INTEGRITY FUND

1.05

1.03

143.11

142.02

KAKAWA GUARANTEED INCOME FUND LEGACY FUND NIGERIA INTERNATIONAL DEBT FUND (NIDF) • • • • •

0.78

0.76

1,885.47

1,857.58

ARM AGGRESSIVE KAKAWA GUARANTEED STANBIC IBTC GUARANTE AFRINVEST W.A. EQUITY FUNDARM AGGRESSIVE

NIBOR Tenor 7 Days 30 Days 60 Days 150 Days

Rate (Previous) 4 Mar, 2012 9.0417 9.6667 11.2917 12.1250

Rate (Currency) 6, Mar, 2012 10.17% 11.46% 11.96% 12.54%

Movement

OPEN BUY BACK

Bank P/Court

Previous 04 July, 2012

Current 07, Aug, 2012

8.5000 8.0833

Movement

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

ISSUES For years, the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI) has held the Lagos International Trade Fair. This year’s, the 27th in the series, with the theme: ‘Harnessing trade potential for an inclusive economy’ has come and gone. What has this fair achieved over the years? Has it helped in stimulating the economy through foreign direct investment (FDI)? Or is it just an avenue for companies to exhibit products? OKWY IROEGBU-CHIKEZIE reviews the fair.

•The Chinese pavilion at the fair.

S usual, crowds thronged the Tafawa Balewa Square (TBS) venue of the 27th Lagos International Trade Fair held between November 1 and 10. They came mainly to buy goods at cheap prices. At trade fairs, it is generally believed that goods are cheaper, compared with their prices at retail shops. So, shoppers flocked to the fair to get things which they had been planning to have for long. But is this the goal of a fair? According to the organisers, the Lagos Trade Fair, like others, was targeted at Nigerian enterprises seeking wider access to internal and international markets as well as investors seeking joint-venture partners and markets for intermediate and capital goods in Nigeria and the Economic Community of West African States (ECOWAS) member-countries.

Objectives of the fair The Chairman, Trade Promotion Board of the Lagos Chamber of Commerce and Industry (LCCI), Mr. Babatunde Paul Ruwase , said the fair was to create a platform for economic growth through a deliberate exposure of the nation’s potential to the outside

Fairs of economic revival world. Other reasons were to revitalise and diversify the economy, especially nonoil exports, accelerate development of commerce and industry and encourage patronage of made-in-Nigeria products. Ruwase also said the fair was to encourage agriculture and agro-based industry, the evolution of Nigeria's trade with the outside world, focus attention on the role

‘

of the private sector in the Nigerian economy and to explore the prospects for foreign and local investments in strategic areas. LCCI President Mr Goodie Ibru said the theme of the fair, “Harnessing trade potentials for an inclusive economy,” was chosen to underscore the critical importance of trade and the value of inclusiveness in the economic growth process. He

We are now in a vantage position to appreciate the efforts of government in power generation especially as far the investment of government in that area is concerned. More states have also said that they have created industrial clusters but unfortunatly we are not seeing the effect because when the environment is tough the poor feel it the most

’

said, among other things, it was to stress the fact that the quality of the investment climate and sectoral linkage have a lot to do with economic advancement of the country and the welfare of her citizens. Ibru stressed that the trade expo was premised on the need to ensure that there are sufficient linkages in all aspects of the economy. He listed the linkages between the oil and gas sector and the rest of the economy; the financial sector and the small businesses; large enterprises and the small businesses; between our consumption and our production and between our industries and our agricultural sector. His words: “There is the need to ensure that our national economic management model is structured to capture maximum value from domestic spending, foreign direct investments and other economic activities and how best can this be achieved if not through a Continued on page 33

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

ISSUES

Fairs of economic revival

added. According to him, what some of the state governments need to do is to encourage their SMEs by not only providing funding and soft loan for them, but also an enabling environment in terms of the provision of necessary infrastructure, capacity building and helping with regulatory issues. Rusawe said it was at the fair that the Ogun State Government disclosed that it had released N1 billion to the state SMEs to assist them in running their business. He argued that some of those the fund are meant for might not have known about it and would continue to struggle to source for funds for their businesses.

Continued from page 32

well thought out trade fair that is well structured and inclusive of all stakeholders.” He observed that for a developing economy like ours, protection of our industries and firms is good and desirable, but making them domestically and globally competitive is fundamental as it is the surest path to sustainable development. The LCCI chief said the trade fair couldn't have come at a better time than now when the government endorsed the new Common External Tariff (CET) by the Council of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to benefit from the economic integration of the region. President, Nigerian Association of Chambers of Commerce, Industry, Mines and Agriculture (NACCIMA), Alhaji Muhammed Abubakar, said the fair would serve as a catalyst to economic development of country. It would increase FDI in information technology, oil and gas and other strategic areas in addition to promoting the value of individual linkages and inclusive growth, he added. The NACCIMA boss said trade fairs provide an opportunity for policy makers to appreciate the fact that the private sector needs the appropriate policy to thrive. He said: “No economy is an island but every economy needs the appropriate policy to be competitive. The private sector needs to be supported a great deal by government to drive the trade potentials of the country and a well planned and executed trade fair provides the platform.”

Experience from the fair Rusawe said the over 500,000 visitors and over 1,000 stands showed that the nation's economy is viable and attractive to the world. Wondering why the economy has not grown beyond the level it is, he concluded that the nation must be doing something wrong, despite its huge resources. According to Rusawe, the policy makers must as a matter of urgency investigate why foreigners, especially of the Asian countries stock, come here and succeed in every area of business even with something that needs no skill as pedestrian as in retail trade while our people fail. That those who participated last year came back this year in addition to huge foreign participation shows that trade fairs are a necessity in the economic growth of any nation, he said.

Exhibitor’s remarks The Consul-General, Arab Republic of Egypt, Abdel Halim, called for increased trade and investment relations between Nigeria and his country. He said Egypt's doors were open to genuine businessmen from Nigeria, adding that the relationships would provide a platform for discussing challenges that might arise in the enforcement of the Egypt Investment Promotion Act on Retail Trading. According to him, the Retail Trading Act is to ensure that foreigners who engage in businesses in Egypt abide by the laws of the country. Halim listed investment portfolios in Egypt to include tourism, energy, agriculture and fi nancial services. He said the Egyptian Government had provided incentives, including tax rebates, for foreign investors. He said no fewer than 10 Egyptian exhibitors participated at the Lagos Trade Fair to showcase some made-in-Egypt products. “All our products are natural; our perfumes on display were without any chemical addition. Some of the natural oils are medicinal and produced under

Lessons learnt

•Dr Olusegun Aganga

•Mr Rusawe

hygienic condition," he said. To him, the fair was an opportunity for the Egyptians to introduce more products into Nigerians. Patronage at Ghana, Indonesia and India stands was good in terms of sales and investors while China Pavilion was a beehive of activities with visitors and prospective investors because of mostly the cheapness of their products. While some of them said the sales were poor, others said they had got people interested in continuing business relationships with them after the fair. One of the exhibitors at Akwa Ibom State stand, Mr Godswealth Henry, managing director, Jekon Integrated Farms Nig. Ltd., producers of RIV Pam Red Palm Oil, said his outing was impressive. “Visitors to our stand and patronage in terms of sales and prospective investors are encouraging. “I am happy to be at the 2013 Lagos Trade Fair. The idea of the Akwa Ibom Ministry of Commerce bringing us to participate is being achieved. “We are into edibles, that is, adding value to farm products so that it meets international standards for export. “Our presence at the fair is to get investors in Lagos to be able to evaluate the acceptance of the product when we start exporting them,” he said. Another exhibitor from Cameroon Stand and Managing Director, GIC Laboratoire Gefeh, manufacturers of herbal medicine, Mr Ngwei George, said visitors had been enlightened on efficacy of herbal products. “Our products are made from tree roots, leaves or seeds and we work with the Ministry of Health, Cameroon. “All the products on exhibition are certified by the Cameroon Government laboratories. We have different uses for cocoa seeds. “For example, from the cocoa butter made from cocoa seed which is medicine

on its own, we produce soaps, hair creams and lotions, among others. An exhibitor at Abia State stand, Mr Cosmos Onyeibe, however said the sales were poor and that the stand was too small to accommodate about 17 exhibitors that came with the state government. “We are not happy with this year’s Lagos Trade Fair; see, this stand is too small; we are 17 exhibitors and we do not have enough room to exhibit our goods. Managing Director, Dusco-Designers International, Mrs Olufunmilayo Ige, a manufacturer of female hand bags, shoe and jewelry from Aso-oke and Ankara fabrics from Osun State said the state government still has a lot to do in areas of making affordable finance available for SMEs. She complained of low sales at the fair and said though she has had visitors visit her stand and appreciate her goods there has been no effective demand. Another entrepreneur and Curator of Genesis Arts Gallery Mr Adeyinka Fabayo from Osun State also asked for financial assistance from government to purchase the necessary machines that are capital intensive. He said the fair just like any other is good for exposure and not necessarily cash sales. Another entrepreneur Mrs Iyabo Oyebamiji who manufactures local fabrics also complained of low sales.

‘

Advantages of the fair ‘’We are excited to see business deals signed and taken to the next level which is a testament that the trade fair is a veritable ground for businesses enterprise and cooperation said Ruwase. Our efforts at putting in place a business to business meeting room at the fair was not in vain seeing the many strategic unions and engagement that came out of it. ‘’Many states attended the fair and displayed their products which if harnessed can take the nation to greater heights in her quest for economic prosperity, he

For a developing economy like ours, protection of our industries and firms is good and desirable, but making them domestically and globally competitive is fundamental as it is the surest path to sustainable development. The LCCI chief said the trade fair couldn't have come at a better time than now when the government endorsed the new Common External Tariff (CET) by the Council of the ECOWAS Heads of State and Government to benefit from the economic integration of the region

’

Rusawe said the announcement of President Goodluck Jonathan at the opening ceremony, on the efforts of the government concerning power generation and distribution and the hand-over of the Distribution companies (DISCO) to investors is an eye opener. ‘’We are in a vantage position to appreciate the efforts of the government in power generation, especially as far as the investment of the government in that area is concerned. More states have also said that they have created industrial clusters, but, unfortunately, we are not seeing the effect because when the environment is tough the poor feel it the most,” Rusawe said. He also noted the observations of some exhibitors and visitors and promised that next year's event would be bigger and better.

Challenges at the fair The most challenging part of the fair is having to construct the boots yearly and they are only useful for a week or at best two weeks. He said the chamber was clamouring for a more permanent arrangement and a purpose built complex that is suitable for trade, expos and exhibitions. Some exhibitors, however, expressed their satisfaction with the venue due to its centrality bearing in mind the poor state of the Lagos /Badagry Expressway. Some exhibitors said their challenge was poor publicity which they said made attendance to their stands poor limiting their visibility and possible sales they would have made. On the heels of that, Rusawe asked the Federal Government to expedite action on the transfer of the purpose-built Lagos International Fair Complex at Lagos/ Badagry Expressway to the chamber as had been done for Kaduna and Enugu Chambers of Commerce. He said: "We are wondering why the purported concession which was adjudged to be faulty has been allowed to stand to this point in time. LCCI is impressed that government has thought it wise to go to court but not excited because the court process may drag forever.”

Government remarks President Goodluck Jonathan said the government recognised the place of trade fairs in the economic development of the country. He said that was one reason the Federal Government was taking the legal option to take over the concessioned Lagos International Trade Fair Complex on the Lagos/Badagry Expressway because of the faulty privatisation process. He said his administration was poised to increase trade on three levels — international, ECOWAS and internal trade as it has realised its potential for economic growth. Jonathan, who was represented by the Minister of Industry, Commerce, Trade and Investment Dr Olusegun Aganga, said the government’s interest in the fair is also based on her belief that SMEs are the engine room of growth for any economy judging from the success story of the Asian Tigers. He noted that with 17 million SMEs, employing 32 million people, the government was on its way to economic prosperity. Jonathan also announced the tariff differential of 70 per cent that will make it more expensive to import when there is local alternative.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

INSURANCE

Daniel slams erring firms over non-submission of 2012 accounts C OMMISSIONER for Insurance Mr. Fola Daniel has criticised insurance firms that failed to submit their annual reports eight months into 2013 financial year, warning that they were sending a wrong signal to the world about the health of the industry. The Commissioner spoke at the just-concluded seminar for insurance correspondents in Ilorin while commenting on the inability of companies to submit their International Financiaal Reporting Standard (IFRS). He, however, assured that in spite of this, the industry remained healthy adding that the National Insurance Commission (NAICOM) will ensure the security of the investment of the public.

Stories by OmobolaTolu-Kusimo

He said the commission has written letters to the chairmen of the companies that have not submitted the accounts and have asked them to dig into the competency of the management of their companies. According to him, the commission has no apologies for not approving the result of the insurance firms that have submitted, insisting that NAICOM was not ready to bend the rules. He said: “The commission will not compromise but will ensure that the companies abide by the rules and regulations. We have no apologies

STI posts N1.5b profit

OVEREIGN Trust Insurance (STI) Plc has posted a profit before tax of N1.58 billion in the year ended December 31, 2012 from a loss figure of N513.8million loss in 2011. Chairman of the company, Dr. Ephraim Faloughi, who made this known during the firm’s annual general meeting in Lagos at the weekend, said this was a result of several adjustments occasioned by the conversion to International Financial Reporting Standard (IFRS). He said the company recorded a gross premium of N7.7 billion in the year under review from N6.4 billion in the previous year.; this represented a 20 per cent growth. He noted that the company continued on its profitability trend after several measures adopted to withstand the challenges and realities of the operating environment, Consequent upon this performance, he said total equity stood at N3.13billion as at end of 2012. To drive the growth of the company to attain its strategic goals, he said the firm decided to retain its earnings for the year and plough back same into the company. The chairman stressed that the firm’s

pride was rooted in the quality of people who are its greatest asset and would, therefore, continue to equip and develop then as individuals and collectively as a company. He said: “STI will continue to craft its business strategies in a proactive manner to take advantage of the opportunities that could be presented in a growing economy. “We have charted a new course for the company and this was comprehensively articulated in our newly developed five year strategic blue print which is aimed at positioning us as one of the pacesetting brands in the insurance industry within the next five years and beyond.’’ Speaking on the competition that would arise as a result of entrance of foreign insurance brands in the country, he said, the imperative of attracting further capital to boost competitive position cannot be undermined and adequate capitalisation of the business has been identified as a key competitive factor for the coming years. “We would therefore continue to explore several capital raising initiatives domestically and across the shares of the nation so as to attract adequate capital for our business,” he added.

WAICA confab holds

HE West African Insurance Companies Association (WAICA) is set to host a threeday international educational conference with the theme, “An integrated and harmonised insurance industry in West Africa”, in Lagos. Its Secretary-General, William Coker, who made this known in Lagos, said the event which begin on November 24,would help the sub-regional body to further tap into the huge business opportunities in the sub-region. He said: “If we are promoting the concept of a global village, the insurance industry in the West African sub region needs to be seen as front runners in promoting efforts at regional integration. Charity must begin at home.

“We expect and educative and rewarding educational conference. It is yet another opportunity to extend the hospitality of Nigerians to delegates from other parts of the world.” The Co-ordinating Minister of the Economy and Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala is expected to give the keynote address. Founding father and past president of WAICA, Prof. Jo Irukwu (SAN), will chair the paper which will be discussed by Rev. Asante MarfoAkenkora, President, Ghana Brokers Association and Mr Dawda Sarge, past president, WAICA and Managing Director/ Chief Executive, Prime insurance Company Ltd, Banjul, The Gambia.

or excuses for not approving accounts that are not correct. We will rather delay clearance of accounts than allow such accounts to be passed. “The biggest problem that we have had in the past is accounts coming from the industry that are not trusted by investors. That is why they do forensics on accounts that have been passed by regulators. This is not a good thing for the companies, the industry and the nation.” The NAICOM boss pledged that under his leadership, the regulatory body will not allow the insuring public to be misled. He noted that the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) and the Securities

and Exchange Commission (SEC) agreed with the commission on the affected companies. He added that the commission has done its best in educating the various companies and its external auditors on IFRS and will continue to make corrections until they get it right The Commissioner saidNAICOM will be focusing on deepening insurance penetration through Micro Insurance and Takaful Insurance. He explained that micro-insurance is not a conventional insurance that is expensive, adding is affordable and the reach of low income earners. On Takaful Insurance, he said it is different from the conventional in-

surance, adding that the concept is unique and it is accepted by both Christians and Muslims alike, adding that Takaful Insurance is based on trust, fairness and equity. He explained further that Takaful Insurance is not about Muslims as being misconcieved, but rather, a better way of doing insurance business that will benefit those at the grassroots. He said NAICOM will soon be joining the other regulatory bodies in the country to create awareness about financial illiteracy, adding that in the next few weeks, the commission will embark on outreach programmes to educate its constituency over the issue. On money laundering, he said tackling the menace would be on the agenda of the commission in next year.

• From left: Director, Finance and Accounts, National Insurance Commission (NAICOM), Oba Olufemi; Daniel; Director of Supervision, Nicholas Opara and Deputy Director, Authorisation and Policy, Akah Leo, at the seminar.

Expert urges agents on professionalism, others

GENTS have been advised to improve on their productivity, professionalism and competence to boost insurance penetration. The General Manager, Leadway Assurance, Mr Shadrack Sivhugwana, who spoke as the guest speaker at the conference of the Association of Registered Insurance Agents of Nigeria (ARIAN) at the weekend in Lagos, said there was need for them to overcome these challenges to gain better proceeds. According to him, Nigeria has the lowest insurance penetration as less than one per cent of large business penetration flow into the industry. Shadrack, who also attributed the problems of the agents to poor image branding, noted that most agents were unable to make meaningful income as they tend to focus on services or products with higher commission rather than selling

By Temitayo Ayetoto

products to meet consumer needs. He urged insurance companies to lead their agents on the right path and change their perception. He said: ‘’I think companies need to change their perception on their agents. The way some agents are treated in some companies is as if they are not part of the company.’’ Former General Secretary of the group, Olamerun Gbadebo, who emerged as the new president of the association following an election held during the conference, said the association will make the business easy to operate by partnering with stakeholders to protect agents as well as make the environment conducive for agents to operate. He said: “My mandate is to make insurance business very easy. We are going to collaborate with all the stakeholders, especially with NAICOM and Nigeria Insurers Association and the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria to see how

we can eradicate fake agents and enhance our agency structure. “We have over 20, 000 agents roaming around Lagos, Nigeria looking for business. At present, we have no fewer than 3,000 agents registered with us and we want to see how we can gain address this. He added that the association would, particularly focus on reducing fraud, working towards achieving a high standard of professionality and go global by seeking more knowledge from international operators, noting that agents are the bedrock of insurance companies. At the event, Chief Bode Ogunlana was awarded lifetime achievement certificate for his service to the industry. Mrs Ngozi Ndukwe got the best performing agent award, the agency with the highest premium cumulative collected in the year ward went to Mrs Charity Ogbodo while Mutual Benefit was declared the Best Insurance Company.

PrestigeAssurancepromotesAGM,others

• From left: Managing Partner; Olaniwun Ajayi LP, Kanyi Ajayi; Managing Director, Asset Mangement Corporation of Nigeria (AMCON), Mustafa Chike-Obi; Executive Director, Finance, AMCON, Mofoluke Dosunmu and Partner PWC, Gabriel Ukpeh, at the presentation of the corporation’s 2012 financials to the public in Lagos.

RESTIGE Assurance Plc, has promoted some of its top management staff. Among those promoted were, Mrs. Jibrin-Yaro to Assistant General Manager (AGM)II from Senior Manager. She is a product of Obafemi Awolowo University and Lagos State University where she obtained Diploma in Business Administration and MBA Marketing. She is also a Chartered Insurer of both London and Nigeria (ACII). Also promoted is Mrs. Eunice Olufunmilayo Aina, who was moved from Senior Manager to Assistant General Manager (AGM)II.

She is a 1992 graduate of Accounting from the Polytechnic, Ibadan, a Fellow of the Institute of Chartered Accountants of Nigeria, (ICAN), a certified Information Systems Auditor (CISA) and a Certificate Member of the Chartered Insurance Institute of Nigeria. She joined the firm in 2001 as Internal Auditor. Other elevated staff were those from Assistant Manager to Manager, Staff from Senior Superintendent to Assistant Manager, staff from Superintendent to Senior Superintendent, staff from Assistant Superintendent to Superintendent.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

EMPOWERMENT CLINIC with

Rising above average to the peak According to Brian Tracy, a renowned author, if you are ready to go beyond your average limit, your life will definitely witness a dramatic change forever.

Mediocrity

GOKE ILESANMI

O rise above the majority, you must develop qualities and discipline that the average person lacks. You need to take the lid off yourself and capture momentum for your life by breaking through barriers and reaching new heights. The entire creation possesses the principle of potential and you have the ability to accomplish your God-given purpose, but the release of your potential is up to you.

Vision To achieve success in life, you must have a goal or be visionary. A goal is a dream with a deadline. If you want to rekindle your dreams of significance and success or you are at the end of your rope or you are ready to say “No” to procrastination, then you need to begin aspiring right now for the very top and spring past your average limit.

Mediocrity is the opposite of excellence. “Geographically”, it is a region bounded on the north by procrastination, on the south by lack of vision, on the east by negative past thought, and on the west by weakmindedness. People have been endowed with a certain mixture of abilities and opportunities that make them unique and no mixture is extremely special. John Mason, an author and president of Insight International, an organisation dedicated to helping people reach their dreams and fulfil their destiny, says you need not to settle for an average life especially that God wants to launch you past the middle to the top. There is something that God has placed within everybody that causes him or her to strive to be above average, especially if he or she is willing to take meaningful and calculated action.

Belief To rise above average and motivate yourself to the highest rung of the achievement ladder, you must have strong belief. According to George Shinn, a motivational writer, “Belief is an attitude, a point of view, the way you think about something. You form attitudes through

knowledge and experiences. You can change your attitude if you motivate yourself to do so.” Irrespective of whom you are, your education or location in life, your attitude can be totally positive if you believe in yourself. Peter Hirsch, author of Success by Design corroborates this assertion by submitting that when we believe in something, what we really believe is that a thing is possible. Impossibility might therefore be defined as “the absence of positive belief”. The more certain you feel a thing is possible for you, the stronger will be your belief. Your belief is your destiny and once you are committed, success will surely come your way.

Innovative ideas Another thing you need to do to reach the peak is to have ideas and prepare. If you have ideas, you have the main asset you need, and there is no any limit to your ability to succeed. Dr. Walter Doyle Staples, author of Power to Win says all accomplishment, whether big or small, begins with an idea. Little wonder that Harvey Firestone, an industrialist says capital is not so important in business but ideas. Although ideas in general are not in short supply, creative and innovative ideas are, and so are people who can turn them into reality.

Embracing failure No matter what happens in the course of your journey to-

wards success, never label yourself a failure. One of the greatest problems people have with failure is that they are too quick to judge isolated situations in their lives and label them as failures. But you need to keep the bigger picture in mind. You must be careful with those memories of the past as they are capable of impeding your acceleration to success.

Self-motivation Self-motivation is another tonic necessary for getting to the top. There are two parts to self-motivation or internal motivation, that is, mental and physical. In the mental stage, you conceive in your mind where you want to go or be; while in the physical state, you take action to get to where you aspire to be. The purpose of motivation is to get action, not just a random action but specific actions, and the willingness to act on your ideas is as important as the ideas themselves. If you want to be successful in life, you need to be a self-starter; give your success aspiration all you have; and dare yourself to act now.

Great self-challenge To get to the top in life, you need to really challenge yourself. According to Mason, if you want to see if you can really swim, do not frustrate yourself with shallow water. Most people could do more than they think they can, but they usually do less than they think they

can. You never know what you cannot do until you try. Everything is possible. So, never use the word “Never”.

Best people To rise above your limits in life, you need to surround yourself with the best people. When you surround yourself with the right kind of people, you enter into the God-given power of agreement. By assessment of the average people, average is always considered excellent. You should not measure your success by what others have and have not, and today is the day to get through what you have been going through. If you think you are doing better than the average person, then you are an average person yourself.

Final note There is always a heavy demand for fresh mediocrity but you should not subscribe to it. Opportunities hide behind obstacles and it is not what you have but what you do with what you have that can guarantee your success and take you to greatest heights. Decide today to go beyond your average limit and rise to the greatest heights of success. PS: For those making inquiries about our Public Speaking, Business Presentation and Professional Writing Skills programme, please visit the website indicated on this page for details. Till we meet on Wednesday.

WORKPLACE MATTERS

Embracing ethics and creativity management in your firm(2)

AST week, we said every day, managers and employees need to make decisions that have moral implications. We added that conducting business in an ethical manner is the responsibility of everyone in an organisation for legal and business reasons. We stressed that the concept of ethics refers to a set of standards for judging right from wrong. We said at the most basic level, ethics mean acting fairly and honestly in individual as well as group decision-making. We added that another factor that needs to be considered in an organisation’s thirst for success is the management of creativity or creative staff. We said research has confirmed that almost everybody thinks he is a good manager, but according to a Gallup Poll, 25 per cent of U.S. employees would fire their bosses if they could. We expatiated that managing a group of creative people is challenging but rewarding work. We said unless you learn to get the best out of your creative employees, your organisation may not thrive as expected. We examined some of the steps involved in managing creative people. This week, we will discuss other steps.

Allowance of dream You need to give employees time to dream and remember that creative employees need downtime to recharge. Make sure your employees are given time and room to think, explore, question, even play. An atmosphere of constant crisis will not help creative ideas to flourish. As the boss, your ethical or otherwise behaviour sets the tone of the workplace for everyone else.

By Goke Ilesanmi

Emphasis Another strategy for managing creative staff is to stress the importance of balance. Left to themselves, many creative people will neglect the less interesting, routine aspects of their work. But experts say such tasks are important, too especially that work must be documented in reports, paperwork must be completed, customers must be attended to. If your business is to function, that “boring” routine work must get done. Kevin Eikenberry, president of the Kevin Eikenberry Group, advises that while you should be flexible with your employees, you must also insist that they should not neglect the less exciting aspects of their job.

Addition In the same vein, Tomas Chamorro-Premuzic, professor of Business Psychology at the University College London (UCL) and vice president of Research and Innovation at Hogan Assessment Systems, suggests that you surround creative staff with semiboring people. He says the worst thing you can do to creative employees is to force them to work with someone like they are. They would compete for ideas, brainstorm eternally, or simply ignore each other. That said, you cannot surround creative staff with really boring or conventional people — they would not understand them, and fall out. In line with this, re-

cent research indicates that teams made up of diverse members who are open to taking each others’ perspective perform most creatively. In his words: “The solution, then, is to support your creatives with colleagues who are too conventional to challenge their ideas, but unconventional enough to collaborate with them. These colleagues will need to pay attention to details, mundane executional processes, and do the dirty work: Messi needs Busquets and Puyol; Ronaldo needs Alonso and Ramos.”

Having trust in the process Creative people need to spend time working without being micromanaged. Yes, reports are important — but so is trust in the process. This means allowing them the freedom to spend time developing wild, off-the-wall ideas without having to constantly report on their progress. Some creative work must be sheltered from the cold light of day, especially when ideas are incomplete and untested. This allows creativity to blossom.

Direction Another thing is to direct creative staff at your actual problems. Communication with your employees is crucial if you want them to turn their natural skills to solving your real business problems. Provide your employees with information and direction so that they grasp the big picture rather than becoming obsessed with the smaller details.

Eikenberry says you define a real problem your organisation is facing and turn them loose — the results may surprise you. Chamorro-Premuzic suggests that you only involve them in meaningful work. Natural innovators tend to have more vision. They see the bigger picture and are able to understand why things matter. The downside to this is that they simply will not engage in meaningless work. This all-ornothing approach to work mirrors the bipolar temperament of creative artists, who perform well only when inspired — and inspiration is fuelled by meaning. This rule can also be applied to other employees: everyone is more creative when driven by their genuine interests and a hungry mind. As novelist John Irving puts it, “The reason I can work so hard at my writing is that it’s not work for me”. At the same time, in any organisation there will be employees who are less interested in, well, doing interesting work; they are satisfied with simply clocking in and out, and are incentivised by external rewards. Companies should ensure that trivial or meaningless work is assigned to these employees.”

Generosity with commendation You to provide reinforcement and support for your creative employees. It may appear that employees who are engaged in creative work have all the reward they need from the work they do, but in fact they need support as much as anyone else. Avoid tak-

ing creative people for granted. These workers are no different from your other employees — everyone needs praise and recognition for work well done.

Flexibility Being open to new ways of working is another strategy recommended for managing creativity in the corporate environment. As much as possible, creative people should have the freedom to work on their own terms and on their own schedule. Allow them to be responsible. This does not mean there is no accountability, but the accountability is not necessarily measured in hours hunched over a desk. Rather, the accountability is seen in quantifiable results that a brilliant new idea or anything else they can dream up. • To be continued Till we meet on Wednesday.

•GOKE ILESANMI, Managing Consultant/CEO of Gokmar Communication Consulting, is an International Platinum Columnist, Certified Public Speaker/MC, Communication Specialist, Motivational Speaker and Career Management Coach. He is also a Book Reviewer, Biographer and Editorial Consultant. Tel: 08055068773; 08187499425 Email: gokeiles2010@gmail.com Website: www.gokeilesanmi.com

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

DUE DILIGENCE

UP: Steady performance U

NIVERSITY Press (UP) Plc maintained a steady performance in 2013 with modest improvements in sales and profitability. The printing and publishing company grew sales by 11 per cent and reined in initial high costs of sales to retain modest improvement in the bottom-line. The steady profit outlook enabled the company to retain its dividend per share of 35 kobo while growing net assets per share by 17 per cent. Audited report and accounts of the printing and publishing company for the year ended March 31, 2013 showed average pre-tax profit margin improved marginally from 16.5 per cent in 2012 to 17 per cent in 2013 after the company fell on midline cost management to moderate the gross margin, which had dropped from 52.1 per cent to 50.8 per cent. The improved underlying bottom-line reflected in the actual pre and post tax profit, which grew by about 15 per cent each. While the overall cost of business was slightly higher, the balance sheet position of the company was stronger with better financing structure and liquidity. Its zero financial leverage remained a stabilising factor while adequate financing coverage provides reassurance on the cash flow of the company.

Financing structure UP’s total assets inched up by 3.9 per cent from N2.68 billion to N2.79 billion. Non-current assets had increased by about 28 per cent from N1.02 billion to N1.30 billion while current assets dropped by 10.6 per cent from N1.66 billion to N1.49 billion. Total liabilities meanwhile dropped by 25.3 per cent to N623 million in 2013 as against N834 million in 2012. Current liabilities had dropped by 34 per cent from N772 million to N512 million. Long-term liabilities rose by 79 per cent from N62 million to N111 million. Shareholders’ funds increased by 17.1 per cent to N2.17 billion in 2013 as against N1.85 billion in 2012. The paid up share capital of the company remained unchanged at N216 million. The underlying financing position was stronger with better equity financing and less pressures from current liabilities. The proportion of equity funds to total assets improved from 68.9 per cent in 2012 to 77.7 per cent in 2013. Current liabilities/total assets ratio dropped from 28.8 per cent to Fiscal Year Ended March 31 Nmillion Profit and Loss Statement Main Business Segment Total turnover Cost of sales Gross profit Operating expenses Interest and other incomes Finance expenses Pre-tax profit(loss) Post-tax profit (loss) Basic earnings per share(kobo) Gross dividend (Nm) Cash dividend per share (kobo) Net Assets per share (kobo) Balance Sheet Assets: Fixed assets Total long term assets Trade debtors Current assets Total assets Liabilities: Trade creditors Bank loans Current liabilities Long-term liabilities Total liabilities Equity Funds Share capital Total Equity Funds

By Taofik Salako Capital Market Editor

18.4 per cent while long-term liabilities/total assets ratio stood at 4.0 per cent in 2013 as against 2.3 per cent in 2012. The company maintained zero gearing ratio with no outstanding indebtedness to banks.

Efficiency The company managed to balance costs and productivity, harnessing its improving midline cost management to mitigate top-line costs. Average number of employees reduced from 301 persons in 2012 to 293 persons in 2013. Total staff costs meanwhile increased from N293.12 million to N339.43 million, representing average staff cost per head of N1.16 million in 2013 as against N0.974 million in 2012. Average contribution of each employee to the pre-tax profit improved correspondingly from N1.14 million to N1.34 million. Total cost of business, excluding financing charges, inched up to 84.5 per cent of total incomes in 2013 as against 84 per cent recorded in 2012.

Profitability UP sustained a modest profit outlook; with both actual profit and loss figures and underlying profitability ratios showing appreciable improvements. Total turnover grew by 11 per cent from N2.08 billion in 2012 to N2.31 billion in 2013. The company’s only business line remained sales of printed books. The top-line performance reflected modest growth in sales in the western and northern regions as well as impressive increase in emerging export sales. UP divided its domestic market into three zoneswestern, northern and eastern zones. Turnover in the western zone increased by 12.5 per cent from N702.10 million to N789.54 million. Sales within the northern zone also improved by 12 per cent to N985.15 million as against N877.04 million in previous year. However, sales within the eastern zone was almost flat at N500.64 million in 2013 as against N500.3 million in 2012. Export sales jumped from N2.67 million in 2012 to N37.38 million in 2013. Cost of sales, however, rose by 14 per cent from N998 million to N1.14 billion. This moderated gross profit growth to 8.4 per cent at N1.18 billion in 2013 compared with N1.08 billion in 2012. Total operating expenses grew by 8.9 per

cent from N751 million to N818 million. Non-core business income rose by 146 per cent to N48 million as against N19 million. Finance charges increased by 29 per cent from N9 million to N12 million. With these, profit before tax improved by 14.5 per cent to N393 million in 2013 as against N344 million in 2012. After taxes, net profit stood at N261 million as against N227 million, indicating an increase of 14.6 per cent. Earnings per share increased by 14.6 per cent from 53 kobo in 2012 to 60 kobo in 2013. The company distributed N151 million as cash dividends to shareholders, representing a dividend per share of 35 kobo, the same rate paid for the previous year. Net assets per share meanwhile improved from N4.29 to N5.02. Underlying performance ratios were mostly on the upward. While gross profit margin slipped from 52.1 per cent to 50.8 per cent, pretax profit margin improved from 16.5 per cent to 17 per cent. Return on total assets increased from 12.8 per cent to 14.1 per cent while dividend cover firmed up to 1.73 times as against 1.51 times in previous year. However, return on equity slipped from 12.3 per cent to 12 per cent.

Governance & structures

7 0 512 111 623

-97.7 0.0 -33.7 78.7 -25.3

286 0 772 62 834

216 2,166

0.0 17.1

216 1,849

also has to break new grounds in the domestic and international private education businesses. It has started this with the increase in export sales. The expected recapitalisation of the company would provide additional capital to further support growth and steady it against operating challenges. Overall, there is a reasonable basis to assume that UP will sustain steady performance in the years ahead.

2009

2010

2011

2012

is owned by about 11,000 shareholders with three major investors holding 23.77 per cent. Oxford University Press, United Kingdom, the foreign partner, holds 9.80 per cent equity stake. Cashcraft Asset Management

2,082 2,082 998 1,084 751 19 9 344 227 53 151 35 429

1,020 1,020 92 1,662 2,683

•Samuel Kolawole MD UP Plc

Incorporated in 1949, UP is one of the oldest surviving companies in Nigeria. It became a public limited liability company and listed its shares in 1978. University Press

2,313 2,313 1,138 1,175 818 48 12 393 261 60 151 35 502

27.4 27.7 12.9 -10.6 3.9

University Press has shown appreciable resilience and stability. However, it needs to retool its sales strategy to unlock new domestic and international markets. There is a limit to the use of cost management in sustaining profit in the face of sluggish sales. As noted earlier, a large top-line growth will provide more room to manage costs and deliver a healthier bottom-line. UP needs to explore new product development. Besides, it needs to find new highmargin ways of selling traditional products. While building on its public sector patronage, the company

The liquidity position of the company remained stable. Current ratio, which relates probable current liabilities with similar assets, improved from 2.15 times in 2012 to 2.90 times in 2013. The proportion of working capital to total sales was steady at 42.1 per cent in 2013 compared with 42.7 per cent in 2012. Debtors/creditors ratio stood at 1,594 per cent in 2013 as against 32.2 per cent in 2012.

2012 12 months

1,299 1,303 104 1,486 2,788

Analyst’s opinion

Liquidity

2013 12 months % change 11.1 11.1 14.0 8.4 8.9 145.9 29.3 14.5 14.6 14.6 0.0 0.0 17.0

Limited, a Nigerian investment firm, holds 7.71 per cent while Dr. Lekan Are, who chairs the Board of Directors, holds the largest individual equity stake of 6.26 per cent. The board and management remain stable. Mr Samuel Kolawole still leads corporate growth as managing director. UP broadly complies with code of corporate governance and best practices with appropriate committees, checks and controls to ensure independence and integrity of the decision-making and accounting processes.

Fiscal Year Ended March 31

2013 %

2012 %

Financing structure Equity funds/Total assets Long-term liabilities/Total assets Current liabilities/Total assets Debt/Equity ratio

77.7 4.0 18.4 0.0

68.9 2.3 28.8 0.0

Profitability Gross profit margin Pre-tax profit margin Return on total assets Return on equity Dividend cover (times)

50.8 17.0 14.1 12.0 1.73

52.1 16.5 12.8 12.3 1.51

Efficiency Pre-tax profit per employee (Nm) Staff cost per employee (Nm) Cost of sales, operating exp/Turnover

1.34 1.16 84.5

1.14 0.974 84.0

Liquidity Current ratio Working capital/Turnover Debtors/Creditors

2.90 42.1 1593.8

2.15 42.7 32.2

2013

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Website:- http://www.thenationonlineng.com

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

•NSE trading floor

Unhidden treasure in stock marketing The unemployed and self-employed can make money, marketing securities and investment services and products in the capital market, writes TAOFIK SALAKO.

HE capital market is still largely unexplored. While its emerging market status comes with many challenges, its vast potential presents immense opportunities for the informed. Such huge opportunities exist in stock brokerage and marketing where millions of unemployed and self-employed Nigerians, as well as anyone desirous of having additional income can be gainfully engaged. With a growing population of 170 million, the country’s large size and vast geographical space have their advantages and disadvantages. Unemployment is a major problem of an underdeveloped economy, but the aggregation of small capital also can directly and indirectly solve the problem. President, Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), Mr Ariyo Olushekun, describes the opportunities in the market. According to him, at theh moment, there are about five million investors in the capital market including those investors with multiple accounts. When multiple ac-

counts are taken into consideration, the number of investors may be approximately about four million. “Five million over a population of 170 million is one over 34, America has a population of 300 million and has over 100 million investors that are playing in their market, that is one-third; one over three as against one over 34 that we are currently on. So, if we are going to grow to let’s say 40 to 50 million investors, which means we want a quarter of our population to participate in the market, it’s not something you leave for the mega firms,” Olushekun said. According to him, the market needs people who will be able to market securities and investment services to people in the hinterland. “Every N5,000, every N10,000 that Mr Owolabi has in Ikere Ekiti; that Alhaji Adamu has in Gusau; that Mr Chukwuka has in Onitsha, we want every bit of this money to come to the market,” Olushekun said. This is where the job opportunities come for self-driven persons who may want to act as sub-brokers. There are several intermediaries in the capital market. While the in-

vestors, stockbroker or dealer, merchant banker, regulators and issuers are the major operators, several other intermediaries play adjoin roles to ensure the market remain robust and resilient. These intermediaries help in the mobilisation of resources from investors to the needed avenues as well as help in broadening the depth and versatility of the market. Becoming a broker Primarily, brokers are regarded as the primary intermediaries in the capital market. The main function of the stockbroker is to deal on behalf of his clients-the investors, because investors cannot trade on the stock market. A broker must necessarily be a member of a stock exchange. The requirements to become a stockbroker or dealer at the Exchange are quite enormous. While the basic educational and personal requirements may be similar to other professions in the financial services industry and elsewhere, the professional and training requirements for a stockbroker are quite extensive. First, a stockbroker will have to study for

and pass the examinations of the Chartered Institute of Stockbrokers (CIS), the statutory self-regulatory organisation (SRO) saddled with the practice of stockbroking. Relevant first degree and experience may exempt a candidate from some papers. It is upon successful completion of these examinations that one becomes an Associate of the CIS or Associate Chartered Stockbroker (ACS) and technically qualifies to practice as a stockbroker. Then comes the practical training, the ACS will have to enroll for training with a stockbroking firm, which will overtime recommend him for the institutional training at the Stock Exchange. The training-both theoretical and practical, at the Stock Exchange is the final stage to become a practicing stockbroker, duly licenced to trade on the Stock Exchange with designated code and details. The induction at the stock exchange, after the first induction as ACS, marks the •Continued on page 38

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

JOBS

Unhidden treasure in stock marketing •Continued from page 37

transition to practical professional life. Given the fiduciary responsibilities and degree of trust as custodian of people’s monies, a stockbroker also needs to provide several indemnities including contribution to investors’ protection fund and provision of fidelity bond. The broker is under obligation to continuously observe the rules and regulations of the stock exchange and the institute of brokers as well as that of Securities and Exchange Commission, each of which can impose sanctions on the broker including withdrawal of the broker’s licence upon proven and serious infringements. Even with these, a broker’s life is that of continuing education as there are required mandatory annual continuing education scores that the broker must attained to retain his professional ranking. This applies to several other professions too. Given these requirements; the number of stockbrokers, the attractiveness of small trades vis-à-vis the time value of professional energy, the concentration of brokers-otherwise known as gentle men of the city, in the main economic centre and base for capital market and the size and demographics of national population dictate the need for additional service providers that can help the stockbrokers to effectively perform their functions. These are the reasons why subbrokers have continued to thrive in several markets. This is also because the daily requirements for the mastery of the price discovery at the stock exchange-which sets out a super trading stockbroker from others, eat deep into the time and resources of a stockbroker and may not allow him to devote enough attention to small investors. Besides, the capital market recession, which swept away and inhibited the viability of several stockbroking firms and the generally high unemployment rate have

also turned many chartered stockbrokers into sub-brokers since they do not have stockbroking firms to practice and trade under as stockbrokers. Requirements of a sub-broker A sub-broker functions under the broker primarily to market securities and solicit broking business. In most jurisdictions, they have very minimal professional and regulatory requirements. They are not required to be a member of a stock exchange. They are not required to be an associate of the institute of stockbrokers, although some levels of capital market-focused studies are required to perform effectively. Each stockbroker is expected to screen, train, record and account for sub-brokers under it. There is no limit to the number of sub-brokers that a stockbroking firm can engage to help as its agents-primarily to interface with investors. The subbroker helps the broker to market securities, collect investor’s mandate and documents and foster the agent-principal relationship between the broker and investor by facilitating securities trading and rendering of returns to the investor. Incomes of a sub-broker The sub-broker makes his income from sharing in the stockbroking commission-the stockbroker’s fee, under a pre-arranged mutually ex-

• DG SEC, Arunma Oteh

clusive contract between the broker and sub-broker. Besides the stockbroking commission, a subbroker may share part of other incomes from other services relating to his clients including charges on share registration and management services such as dematerialisation and dividend collection and retrieval. A broker may have a standardised agreement and income-sharing documents for all its sub-broker, but each agreement with every sub-broker stands on its own. Because the income profile of the subbroker, just like the broker and other trade-based professionals, depends on the quantum of transactions, most sub-brokers are usually aggressively persuasive and goal-driven.

• CEO NSE, Oscar Onyema

Knowing fully that an average City-based individual can easily walk into a stockbroking firm to conduct his transaction, sub-brokers cover wider areas in the hinterlands and the suburbs of the cities in search of clients in addition to competition with brokers for clients in the cities. To several investors, the ‘broker’ they know is the ‘sub-broker’. This was at play, and still on to some extent, during the capital market boom, when stock marketing became the driving force for multi-billion Naira public offers. Such new opportunities exist in the marketing of evolving products like derivatives, foreign collective investment schemes and infrastructure funds amongst others.

‘Knowing fully that an average city-based individual can easily walk into a stockbroking firm to conduct his transaction, sub-brokers cover wider areas in the hinterlands and the suburbs of the cities in search of clients in addition to competition with brokers for clients in the cities. To several investors, the ‘broker’ they know is the ‘sub-broker’

Regulating the sub-brokers As sub-brokers become important intermediaries in the capital market process, the imperatives for the regulation of their operations have also increased. Besides being accountable to the broker-principal, SEC had prescribed minimum capital requirement for a corporate body seeking to act a sub-broker. SEC is reviewing the functions and minimum capital requirements for capital market operators, which will further define the scope and requirements for sub-brokers or broker’s agent in whatever capacity. Besides, the Nigerian Stock Exchange (NSE) is previewing a new rule, which precludes a broker from sharing his commission with anyone not under the regulation of the NSE. This will effectively bring other intermediaries such as sub-brokers directly under the purview of the rules and regulation of the stock exchange. The formalities and appellation of a sub-broker may change, but the function of securities marketing is ever expanding, especially as the market evolves with new products and services. Understanding the stock market processes and products can be a way to earn a living.

CAREER MANAGEMENT OR recent graduates and individuals just starting a career, making a change in one’s career path is not as challenging as it is for those who have established themselves as an experienced professional in their field(s). Many employers understand the drivers of this change. Some even see early professionals make several changes within the first five years of graduation. They realize the positions sought after by most often by entry-level professionals may be considered a learning phase, so employers are not as critical about the change of heart. However, it’s a different story for candidates who have established themselves in a particular career. Whether you are someone who has started a career and left to be a stayat-home parent, were laid off, or have lost the passion behind a particular career path, making a career change has its challenges and employers are more critical. Off the bat, employers will question the interest to change careers mid-way and whether you have thoughtfully processed what a change in career may mean. Often times, there will not be an opportunity for a lateral move and the pay scale may be different. Other questions employers may have will concern whether you have transferable skills from your previous experience. Faced with the various challenges of a career change, be prepared to

Key rules for career changers Normal to see recent graduates testing the water frequently. They graduate with a specific degree and career path in mind – to be a journalist, a white-collar crime analyst, a genetics researcher, and so on. They land an entry-level position and soon realise it’s not the career they expected. By Olu Oyeniran

address the questions that will come your way by following some simple rules of advice. You’re going to need a different approach to impress potential employers. Here are five rules for career changers:

•Identify your transferable skills Identify three to six important transferable skills from your previous career the employer will want to see out of a job candidate for the position. You can identify what skills are desired for a particular position by reviewing related job postings. You will notice a common list of skills employers tend to highlight for the position.

•Focus on skills rather than positions you’ve held While most job candidates may showcase the positions they’ve held and highlight companies they’ve worked for, it will likely be irrel-

evant to an employer in your case. Immediately out to the gate, you need to focus on the transferable skills you have on your cover letter, resume, and discussion with the potential employer. Whether it is leadership, project management, budgeting, writing, or other skills, that needs to be your focus.

•Demonstrate how the skills were applied Maintain focus to express specifically how the skills were used and applied in your previous jobs and how you can see it apply in this new career. As tempting as it may be to discuss other skills you used and were successful at in your previous job, if it is irrelevant, it will add no value. In fact, discussing irrelevant skills for a position dilutes your message to the potential employer.

•Obtain needed skills and knowledge If at all possible, obtain some of the essential skills you will need

with this new career before leaving your old one. If your employer offers education-assistance benefits, make use of the opportunity to obtain necessary skills that are transferable. Some employers only permit courses of relevance to your particular career and may require you obtain a minimum grade level, in addition to a commitment to stay employed with the company for a certain amount of time after the completion of a course, to be reimbursed. Also, take the time to read up on the industry and field of business the employer is involved with. Be familiar with terms commonly used in that line of business. Each field has their own lingo and you will impress the employer when they can see you are up-to-date with what’s happening in their world.

the essential skills to have to be successful, and introduce you to important contacts or information to look for in potential job opportunities. Many things in life change and while it may feel risky to make a career change mid-way, it is a step one should take having thoroughly reviewed and evaluated what the change may mean. It’s important to feel satisfied and fulfilled by one’s career, especially when one will end up spending most of the day in this environment. When making a career change, you need to understand what sacrifices need to be made, which may include catching up on necessary knowledge and skills for a particular field, rebuilding a contacts list from scratch and, possibly, taking a pay cut and starting as a lower level. If you are confident about your decision for a career change, willing to face the challenges to succeed in a new career and can demonstrate to potential employers you can apply what you already know and continue to learn and advance, you will make leaps over the hurdles of a career change.

•Find a mentor Knowing someone already in the field is one the most beneficial things you can have in the process of a career change. A mentor can give you the inside scoop on what it’s like to work in a particular field, address

•Oyeniran is Lead Consultant, EkiniConsult & Associates. He can be reached on Jobsearchhow.com.ng Tel 08083843230 (SMS Only).

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

FINANCE

Strengthening the DFIs to deliver on the Transformation Agenda

STRUCTURAL change has occurred in finance since 2008. At global level, we have seen development financing assume a more critical role. In this period, the World Bank’s concessional lending resource – International Development Association (IDA) – has been replenished to record levels, as a number of countries in the developing world needed to access funds from external sources to make up for income shortfalls when the prices of commodities practically collapsed in the international market in the wake of the global financial market crisis. Our very own, The Coordinating Minister of the Economy (CME) and Honourable Minister of Finance, Dr. Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, then as Managing Director at the World Bank, led the IDA 16 replenishment to $49.3 billion, significantly higher than the level the Fund had ever attained in previous replenishment efforts. It is far more than the circumstantial reason of the financial crisis that the global development finance institutions (DFIs) have had to step up interventions in critical areas of poverty alleviation, climate change mitigation, infrastructure financing and more, in the developing countries. It is generally known that the World Bank is resourced with people of diverse and great technical knowledge of development programming and funding. Even in the best of times, private sector credit is often too expensive to finance long term projects, including infrastructure which are necessary to create jobs in the immediate term, while providing the basis for economic growth over the long-term. Moreover, with deployment strategies more policy-driven, the World Bank, although a very large institution, is able to quickly channel funding assistance to where it is best needed. This point helped in no small measure in shoring up the credibility of the Bretton Woods institution after its policy booboos, together with those of its twin institution, the International Monetary Fund (IMF), earned opprobrium in the developing countries in the 1980s and 1990s. At regional level, we have also seen a rise in the capacity to deploy financial assistance and policy advice by the African Development Bank (AfDB) and Asian Development Bank (ADB). Apart from its funding role in the development of infrastructure in Africa, the AfDB is the leading African institution that integrates the continent with international funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation. Europe boasts of multilateral DFIs including European Bank for Reconstruction and Development, European Investment Bank and The Council of Europe Development Bank, which prides itself as “The Social development bank of Europe”. These institutions are meeting needs that are beyond the scope and interests of the private banks. They are also fostering regional integration by lending to regional and sub-regional projects.

DFI transformation in Nigeria The Administration of President Goodluck Jonathan has performed creditably well in strengthening the national DFIs in Nigeria, in line with global trends that recognise that additional financial frameworks are needed to serve the project markets that commercial banks may term too risky to lend to. Also, certain industries, which are at very early stages of development, require knowledge beyond the areas of business as usual for the commercial banks, who charge high interest rates for the credit they give. The DFIs become very relevant in this area, because as agents of the government, they are obligated to invest in knowledge development and provide early-stage financing to take specific industries off the ground, and prepare them to such a stage when they can begin to attract and able to afford commercial lending. With the banking sector significantly depressed by the financial market turmoil of 2008 and 2009, the government had to step in strongly to protect existing jobs, encourage creation of new ones and even stimulate nascent and moribund industries so as to sustain economic growth.

By Roberts Orya

The Nigerian Export-Import Bank (NEXIM Bank) has been in the frame of this development, and has received a lot of support under this Administration to deliver its mandate. As Nollywood’s profile steadily rose in the domestic and international environments, there was a need to support the industry to strengthen technically, and provide important infrastructure for the growth of the entertainment sector value chain. This was the key objective of the plan to launch an Entertainment Industry Fund as announced by President Jonathan in 2011. The promise has since been kept by Mr. President. NEXIM Bank is the institution that manages the Fund. This is in line with its mandate to support businesses, including the creative and entertainment sector, which have capacities to create jobs and earn foreign exchange for the country. Through its management of the Nigerian Creative and Entertainment Industry Stimulation Loan Scheme, NEXIM Bank has helped in raising the international profile of Nollywood. “Dr. Bello,” an international film financed with the Fund was premiered in Washington DC at the Kennedy Centre last year. Similar interventional funds have been supported by the Administration, including the Small and Medium Scale Enterprises (SMEs) industry fund, which is managed by the Bank of Industry. The DFI also manages the textile industry intervention fund. The Fund is aimed at restoring the textile industry to its former glory, when it employed more than 25,000 Nigerians and attracted significant foreign investment from India and some other Asian countries. Today, the Nigerian project landscape is dotted with projects funded by the DFIs. To reinvigorate the institutional framework for improved performance, Nigerian Agricultural Cooperative and Rural Development Bank was restructured and rebranded as Bank of Agriculture, to increase lending to the agricultural sector. Similarly, Urban Development Bank of Nigeria Plc was transformed to Infrastructure Bank, with renewed focus on infrastructural investment. The Federal Mortgage Bank of Nigeria is also being reformed and backed by the government to raise its capacity for intervention and support government’s programme for the provision of affordable housing to Nigerians in formal and informal occupations.

Raising the Performance Profile There is no doubt that there is much more scope for the DFIs to continue to help deliver on the Transformation Agenda of Mr. President. NEXIM Bank is working on four focal sectors, namely Manufacturing, Agroprocessing, Solid Minerals and Services. These sectors form the “Mass Agenda” of the bank. More recently, there has been strong consideration for increasing our intervention in solid mineral mining. To this effect, we have been working with key stakeholders in the sector. However, the need to increase funding intervention capacity, especially low cost, early-stage, long-term funding for the industry, has been identified. Support for this agenda has come in the form of a mandate for NEXIM Bank to widen its partnership for accessing low-cost fund from other international DFIs, and consideration of an industry fund. The trend in development financing is that interventions are scaled up in the areas where results have been achieved. While financial results are not the primary objective of setting up the DFIs, they have to be financially

• Orya

sustainable. Therefore, it is not incongruent to their mandate that commercial viability of projects is ascertained to guarantee moderate financial return on the lending portfolios of the DFIs. This orientation is important for prospective project owners and the DFIs. Inadequate consideration of this factor had generated certain misgivings that the Entertainment Industry Fund was supposed to be operated as a grant, whereas it is a revolving loan fund. This is an important point because there is the need to create separate prudential guidelines for the DFIs. In certain quarters, the portfolios of DFIs are evaluated with the same yardsticks the credit assets of commercial banks are assessed for performance. This contradicts the very basis for setting up DFIs. It becomes necessary to establish DFIs as a result of the unwillingness of commercial banks to take some funding risks which DFIs are in fact mandated to take because of the development outcomes generated by the projects they fund. For this reason, Malaysia has a model which has a separate set of prudential guidelines for its DFIs; distinct from that which commercial banks have.

Social Returns The social essence of development finance institutions is perhaps the more affirmed justification of their existence. DFIs are set up with the mandate of promoting social equilibrium in one way or another. It is important to support middle market institutions as well as grassroots businesses, and not just entirely focus support on the big businesses, although they could become multinationals and flagship businesses that symbolise the national economic stature. SMEs are very important for the spread of industry and prosperity around the country. Funding support for women entrepreneurship is another area of intervention to help society maintain social balance. Studies around the world have shown that women are not lagging behind in business formation. But orthodoxy in financial market operations denies women entrepreneurs access to funding. Discrimination against women in terms of financial access is of the scale that

‘While financial results are not the primary objective of setting up the DFIs, they have to be financially sustainable. Therefore, it is not incongruent to their mandate that commercial viability of projects is ascertained to guarantee moderate financial return on the lending portfolios of the DFIs’

requires an intervention; thus we have begun to see positive policy responses as well as supportive products from the private sector to create needed leverage for women entrepreneurship. The social goals sit better with development finance institutions. They understand the importance of poverty alleviation and rural development. DFIs are leading providers of vital social statistics to assist policymakers and the larger market to understand the social milieu. All of these are geared toward giving citizens in all segments of society the sense of belonging to play their roles in ensuring social stability. This agenda has been strongly supported by President Goodluck Jonathan, and it is to his credit that policies of inclusiveness are being implemented by this Administration like never before.

Environmental Stewardship Some of the most environmentally conscious financial institutions in the word are the DFIs. Environmental sustainability is one of other important development issues that moderate the pursuit of financial bottom line by DFIs. Because of the governmental relations that are involved in the funding operations of global and regional DFIs, consideration of environmental impacts of the projects they fund becomes even more important and vital for mitigating political risk. I don’t think national DFIs have any reason not to pursue environmental sustainability best practices. In any case, the Equator Principles have set codes of environmental sustainability practices for project finance which are voluntarily subscribed to by financial institutions of various hues. A lot of awareness on this is needed in the country, coupled with investment in regulatory capacity and project development reorientation. This is one area the DFIs can jointly adapt international frameworks to suit the local context. NEXIM Bank has been investing in knowledge acquisition, and is seeking for technical collaboration with other development agencies to help develop carbon finance and climate change mitigation in the country. Although hope of a global agreement for trading carbon credit from emission cuts will probably not crystalise, experts believe that funding framework at bilateral level, as well as regional funding for climate change mitigation and adaptation, will continue to flourish. Besides, investments in environmental sustainability can generate enough returns in preservation of the natural environment and endangered species, apart from slowing down global warming and reducing environmental pollution. •Orya is Managing Director/Chief Executive Officer, Nigerian Export-Import Bank

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

Taxation

Ad dr essing tax e vasion and compliance Addr dressing ev

FIRSEA 29: Gives power to access lands, buildings, books and documents. FIRSEA 32: Gives power of addition for nonpayment of tax and enforcement of payment. FIRSEA 33: Tax Investigation; this section empowers the Service to employ special purpose Tax officers to assist any relevant law enforcement agency in the investigation of any offence under this Act. FIRSEA 47: Gives the Service powers to prosecute any of the offences under this Act subject to the powers of the Attorney–General of the Federation.

AXES are the enforced proportional contributions from persons and property, levied by the state by virtue of its sovereignty for the support of government and for all public needs. From the above definition it is seen that taxes are contributions to a common pool by the people for the use of the people. Governments all over the world need taxes in order to sustain their relevance and to provide for the needs of its citizenry. Features of a good tax system A tax system is expected to be fair and nondiscriminatory. For a tax system to meet these requirements, it must have the following attributes. 1. Neutral – A neutral tax must be unbiased across economic activities, and not overly penalise work in favour of leisure, nor tax income used for saving and investment more heavily than income used for consumption. 2. Visibility – A very large segment of the population must be keenly awarethat government costs money, government spending should be held at levels at which its benefits match its costs. This is a critical factor in most developing countries, including Nigeria) where the citizenry believe that tax revenues are not beingexpeditiously administered. 3. Fairness – This is often stated as making the rich pay higher share of their income in taxes than the poor. There should be some amount of income exempt from tax to shelter the poorest citizens. 4. Simplicity–A tax system should be easy for the government to administer and enforce, and be easy and inexpensive for taxpayers to comply with. The elimination of multiple layers of tax would also create a system that is much simpler and easier to administer, enforce and comply with. These are critical issues in Nigeria tax systems that require urgent attention. Our tax laws are old and complex, given room for varied interpretations and applications. 5. Convenience: A good tax system should be convenient in terms for time and mode of payment to the taxpayer. 6. Administrative efficiency: The process of levying and collecting taxes must be administratively efficient, transparent and economical without any distortion. 7. Productive: A tax system should be such that brings in sufficient revenue to the Government. Since tax payment involves the outflow of money from taxpayers, some Taxpayers have adopted many strategies to evade tax. Tax evasion is defined as “the wilful attempt to defeat or circumvent the tax law in order to legally reduce one’s tax liability”. Tax evasion is punishable by both civil and criminal penalties. Tax avoidance on the order hand, is defined as “the act of taking advantage of legally available tax planning opportunities in order to minimise one’s tax liability.While tax evasion is criminal tax avoidance is legal. This was aptly supported by the celebrated case of Ayrshir Pullman Motor Services & D.U. Ritche V.CIR (1929). The fact of the case and the judgment is as follows: The taxpayer changed the structure of its business from sole proprietorship to partnership with five of his children to minimise tax. He appealed to the Court of Session against an assessment which failed to recognise the

• Acating Executive Chairman, FIRS, Alhaji Kabir Mohammed Mashi

change. Allowing the appeal, Lord Clyde held: No man in this country is under the smallest obligation, moral or other, to so arrange his legal relations to his business or property as to enable Revenue to put the largest possible shovel into his stores. TheInland Revenue is not slow... and quite rightly to take every advantage which is open to it under the taxing statutes for the purpose of depleting the taxpayer’s pocket. And the taxpayer in like manner is entitled to be astute to prevent, so far as he honestly can, the depletion of his means by the Revenue. Tax compliance tools In order to encourage taxpayers to continue to comply, and bring non-compliant taxpayers into the tax net, to increase the tax base and revenue, governments all over the world have put in place some compliance strategies backed by appropriate legislations. Section 26(1) of the Federal Inland Revenue Service Establishment Act (FIRSEA) 26(1) gives the Service to call for returns, books, documents and information. FIRSEA 27: Gives additional power to the Service to call for further returns and payment of tax due. FIRSEA 28: Requires every bank upon demand by the Service to provide quarterly returns specifying: (a) In the cases of an individual, all transactions involving N5 million and above (b) In the case of a body corporate, all transactions involving N10million and above, the names and address of all customers of the bank connected with the transactions and deliver the returns to the Service. (c) Section 28 (3): Provides sanction to any bank that contravenes above provisions.

‘Act Chapter 179 laws of the federation of Nigeria (LFN) 1990, but first enacted by Decree No22 of 1971 and commenced on 1/ 4/1970’

The role of tax audit In addition to all the tax provisions mentioned above, FIRSEA S:26(4) and S.60(4) CITA went further to state: •Nothing in any other provision of this Act shall be constructed as precluding the Service from verifying by tax audit or investigation into any matter relating to any return or entry in any book, document, accounts including those stored, on a computer, in digital, magnetic, optical or electronic media as may, from time to time, be specified in any guideline by the Service.” All the above provisions, among others, are compliance tools meant to ensure that a taxpayer does not pay less or more than what he is required to pay by law. This objective is achieved through tax audit. The purposes of tax audit are to: •To educate taxpayers •Maintain self assessment system •Collect taxes as imposed by the laws through the encouragement of voluntary compliance •Maintain public confidence in the integrity of tax system. •Provide deterrent effects on other taxpayers not yet audited, as they may quickly file their returns to avoid sanctions. Most taxpayers will be willing to pay their taxes as and when due, if government is transparent and accountable. It is the common experience in the developing countries that governments have not demonstrated enough commitment towards providing the citizenry with required facilities and infrastructure that would encourage an average taxpayer to be voluntarily compliant. Roads, electricity, education and health facilities are in short supply, facilities that are already in place are not properly maintained. There is growing apathy among the taxpayers about the commitment of government to use the taxes paid to provide for their needs. These are the issues that need to be addressed in order to improve the level of compliance. Both the government and the taxpayers must resolve to work in collaboration and meet midway for the society to develop and enjoy peace and security. A government must have the trust of its citizens. The government that cannot be trusted may not have moral the courage and determination to maximise its tax potential. Total tax revenue, which is the tax rate multiplied by the tax base, can be increased when government is physically present in every nook and cranny of the country by means of provision of social amenities. The citizenry is getting impatient and agitated. The time for the government to do the right thing is now. Tomorrow may be too late.

Monday, November 18, 2013

MOTORING

THE NATION

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

The Acura MDX has been redesigned for next year. These new features include improved fuel economy, a higher-quality and quieter interior, and a new control interface, writes TAJUDEEN ADEBANJO with agency addition.

•The Acura MDX

HE 2014 Acura MDX illustrates the benefits of smart and selective evolution. The previous generation was a success, popular with buyers who enjoyed the midsize luxury crossover SUV’s sporty performance and luxurious nature. Still, there is always room for improvement, and canny upgrades have produced an even more refined adaptation, poised to achieve even broader appeal. Last year’s MDX shared its platform with the Honda Pilot and previous-generation Odyssey. For next year, the crossover gets a new platform that offers a slight increase in interior room. Within the MDX’s cabin are useful new features, such as a second row that slides forward with the touch of a button to facilitate third-row access. A seveninch touchscreen largely replaces the endless array of buttons that dominated the center stack of previous models, and this upgrade gives the dash a cleaner, more modern look. There is a new 3.5-litre V6 under the hood, and though it offers 10 less horsepower than the 3.7liter it replaces, it boasts more low-end torque thanks to direct fuel injection technology. Acura says the 2014 MDX gets from zero to 60 mph half a second quicker than last year’s model, due largely to a 275-pound curb weight reduction. The new engine brings fuel economy gains, too, and AWD models in particular offer a 17 per cent improvement in combined mpg. And for the first time ever, Acura’s midsize crossover is also available with two-wheel drive, which gives buyers in mild climates a less expensive (and more fuel-efficient) entry point into MDX ownership. The MDX’s talents are formidable, but it faces strong competition. The Buick Enclave is roomier and less expensive, but falls short of the Acura in refinement and handling. The BMW X5 is more performance-oriented, but it also represents a significant step up in price. Infiniti’s QX60 and Lincoln’s MKT are solid picks, but neither is as enjoyable to drive as the MDX. With its pleasant handling and ride dynamics and generous feature content, the highly evolved Acura MDX earns recommendation for drivers seeking a three-row crossover that hits the sweet spot when it comes to driver engagement, luxury and value.

Body styles The Acura MDX is a midsize luxury SUV that seats seven. It is offered in one well-appointed trim

Acura MDX: smart, sporty level with progressive add-on packages. Standard features include 18-inch wheels, automatic LED headlamps, heated mirrors, a power liftgate, a sunroof, rear privacy glass, keyless entry/ignition, heated eight-way power front seats (with driver power lumbar), driver memory settings, a power tilt-and-telescoping steering wheel, leather upholstery, tri-zone automatic climate control and an auto-dimming rearview mirror. Electronics features include twin console displays (7inch touchscreen and eight-inch information), a multi-angle rearview camera, Bluetooth phone connectivity, and an eight-speaker sound system with a CD player, an iPod/USB interface, a Pandora radio interface and satellite radio. The Technology package adds a navigation system, voice controls (navigation and audio), Bluetooth audio connectivity, AcuraLink (with the Aha smartphone app interface) and a 10-speaker Acura/ELS surround-sound audio system with HD radio. Also included with this package are 19-inch alloy wheels; rain-sensing wipers; reardoor keyless entry; GPS-linked and solar-sensing climate control; and lane departure warning, blind spot warning and forward collision warning systems.

Powertrains and performance The MDX is powered by a 3.5-litre V6 that produces 290 hp and 267 pound-feet of torque. A six-speed automatic transmission and front-wheel drive are standard, and all-wheel drive is available as an option.

•Interior of the car

EPA-estimated fuel economy with front-wheel drive is 20 mpg city/28 mpg highway and 23 mpg combined.

Safety Standard safety equipment for the 2014 Acura MDX includes antilock disc brakes, front-seat side airbags, side curtain airbags, a driver’s knee airbag, active front head restraints and traction and stability control. A multi-angle rearview camera is also standard, and AWD models come with a stabilising feature for trailer towing. Optional safety features include lane-departure and blind-spot warning systems. A forward collision warning system is also available, and it works by warning the driver of a possible collision with auditory and visual alerts. The MDX is also offered with collision mitigation braking, which automatically applies the brakes to prevent or mitigate an impending collision. A lane-keeping assist system is available as well, and it provides automatic steering assistance to keep the MDX in its lane.

Interior design and special features The MDX’s interior is driver-focused, with a pleasantly thick, leather-wrapped steering wheel and easy-to-read gauges. Materials quality is high grade, a step up from last year’s model. The center stack

has been simplified, with a cleaner layout and two display screens that largely replace the previous generation’s seemingly endless ocean of buttons. Overall, the cabin is a pleasant and luxurious place in which to spend time. Using the navigation system is simple and intuitive, as Acura allows you to look up destinations by using the central control dial, a new seven-inch touchscreen interface (mounted below the eightinch nav screen) or an enhanced voice recognition system. The touchscreen provides both haptic and audible feedback, and in our experience, this helps you enter a destination more quickly. Second-row seats now slide fore and aft, with an adjustment range of 5.9 inches, for added flexibility. Rear legroom is reasonably generous. The one disappointment is the front seats’ minimal adjustability. Relative to other models in this segment, they offer only basic adjustments. The third row is best suited for kids, but adults should be OK back there on short trips. Accessing the third row is a breeze, thanks to power-sliding second-row seats that slide forward with the touch of a button. With 15.8 cubic feet of space behind its third row, the MDX trails its competition in cargo room when all three rows are in use. However, when you fold the second and third rows, cargo capacity becomes quite generous, with 90.9 cubic feet of room available for luggage and belongings.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

M OTORING MOTORING

FERMA kicks off Southwest road scheme

HE Chairman, Federal Roads Maintenance Agency (FERMA) Mr Ezekiel Adeniji, has kicked off the agency’s South-west (II) Subsidy Reinvestment and Empowerment Programme (SURE-P) Public Works Scheme on the Third Mainland Bridge. At the ceremony attended by 10 of the 14-member Governing Board, Adeniji said the FERMA SURE-P Public Works scheme in the Zone actually came into effect earlier inunderwater the year, that •The rail the launch was only a formally. He said about 6, 700 youths have been engaged from communities to take care of federal roads and other critical road infrastructure. They N underwater railway tunwill carry out such routine maintenel is now open between nance operations as vegetation conthe eastern and western trol, de-silting of drains, patching parts of Istanbul. It is the world’s of potholes and sundry road mainfirst to connect two continents: tenance operations under sutraveling under the watersthe of the pervision ofstrait, experienced Bosphorus it joins engineers the Asian and technicians, he added. and European halves of Turkey’s He noted the number of parlargest city that together. It is also the ticipantsdeepest would increase fromrailthe world’s underwater 6, 700tunnel to 10, of 000 end of way itsbefore type, the according theTurkish year. Heofficials, envisagedsitting it to reach to 190 45, 000 by the next feet (58participants metres) below theend surface year. According to Adeniji, President Goodluck Jonathan administration decided to involve communities and youths, only to employ has the AGOSnot State Government teeming unemployed youths, but hinged its decision to implealso asment means committingofcomtheofprovisions the munities participate in on moni2012 Roadto Traffic Law (RTL) the toring andofmaintaining national restrictions operations of commerroad assets in hours line daily withonthe cial drivers to eight the need to preserve the health and safety of drivers and other road users. According to Section 44 Subsection 1a, b and c of the Lagos Road Traffic Law 2012, drivers are not supposed to work more than a cumulative eight hours per day for them not to Agency Mr Gabriel be fatigued(FERMA), while driving. Amuchi, has said agency has Commissioner forthe Transportation, Comrade Kayode Opeifa, said by started a nationwide delivery of maintaining the eight hours cumubetter Federal roads through lative working hours perofday as stipumaintenance ahead the yulelated in the Law, drivers, their pastide season. He made this known at a briefing to round off a three-day operational strategy/capacity HE use of mobile phone building workshop for conthe technology was initially Agency’s Zonal fined to theCoordinators affluent. Howand Federal Roads Maintenance ever, usage patterns have changed Engineers in Abuja ahead of comsubstantially in recent yearsas the menceme n t o fand m ausing ssi v ae mobile road costs of owning maintenance works during the phone have declined. upcoming dry season. Mobile phone use while driving is common, considered He reeled but outwidely a checklist for dangerous.the Concerns havefashbeen achieving objectives raisedout thatbyuse of mobile phone ioned management and HEdriving Managing Director/ while the risk participants atincreases the workshop oftraffic collisions, property damExecutive whichChief include adoptingOfficer, necesage,pro-active injuries, and fatalities.The Federal Roads Maintenance sary measures to enweight of the scientific evidence to sure roads in good datethe suggests that use condition of mobile are maintained to remain potphone whiledriving does create safety risks for the driver and his/ her passengers as well as other road users. Due to the number of acciSE of phone techdents that aremobile related to mobile nology initially conphone use whilewas driving, some jufined to the affluent. Howrisdictions have made the use of ever, usage patterns have changed mobile phone while driving illegal. substantially in recent yearsas the Others have enacted laws to ban it costs of owning and usingdevice. a mobut allow use of a hands-free bile phone have use declined. Mobile Mobile phone while driving phone use while driving driving. is comis classified as distracted mon, but widely considered danDriver distraction is a sub-category gerous. Concerns have of inattention and hasbeen beenraised estithat use of amobile phone while mated to be contributing factor in driving the risk oftraffic eight toincreases 13 per cent of all road collisions, crashes. Inproperty fact, it isdamage, believedinjuthat ries, and fatalities.The weight of drivers who use mobile phone while the scientific evidence to date sugdriving exhibited greater impairgests that of mobiledrivers. phone ment thanuse intoxicated whiledriving does create safety Concentration, therefore, is an risks forrequirement the driver and his/her absolute for safe drivpassengers as there well asisother road ing because so much users.Due to the number of competing for the attention ofaccithe dents that areInrelated to mobile human mind. the principles of phone usedriving, while driving, some judefensive the driver must risdictions made theisuse of get the totalhave picture which all inmobile phone driving illegal. clusive; what iswhile in front of him, what Others havehim, enacted to ban is behind whatlaws is beside it but allow useirony of a hands-free dehim.One big of distracted

•Erdogan (third right) with other dignitaries at the opening of the rail

World’s deepest underwater railway opens 150 years after

of the Bosphorus. According to BBC, the project was first thought up by an Uthman (Ottoman) Sultan in the 1860s, but received more timely backing from current prime minister Recep Tayyip Erdogan. Work on the project started in 2004, but was delayed by archaeological digs after the remains of a Byzantine fleet was discovered in the area. The railway named

“Marmaray” for the nearby sea of Marmara, and capable of carrying 75,000 people per hour in both directions — was finally inaugurated penultimate week to commemorate the 90th anniversary of the Turkish republic’s creation. The tunnel is 8.5 miles long, but the distance under the Bosphorus itself is fairly short: only 0.8 miles. It was completed with help from Japan, who sent engineers to the country, and added $1 billion to the

project’s $4 billion budget. Previously, the Bosphorus could only be traversed by ferry, or on one of two bridges. The AFP news agency reports that two million people — in a city of 16 million — cross those bridges each day, leading to terrible congestion. Istanbul’s mayor, Kadir Topbas, said the new tunnel will “soothe” that congestion. Dubbed the “iron silk road” by the Turkish government, Erdogan said the Marmaray rail line would

connect “London to Beijing”, reviving the ancient trade routes across Asia to Europe. The rail service will be capable of carrying 75,000 people hour in either direction. According to government estimates, 1.5 million people will cross the strait every day on the Marmaray line. The subway crossing will take four minutes, much faster than the ferries which criss-cross the Bosphorus.

from what obtains in both the formal public and private sectors, where working hours do not exceed eight hours at a stretch with a provision for a break in order to refresh. “Drivers, like others, contributing to the nation’s economy are entitled to enough rest to make them function well,” he said. He, therefore, urged members of the various transport unions in the state, who are yet to comply with the registration of their commercial vehicles, drivers and bus conductors to do so immediately, adding that owners of buses should visit any Vehicle Inspection Office nearest to them while the Drivers and Conductors should go the Lagos State Drivers’ Institute (LASDRI) located in the five (5) divisions of the state.

RACCON AFRICA, the conference and exhibition of construction, earth mover equipment, tyre, logistics, supply chain management, and allied products will begin today at the Transcorp Hilton Hotels in Abuja. In a statement the organisers of the event, On Wheels magazine, stated that Mobil Nigeria downstream operations have partnered the equipment and logistics exhibition and conference to improve the yearly event. According to the Publisher of the magazine, Jabez Aina-Scott, “A number of blue chip companies, dealing in construction equipment and allied products and Logistics and Supply Chain Management, including Mobil Nigeria, CFAO Equipment, Fortuna Gold, Lanre Shittu Motors, have signified their intention to attend and participate fully in this

TRACCON Africa conference begins today year’s TRACCON-Africa.” TRACCON-Africa, which is in its fourth year, is a specialised exhibition of Logistics, Supply Chain Management, On and ORT Tyres, Lubricants, articulated vehicles, accessories and heavy duty machineries. Aina-Scott said the event would feature sessions on conferences and seminars for haulage, truck, supply chain management, Truck and Safety, A handler’s Experience and fleet operations. The publisher reiterated that this year’s conference is taking a new shape.

sary equipment and materials have been deployed to formations while necessary measures to safe-

guard participants against maintenance scene and related hazards have been put in place.

how to drive and maintain original expensive to repair. There are also MitsubishIhealth and FUSOcare vehicles disrelated costs, tributed by CFAO Motors nationlitigationexpenses, insurance adwide. Other lost beneficiaries of and the ministration, work time, training initiativeramifications are dealer techniother adverse of cians, drivers of major collisions.In urban areas,fleet eachcuscoltomers, and professional By Oziegbe Okoeki lision occurring in rush hourconcan tract drivers. induce a cascade traffic station a towing vehicle of on the EpeTheroad initiative, which isresponse the first congestion,emergency Ibeju to evacuate break-down veof its and kind in Nigeria, is affected. also detime, and grief for hicles reduce roadthose accidents. signed to assist the Federal Road Thus, if use of ofEnergy mobile The Ministry andphones Mineral Safety Commission (FRSC) to whiledriving causes more Resources was also mandated tocollicurb further reduce the rate sions, motorists andalarming policymakers activities of sand miners in the area by should checkingbetheconcerned. proliferationBusinesses of mining andinsurers may also become consite and educating the sand miners to cerned since these firms a sigalways evacuate split sandbear littered on nificant fraction the the road to avoid mishap. of monetarycosts of motor vehicle collisions. Somethe people haveofargued the sures dangers using that mobile use of while phonedriving. while driving has phone some Whether tangible or Thebenefits. use of mobile phone while By Tajudeen Adebanjo intangible, they believe that of using driving mayentail a variety difaferent mobile phone while drivingfor hasa maneuvers; searching some which may accruefor to phonebenefits in the vehicle, reaching the usertoofinitiate the phone, the user’s aphone or receive a call, family household, the user’s sodialing,orholding a phone near the cial ear network whileof friends, talkingacquainand tances, the user’s or has the driving,picking upbusiness, a phone that community as a whole. They bebeen dropped. lieve thatuse useofofamobile phonephone while Even hands-free driving can reduceunnecessary can bedistracting to the driver as trips, minimise consumes the length of trips, conversation mental and diminish overalldriving.The time on the energy while road byallowing moreineffective varioustasks entailed using a communication with household mobile phone each require a difmembers, friends/acquaintances, ferent amount of time, mental andother parties whose schedules energy,and coordination, leading and transit plans need tocomplicabe coorto potentially different dinated with the schedule the tions of the driving task andofposdriver. sibly risking collision.

of automobile crashes on the roads. There is alsotothe tendency to beAccording CFAO Motors’ AflieveSales that when a driver is runter Manager, Mitsubishi ningFUSO late, he is moreMr likely to and vehicles, Avinash speed in order to reach the Ghogardare, trainees, technicians destination therebytore-the and drivers quickly, are introduced ducing any negative company’s automobile insurance consequence of arriving In recovery support system,late. its It said the Commandant of modKick suchspare situation, a call from a ern parts on-line ordering Against Indiscipline (KAI) should mobile phone theofdriver technology, anby inventory of can N750 complement the efforts LASTMA in notify colleagues ofonlate million original parts, express maintaining sanity thearrival roadserby and diminish the driver’s urge vice facilities, exclusive tyre repair curbing the activities of hawkers on the to speed. They also believe that centre and S-5 After Sales applicaEpe-Ibeju Road. the ability toachieve tion software. Speaker of the House, Honinstant Adeyemi communication, whether from Ikuforiji, explained that the resolution or to a driver, provides themotorists driver became necessary to enable apsychological to plying the roadreassurance have a sigh that relief. unexpected events of the day can be managed effectively and thatworries related to uncertainties can be resolved by instant Using the mobile phone while news conveyed through a phone driving iswhen not only dangerous call. Also, teenagers drive, to the driver-phone userconcern but to parents worry. Similar the other road Of all is expressed forusers othertoo. members the potential distractions, the of the household (spouses or parconversation takes ifthe prime ents), particularly they are focus oflong the distances driver away from driving or driving his what isthat happenlatedriving at night.and Knowing these ing around can, him.if His focus call beindividuals necessary, comes the object or subject of home while driving or can his be discussion. The hand-held contacted while in transitphone condetracts from effective handling tributes to peace of mind for all of the steering wheel or the gear concerned family members. knob. However, as rational as these Studies have alsothey revealed that arguments sound, pale into even the use of the hands-free insignificance because in any of phone poses greater risk, because the situations mentioned above, the get carried the driver drivertends couldtohave easily away theatfalse comfort that he pulledinup a convenient roadwas not holding the phone and side and make the call without this furtherputting diminishes necessary his lifeattention. and that •To be continued week of other road users atnext risk.

•Participants working on the Third Mainland Bridge, Lagos

Lagos to enforce eight-hour limit for drivers L

Stories by Tajudeen Adebanjo

sengers and other road users would be guaranteed safety through defensive driving as they would be alert to take control of situations on the road while on wheels. He believed that, since drivers are engaged in gainful employment and h o e - f r e e , u ptogthe rad e o n e sof the in arelcontributing economy poorer conditions; of state, their condition of provision service should monthly logistics and other be of interest to government suchsupthat port to field officestounder the they will not subjected harsh conSURE-P public ditions thatFERMA would affect theirworks health scheme to enhanceput safety visand, by implication, theirand passengers andon other road users at risk. ibility arterial Federal roads He said the provision of the law on through control of vegetation; working hours wasofnot different increased tempo public enlightenment campaigns against By Tajudeen Adebanjo road abuse and harmful practices President’s transformation agenda that damage our roads, includin the roads sector. ing dumping of refuse in drains, He saidofthe choice of the conduct street trading on Third highMainland Bridge, Lagosand to launch ways, burning of tyres indisdriving is that many disthe scheme was in drivers recognition of criminate installation of see speed tracted when other the vitaldriving place as of risky the 13-kilometre bumps/breakers. drivers do it,explained but never get to recognise Amuchi that through when their own driving deteriorates. a process of routine needs Recently, the Federal RoadassessSafety ments(FRSC) of the pronounced various fielda operaCorp prison tions, the has improved sentence foragency anyone accosted using a on its phone capacity to driving. deploy The equipmobile while recment, construction materials ommendation of the jail termand by personnel all over the country to FRSC was predicated on the basis that fines are seamless not achieving the necessary ensure operation and deterrent effect, thus making prosecubetter federal roads in the countion try. the next option to effect attitudinal change amongst motorists. To further drive its seriousness home, the FRSC has teamed up with ExxonMobil and its joint venture partner, the Nigerian National Petroleum Corporation (NNPC) to embark on public enlightenment focusing among vice. safety measures the dangers of other Mobile phone use while driving using mobile phone while driving. is The classified as distracted driving. use of mobile phone while drivDriver distraction is a sub-category ing mayentail a variety of different of inattention and has been estimaneuvers; searching for a phone in mated to be reaching a contributing factor in the vehicle, for aphone to eight to 13 peracent of all holdroad initiate or receive call, dialing, crashes.In is ear believed that ing a phonefact, nearitthe while talkdrivers who use mobile ing and driving,picking up aphone phone while exhibited greater that hasdriving been dropped. impairment than intoxicated Even use of a hands-free phone can drivers.Concentration, therefore, is bedistracting to the driver as converan absolute requirement safe sation consumes mental for energy driving because is so much while driving. Thethere varioustasks encompeting for athe attention the tailed in using mobile phoneofeach human mind. In the principles of require a different amount of time, defensive driving, the driver must mental energy,and coordination, get the total picture which is all inleading to potentially different comclusive; what is driving in front task of him, plications of the andwhat posis behind what is beside sibly riskinghim, collision. him.One irony of distracted Using thebig mobile phone while drivdriving thatdangerous many drivers dising is notisonly to thesee driver-

SAFE DRIVING life facility in the socio-economic of the nation. The chairman stated that neces-

Use of phone while driving: Beyond jail sentence Assembly wants T Epe-Ibeju road dualised Agency set for yuletide

HE Lagos State House of Asphonesembly user but the other roadgovushastourged the state ers too. Ofa training all thetopotential distractroduced programme for ernment include the tions, drivers the conversation takesnext the young new techniques for dualisation of to Epe-Ibeju road prime focus the driver away from handling theof vehicles throughout Niyear’s budget. his driving and Tobun, what isrepresenting happening geria. Hon. Abiodun around him. Hisheels focus the Coming on the ofbecomes its Epe 1 constituency made thecommitrequest object orthis subject of his discussion. The ment to year’s Gulder at a plenary under matter of Ultimate urgency. hand-held phone detracts from Search, NB Plc’s adventure The project, he said, was a reality neceseffective handling of the steering TV show forofyoung and strong Nisity because accidents recorded in wheel thetraining gear by knob. gerians, the initiative to the areaor occasioned the narrowis EpeStudies have also revealed that engage undergraduates currently on Berger Bridge, itinerant hawkers, uneven the use of the phone forced vacation ashands-free well miners as those in abated activities of sand and posesofgreater risk, because the need professional internship on various on-going construction projects driver tends to get carried away in in the area. the false thatlawmakers he was not SAFE DRIVING After thecomfort debate the reholding the and this further solved that thephone Lagos State Traffic Mandiminishes attention. agement Authority (LASTMA) should Severalsurveysby the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA) in America have tracted driving risky when other found that 80-90asper cent of mobile drivers do it, use but these neverdevices get to phone owners LEADING distributor of recognise whenattheir own driving while driving leastsome of vethe Mitsubishi and FUSO deteriorates. time. hicles, The extent of use Motors inRecently, theCFAO Federal Road has Safety whiledriving varies substantially Commission (FRSC) pronounced among owners. The survey also disaprison sentence for anyone accloses that while most drivers uncosted using a mobile phone while derstood the dangers of using driving vehicle.The recommendamobile aphones while driving, a tion the jail term by FRSC largeofpercentage used them was not predicated on the basis that fines the are thinking or understanding not achieving the necessary deterrent safety implications. effect, making the The thus fallout from prosecution the use of monext optionwhile to effect attitudinal bile phone driving cannot change amongst To that furjust be limited to motorists. the collisions ther its seriousness home, the maydrive happen. Motor vehicle colliFRSC teamed up ways. with sions arehas harmful in many ExxonMobil andthese its joint venture For motorists collisions partner, NationalcripPecanresultthe in Nigerian minor, serious, troleum Corporation (NNPC) to pling, fatal injuries or even death. embark on public Collisions result enlightenment in property focusing other safety meadamagetoamong vehicles that are often

Use of phone while driving: Beyond jail sentence CFAO Motors trains young drivers

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

THE NATION

TRANSPORTATION E-mail:ynotaderibigbe@gmail.com

The ongoing expansion of the Sango-Ota- OjoduBerger road by the Ogun State into a six-lane comes with gains and pains. Residents are excited about the huge prospects when the project is completed, writes ADEYINKA ADERIBIGBE

Pains, gains of Ogun N25b road G

ABRIEL Omahen gave a deep sigh, as his mini bus made its way through the ponds that have overtaken what remains of the Agbado-Ijoko road. “There is no day we do not visit the mechanic here; in fact, I know a lot of people who no longer use their vehicles; the vehicles have been damaged by this road,” he told The Nation. He continued: “We have been living like this for decades. Those who cannot adjust have had to go back to the Lagos metropolis. Many who, however, cannot afford the cost of accommodation continue to come. They have come to join those who have adjusted to the reality that their communities might have been forgotten by successive governments.” Most of the residents, like Omahen, who were lured to live either in Agbado or Adiyan or farther hinterland, such as Itoki, Abule or IjokoLemode by relatively cheaper land rates and affordable house rents, have had to cope with abject denial of basic amenities that make life livable. Electricity was a rarity, potable water was non-existent and there was no security as there was no police station. No banks and no road. All the border communities have one thing in common - total absence of governance. Successive administrations have raised their hopes, promising to fix virtually all that bother the people, but those hopes were soon dashed. But the Senator Ibikunle Amosunled administration in Ogun State seems set to fix that. Through its rural-urban renewal and re-development strategies, the government is returning smiles back to these forlorn faces with its bouquet of projects. The Sango-Ijoko-Ojodu Berger road project is exciting residents of the area. The 32-kilometre-long project was originally slated to have started two years ago. But it didn’t because the government couldn’t secure a

•One of the demolished structures

•Olaniyonu

willing private investor to embark on the project on a public-private participation (PPP) platform. Government officials, last year, went round marking the affected structures on the route for demolition, but hope that the project may start soon petered out. Three months ago, however, the government revisited the project, assessed it and decided to plunge into it headlong. Commissioner for Information and Strategy Alhaji Yusuph Olaniyonu said: “After our initial assessment of the project and considering its cost, we had thought we should shop for an investor who would embark on the project and recoup its investment via tolling. “However, all the investors we got were skeptical, because of the poor

•Mrs Olugbode

•Olaniyan

•Osanyinbi

structures for such investment. “Left with no alternative, the government decided to go head-long into the project by signing a contract three months ago, with Central South Construction Company, a Chinese construction giant for N52 billion.” Describing the project as the most expensive ever handled by the government, Olaniyonu said: “That was why we were actually shopping for an investor. “In Ogun West, we have constructed a 103-kilometre-long road with N132 million and, recently, I checked the records and discovered that all our capital projects in Abeokuta cost N32 billion; that clearly makes the Sango-Ota-Ijoko-Ojodu Berger road the most expensive singular project in the life of this administration.”

On the features of the road, Olaniyonu said rising from the present narrow, crater-filled road, would be a six-lane carriageway with three flyovers and two bridges, a pedestrian walkway on both sides of the road, collector drainage on both sides and green areas to serve as wetlands for the road. To ease the contractor’s movement to site, Amosun, the Commissioner disclosed, visited the site and walked virtually through the 32-kilometre road, telling residents of the government’s readiness to begin the project. He sought their understanding on the need to make sacrifices for the realisation of the project. “I remember vividly that the governor told everybody how his own properties, including his parents, building, that of former President Olusegun

Obasanjo and the father of the exSpeaker of the House of Representatives Chief Alani Bankole, were affected while the government was embarking on the renewal of the Abeokuta road infrastructure. He said if those eminent Nigerians, including himself, could sacrifice for the state, no one should see himself too big to sacrifice for the realisation of the project,” Olaniyonu said. He said though there would be pains, residents should take their plight as part of sacrifices that must be made in the remaking of the society. “We must all realise that some people must have suffered losses before the government could construct the 10-lane Ikorodu road in Lagos, among others,” he said. •Continued on page 46

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

TRANSPORTATION

20 die on Ijebu-Ode-Benin road in one month

O fewer than 20 persons have been killed in accidents on the Ijebu-OdeOre-Benin Expressway in the past four weeks, the Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC) has said. The crashes were caused by inter-state commercial bus drivers, who were in the habit of driving against the traffic (one-way), around the Ijebu-Itele area of the expressway.

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

The Ijebu Ode FRSC RS2.21 Unit Commander, Isa Seidu, expressed worry over the recklessness of commercial bus drivers on the route. According to him, several other persons were also injured in the crashes. He said the drivers had, by their care-free attitude, sent innocent persons to untimely graves. He added that the reckless driving by the luxury bus drivers was

Pains, gains of Ogun N25b road •Continued from page 45

Olaniyonu assured all those who are going to be affected in the ongoing demolition that the government would not be denied their compensation. “Indeed, like the governor pledged when he went round the stretch of this project on Sunday, October 20, the compensation is ready. Let all affected persons come to Abeokuta armed with all their valid documents and they will be promptly settled. They should stop listening to idle rumour mongers who never thought the project would ever take-off.” He regretted that people who were seen jubilating when the governor moved round the project site and were seen thanking him for remembering them with such an ambitious project are allowing themselves to be hoodwinked by opposition who were going round that the government is not serious with the project and asking that they be the given three months to prepare and for government to relocate them. Where would we relocate them to? Let everyone affected see this as sacrifice for the greater good of the state and come out to accept whatever compensation the government is willing to give. They should not frustrate the government in its determination to ensure that this project is completed within the lifespan of this administration.” One of such people Olaniyonu might be addressing is Dr. Fatai Osanyibi, who lost virtually all his investments to the upgrade. Narrating his ordeal, Dr Osanyibi said: “I am one of the worst-hit by this project in Ijoko. One of my shopping complexes was levelled; the second as well as my hospital – Faith Clinics and Maternity Hospital– were partially affected by the demolition. I lost not only my clinic, but a medical laboratory and scan centre, a pharmacy shop, provision shop, barbing salon, centre, a dry cleaning and laundry shop, among others.” All were pulled down the day he returned from Hajj. “On Monday, October 21, as my wife who came to pick me at the airport was telling me that the governor had come the previous day to inform all of us that the project is starting in earnest, I got a phone call that my shopping mall at Ogbayo, at Ijoko, has been flattened. Before we could drive down, they had reached my hospital and went across the road to also partly demolish the second shopping mall. “Because I live within my hospital as a resident doctor, I no longer have a home. I sleep in one of the shops with my wife, while my children have been moved to stay with our relation.” Though Osanyibi praised the government for bringing the project to Ijoko, a development, he said, would fast-track development of the area, he, however, implored the government to hasten up plan to compensate the victims. Raymond Olaniyan, who also spoke on the project, urged the government and its contractor to accelerate work at site and complete the demolition to enable people whose structures were partially affected to rebuild what

was left and continue with their lives. Olaniyan, a land surveyor at Ijoko, flayed the government for what he called its lack of adequate preparation which brought initial confusion. He wondered why the government couldn’t decide at once whether the project would be a four-lane carriage way or six, which led them to initially marking a spot last year, only for the contractor to come to site two weeks ago and started marking somewhere else. Aminu Ajibawo implored the government not to pay the compensation piecemeal. Ajibawo, 45, whose late father’s house is partly affected by the demolition, however, praised the government for the project. Olurotimi Odeyomi felt the government should also be kind enough to accommodate those of them who weren’t able to perfect their land titles before their houses were affected by the development. Odeyomi, 43, who spoke for his 77year-old mother, Rafatu Olugbode, said his mother a food vendor, who lost four rooms and four shops to the demolition, could not perfect the title and had no capacity to do anything beyond securing the stamp duty before the demolition began. Basirat Okesola, who spoke for her father Lateef Okesola, praised the government for the project and urged the governor to give the aged ones who lost everything a soft landing. The governor, she said, asked all victims to take pictures standing before their buildings before, and after such were pulled down and attach such with any documents that would fast track settlement of claims. A worker with the construction company who spoke with the reporter at its Adiyan office, said though the project was yet to fully take off, it has already started providing jobs either directly or indirectly to youths within the area. The official, who pleaded anonymity because he is not authorised to speak to reporters, said the 37kilometre road would be delivered in three years. He said: “Within three weeks of mobilising to site, we have established the right of way of the project from Sango-Ota, through Ijoko and now we are at Agbado. With about half the entire scope already covered, we have no doubt that we are on course.” Olaniyonu, who praised the contractor for the pace of work, disclosed that the project was likely to be accomplished in phases to enable the government get round the huge cost outlay. “We are certainly going to get the first phase of this project completed within 15 months. Our intention is to achieve 10 kilometres of this road from Sango-Ota to Ijoko, but this would include all the five bridges. By the time these bridges are completed, we would have achieved 80 per cent of the backbone for the second phase and make the phase easy to be accomplished,” he added.

usually perpetrated at night when FRSC officials must have left the highway. “Last Monday, around 4.15am, an accident occurred involving a Toyota Hiace bus with number plate, EPE 304 XB, which drove against the traffic. It had a headon collision with an oncoming vehicle. “The culprit was heading from Lagos to the eastern part of the country and faced those coming

from Ore area at the Ijebu-Itele end of the expressway. The accident resulted in the death of five occupants of the vehicle, while six persons were critically injured,” he said. Seidu added that the command had deployed plain clothes officers in the expressway to arrest erring motorists. He said: “Driving against the traffic is totally prohibited and unacceptable. Anyone found

guilty shall be arrested and prosecuted. “The fact that a portion of the road is bad is not enough reason to take one-way. The bad road itself doesn’t cause accident but bad driving habit.” The unit commander added that transport owners whose vehicles ply the road have been warned to caution their drivers. He advised travellers to avoid night journeys.

•From left: Permanent Secretary, Federal Ministry of Transportation, Mr Nebolisa Emodi; Umar; Sijuwade and Directors, NRC E. J. Agbonayinma, at the inauguration of the tank wagons. PHOTO: SOLOMON ADEOLA

NRC deploys 20 tank wagons to service oil and gas sector

HE Federal Government has restated its commitment to making the Nigeria Railways Corporation (NRC) the corner piece of transportation service in the country with the inauguration of 20 new pressurised oil tank wagons by the Minister of Transportation Senator Idris Umar. The wagons, which brought to 40 new oil wagons delivered to the NRC, were manufactured by China Railway Shanhiaiguan Bridge Group Company and Westgate Project Limited. Inaugurating the ENL Terminal at the Apapa Quays in Lagos on Friday, Senator Umar said when fully deployed, the wagons would be taking 30 oil tankers off the roads.

By Adeyinka Aderibigbe

This would not only reduce the wear and tear, but also help ease traffic congestion and reduce accident, he said. He listed other rolling stock already delivered to the NRC as four new locomotives and two telescopic cranes for use at the ports, adding that two sets of diesel multiple units with a capacity for 540 passengers to be deployed in intra-city services have been ordered. Awaiting delivery, he said, were six nos 68-seater air-conditioned passenger coaches meant for inter-city services, adding that they would be delivered before the end of the year. He said the Federal Executive Council (FEC) has approved the

repairs of all loop lines and sidings, including links to the oil depots in Apapa, even as an approval for the signaling and telecommunications systems for Lagos to Kano has been obtained. He said by next year, the trains would be back in the Eastern area – PortHarcourt to Maiduguri. In his welcome address, NRC Managing Director Mr Adeseyi Sijuwade said the wagons have spare parts and one year’s worth of consumables. “Also included in the package for these wagons are the training of NRC engineers in utilisation and maintenance, all for N650 million with a contract duration of 10 months,” he added.

Most commercial vehicles in Northcentral not insured, HE Assistant Director, Naclaims can only occur when people says NAICOM ofpatronise tional Insurance Commisfake insurance companies.

sion (NAICOM) Lucky Fiakpa has said almost all the commercial vehicles in the Northcentral zone have not insurance policies. He spoke in Ilorin, the Kwara State capital, at a stakeholders’ forum on motor insurance. He said most vehicle owners in the zone are skeptical and fear that insurance firms do not pay claims. He said Nigerians do not like to pay insurance premiums because they don’t know the benefits accruable in the various insurance policies. He added that third party insurance policy transfers all risks in the event of accident to insurance

From Adekunle Jimoh Ilorin

companies while the vehicle owner is saved from loss or embarrassment. He said: “When you pick genuine insurance policy, you can have access to prompt and effective medical attention, there will be succour to families of dead victims, and you have rest of mind because you have paid a token amount of money to an insurance company to take care of the risks.” Mr Fiakpa, who urged vehicle operators and owners to patronise genuine insurance companies to enable payment of claims in the event of accident, added that non-payment

The Director-General, Nigerian Insurance Association (NIA), Mr Thomas Olorundare, said the association had put up measures to identify genuine insurance companies through the Nigeria Insurance Industry Database (NIID), where the internet, phone and SMS are used. Olorundare, who said private vehicle owners pay N5,000 and the commercial vehicle operators pay N7, 500 for third party insurance policy per year, added that the risk inherent in some accidents could be too enormous for vehicle owners to bear, hence the need to take the insurance policy that would help transfer risk inherent in accident to insurance companies.

POLITICS

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

THE NATION

E-mail:- politics@thenationonlineng.net

ANAMBRA 2013 Political leaders, candidates and voters in the Anambra State governorship elections have tales of woe to tell about the conduct of the exercise by the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC). The admission of failure by its Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, has also fuelled the fear that the umpire may repeat the mistakes in future elections, reports Group Political Editor EMMANUEL OLADESU and JOSEPH JIBUEZE.

Anambra poll: Bungled by INEC

HE Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC) had one year to prepare for the Anambra State governorship election. Following the Ondo State governorship poll, its Chairman, Prof. Attahiru Jega, said that the agency would focus on the next electoral challenge and ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. However, not only were the mistakes repeated, the INEC emerged last weekend as the greatest obstacle to free and fair elections in the country. The failure of the commission to hold a hitch-free poll has heightened the fear that future elections may also be jeopardised by the unpatriotic elements in the agency. In many polling units, the ballot box was assaulted. The late arrival of polling materials, shortage of electoral manpower, absence of polling officers and disputed voters’ registers marred the poll. Where there were voting sheets, the result sheets were absent. On Saturday, the election was inconclusive. Many polling areas had been excluded by the electoral officers without explanation In Obosi, Idemili Council, Onitsha, Nnewi and Awka, the state capital.. Many people returned home without exercising their franchise. Those who waited behind to protest the absence of their names on the register still forfeited their right to vote. Alarmed at the glaring incompetence of the electoral officers, Jega admitted that a failed election was conducted by his men. He immediately handed over the Polling Officer in charge of Idemili Council to the police for interrogation. The candidates and leaders of the political parties were embarrassed. Little did they think that the decision of the umpire to “clean up” the voter’s register will result into the massive disenfranchisement of voters. “INEC has moved a step forward and several steps backward”, complained the All Progressives Congress (APC) candidate, Dr. Chris Ngige. “We have reasons to believe that polling materials were not supplied deliberately to places considered as my areas of strength. In Alor, Nnewi and Obosi, the preparation was poor. Voting did not take place in many places”, added the senator, who accused INEC of partiality and incompetence. His Progressives Peoples Alliance (PPA) counterpart, Chief Godwin Ezeemo, frowned at the late arrival of materials in some parts of the state. He said the materials did not get to Umuchu, Aguta Council, in time, although many people had been accredited around 11 am. Also, Chief Ifeanyi Ubah of Labour Party (LP) warned that the people may lose faith in the commission, judging by the flawed exercise. To for Tony Nwoye, the PDP candidate, it was a different ball game. He had complained to reporters in the morning about the late arrival of materials, but when the register was opened, he got the shock of his life. His name was not found. Nwoye alleged that the delay was a ploy by the opposition to disenfran-

the names of voters in the local government, despite the assurances of the INEC Chairman. ‘’Before the election, political parties were given voter’s registers that largely contained the names of most voters. However, about four days to the election, Jega said at an interactive stakeholder’s forum that there were problems with the registers, which would be rectified before the election. However, when the supposedly-corrected registers were brought back, most of the authentic names in them have disappeared without explanation,’’ Mohammed fumed. N the opinion of the APC leaders, Onukogu was very partial and incompetent. The commission under him also exhibited unprofessional conduct in the 2011 elections, the party said. ‘’In 2011, when Prof. Onukogu conducted the general elections in the state, he was very partial. During the House of Assembly polls in Onitsha South 11 and Idemili South 11, he declared the results of both inconclusive, only for him to announce the results at 12 midnight. “After we challenged the results in court and a rerun was ordered, we won both constituencies. We subsequently petitioned INEC and the Commission assured us that the same person will not be allowed to conduct subsequent election. Alas, he was left in place to do another damage to INEC as an institution through his glaring incompetence and partiality, which have seriously affected the credibility of this governorship election,’’ Mohammed added. Former Minister of Information Prof. Dora Akunyili said in Agulu, where she was accredited that there were few INEC officials. She called for the review of the electoral timeframe. “I have been accredited and I am waiting for the 12.30pm time to be counted and vote. But I must say that the timeframe is not very helpful as many voters may not be able to make it back by then. We must not disenfranchise anybody. If you look at this place now, this is past 12 noon and only one INEC official is here. Look at the long queue. When will they all be accredited and when will they vote?” she queried. At about 4.30 p.m, there were signs that the poll had failed. The INEC Office, Awka, which was the final collation centre, was devoid of activities. No result had come from any local government. Instead, stakeholders inundated the office with various complaints. Some people stormed the office, complaining that election had not started in three polling centres in Ogidi – Ilo Ngwodo Ward 1, Central School Akpakaogwe, and Eke Ngweje Ward 1. Also, prospective voters allegedly attacked INEC Electoral Officers for failing to present the result sheet to them before beginning accreditation. At Afor Agulu Square, Awka South, reputed to be the largest ward in Anambra, the exercise became rowdy during the counting of votes.

From Left: APC governorship candidate for Anambra State election, Sen. Chris Ngige; his Campaign DirectorGeneral, Mr. George Moghalu, and APC Southeast Zonal Publicity Secretary, Mr. Osita Okechukwu, during a news conference on conduct of the election in Awka, Anambra State ... yesterday.

• Obiano (right) being accredited at the polling centre.

chise voters in his area. “My finding is that it is a desperate move by my opposition to win the election. I gathered that materials arrived other polling booths as early as 6.30 a.m., but as you can see, no material has arrived my polling booth for inexplicable reasons. I have called the federal commissioner in charge of the Southeast to make my complaints known to him and he expressed shock. For materials that moved since last night to local government areas not to have reached polling booths by this time, is an attempt to provoke

the youth and disenfranchise them,” he said. However, the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) candidate, Chief Willie Obiano, was not perturbed. He gave INEC a pass mark, saying :”So far, INEC is doing well.” Midway into the exercise, the APC leadershipit would not accept the results of the election, unless there is voting in all local governments areas, especially in Idemili North, Idemili South and Akwa South. Its Interim National Publicity Secretary, Alhaji Layiwola Mohammed, chided INEC for “apparently-con-

trived logistics nightmare”. The party called for the removal of the Resident Electoral Commissioner for Anambra, Prof. Chukwuemeka Onukogu. In Idemili Local Government, there are 180,000 voters. But the materials meant for the area was allegedly hijacked by unidentified persons. Mohammed complained that the materials meant for the strongholds of APGA and PDP were protected. The APC also expressed dismay at the fact that the voter registers for Idemili South, where Ngige comes from, did not contain

‘Following the Ondo State governorship poll, Prof. Attahiru Jega said that the agency will focus on the next electoral challenge and ensure that the mistakes of the past are not repeated. However, not only were the mistakes repeated, the INEC emerged last weekend as the greatest obstacle to free and fair elections in the country’

•Continued on page 48

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

POLITICS ANAMBRA 2013

Umpire as burden •Continued from page 47

Voters were anxious and eager to know the result. At Central School 1, Akpakaogwe, in Ogidi, Idemili North, an election officer said she was beaten up by the youths at the polling station. “They requested for the result sheet and I told them we don’t have it yet. They insisted they must see it and began to hit me. They were dragging me, took the ballot paper, and squeezed the register,” said the NYSC member. N some areas, policemen pretended as if nothing was happening when some Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) chieftains stormed polling units to give money to prospective voters in Akaboukwu Ward 2, Uruagu Nnewi, and Edoji, Uruagu Nnewi. In the afternoon, there was uproar in Awka among the election observers. Many of them had been rounded up by the poloce and detained. But four hours later, INEC’s Director of Monitoring, Bala Ibrahim Shittu, said that they had been released. A voter, Chigbundu Ositadinma, complained that INEC did not prepare for the challenge beyond the rhetoric on the pages of news papers. “We registered to vote and now, we cannot vote. Why is our name not on the register? This is not an election,” he said. According to observers, less than 50 per cent of the registered voters voted. Asked if they tried to confirm their names when the register was published before the election, some of the affected would-be voters said they did not know when the list was published. Others said that the list was not pasted. It was rowdy across the state. Voices were raised. “They won’t tell us anything. We are stranded here,” said another would-be voter Felix Udoji. “I have been here since 9 a.m,” he said. The time was about 2 p.m. “We were told that INEC officials were are bringing another list containing more names, and that our names would be there, but up till now nothing has happened. “People have even started going home due to tiredness,” Udigi added. As at 1.30pm when this reporter left the polling unit, voting was yet to begin. There were similar tales in several other poling units. A voter, Uchenna Nwaneri, told our reporter: “In my unit, only names from ‘A’ to ‘N’ were found in the list. But ‘O’ to ‘Z’ didn’t come in the register. We made enquiries and complained, and there was no response. “It’s really quite worrisome because they have disenfranchised many people actually. It looks like something that is intentional, because we used the same register to vote in the 2011 presidential election in the same polling booth. “The names were placed before the election, but have all been torn ou,” Nwaneri said. There were early signs that there would be hitches. Accreditation did not begin at various polling units on time because voting materials arrived late. The exercise, which ought to begin by 8am, did not begin in several places as at 11am. At a voting unit in Ogbankwa, Awka South Local Government Area, accreditation began at about 10.am. There was confusion over a voting centre in Nziko in Oyi Local Government Area as two major polling units were urgently relocated for security reasons. Voters were said to have come out for accreditation but did not meet any official in the units said to be located in a forest. It was

were incomplete. In some places, result sheets were not included among materials distributed. Ngige lamented that the attempt was aimed at reducing the votes in his stronghold, and said he felt betrayed by INEC, which had promised during the stakeholders meeting to deliver a credible election. HERE were no result sheets in most of the polling units visited in Alor and Uke in Idemili South. National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members who were used as presiding officers in Idemili North LGA, which is Ngige’s strong base, were said to have embarked on strike in the early hours of the day because they allegedly were not paid their allowances. At Igbo-Ukwu in Aguata Local Government Area, a former governor of Anambra State, Dr. Chukwumeka Ezeife, prayed that future elections in the state would be better. “With the proposed national dialogue, I am very confident that things would work for the better and the next election in Anambra State would be devoid of these irregularities,’ he said. Following the hiccups, INEC rescheduled election in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government area. But few people turned out to vote yesterday. It was unlike Saturday when polling units were filled with people. Several units had few people voting. Ngige was at the INEC headquarters yesterday to submit a protest letter, in which the APC demanded fresh elections in four local government areas and rejected the rescheduled election. He told reporters, who kept vigil at the INEC office for early collated results to come in, that there was a calculated attempt to alter the people’s will. “As a political party and as a candidate, the idea of conducting election on a Sunday is against the principles and beliefs of members of our party. Sunday is a holy day, a day of rest for Christians, and we don’t want to impinge on the sensibilities of our supporters. “A lot of them called us since that announcement was made on radio, so we came to intimate the commission that even members of the clergy who would have even assisted us with announcing the rescheduling have stoutly refused to do so, and told us that that their masses and church services start from 6-7 a.m and that the last ones end about 2-2.30 p.m. That’s about the time you do accreditation and do the voting,” Ngige said. INEC Chairman Prof Attahiru Jega, speaking on AIT, said the Electoral Act did not say that election cannot hold on a Sunday. “The law did not stop the holding of an election on any particular day. Where the exigencies require, and when you get the consent of the community, then it can be done,” Jega said. The INEC Chairman attributed the challenges encountered in Idemili to an act of sabotage by its official, who he said had been handed over to the police. He said further investigation would be conducted. On the missing names in the registers, Jega said they were those who did not update their data during the last verification exercise. The missing names were those on ‘addendum lists’ which the commission is trying to do away with, Jega said.

• Prof. Jega

learnt that the centre was eventually moved near a school. Presiding Officers were forced to extend the time allotted for accreditation of voters. In most voting units in Aguata Local Government, voters complained of similar challenges. In a voting centre at the Civic Centre in Umuchu Ward 1, accreditation was said to have started a few minutes to 11am. Ezeemo said the presiding officer in Civic Centre Unit 001 asked him to return by 2.30pm when voting will start. “INEC officials told me voting will start by 2.30pm because materials arrived late. The Presiding Officer said there were delays. Reports I have received from other places also show that materials arrived late in various centres,” he said. In Ihiala Local Government Area, electoral officers encountered logistics problems caused by the reposting of some ad-hoc staff, caused by the withdrawal of some of the staff over allowance issues. The candidate of the PDP, Mr. Tony Nwoye, could not vote at the Offia Nta Nsugbe Ward 1 unit 008 because his name was not on the voter register. “We couldn’t even find the names of my father, my mother, my uncle and wife on the register. When I first came at 10am this morning, the INEC officials told me they would trace the anomaly and rectify it,” he said. Nwoye returned to the polling unit at 3:30pm, yet his name was found. Out of the 500 people who registered in the unit, only 50 found theirs. Electoral materials were not enough in most of the polling units in the stronghold of the All Progressive Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Ngige. Where there were materials, they

‘About four days to the election, Prof Jega said at an interactive stakeholders forum that there were problems with the registers, which would be rectified before the election. However, when the supposedlycorrected registers were brought back, most of the authentic names in them have disappeared without explanation’

In this interim report, the Coalition of Democrats for Electoral Reforms (CODER), which monitored the Anambra State governorship election, highlights the irregularities in the poll and what the electoral commission can do to avert the mistakes in the future.

‘It’s a failed exercise’

NAMBRA State governorship election was greeted with much anticipation and hope because both INEC and citizens see it as a litmus test for 2015 general elections. While we must commend the people of Anambra for having conducted themselves in a peaceful manner so far, reports from our observers deployed across the state shows critical areas the election has fallen short of people’s expectations. Some of the irregularities observed in some local governments include ballot snatching, massive thump printing, lateness of materials to polling units, absence of INEC officials and materials at some polling units, inadequate logistic provision for security officers deployed from other states, hostile polling officers to observers, complicity of the security agents in electoral fraud, display of campaign posters and a host of other irregularities were observed in some (sensitive) local governments in the state. CODER observed that election materials did not arrive on time in many polling units specifically in Idemili North, South and Ihiala local government. In Nnokwa Ward, Idemili South LGA, names starting with O-Z were missing from voters register. As at 1pm, no INEC officials or materials were seen in Nkpor 4, Idemili North LGA. As a result of late arrivals of voting materials, accreditation could not start on time in Idemili South, Idemili North and Ogbaru LGAs. Although accreditation and voting periods were extended in some of these polling units, INEC needs to do more to enhance people’s confidence in the polls. Furthermore, CODER observers report that many polling officers in Awka south were hostile and seem not to possess the knowledge of the role of observers in an election. Information that would help observers fill their checklists were denied them and security officials were used to intimidate and harass duly accredited observers. We therefore seize this opportunity to call on INEC to provide adequate training for its polling officers on the complimentary role observers plays in an election before deploying them to the field. From the foregoing, to increase the credibility of the polls in this election in fairness to all candidates, it is important that INEC conducts a rerun election in four local governments where massive irregularities and electoral fraud were recorded as against the three wards in Idemili North comprising only 65 polling units. The rationale for this call is to address the palpable notion that there was a deliberate attempt to subvert people’s choice and ensure a particular candidate whose supporters and strong base are in these LGAs does not win in these areas. The second reason is that with the combined voting population of these LGAs at over 300,000, it becomes imperative for INEC to show the election itself as an unbiased umpire by adhering to the wishes of the people to have rerun in these three LGAs. Some of the specific electoral malpractices and fraud observed in these local governments are: · Most fraud committed in the election happened in Idemili North and South local government which happens to be the support base of one of the candidates. There appears to be a deliberate attempt to subvert people’s mandate in these areas · Some wards did not see any INEC officials nor voting materials two hours after voting ought to have commenced · At Ogidi Ward 2, polling unit 007/008, Idemili North, people refused to vote due to absence of result booklet. At PU 007, one Obiora Okonkwo came in company of policemen with vehicle number PF 2317 SPY. He asked one Bassey Effiong (Force No. 375774) to force people to vote but they were resisted · It was alleged that APGA and PDP were offering 10,000 naira to each polling officers and non credible observers to allow them operate freely in Nteje ward, PU 004, Ama Okpo and Orikabi · No election materials and no result sheets at Nbakwu · Election materials diverted at Ethel Obiakor Estate, Awka South · Insufficient polling officers noticed in Nnewi LGA, Assistant Polling officers were introduced to fill the shortfall without prior training. · No result booklet brought to Ogidi ward 2, polling units 007/008, Idemili North LGA. · Police made vulnerable to electoral fraud due to lack of logistics for their accommodation and feeding. We therefore join our voices with other Nigerians to call on INEC not to declare any results relating to the election until a rerun election is conducted in the local governments where many citizens were disenfranchised from exercising their constitutional rights rather than the few polling units it plans to repeat the exercise. CODER also appeals to INEC and security agencies not to only document but put to use lessons gleaned from this election to improve the conduct of future ones’.

Metuh: Poll was peaceful

HE Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) yesterday expressed satisfaction with the Anambra State governorship poll, saying that it was peaceful. The party also President Goodluck Jonathan for providing adequate security and an enabling environment for credible, free and fair election, in spite of the perceived hitches. The National Publicity Secretary, Chief Olisa Metuh, said in a statement that the party is also satisfied with the performance of its candidate, Comrade Tony Nwoye, at the poll. He said: “The Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) hereby commends President Goodluck Jonathan for providing adequate security and the enabling environment for the conduct of credible, free and fair governorship election in Anambra State last Saturday in spite of any perceived hitch(es) “In the same vein we commend the entire people of Anambra State and all stakeholders, who played key roles in ensuring peaceful and orderly conduct of the process. “While we now await the official result, we wish to express our satisfaction that the election was conducted without disturbances, despite the massive importation of political thugs to introduce violence, disrupt and rig the poll. “We also commend the candidate of our great party, Comrade Tony Nwoye for his resilience, grass root appeal and credible outing which brought him to the forefront in the race despite having only two weeks to campaign. “While we charge all our members to continue to remain calm and focused, we wish to state that our final position on the election will be made known when the overall result is declared by the INEC.” • Metuh

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

USEFUL PHONE NUMBERS ON ANY EMERGENCY Council endorsed the useful phone numbers submitted by the security agents in case of any emergency on the metropolitan Roads. Accordingly, the public may easily contact KAROTA for: Breakdown of Vehicle(s), Traffic Congestion, Accidents, and Illegal/Wrong Parking on – 08091626747. Similarly, the State Police Command could be contacted on – 08032419754, 08123821575. In addition, the State Fire Service can also be contacted on – 07051246833, 08191778888.

123RD KANO STATE EXECUTIVE COUNCIL MEETING

t the one hundred and twenty-two (122th) sitting of the Council, thirty-two (32) memoranda from eleven (11) MDAs were submitted for deliberation. Out of this number, nineteen (19) were approved for execution with an expenditure of Three Billion, One Hundred and Sixteen Million, Five Hundred and Seventy Six Thousand, Seven Hundred and Eighty Seven Naira, Seven Kobo (N3,116,576,787.07) covering ten (10) projects. The remaining nine (9) were on policy issues. Presently, there is widespread recognition that the State is now experiencing profound technological, social, economic and political change. There is now certainty about the nature and meaning of these changes. It is becoming glaringly clear that this administration's transforming process is bringing rapid infrastructural development, improved healthcare delivery, qualitative educational and agricultural system. Kano State is witnessing unprecedented infrastructural changes with numerous projects springing up in every nook and cranny of the State. The gigantic transformation projects being implemented is in fulfillment of the Governor's campaign and inauguration promises. Governor Rabiu Musa Kwankwaso has surpassed his predecessors in one fundamental aspect, which is 'keeping to his promises' to transform the State to be a shining example to be emulated by others. As usual the One Hundred and Twenty Third (123rd) sitting of the Kano State Executive Council was held today Wednesday 13th November, 2013 (10th Muharram, 1435 AH) under the Chairmanship of Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. Twelve (12) MDAs submitted forty-two (42) memoranda for deliberation after which Council approved Twenty-Six (26) for execution with an expenditure of Nineteen Billion, Four Hundred and Forty Three Million, Ninety Two Thousand, Four Hundred and Twenty Five Naira (N19,443,092,425.00) covering twenty one (21) projects as follows: 1. OFFICE OF THE SECRETARY TO THE STATE GOVERNMENT Nine (9) of the seventeen (17) memoranda submitted on behalf of some MDAs from this Office were approved after deliberation by Council. Thus: a) Presentation of Request for the Improvement of Infrastructure at Corporate Security Institute, Gabasawa:The Corporate Security Institute, Gabasawa is among the twenty-one (21) Tertiary Institutions established by the present administration. The Institute had successfully taken - off and graduated two (2) batches of trainees already in the course of which authorities at the Institute deemed it necessary to request for the improvement of infrastructure at the Institute to meet standards of its status. The Institute forwarded Eight (8) requests, which were appraised by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government, which endorsed and forwarded the following six (6) prayers on behalf of the Institute for consideration and approval by Council. i. Directing the Institute to liaise with Special Service Directorate when preparing its budget proposal for 2014 so as to include all requirements. ii. Approve the release of the sum of N200,000.00 as monthly overhead for running the Corporate Security Institute, Gabasawa. iii. Directing the Institute to liaise with the State Ministry of Health for the supply of required drugs at the Institute. iv. Directing the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to handle all issues regarding the building of Female Hostel and building of Staff Quarters at the Institute. v. Approve the release of a token sumas monthly allowances to each trainee for the three (3) months duration of the Course. vi. Directing the Institute to submit cost implications for the Walkie - talkie, Metal Detector, Power Point and Fire Extinguishers for consideration. Council acknowledged and approved the execution of the six (6) prayers forwarded by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government on behalf of the Corporate Security Institute, Gabasawa. b) Presentation of Report on Constituency Projects 2009 from SUBEB and Request for Funds to Enable the Settlement of Outstanding Payment for Works Executed:The contents of this memorandum reminded Council of its directive issued via Executive Council Extract NO. SSCA/CA/EX/ I/1075 of 2nd April, 2013 that all Contractors handling Constituency Projects of 2009 should return to site. All did and were appropriately paid except Messrs. Metrimpex Trade Services Ltd. who was omitted from the list though had satisfactorily completed to 100% level the Contract awarded to him. Details were presented to Council for consideration along with the request for the release of the sum of N6,157,637.51 to enable the payment for the projects executed at Madatai Special Primary School in Municipal LGCA by Messrs. Metrimpex Trade Services Ltd. Acknowledging the presentation, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N6,157,637.51 as recommended by the State Ministry of Education to enable the payment for the Constituency Project executed at Madatai Special Primary School in Municipal LGCA. c) Presentation of Proposed Workshop on Enlightenment of Stakeholders on Commodity Support Centers (CSCs):The cited proposed workshop was forwarded to the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources from the Office of the Senior Special Assistant (Agriculture) (SSAA), which was concurred and endorsed by the Office of the Secretary to the State Government. Conducting the proposed workshop was endorsed as appropriate so as to ensure efficiency, transparency and continuity of activities at the Commodity Support Centers across the State. Seven (7) topics to be presented and discussed at the workshop were presented to Council for consideration and approval. Appreciating the presentation, Council approved the conduct of the workshop as well as the implementation of the entire Commodity Support Centers (CSCs) programme through KNARDA being an arm of the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. d) Request for Funds to Facilitate the Conduct of Special Training for Women under the Kwankwaso Women Empowerment Programme at Madobi, Garko and Gaya LGCAs:Cognizant of the laudable Women/Youths Empowerment Policy of the present administration, the Special Adviser on Community Reorientation Council submitted the request cited above for the consideration by Council. Specifically, the request was for Council to approve the release of the aggregate sum of N32,000,000.00 to enable the facilitation of the training for women by the following Local Governments; i. Garko Local Government (KWEP) o Government Entrepreneurship Assistance to 1000 Women at the rate of N10,000.00 = N10,000,000.00. o Purchase of training materials and payment of honoraria to Facilitators = N800,000.00. ii. Gaya Local Government (KWEPP) o Government Entrepreneurship Assistance to 1000 Women at the rate of N10,000.00 = N10,000,000.00. o Purchase of training materials and payment of honoraria to Facilitators = N800,000.00. iii. Madobi Local Government (KWAYES) o Government Entrepreneurship Assistance to 500 participants at the rate of N20,000.00 = N10,000,000.00. o Facilitation of the Programme = N400,000.00. Grand total = N32,000,000.00. Congruence of the request with the empowerment policy of the present administration prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N32,000,000.00 to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government for onward payment to the Office of the Special Adviser, CRC to enable the execution of the stated purpose. The LGCs concerned were directed to finance/handle. e) Request for Funds to Enable the Payment of Consultancy Fees on Services Rendered in respect of Tiga and Challawa Gorge Dams Hydroelectricity Projects:In fact, Tiga and Challawa Gorge Dams Hydroelectricity Power Projects are to provide independent electricity to the State. These projects, therefore, require a professional electrical engineering firm that is capable of providing services as Consultant for the efficient execution of the projects. The selection of Messrs. MBS Engineering Ltd as Consultant for the project explains the basis for this memorandum. The Secretary to the State Government intimated Council, through the contents of this memorandum that Messrs. MBS Engineering Ltd appointed to render Consultancy Services in respect of Tiga and Challawa Gorge Dams Hydroelectricity Projects formally requested Consultancy fees of the sum of N419,352,233.66. Council recalled its directives for its Committee to renegotiate the fees charged leading to a downward review of the fees to N230,643,722.68 against the earlier cost of N419,352,233.66. Council deliberated on the contents of the memorandum and the fees charged by the Consulting firm, considered and approved the sum of N209,676,116.53 as Consultancy fees to be paid to Messrs. MBS Engineering Ltd thereby reducing the sum of over N9million from the sum of N230,643,722.68 quoted by the firm. f) Request for Funds to Cater for the Requirements of 400 Lunatics Removed from the Streets Across the 44 LGCAs of Kano State:The Executive Secretary Kano State Rehabilitation Board forwarded the cited request, which was presented for consideration by Council. Seven (7) items amounting to the aggregate sum of N7,070,000.00 were presented as required for the stated purpose. Considering relevance of the request, Council approved release of the aggregate sum of N7,070,000.00 to the Office of the Executive Secretary Kano State Rehabilitation Board to cater for feeding, medication and upkeep of 400 Lunatics removed from the streets across the 44 LGCAs of the State. g) Presentation of Application for Sponsorship/Scholarship from One Labaran Sani Labaran of Kura LGCA:An Indigenous Kano State Citizen of Kura LGCA, Labaran Sani Labaran was offered admission at Novena University, Delta State to study BSc Public and Community Health consequent to which he applied for Government sponsorship. The financial implications to the tune of N984,000.00 were presented to Council for consideration. Council considered the relevance of the Course pursued by the applicant to the Health Sector and approved the release of the

sum of N984,000.00 and mandated the Hon. Commissioner for Local Governments to facilitate the sponsorship of the applicant by Kura Local Government according to the details presented. h) Request for Funds to Enable the Procurement and Allocation of One (1) Unit Toyota Hiace 18 - Seater Bus to Support Activities of the State Union of "Sha'irai":The Union of "Sha'irai" comprises gifted members that create religious awareness amongst the God fearing/ Pious people of Kano State through Songs of Islamic relevance and spiritual significance. Their efforts deserve the support of Kano State Government in providing a serviceable means of mobility to them so as to improve their capability to shuttle from one point to another in the conduct of their wholesome activities. As such, the Office of the Secretary to the State Government requested Council to approve the release of

Rabi’u Musa Kwankawaso

the sum of N7,500,000.00 to enable the procurement and allocation of one (1) unit of Toyota Hiace 18 - Seater Bus in respect of the Union of "Sha'irai". Approval was granted as requested by Council in consideration of appropriateness of the request. i) Request for Funds for the Sponsorship of Ninety (90) Kano State Indigenous Qualified Students to Study Medicine and Pharmacy at various Institutions Abroad:The contents of this memorandum reminded Council of its approval for the sponsorship of 300 Kano State Indigenous Students in three (3) batches of 100 to study Medicine and Pharmacy at various Universities abroad among whom only 183 have secured admission. Office of the Secretary to the State Government presented details in respect of the outstanding approvals regarding ninety (90) students that secured admission in five (5) Universities in two (2) Countries (3 in Sudan, 2 in India) to study MBBS and Pharmacy. Details were presented to Council for consideration along with the financial implication to cover tuition, registration, books accommodation, visa flight ticket, etc. at the total sum of $8,885,800.00 (equivalent to 8,885,800.00 x N160.00 = N1,421,728,000.00). Approval was granted by Council for the release of the aggregate sum of $8,885,800.00 (N1,421,728,000.00) to the Office of the Secretary to the State Government to sponsor ninety (90) students in addition to the already sponsored 183 to study MBBS and Pharmacy in Institutions abroad. Thus, a total of 273 students were sponsoredto study medicine and related courses overseas leaving a balance of twenty seven (27) to attain the approved number of 300 qualified Kano State Indigenous Students targeted for sponsorship to study MBBS and Pharmacy at Institutions abroad. 2. MINISTRY OF LAND AND PHYSICAL PLANNING The Ministry of Land and Physical Planning submitted two (2) memoranda for deliberation by Council. Both were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for Funds to Enable the Provision of Required Infrastructure at Kuyan Ta' Inna Residential and Commercial Layout along Madobi Road:The laudable resolve/policy of the present administration in Kano State to provide decent Residence/Housing and appropriate Commercial Layouts for the Citizenry in the State, prompted the Kano State Executive Council to approve the establishment of Modern Residential and Commercial Layouts at various locations to spread urbanization to all parts of the State. Kwankwasiyya, Bandirawo and Amana Cities herald the process. Kuyan Ta' Inna Residential and Commercial Layout is among the commendable initiatives that was identified as requiring provision of Infrastructure, which requires general clearance of the site for which three (3) Organizations were recommended to undertake as follows: i. KNUPDA to clear 811,130.04M = N82,126,916.55 ii. KARMA to clear 545,957.48M = N55,278,194.85 iii. Ministry of Rural and Community Development (MRCD) to clear 517,662.07M = N52,413,284.59 Total = N189,818,395.99. Nevertheless, Council was requested to approve the release of 50% of the total required amount of money for the commencement of the work (i.e. N94,909,197.99). Council approved the request to enable the commencement of the exercise. b) Presentation of Revised Estimated Total Cost (RETC) for the Expansion of Zaria Road:The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Land and Physical Planning politely reminded Council of the Contract awarded for the expansion of Zaria Road (from Silver Jubilee Roundabout - Dantata and Sawoe Yard) at an initial cost of N5,168,535,902.90, through the contents of this memorandum. Developments in the course of execution of the project resulted in adjustments of the cost of the project to the revised estimated total cost (RETC) of N5,396,914,643.82 as explained to Council, through contents of this memorandum. Thus: o Original Contract sum N5,168,535,902.90 o Less savings N778,434,533.04 o Sub - total before new scope N4,390,101,369.86 o Add new scope N1,006,813,273.97 o Total RETC N5,396,914,643.82 As such, Council was requested to approve the RETC of N5,396,914,643.82 for the continuation of the project on the expansion of Zaria Road with an increase of N228,378,740.92 when compared with the initial sum awarded for the Contract. Council noted, considered and approved as well as directed subsequent payments of the RETC by the Ministry of Finance upon the presentation of valuation certificates on work done. 3. MINISTRY OF HIGHER EDUCATION This Ministry submitted two (2) memoranda for deliberation by Council. Both were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for Funds to Enable the Construction of a 30 - Room Hostel at the University of Maiduguri:The Tertiary Level of the Educational Sector in Kano State has been transformed, as promised, by Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE. The impact is glaring both within and outside the State and even Nations abroad. Two Universities along with twenty one (21) other Tertiary Institutions have been established while multiple number of students have been sponsored for studies in various Courses at Universities abroad and other States in Nigeria. The present administration even extended Kano State Government's support to School of Basic Studies, Funtua, Usman Danfodio University, Sokoto and Bayero University, Kano, among others, by constructing Hostels, Offices, etc. at the Institutions. Cognizant to this laudable performance, the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Higher Education requested Council to approve the release of the sum of N30,722,927.00 to enable the construction of a 30 - room hostel at the University of Maiduguri to augment its capacity to provide accommodation/residence of its students. The hostel is earmarked to be named as Dr./ Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso House to immortalize the deserving personality as Champion for the development of the Education Sector in all ramifications. Council deliberated on the significance of such an undertaking and approved the proposal. b) Presentation of Report on the Crisis in Kano State Polytechnic:Responding to Instructions from Governor Engr. Rabi'u Musa Kwankwaso, FNSE, the Honourable Commissioner Kano State Ministry of Higher Education investigated the cited issue and discovered that the Kano State Polytechnic was indeed in serious crisis that called for Government's immediate intervention so as to avoid the collapse of the Institution. Council deliberated on the need for a Visitation panel and approved the composition of the panel with the following membership: 1. Prof. A. T. Abdullahi Chairman 2. Prof. Aliyu Umar Dikko Member 3. Alh. Ahmad Baba Kurawa Member 4. Engr. A.D.K. Muhammad Member 5. Hajia Sadiya Abdu Bichi Member 6. Representative of Min. of Justice Member 7. Alh. Sa'adu Faruk Min. of High Education Member 8. Alh. Umar Faruk Member 9. Hajiya Zainab M. S Minjibir Member/Secretary The Panel was given two weeks to submit its findings to the Government. 4. MINISTRY OF EDUCATION Both memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Education were approved for execution as follows;

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 a) Request for Funds to Enable the Conversion of Mariri Rehabilitation Center into a Viable Girls' Boarding Secondary School:Applauding the commendable policy of the present administration to convert unused/under - utilized public buildings/ facilities for viable use as Schools, the Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Education submitted the cited request as was assessed to cost the aggregate sum of N256,655,125.30 which was requested for release to enable the execution of the required purpose. Council appraised the request prior to the granting of approval for the release of the requested sum of N256,655,125.30 to the State Ministry of Education to enable the conversion of the Mariri Rehabilitation Center into a viable Girls' Boarding Secondary School according to the specifications presented. b) Presentation of Criteria to be Adopted for Sponsoring Kano State Indigenous Candidates for Payment for Registration for WAEC, NECO, Tahfeez and Tajweed (NBAIS) Examinations for 2014 Session and Request for Funds for the Purpose:Since the year 1994 the tradition to set standards/criteria to select deserving Kano State indigenous candidates graduating from Public Senior Secondary Schools for sponsoring payment of registration fees for external examinations was courageously established by the Kano State Government. From then to date, the Kano Education ResourceDepartment (KERD) and the Arabic, Islamic Education Department (AIED) were mandated to continually set examinations tag - named as "Qualifying Examinations" (QE) aimed at setting standards for the selection. This year is not different. The Qualifying Examinations were conducted as usual and performance of the Candidates were assessed and evaluated by the traditionally designated "Award Committee" whose deliberations informed the State Ministry of Education to forward two (2) criteria along with the necessary statistics and required funds for consideration by Council. Thus: o Criteria 1 Because most Tertiary Institutions in Nigeria and abroad prefer admitting students with 5 credits and/or above including English Language and Mathematics, the State Government should sponsor candidates who achieved this standard. The salient statistics were presented as follows; i. At KERD 65,198 candidates wrote the QE (2013). 26.24% or 17,109 scored 5 credits and/or above including English Language and Mathematics. ii. At AIED 8,887 candidates wrote the QE (2013). 42.75% or 3,799 scored 5 credits and above including Arabic and Islamic Studies in the SAISS QE. 1,282 candidates wrote the QE (2013) 68.64% or 880 scored 5 credits and above including Arabic and Islamic Studies for NBAIS QE. Total = 21,788 candidates. Cost implications to the State Government in respect of candidates of this category of standards from their performance in the Qualifying Examinations 2013 conducted as regards their registration for the 2014 final examination to be conducted by WAEC, SAISS and NBAIS was presented to Council for consideration to the tune of N217,076,500.00. o Criteria 2 Local Government Councils are to sponsor candidates who scored 5 credits and above including English Language i. At KERD 65,198 candidates wrote the QE (2013).28.44% or 18,542 scored 5 credits and above including English Language. ii. At AIED 8,887 candidates wrote the QE (2013).48.69% or 4,327 scored 4 credits including Arabic and Islamic Studies in SAISS QE. Total = 22,869 candidates Cost implications to the 44 LGCAs across the State for candidates of this category of students was presented to Council for consideration to the tune of N232,125,000.00. As such, based on the two (2) criteria, Council was requested to approve the release of the aggregate sum of N449,201,500.00 for the registration of 44,557 candidates for the 2014 WAEC, SAISS and NBAIS Examinations by the State Government and the 44 LGCAs. Council approved as requested and mandated the Office of the Deputy Governor/Honourable Commissioner, Ministry for Local Governments to facilitate Local Government Interim Management Officers (IMOs) sponsorship of their candidates. 5. MINISTRY OF WOMEN AFFAIRS AND SOCIAL DEVELOPMENT One (1) of the two (2) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from this Ministry was approved for execution. Thus: Request for Funds to Enable the Renovation of Gyadi - Gyadi Child Day Care Center:Modernization ushered in the proliferation of not only nuclear families but existence of respectively employed/productive couples mutually responsible/beneficial to each other, their immediate and extended families as well as the society at large. Each of such couples could be a professional providing his skilled services for wages from an employer, which could be Public/Government or Private/Company. Again, any of the two or both could be self - employed requiring being away from home for long hours especially typical working days or even weekend and Public holidays. Usually, the working places/environments are not Child friendly to which nursing mothers could carry their children especially the suckling ones. The contents of this memorandum informed Council that, Child Day Care Centers are established to provide solutions for such mothers and the Gyadi - Gyadi Child Day Care Center is one of those owned by the Kano State Government under the auspices/supervision of the Ministry of Women Affairs and Social Development. Operations at the Center are reportedly at standstill due to the dilapidated condition of structures and deteriorated facilities, which call for renovation and reactivation. Requirements were assessed to cost N19,567,559.55 which was requested for release by Council to enable the execution of the stated purposes. Council approved the release of the requested sum of N19,567,559.55 to the Ministry of Women Affairs and Development to enable the renovation/reactivation of the Gyadi - Gyadi Child Day Care Center in order to make it functional once again so as to bring succor to carrier/professional sucking mothers who typically use the services rendered there. 6. MINISTRY OF WORKS, HOUSING AND TRANSPORT The Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport submitted four (4) memoranda for deliberation by Council out of which two (2) were approved for execution as follows: a) Request for the Release of Funds to Enable the Construction of Circular Concrete Sewage Drain at Kwankwaso Town:Provision of qualitative infrastructure and Public Utilities to the citizenry in Kano State irrespective of preferred place/ location of residence (be it urban, semi - urban or rural), is among the laudable preoccupations of the present administration in the State. Consider the multiple mega projects in progress on construction/repairs/maintenance of infrastructure especially roads, flyovers, drainages, sewages, etc. across the State. Itemization is beyond this medium. Only celebrated examples can be cited which include the following: o Construction of flyovers on/along prominent major roads in the municipality, o Construction of Wuju - Wuju Road over Jakara/Kwarin Gogau Rivers, o Construction of 5KM dual carriageways with streetlights at the Headquarters of the 44 LGCAs of the State, o Expansion of Zaria Road, Hadejia Road, Gwarzo Road, etc. In this vein, Kwankwaso Town was identified to be in acute need of the construction of concrete sewage drain to solve the perennial flooding problem experienced there with advent of every rainy season. This approach was chosen due its simplicity, ease in cleaning and provision of clean, healthy and aesthetic environment. Council was presented with details on the scope of works required along with the financial implications to the tune of N72,197,121.27, which was requested for release to enable the execution of the project. The request was fully appraised prior to granting of approval by Council for the release of the requested sum of N72,197,121.27 to the Ministry of Works, Housing and Transport to enable the construction of concrete sewage drain at Kwankwaso Town to solve the perennial flooding problem there. b) Request for Funds for the Construction of 1.76KM Long Flyover and Nine (9) Clovers On/Along Murtala Muhammad Way (from WAPA Roundabout to Tafawa Balewa Road Over Yan' Kura and Bata Roundabout):The cumbersome and tiresome traffic congestion experienced at the cited portion of Murtala Muhammad Way, considered a distinguishing feature/signature of urban Kano and its business district, will soon become history, courtesy of the present administration in the State. A flyover will be constructed over the site in order to ease vehicular and pedestrian traffic movement in the area. Details on the scope of works required were presented to Council for consideration along with the request for the release of the aggregate sum of N10,180,245,223.03 for the project. Resolve of the present administration to provide for the aspirations of the good people of Kano State, prompted Council to approve the release of the requested sum of N10,180,245,223.03 for the project. 7. MINISTRY OF INFORMATION, INTERNAL AFFAIRS, YOUTHS, SPORTS AND CULTURE One (1) of the two (2) memoranda submitted from this Ministry was approved for execution after deliberation by Council. Thus; Presentation of Report from the 2 - Member Committee on the Establishment of Sports Primary Schools in Kano State:On 30th October, 2013 Council inaugurated the cited Committee during its sitting. The Committee was assigned to study the possibility of establishing Sports Primary Schools for upcoming youths with interest in sports. The Committee promptly executed its assignment and forwarded the following two (2) options any of which could be approved at Council's discretion. Viz;; i. The already established Shehu Minjibir Boarding Primary School along with the subsequent two (2) Boarding Primary Schools earmarked for establishment could serve as the envisaged Sports Primary Schools based on the available Boarding facilities, play grounds and can have the entire three (3) Senatorial Zones as catchment for their students. ii. Three (3) Day Primary Schools were presented as the second option for consideration and approved by Council based on available facilities for games and number of feeder Primary Schools in their respective vicinity. They include the following: o Kawaji Jigirya Primary School - Kano Central Senatorial District. o Dambatta Yamma Special Primary School - Kano North Senatorial District. o Gwarmai Primary School - Kano South Senatorial District. Council appreciated the presentation and approved execution of option (i.) 8. MINISTRY OF PLANNING AND BUDGET Both memoranda submitted from the Ministry of Planning and Budget for deliberation by Council were approved for execution as follows:; a) Request for Release of State and Local Government Councils Counterpart Cash Contribution for 2013 MDGs Conditional Grants Scheme LGA Track:The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Planning and Budget triumphantly substantiated to Council, through the contents of this memorandum, the benefits derived from the cited Scheme. Highlights of what transpired in 2012 were presented to Council that, under the on - going 2012 MDGs to LGCAs at Bagwai, Bunkure, Kunchi, Minjibir, Sumaila and Warawa various projects are being implemented in the Health, Water and Sanitation and Education Sectors. A total of 265 different constructions work, 168 Water Boreholes drilling, supply of 166 Medical/Education equipment and 141 repairs/renovation works are being executed.

51 These were made possible by the availability of N200,000,000.00 provided to each of the six (6) Local Government Councils under the Scheme whereby the Federal Government provided N100,000,000.00, State Government N60,000,000.00 and each LGCAs N40,000,000.00 to total up to N200,000,000.00. Relatedly, N200,000,000.00 is expected to be made available to each of the six Local Government Councils for the 2013 version of the programme for which Council was requested to release the sum of N360,000,000.00 as State Government Contribution and N240,000,000.00 forthesix (6) LGCAs concerned. Council noted, considered and approved the release of the counterpart contribution of N360,000,000.00 from the State Government and N240,000,000.00 from the six (6) LGCAs concerned for the implementation of the 2013 version of the MDGs Conditional Grant Scheme LGA (i.e. N600,000,000.00). This will make the sum of N1,200,000,000.00 available for the Scheme when added to the same amount of money to be released by the Federal Government under the Scheme in 2013. b) Request for Kano State Government Counterpart Cash Contribution for 2013 MDGs Conditional Grants Scheme State Track:The contents of this memorandum notified Council that approval was granted for the participation and submission of application to undertake MDGs related projects in collaboration with the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on MDGs (OSSAP - MDGs) for the 2013 CGS State Track. The sum of N1,200,000,000.00 was earmarked to be contributed between the State and Federal on 50 : 50 ratio basis. Importantly, for the 2013 MDG - CGS State Track, Kano applied to carryout general renovation of Kura, Tudun Wada and Wudil General Hospitals; including the procurement of equipment to establish Dental Units in six (6) selected Hospitals: Ultra - Sound Scanning Machines, additional Ambulances for the Kwankwasiyya Medical Outreach Scheme and repairs of X - Ray and other essential Machines. As such, Council was requested to approve the release of the sum of N600,000,000.00 as 50% contribution for 2013 MDGs Conditional Grants Scheme State Track. This will add up to N1,200,000,000.00 considering the release of N600,000,000.00 from the Federal Government. Relevance of the MDGs Conditional Grant Scheme State Track to the general development process of Kano State prompted Council to approve the release of the sum of N600,000,000.00 to the relevant authorities as the Kano State contribution to the Scheme for the Year 2013. 9. MINISTRY OF RURAL AND COMMUNITY DEVELOPMENT One (1) of the two (2) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from this Ministry was approved for execution as follows: Presentation of Request for Approval/Permission to Change the Project of Inter - town Connectivity (ITC) of Zarewa - Sundu, Jajaye, Tsamiyya and Tsara Villages in Rogo LGCA to Installation of Two (2) 11KV Electricity Transformers at Yankatsari Town in D/Kudu LGCA:The contents of this memorandum substantiated approval and release of the sum of N14,512,344.00 for the project earmarked for change as cited via Council Extract NO: SSCA/CA/EX/18/1/63 dated 16th April, 2013. Notably, the change will cost the sum of N14,069,092.00 which does not imply any increase to the approved and released sum of money for the earlier project. So, permission from the Council was requested for change of the project site and purpose. Council appraised the request and approved the return of the earlier approved sum of money for the original project back to the Government Treasury with the presentation of evidence for compliance. Then, a fresh and specific request for funds for the installation of two (2) 11KVA electricity transformers at Yankatsari Town can be submitted for consideration. 10. OFFICE OF THE HEAD OF CIVIL SERVICE This Office submitted three (3) memoranda for deliberation by Council, two (2) of which were approved for execution as follows: a) Presentation of the Draft Bill for the Establishment of the Kano State Micro - Finance Agency and Connected Purpose:The Head of Civil Service reminded Council of its directive issued to him during its sitting on 6th November, 2013 on the cited issue. The Draft Bill was studied and examined along with the genesis of its preparation by the State Ministry of Justice. The Draft Bill has the potential of improving the much desired Micro - Finance activities for the overall development of the State if Kano Micro - Finance Agency (KASMA) is established. As such, Council was requested to approve the transmission of the Draft Bill for the establishment of KASMA to the State House of Assembly for passage into Law. Acknowledging the presentation, Council approved as requested. b) Request for Funds to Enable the Settlement/Payment of Rural Posting Incentive Allowances (RPIA) to Midwives and CHEWS Deployed to Kano State:Statutory Provisions on the request cited prompted Council to approve release of the sum of N49,860,000.00 to the Office of the Head of Civil Service to address the purpose according to the details presented for consideration. 11. MINISTRY OF HEALTH One (1) of the two (2) memoranda submitted for deliberation by Council from the Ministry of Health was approved for execution. Thus: Request for Funds for the Implementation of November, 2013 Maternal, New Born and Child (MNCHW) Week in Kano State:The Honourable Commissioner, Ministry of Health endorsed and supported the implementation of the Maternal, new Born and Child week with the purchase of commodities, conduct of training, social mobilization, monitoring/supervision and flag - off ceremony at the aggregate sum of N7,041,100.00 which was requested for release by Council. Considering the relevance of the programme to Healthcare Delivery, Council approved the release of the requested sum of N7,041,100.00 to the Ministry of Health to enable the implementation of the stated programme. 12. MINISTRY OF AGRICULTURE AND NATURAL RESOURCES Presentation of Request for Funds for State Hosting and Participating in CADP/SCPZ Mission (12th - 17th November, 2013):The established Kano State Commercial Agriculture Development Project submitted the cited request to the State Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources. Details were presented to Council for consideration along with the request for approval for the release of the sum of N1,285,200.00 for hosting the Mission Team in the Kano Center. Council noted, considered and approved the release of the requested sum of N1,285,200.00 to the Ministry of Agriculture and Natural Resources to enable the execution of the stated purpose. UPDATE ON ACTIVITIES OF THE 123RD EXCO SITTING 1. OFFICIAL WORKING VISIT BY THE JOINT NATIONAL ASSEMBLY COMMITTEE ON MDGs (SENATE/HOUSE OF REPRESENTATIVES) TO THE STATE Council acknowledged the official working visit by the Joint National Assembly Committee on MDGs as part of their Constitutional responsibility. Among the places they visited are Murtala Muhammad Specialist Hospital, School of Nursing Madobi, Gwarzo General Hospital and the three (3) new cities of Kwankwasiyya, Amana and Bandirawo. The Committee commended the State Government's tireless efforts to improve the lots of its people. 2. ACADEMIC PROGRESS REPORT OF THE STATE SPONSORED 501 POSTGRADUATE STUDENTS 2012/2013 ACADEMIC SESSION FROM THEIR UNIVERSITIES ABROAD Council delightfully noted the presentation of progress report on the sponsored students undergoing postgraduates' courses overseas. The academic progress report was impressive with most of the students scoring "A'' in their examinations. Some of these reports are from Meliksah University Turkey, Zirve University Turkey, Atilim University Turkey, Jordan University of Science & Technology and Liaoning University of Technology China. 3. SWEARING -IN OF A NEWLY APPOINTED COMMISSIONER AND TWO LOCAL GOVERNMENT COUNCIL INTERIM MANAGEMENT OFFICERS Council witnessed the swearing-in of a newly appointed Commissioner, Malam Tajuddeen Gambo who was posted to the State Ministry of Education and two Interim Management Officers. The Interim Management Officers are Pharmacist Magaji Dahiru Zarewa posted to Bichi Local Government Area and Musa Ali Kachako posted to Makoda Local Government Area. The newly appointed were urged to be honest, hardworking and to support Government's initiative and policies. 4. INAUGURATION CEREMONY OF TWO COMMITTEES Council witnessed the inauguration ceremony of the Visitation Panel Committee on the Kano State Polytechnic with Prof. A.T. Abdullahi as its Chairman. The Panel was given two (2) weeks to submit its report. The second Committee inaugurated under the chair of Alhaji Bashir Dalhatu (Walin Dutse) was on Kano Race Course & Horse Racing, Rehabilitation & Revival Committee. The Committee has three (3) weeks to submit its report. 5. DONATION TO FAMILIES OF TEN (10) POLIO VACCINATION STAFF WHO WERE SHOT TO DEATH BY UNKNOWN GUNMEN ON THE JOB IN THE STATE Council commended the kind gesture from the Federal Government for the donation of the sum of N3,000,000.00 to each of the ten families (10) of the deceased who lost their lives when providing health facilitation in the State. Similarly, the State Government donated the sum of N1,638,000.00 to the deceased family of Late Sa'idu Fagge, the former Principal of the School of Nursing Kano. Accordingly, Council extends its gratitude to Bill Gates & Dangote Foundations for their tremendous contributions towards the eradication of Polio in the State. 6. PRESENTATION OF AWARDS Council witnessed the presentation of Awards to Governor Engr. Rabi'uMusaKwankwaso, FNSE as follows: i. Awards won by the Kano State Contingent that participated at the recently concluded National Agricultural Show 2013 in Keffi, Nassarawa State. Certificate of Participation was presented to the Kano State Ministry of Agriculture & Natural Resources for the 1st position among the States.The Best Exhibitor was Nassarawa Local Government of Kano State which took 1st Position, Gezawa Local Government 2nd Position and Kura Local Government took 3rd Position among all the Local Governments of the Federation. Kano State has maintained its position for three (3) consecutive years on showcasing its Agricultural products at the National Agricultural Shows. ii. An Award presented to the Governor in appreciation of the State participation at the Abuja International Trade Fair. The State came 1st in displaying handmade products. iii. An Award presented to the Governor by the Parent Teachers Association of Government Girls Junior Science Secondary School Badawa in appreciation of the Government total support for the Education sector. iv. An Award as Honorary Fellow of the Nigerian Institute of Town Planners from the Town Planners Association of Nigeria for his giant stride for the construction of the three (3) cities (Kwankwasiyya, Amana & Bandirawo), Streetlights, flyovers etc.

Signed: Hon. Commissioner, Ministry of Information, Internal Affairs, Youth, Sports andCulture

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

THE NATION MONDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS

MEND: Fed Govt, NIMASA pay $2m to secure release of two Americans

HE Movement for the Emancipation of the Niger Delta (MEND) said yesterday that $2 million was paid by the Federal Government to secure the release of two Americans, who were kidnapped off the coast of Brass in Bayelsa State. It said a larger percentage of the ransom came from “an embarrassed” Nigerian Maritime and Safety Administration Agency (NIMASA). The group, in an online statement by its spokesman, Jomo Gbomo, called for the release of the Okah brothers and other “political hostages” incarcerated on “trumped-up charges.” It said respite came to the oil companies operating in the Niger Delta from Octo-

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

ber 27 to November 1, when its Hurricane Exodus was downgraded to a gentle breeze, as a mark of respect to the late former Chief of General Staff, Vice Admiral Mike Akhigbe. The group said Vice Admiral Akhigbe was the leader of the disbanded MEND’s Aaron Team, selected and mandated by the group to dialogue on its behalf with the late President Umaru Yar’Adua administration on issues that led to insurgency, before amnesty could be considered. It lamented that members of the Aaron Team were never given the opportunity after President Goodluck Jonathan became the head of state, fol-

lowing the death of President Yar’Adua. MEND said it was unfortunate that President Jonathan threw away an opportunity for peace through dialogue, for a short-term retrieve through threats, bribery and force, which it noted only bought him some time. It said: “Hurricane Exodus gathered strength shortly after when it swept through the Okpoloma Gas Plant in Afam, Rivers State, on November 2, by sabotaging gas supply to the Shell Afam Station, thereby disrupting 400 MW of electricity supply to the national grid. “The hostage anxiety involving the kidnap for ransom of two American sail-

ors from the C-Retrieval Oil Supply Vessel, off the coast of Brass, Bayelsa State, ended on a happy note, with the safe and release of the hostages, as guaranteed by MEND. “We urge the governments of South Africa and Nigeria to give peace and security a chance by releasing the Okah brothers and other political hostages incarcerated on trumped-up charges.” The group also said on November 13, soldiers of the Joint Task Force (JTF) and a policeman were killed around the Agip Jetty in Port Harcourt, after trying to intercept MEND’s fighters on a reconnaissance mission. MEND insisted that its fighters were not attempting to kidnap.

Akwa Ibom warns land poachers

KWA IBOM State government has described as fraudulent and criminal the re-occupation of land by former owners after collecting compensation. Commissioner for Lands and Town Planning Obong Eno Akpan condemned this when he received the report of the committee investigating activities in Anua, Eniong, Ifa Ikot Okpon Government Estate. Akpan said the expiration of the tenure of the government that acquired and paid compensation for the land did not mean the end of government. The commissioner said: “Government will ensure that the estate meets the expectations for which it was created.” Akpan said his ministry would liaise with the Ministry of Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs on the need for communities to respect and protect the government’s interest. He urged development authorities not to approve plans

From Kazeem Ibrahym, Uyo

for the estate, and enjoined the land registry as well as Office of the Surveyor-General to ensure that no registration was done again in respect of the land. The commissioner hailed the committee and promised to present the report to the Executive Council. The Permanent Secretary, Offiong Eduongo, said the report had solved one of his greatest challenges. Eduongo praised the commissioner for setting up the committee and providing the enabling environment for it. Committee Chairman Soni Udom said some persons in Eniong Offot, Anua Offot, Use Offot and Ifa Ikot Okpon sold the government land, while others prevented surveyors from performing their duties. Udom, who is also the state chairman of the Institution of Surveyors, said of the 1,799 plots allocated,177 were developed by genuine allottees.

Education minister visits Iyayi’s widow

UPERVISING Minister of Education Mr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike led at the weekend a delegation of the Federal Ministry of Education and the National Universities Commission (NUC) to condole the family of the late Prof. Festus Iyayi at their Benin home. Officers on the delegation could not hide their grief on seeing Mrs. Grace Iyayi, widow of the former president, Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU). The minister and the delegation also visited the injured ASUU National Welfare Officer, Dr. Ngozi Iloh, at the University of Benin Teaching Hospital. Wike said the President Goodluck Jonathan administration was disturbed by the sudden death of the former ASUU president, whom he said played a key role in the negotiations between ASUU and the Federal Government.

•From left: Executive Secretary, National Universities Commission, Prof. Julius Okojie, Supervising Minister of Education, Mr. Ezenwo Nyesom Wike and the widow of former Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU) National President, Mrs Grace Iyayi, during the minister’s visit to the family in Benin City... at the weekend

‘Iyayi father of students’ unionism’

JTF expresses concern over killing of soldiers

HE Joint Task Force (JTF), Operation Pulo Shield, has expressed concern over the incessant killing of its men by bandits in the Niger Delta. Gunmen, mostly pirates, seem to target soldiers, whom they ambush when they are on escort duties. JTF Commander Maj.Gen. Bata Debiro cried out last week shortly after two soldiers were shot dead by gunmen in Port Harcourt, the Rivers State capital. The news of the incident filtered into the JTF’s headquarters in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State, immediately after the outfit’s Media Coordinator, Onyema Nwachukwu and an officer, Opuare George, were decorated with the

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

ranks of colonel and lieutenant colonel. A few weeks before the Port Harcourt incident, three soldiers attached to the JTF were killed by gunmen near Ikuru in Andoni Local Government of Rivers State. Many operatives, including officers of the outfit, have also been killed in attacks in Bayelsa State. Debiro lamented that his men had become endangered species, adding that they were killed when on escort duties. The JTF commander urged his men to be on the alert when on escort duties. “Our colleagues are being killed these days. This is a

‘When the criminals are trying to kidnap the VIPs, their first targets are the soldiers. They have to be careful and defend themselves’ call on us to be careful. Sea robbers are opening fire on our men and are succeeding. Our men have to be careful,” he said. Debiro told the officers and men of the JTF that the army was not happy to lose

any of its men. He said: “It is not good news to the military that we lose our men. Those carrying arms should be careful. “Nobody will be happy to celebrate the loss of any soldier, we should be careful. Soldiers on escort duties are the targets of these criminals. “When the criminals are trying to kidnap the VIPs, their first targets are the soldiers. They have to be careful and defend themselves. “With the arms you are carrying, you have to protect yourselves and avoid casualties. “If you think because the year is getting to an end, you have to relax, it is not ideal. As long as you are in the JTF, you are still on active duty.”

Ex-militant leader deplores calls for Kuku’s sack

X-MILITANT leader Augustine Ogedegbe yesterday warned those urging President Goodluck Jonathan to sack the Special Adviser to the President on Amnesty, Mr. Kingsley Kuku, to desist from such act. Ogedegbe, who also enjoined Niger Delta ex-militants to rally round Kuku, said the amnesty programme has changed lives in

From Osemwengie Ben Ogbemudia, Benin

From Polycarp Orosevwotu, Warri

the Niger Delta. He said there was nothing Kuku had done that should be investigated, adding that since he assumed office, there had been peace and development in the region. Ogedegbe, who issued this statement when reacting to an online publication by exleader Sobomabo Jackrich said as a stakeholder in the

programme, there was no time it experienced any sort or deliberate delay of payment as alleged. Ogedegbe said: “Jackrich, who claims to be the director-general of the Network for the Defence of Democracy and Good Governance (NDDGG), has not given any evidence on his claim that the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) should probe

the Amnesty Office.” Hailing Jonathan for the choice of Kuku as the special adviser to the President on Amnesty, Ogedegbe enjoined Niger Delta ex-militants to rally round him to ensure that he renders good services to the people of the region. He urged President Jonathan to bring more developments to the Niger Delta states.

HE Senior Special Assistant to President Goodluck Jonathan on Youth and Student Matters, Comrade Jude Imagwe, yesterday described the late Prof. Festus Iyayi as the father of students’ unionism. Imagwe, a one-time president of the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), commiserated with Mrs. Clara Iyayi and his children and expressed the Federal Government’s commitment to end the strike. He recalled the great roles the late Iyayi played when he was the ASUU president, adding that his fatherly advice would be missed. “He was like a father to many of us involved in students’ unionism. I remember an encounter we had with him when I was NANS’ president. At that time we had difficulties regarding students’ welfare on campuses. “His advice gave us a sense of direction. His death is shocking. He lived a life worthy of remembrance,” Imagwe said.

Dickson orders N500m compensation

OVERNOR Seriake Dickson of Bayelsa State has directed that N500 million should be paid to owners of the buildings to be demolished at Tombia/Etegwe, Yenagoa. He said the buildings were marked for demolition to pave the way for a second

From Mike Odiegwu, Yenagoa

flyover. The governor, according to a statement by his Chief Press Secretary, Mr. Daniel Iworiso-Markson, gave the directive when he inspected the project site.

Police warn vehicle owners

HE Ogun State Police Command has warned owners of accident, lost and abandoned vehicles and motorcycles parked at Ijebu-Ode Area Command to remove them or lose them to the public through auction after 14 days of this publication. The vehicles are Bedford bus QC346OGB, Audi 80 FQ668 EKY, Nissan car OS 742 KKY and five motorcycles.

Cleric urges righteousness in govt

OLITICIANS have been urged to be righteous in governance because righteousness exalts a nation. Rev. A.P. Oyeyemi of First Baptist Church in Itire, Lagos, gave the advice yesterday at the church’s annual family thanksgiving service. He said the sudden death of the late former president of the Academic Staff Union of University (ASUU), Prof. Festus Iyayi, could have been averted if the Federal Government had been righteous by honouring the agreement it signed with ASUU in 2009. Church members marked the event, tagged: “Harvest of God’s faithfulness” (1 Corinthians 1:9) amid pomp and ceremony with relations and friends.

THE NATION MONDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS

More airports, less airlines to ply domestic routes These are indeed interesting times for the aviation sector. The country has 22 airports operated by the Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria T (FAAN). Four new airports are in the works. Sadly, domestic airlines HEY have been at the airport for hours. Thanks to the good air-conditioning system there, they were not sweating. But, happiness was far from them. Urgent matters were waiting for them to attend to in Lagos. Stuck, however, they were in Uyo, the Akwa Ibom State capital. For reasons not explained to them, the airline they had booked cancelled their flight, which was supposed to be in the morning. A second cancellation shifted the flight to the afternoon. "But, we eventually did not leave until the second day, which was a Friday," said one of the passengers. For some time now, the rate at which airlines cancel flights has increased astronomically. What makes the situation worse for passengers is the fact that the country can only boast of three or four functional airlines. Routes, such as Uyo, are plied largely by only two airlines, leaving air travellers with Hobson's choice. Only Arik, Aero and IRS are really functional. Medview is just coming up, with limited routes and flights. Not a few of them are heavily indebted to banks. Aero has even been taken over by the Assets Management Company of Nigeria (AMCON). Managing Director of AMCON, Mr. Mustafa Chike-Obi, said the agency has taken about 60 per cent stakes in the airline, while the original owners now have 40 per cent. "There is nothing new about AMCON take-over of the management of Aero. That has been in the works since six months ago. AMCON has 60 per cent control stake and the original owners have 40 per cent. We have appointed a new managing director, an experienced Scottish, a British Airways veteran and a new chairman who is a director in AMCON," Chike-Obi said. Last December, AMCON restructured Aero, which led to the exit of the then Managing Director, Mr. Akin George. The genesis of the grounding of airlines, such as Dana Air, was the Associated Airline crash. This drastically reduced the eight carriers operating schedule services within the country. A pilot, Capt. Daniel Omale, said the grounding of the airlines was irrational. Omale, in an article published at the weekend, said: " This is not because airlines should not be sanctioned if they are found prone to accidents or they become professionally incompetent, but because it is absolutely

are shrinking, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU

•Jonathan irrational to ground an airline over an accident, if the carrier's operational quality and standard practices are not in doubt, which, of course, includes the quality of its maintenance. "If these carriers had breached any of the laid-down rules and regulations, there wouldn't be any reason not to ground their operations, but since there is no clear indication that such has taken place, it is only proper to lift the ban and allow at least some skeletal operations." He advised against what he described as the "over-regulation of domestic airlines", which, he said, would only lead to more bankruptcies and create more unemployment in the system. Omale said while private/business jet operations have been on the rise, schedule carriers are on a downward slide. He added that there was nothing wrong with private jets in the sector, but government must do everything possible to encourage investors in scheduled commercial airlines. Omale said: "Our airlines need nurturing through government assistance, to enhance the smooth flow of flight operations. I am in no way advocating irresponsibility on the part of those working hard to establish or keep an existing airline active, or those who are making con-

• Oduah scious efforts to meet the mandatory payment targets. "Corruption as part of our national heritage has diminished all rational intent of genuine business owners, as joining the bandwagon has become the most symbolic way to attain wealth. There are over 30,000 Nigerians currently employed by the various airlines in this country and with over 60 million unemployed today, draconian policies must be managed carefully to avoid rendering more Nigerians jobless." In the face of this challenge of dearth of airlines, the country is increasing its airports. The Federal Airports Authority of Nigeria (FAAN) has 22 airlines. By 2015, they will increase to 26. The country has signed a $500 million loan with China to build four new international airport terminals. They are expected to be ready for use in May 2015. They will be constructed by China Civil Engineering Construction Corporation (CCECC). The terminals are to be built in Abuja, Lagos, Kano and Port Harcourt. The facility for the project will be paid back in 30 years after a 10-year grace period, with three percent interest rate, amounting to $15 million, meaning the cost of the four terminals will be $515 million (about N82 billion). The terms and conditions of the loan

•Okonjo-Iweala suggest that CCECC will draw the fund directly from the Chinese EXIM Bank. The Federal Government will not have access to the $500 million. This, said sources, will eliminate the avenues for fraud. This, said another source, also guarantees that the projects will not be abandoned and the facility diverted. Coordinating Minister for Economy/Finance Minister Dr Ngozi Okonjo-Iweala, while signing the Memorandum of Understanding (MoU) for the facility, said the Federal Government was elated at the conclusion of the deal for the financing of the construction of the terminals because "developing airport and aviation infrastructure is a major priority to the Federal Government. The simultaneous construction of four international airports will create employment and other value chains that will help to grow and expand the frontiers of the Nigerian economy". Aviation Minister Ms Stella Oduah said work would start soon. According to her, the projects would go on simultaneously. President of CCECC Yuan Li said the delivery period of 20 months was sacrosanct and the quality of the work would be comparable to similar projects in other parts of the world. Dati said: "The four airports are key and important. We are saying Nige-

ria should take its pride of place in the aviation industry. With a population approaching 170 million, we are not a population to be toyed with. Airports have gone beyond avenues for transportation but centre of activities. With these airports, we can leverage on the trickle down economic effect. "For instance, a lot of money can be made from Cargo exports. In 2011, about $245 million was made from the export of perishable products from Africa. Nigeria had zero share from these huge exports yet, we are talking of countries like Ghana, Cote Devoir, South Africa etc. So with these new facilities, Nigeria can also benefit from these huge exports. "So rather than have a terminal where people just fly, we will have a recreational centre of some sort where people can relax and enjoy themselves. At the end of the day, the aviation industry will contribute significantly to Nigeria's GDP. "Let's consider Dubai. What has made Dubai thick are the airports. You can shop, eat, sleep and even live at their airports without even going into the city if you don't want to. This is the type of concept we are looking at. Looking at the aerotropolis concept, we want a business hub around the airport where people can say, fly into Lagos, hold meetings, conferences at the airport and go back without necessary going into the town. This saves you time and cost." Founder/Executive Director, the Centre for Aviation Safety and Research (CAS-R) Sheri A. Kyari said the terminals would be economically viable. He said: "When you look at all these prospects, there is need for some kind of expansion. And looking at the four airports - Lagos, Abuja, Kano and Port Harcourt - they are the hubs in Nigeria. With increased influx of foreign airlines too and with the opportunity of landing in one or two airports, there could be an upsurge of passengers." President, Concerned Aviation Professionals Captain Tito Omaghoni said: "The new terminals will engender the aerotropolis project. The project will see huge businesses hotels, shopping malls, rail tracks and other services sprig up around the airports. But, with airlines dying, the airports may only be there for international carriers to use. That, said observers, would not speak well of the country. Something urgent must be done to improve the fortunes of the airlines, they said.

NIMET…Once upon a floundering agency A fresh wave of optimism is sweeping through the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), which, for a long time, was unable to give Nigerians accurate and reliable weather forecasts, writes OLUKOREDE YISHAU.

EFORE his current job as the Vice-Chancellor of the Bostwana International University of Science and Technology (BIUST), Palapye, Prof Hilary Inyang has had cause to raise the alarm about the impact of climate change on the society. Inyang has not stopped drawing attention to issues surrounding climate change. In an interview with The Nation, he spoke about the impact of climate change on coastal countries, which, he said, are particularly at risk. “The coastlines are between land and sea. Storms at sea impact on land as we saw in the Philippines. When you have high degree of population which is the case in the

Niger Delta combined with lack of protection, then that is a formula for trouble. So for the Niger Delta, the elevation is very low, so ingress of sea on to land, bringing things like shoreline erosion is intense, so that is the cause for the potential for loss of land. The shoreline is receding all the way along the coast of West Africa. But, it is more intense in the Niger Delta because of low topography. Also the Niger Delta is the location of many oil activities that contaminants are readily available from pollution and spillages and all that. What happens is that in a situation where global climate change promotes more precipitation, then it adds to the capacity for those con-

taminants to be spread all over,” he said. For a country like Nigeria, which faces climate change challenges, the importance of accurate and reliable weather forecast for businesses and government cannot be overemphasized. Enter the Nigerian Meteorological Agency (NIMET), which its Director-General, Anthony Anuforom, said is adopting new method for forecasting the weather accurately. That was not the situation. Nigerians saw NIMET as another useless government agency, which was adding little or no value to their lives. Then, the agency had no Doppler Weather Radars to track adverse weather

‘

You cannot continue with an old idea and expect a new result. The Aviation Minister, Ms. Stella Oduah, was clear from the beginning about the change she wanted to see in NIMET •Anuforom

systems. NIMET also lacked the Low Level Windshear Alert System (LLWAS), which decreases the bur-

‘

den on air traffic controllers by informing them immediately when • Continued on page 55

THE NATION MONDAY NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS

Ateke, ex-militants at Wike’s Rivers rally

HE ex-leader of the Niger Delta Vigilance Movement, Ateke Tom, and ex-militants in their hundreds, yesterday took over the rally by the Minister of State for Education, Chief Nyesom Wike, in Rivers State. Wike, who is also the grand patron of a socio-political organisation, the Grassroots Development Initiative (GDI), declared Rivers State Governor Rotimi Amaechi had left the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP). The supervising Minister of Education stated that Amaechi, who is also the Chairman of the Nigeria Governors’ Forum (NGF), wanted to cause confusion in the PDP. He urged his teeming supporters not to be distracted. Wike spoke at the thanksgiving and inauguration of wards (12) and Okrika Local Government executives of the GDI at the playground of the National Secondary School, Okrika, the headquarters of Okrika LGA of

From Bisi Olaniyi, Port Harcourt

Rivers state, where the wife of President Goodluck Jonathan, Dame Patience, hails from. Ateke Tom is also from Okrika. Amaechi, however, asked the minister to face the problems in the Federal Ministry of Education, especially the strike by the members of the Academic Staff Union of Universities (ASUU), since July 1 and stop his 2015 governorship campaigns, The Rivers governor, who spoke through the Chief of Staff, Government House, Port Harcourt, Chief Tony Okocha, also called on the Chairman of the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), Prof. Attahiru Jega, to call Wike to order, for flouting INEC’s rule of no campaign until 90 days to elections. The NGF chairman, while commenting on the presence of Ateke and other repentant militants at the GDI’s rally, said: “Illegality is being legitimised. Nigerians are wiser,” insisting

that he remained a member of the PDP. The minister of state for education got to the arena at 2:50 pm, danced round to greet his teeming supporters, who were already seated under the canopies and he sat on the front row of the seats reserved for eminent personalities. Ateke and the ex-militants stormed the arena at 3:10 pm, with the programme temporarily halted because of the loud noise, accompanied with drumming, singing and dancing round the expansive premises. The former “General” then joined Wike; the Rivers PDP Chairman, Chief Felix Obuah, and other leaders of the PDP, while the patron of the GDI (Ateke) sat near the supervising minister of education. When Wike was asked at 4:23 pm to address his supporters, the Master of Ceremonies urged Ateke to have handshake with the minister of state for education, which took some minutes. The ex-warlord was also giv-

en a full page in the programme for the event, with his photograph with brown suit, white shirt and red tie on page 9. Wike said: “All our leaders who are here, particularly the freedom fighter, Comrade Tom Ateke (followed with loud ovation by his supporters), let me sincerely thank everyone of you that has gathered here today. Do not be provoked. Be calm. Our time will come. Nobody will stop it. “When you are provoked and you take action, what you may want to achieve, you may not realise it. I will continue to plead with all of you to be calm and be focused. Our agenda is to make sure that by the special grace of God, in 2015, Dr. Goodluck Jonathan returns to Aso Rock. “They have told you that they will take away the party structure from the Chairman (Chief Felix Obuah) and his committee. If you have not done anything, let me tell you one thing that you have achieved. You have put the governor of a state to start making arrangements to leave the party.”

Parties: cancel Anambra poll Continued from page 4

in rigging the election. This is the worst election I have observed. I have been involved in election matters. As a student leader in 1993, I was involved in Abiola’s election as a party officer. Unfortunately, Jega is not accessible. He made it difficult for us to reach him. As for going to court, I will consult before I take any decision.” Labour candidate Ifeanyi Ubah, who claimed to have

swept the poll in Nnewi, “which is the home town of the symbol of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA), the late Chief Emeka Odumegwu Ojukwu” said he was ready to forfeit his victory in Nnewi for the election to be cancelled because of irregularities. He said even in Nnewi, where he won, many voters were disenfranchised. Ubah said Jega’s integrity was at stake for the “shoddy” election he presided over in

Anambra State, which, according to him, should have been a model and a shinning example of what to expect in 2015. Speaking to reporters in Awka yesterday, Ubah said Jega should toe the path of honour by canceling the election. He said the election in Nnewi, which he said met all the standards required of a good election, should be used as a yardstick to judge the election and, on the basis of that, he be declared the winner since election in other parts of

the state fell short of expectation. “Nnewi election would have been used as the yardstick for other elections in the state. The integrity of Jega is at stake now. It is either he toes the path of honour and cancels the election or he should declare me the winner of the election. I believe that Labour won landslide but n other areas, they disenfranchised people and removed the names of even a party candidate from the voters register,” Ubah said.

Presidency supports U.S. action on Boko Haram Continued from page 4

Federal Government has failed to rein in the violence and insecurity in parts of the country. They accused the administration of failing its core constitutional mandate of protecting civilians from harm. Abati disagreed. “That will be an incorrect assessment,” said Abati. “A

fair assessment would be a commendation of the efforts of the Jonathan administration, to ensure the security and welfare of all Nigerians…a lot of successes have been recorded and the administration nothing, but commendation. Normalcy has been restored to [some] states [and] the threat of terrorism has reduced.”

Why Anambra election should be nullified, by APC Continued from page 4

state were disenfranchised, apparently acting out a script to manipulate the result of the election in favour of a certain candidate. Where voting materials were supplied, the commission provided wrong voters’ register.” ‘’Coming after the charade in Delta, this is a serious development that raises questions about the ability of INEC to conduct free, fair and transparent elections anywhere in Nigeria. It is particularly serious because if people who registered to vote are not able to do so, and even the votes of those who managed to cast them do not count, then

anarchy is looming,’’ APC said. It called for a probe of INEC to determine why it sabotaged its own elections, even when people are determined to endure the orchestrated inconveniences and shun all acts of violence, as was witnessed in Anambra on Saturday when people waited patiently and peacefully, only to go home in total disappointment. ‘’This is a new low for INEC, and unless something is done urgently, the electoral commission may plunge Nigeria into a crisis from which it may not recover,’’ the APC warned.

Our position, by PDP, APC, LP Continued from page 4

cellation of the election and a new one conducted,” Ngige said. He also warned that they had requested that no result should be announced as the

election cannot be validly said to be conclusive yet. Ngige pleaded with INEC not to provoke the people of Anambra State. The other candidates agreed with him.

NIMET…Once upon a floundering agency • Continued from page 54 and where windshear occurs and when the threat is over. In the ADC crash of 2006, there were indications that windshear was a contributing factor. Unlike many countries, NIMET did not have a calibration laboratory. The instrument Calibration Laboratory is used for calibrating instruments on the runways and at the 54 synoptic stations in the country. Anuforom said a lot has changed at NIMET and the once floundering agency has transformed and become relevant to Nigerians from all walks of life. He said: “I can give you a whole list of things that were not there before, or were there but needed to be updated and upgraded. In the past we had no Doppler Weather Radars, but today the government has awarded contracts to provide six Doppler Weather Radars. The two in Abuja and Port Harcourt have been installed. The next two in queue is Yola and Maiduguri but everybody knows the security challenges we are having in that zone. It is an American company that is installing the radar and they have expressed concern with their engineers agreeing to come but we are still working on that. After that is Kano and Lagos. So government has provided Doppler Weather Radar to enable us track adverse weather systems.” The Coordinating spokesman for aviation agencies, Yakubu Dati, said NIMET now have modern equipment and professionals. He said: “You cannot continue with an old idea and expect a new result. The Aviation Minister, Ms. Stella Oduah, was clear from the beginning about the change she wanted to see in NIMET. That single decision is the outcome of

NIMET’s accurate forecasts that Nigerians are talking about. Technology is getting better. So equipping NIMET with such technology was an important priority of the aviation minister and I think if utilised correctly we will continue to have a better forecasting system in Nigeria.” After the ADC crash, Anuforom said LLWAS were installed in Abuja, Lagos, Kano, and Port Harcourt airports. “That is four international airports. But today we have even gone further than that as we now have them in Enugu, Owerri, Benin, Sokoto, and Yola airports in addition to the existing ones. So as at today nine airports in Nigeria have been equipped with the system. I mean look at the rapid progress from zero to nine.” Gone also are the days without a Calibration Laboratory. Anuforom said: “This is the first time we are having a calibration laboratory of this standard in the history of meteorological service in this country. Ours is probably one out of 3 or 4 of its kind in the whole of Africa. The instrument Calibration Laboratory is used for calibrating all those instruments along the runways and at the 54 synoptic stations across the country. “The automated equipment we install to monitor weather conditions along the runways and at our weather observatories work are with electronic sensors. These sensors can deteriorate and become less accurate with time. In order to correct them we periodically pull them out from the field, recalibrate and redeploy them. This ensures that our data are accurate and reliable. Pilots use these weather data at all stages of flight operation. They rely on them for safe and smooth take-off and landing. Whenever you are in an

‘

If you look at the weather forecasts on TV and internet, it will tell you Abuja; the temperature is so and so, predicting whether it will rain or not. However with this new technology and capability that we are developing, we are not just telling you just about Abuja or Lagos, we can in addition, tell you the weather situations in Victoria Island, Oshodi, Ikeja and son on aeroplane and the pilot lands smoothly, you know that he has synchronised his instruments with the accurate pressure from NIMET and this helps him to land so smoothly.” Weather forecasts, he said, have never been this good in Nigeria. He said: “We have done very well in our forecasts in every area. We have been associated more with our services to the aviation sector, understandably, because that is the most visible aspect of it. The reason why we have become visible in the aviation sector or issues associated with aviation is that weather issues contribute about 30-35 per cent to aviation accidents and incidents worldwide. But like you know very well, a couple of years ago people

‘

use to say ‘their forecasts are not very good, they are not reliable’, but you will agree with me that now the story has completely changed. Our forecasts have become much more accurate. “Beyond that we do training and retraining of our personnel to make sure that they are using the equipment correctly and producing accurate result. Now that is why we have earned ISO 9001:2008 Certification. I believe you know about the ISO 9001. It is not a mean feat. To become ISO9001 certified; we subjected ourselves to IOSA that required a pure credited quality management systems audit to audit our processes, equipment, services and other products and after a very rigorous process, which took us about 18 months to pre-

pare. The quality management system auditor from Canada visited and spent about one week auditing our processes and procedures, at the end of the day we were certified to the ISO9001. This is very significant as it shows us that what we are doing is right. In other words we have the right equipment, manpower, and procedure. I will like to inform you that we are the only sixth or seventh county in Africa to be given ISO 9001 Certification, for our aeronautical and meteorological services. Others are South Africa, Tunisia, Egypt, Mauritius, Comoros Island, Tanzania, and Zimbabwe in such category. We are the first in West Africa and the fifth organisation in Nigeria. We are the first in Africa to earn it, to start the process and finish it in less than two years.” The NIMET DG, who is also a Permanent Representative of Nigeria at the World Meteorological Organisation (WMO), added: “The numeric weather prediction is one of the new key areas we have moved into in NIMET in our effort to provide more accurate services. Although it is still at the infancy but so far we are developing. This brings about the improved capability to forecast with relatively high spatial resolution. What I mean by that is that if you look at the weather forecasts on TV and internet, it will tell you Abuja; the temperature is so and so, predicting whether it will rain or not. However with this new technology and capability that we are developing, we are not just telling you just about Abuja or Lagos, we can in addition, tell you the weather situations in Victoria Island, Oshodi, Ikeja and son on.” Will these gains be consolidated or will things will be allowed to return to the floundering days? Time will tell.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

NEWS

IMSU gets ICT centre, vehicles From Okodili Ndidi, Owerri

IMO State University (IMSU) has bought 11 official vehicles for its staff. Presenting the vehicles to the workers, Acting Vice Chancellor Prof Ukachukwu Awuzie said the vehicles were purchased in fulfilment of Governor Rochas Okorocha’s promise of replacing the school’s old vehicles. The vehicles, which include seven cars, three vans, three buses, among others, were presented by the Commissioner for Tertiary Institution/ Technical and Science, Prof Uba Nnabue. Also, Diamond Bank Limited laid a foundation stone for the renovation of the ICT building in the school.

Danjuma calls Umar deputy governor

‘Embrace confab’

‘Why Taraba honoured ex-minister’

HE General Overseer, Gospel Faith Mission International (GOFAMINT), Pastor Elijah Abina, has said Nigeria may break up if the citizens do not embrace the proposed national dialogue by President Goodluck Jonathan. He spoke yesterday while addressing reporters at the end of GOFAMINT Annual Minister’s Conference, held at Gospel Town, Igbo-Oloyin Road, Ibadan, the Oyo State capital. The General Overseer, who was represented by Pastor Samuel Ewuola, said:” Since the announcement by the President to hold a national confab, there have been convincing arguments proffered by several opposing views, but GOFAMINT’s position is not to take sides. “However, taking into consideration, the current political, economic and religious challenges facing the country, the Mission is of a view that the time is ripe for such a gathering of Nigerians that will afford them the opportunity to talk. Anything contrary may spell doom for Nigeria. Thus anything that would bring disintegration in that pride should be avoided” He said the current political upheavals within some African countries should be a pointer to the need for all to embrace the opportunity offered by the present arrangement of a national dialogue, adding that it will avoid the pitfalls that plague such African countries.

ORMER Defence Minister General Theophilus Danjuma at the weekend addressed Garba Umar as the deputy governor of Taraba State (not acting governor). His reference sent a loud and clear message that he was not in support of the deputy governor’s alleged scheme to consolidate his hold on power. General Danjuma was at the palace of the Gara Donga, Danjuma Stephen Banyonga, where the Chamba people conferred on him the title of Gam Gbaro, which means war field marshal. While acknowledging dignitaries at the event, Danjuma said he acknowledged “the representative of the deputy governor of Taraba State.” There is a power struggle between Governor Danbaba Suntai and Umar, his deputy. Since the governor returned

ENATOR Emmanuel Bwacha yesterday described Gen. Theophilus Danjuma as a rare gift to the state. He spoke on the weekend’s honour for the former defence minister, who was installed as Gam Gbaro Donga (field marshal). Senator Bwacha, in a statement yesterday, said: “I salute you the War Field Marshal of Donga and Africa Gen. Theophilus Yakubu Danjuma, on this momentous event of your conferment with the prestigious traditional title of Gam Gbaro of Donga. “This is for your sterling contributions to the fatherland. As an exemplary leader, you have towered above your peers. Apart from your legendary courage, the fear of God has remained the guide in all your dealings. “This honour is not only meritorious, but a loud ovation to your contributions to the uplifting of mankind. The wisdom of God and His loving kindness will lead you on as you tackle the numerous challenges of life.” From Fanen Ihyongo, Jalingo

from his medical trip abroad, Umar has refused to revert to the position of deputy gover-

nor, alleging that “a cabal” was trying to hijack the machinery of government. Danjuma is also not in support of Umar, whose bid is allegedly to become the sub-

stantive governor. Relationship between the duo has been frosty. Umar was absent at the coronation of the ex-minister, who is also an illustrious son of the state. Analysts said it was a slight for Umar to be represented by the Speaker, Josiah Sabo Kente, when the event had the presence of dignitaries like former Heads of State, General Muhammadu Buhari and General Yakubu Gowon. Gen. Danjuma, who spoke on the importance of peace to the nation’s growth, stressed that the only justice could guarantee peace. ”We need justice from our rulers, politicians and everybody, for if there is no justice there can ever be peace. “If anybody is aggrieved he should seek redress from the law court; he should not take up arms to avenge the perceived wrong doing he is complaining of,” he said.

Kalu: I didn’t give money to converts FORMER Abia State Governor Orji Uzor Kalu has denied donating N1 million to some Igbo men, who converted to Islam. The report carried by Leadership on Saturday credited Kalu with donating N1 million on the occasion, which reportedly took place at the National Mosque, Abuja. But Kalu denied ever making such a donation. He said he was not present at the event. A statement by his Special Adviser, Oyekunle Oyewumi, described the report as the figment of the reporter’s imagination. Oyewumi said Kalu was not at the event and did not send any representative. He advised reporters to always crosscheck their facts before publishing, especially when it concerns issues as religion, which occupies a strong position in the scheme of things in Nigeria.

Envoy loses mother MOTHER of a seasoned career diplomat, Ambassador Tunde BadeAfuye is dead. She was 103. The late Madam Cecilia Oke BadeAfuye, a devout Christian, philanthropist and humanitarian,popularly called ‘Eyeke’, died in Ikere Ekiti, Ekiti State, after an illness. Ambassador BadeAfuye described his mother’s death as a loss not only to the family but to her admirers. The funeral ceremonies have been slated for November 22 and 23. The late Madam Bade-Afuye is survived by many children, including Bade-Afuye, a former diplomat in Nigeria’s Embassy in Trinidad and Tobago.

From Tayo Johnson, Ibadan

Asaba Airport handles 6,349 flights •From left: Managing Director, West Africa, Qualcomm and member of the judging panel for the Etisalat Pan-African prize for innovation Alex Dadson; Manager, Executive Projects, Etisalat Nigeria, Zainab Abiola; Chief Financial Officer, Etisalat Nigeria, Andrew Kemp and Principal, McKinsey & Company, Lohini Moodley at the Africa Com awards dinner in Cape Town, South Africa.

Kashamu: court didn’t order my extradition

CHIEFTAIN of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) in Ogun State, Prince Buruji Kashamu, has refuted media reports that the Court of Appeal sitting in Lagos gave a judgment ordering his extradition to the United States over alleged narcotic charges, adding that “nothing of such exists”. He described the reports as misleading. In a statement yesterday in Lagos by his Media Adviser, Austin Oniyokor, Kashamu said: “Whereas it is true that the court had in an earlier ruling given on the 7th of July, 2013, allowed the appeal by the Attorney-General of the Federation (AGF) against the judgment of the Federal High Court restraining it from exercising its powers against him under Section 6 (2) of the Extradition Act, it did not order the AGF or any institution of the Federal Government to arrest or surrender him to the government of the United States for any offence whatsoever because no such request exists in the first place. As a matter of fact, that ruling has already been appealed to the Supreme Court. “The latest court proceedings which his opponents now seek to make political capital out of, has to do with the re-

fusal of the Court of Appeal to uphold his application that it set aside its earlier ruling on the grounds of the “likelihood of bias” given other events that played out while the suit was still pending before the Lagos Division of the Court of Appeal. “Having been wrest to the ground and defeated on the political front, his opponents have resorted to mudslinging and twisting of obvious facts, goaded on by an obviously interested and biased judge,” he said. Giving the background to the issue, Oniyokor said: “The case has its roots in a case of mistaken identity in a drugrelated offence, which happened over 19 years ago and for which Prince Kashamu had been discharged and acquitted by the British courts. “Following his activities in the political terrain, he got information that his opponents were pressuring the AttorneyGeneral of the Federation (AGF) to re-open the case and use his office to cause his extradition. He then went to the Federal High Court where he filed a suit to challenge such a move in view of the fact that the British courts had exonerated him. “Based on the infallible evidence before it, the Federal High Court held that the AGF could not exercise his powers

under the Extradition Act to activate extradition proceedings against Kashamu in circumstances where an English High Court and a District Judge had found that the US authorities had suppressed evidence that exculpated Kashamu from commission of any offence and that Kashamu was not the person involved in the alleged offence. The Federal High Court’s intervention was also based on the finding of the U.S. Circuit Judge that Kashamu is not a fugitive and it had held in its judgment that that decision makes it wrong for the US authorities to bring any extradition proceedings against him in Nigeria. “The appeal of the Attorney General to the Court of Appeal and the judgment of that Court as reported in the newspaper did not derogate from these findings as the only issue it appears they were concerned with was how Kashamu knew that the Attorney General was being pressurised to commence extradition proceedings against him. Kashamu had said he got information from someone in the security services whose identity he could not reveal. The Court of Appeal was of the view that this was hearsay as the person should have been brought for cross-exami-

nation and on this basis held that Kashamu’s suit in the Federal High Court was premature.” Oniyokor said it was laughable that anyone could hurriedly conclude from the decision of the appellate court, which is still subject to appeal, that the court has ordered Kashamu’s extradition for the same allegations that the British courts had exonerated him. “The British court, as per Lord Justice Pill and Mr. Justice Bell of the High Court of Justice, Queen Bench Division, has said the US authorities suppressed exculpatory evidence in their desperation to indict Kashamu and discharged him in accordance with Articles 5 and 6 of the European Convention of Human Rights and Human Rights Act, 1998. The District Judge Tim Workman in finally discharging Kashamu in 2003 had found from the evidence adduced during the three-year trial that Kashamu was not the person sought by the U.S. authorities and it was a case of mistaken identity. The U.S. Judge Norgle, in whose court the indictment was filed, has also held that Kashamu is not a fugitive from Justice. On what basis will the US authorities justifiably request for the extradition of such a person?” Oniyokor said

INCE beginning commercial flights on July 13, 2011, Asaba Airport has handled 6,331 flights and 192,651 passengers as at the end of October. This is besides 18 flights and 63 passengers before going commercial, bringing the total to 6,349 flights and 192,714 passengers. With an average of 260 flights and 6,880 passengers recorded monthly, Asaba Airport has become one of the busiest and viable airports in the country. In April 2011 when the Delta State capital hosted the Second Southsouth Economic Summit, it recorded the highest flight of 401 while its 9,588 passengers was second to the 9,778 recorded in August, 2013. Unveiling the airport’s performance in Asaba, Commissioner for Information Chike C. Ogeah said the return was unprecedented for a new airport. “Many people did not see the vision of Dr. Emmanuel Uduaghan when he initiated the project in 2008. “Today, the status of the airport has been confirmed by the landing on November 13 of Dr. Goodluck Jonathan’s presidential jet at 11.30am on his way to Anambra State. “In deciding to build the airport in Asaba, the governor envisioned it as part of a concerted plan that involved the dualisation of the UghelliAsaba Road to link the seaports in Warri and Koko to the major commercial outposts in Onitsha and other towns in Anambra State,” Ogeah said.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

FOREIGN NEWS

The life of Pakistan's Pervez Musharraf

AKISTAN's government plans to put exPresident Pervez Musharraf on trial for treason, the country's interior minister said Sunday. Musharraf, who came to power in a bloodless coup and became a U.S. ally after the Sept. 11, 2001, terror attacks, has faced a series of charges since returning to Pakistan after going into self-imposed exile for several years. Here's a look at major events in Musharraf's life: - Aug. 11, 1943: Pervez Musharraf born in New Delhi, which is now in India. - Oct. 7, 1998: Musharraf becomes chief of the army. - Oct. 12, 1999: Musharraf ousts Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif in a bloodless coup. - Sept. 11, 2001: After the terror attacks, the U.S. demands Musharraf choose whether to ally with them or Pakistan's allies in neighboring Afghanistan, the Taliban.

Musharraf chooses the U.S. - April 30, 2002: Musharraf extends his term as president for five years by holding a controversial referendum. - July 2007: Musharraf orders his forces to raid a mosque in downtown Islamabad where followers of a radical cleric were holed up. The raid leaves dozens of people dead and hardens militant opposition to Musharraf. - Oct. 5, 2007: Musharraf issues an ordinance protecting officials from past corruption charges as part of a deal that paves the way for former leaders Benazir Bhutto and Sharif to return home and contest elections. - Oct. 18, 2007: Bhutto returns from exile, surviving a massive bomb attack on her convoy in the port city of Karachi. - Nov. 3, 2007: Musharraf declares a state of emergency and sacks the chief justice of the Supreme Court, triggering a na-

tionwide protest movement led by lawyers that weakens his grip on power. - Nov. 25, 2007: Sharif returns home from exile. - Dec. 27, 2007: Bhutto is assassinated. - Feb. 18, 2008: Pakistan holds nationwide elections. Bhutto's Pakistan People's Party wins the most seats. - Aug. 18, 2008: Musharraf resigns from the presidency under pressure from main political parties. - April 2009: Musharraf leaves Pakistan saying that he is going to lecture abroad. He does not return, essentially going into self-imposed exile. - March 24, 2013: Musharraf returns home saying he wants to contest elections. - April 18, 2013: Musharraf flees an Islamabad court after a judge revokes his bail in the case of detaining judges in 2007. He is later arrested. - Aug. 20, 2013: Musharraf is formally indicted in con-

Angelina Jolie, Steve Martin receive honorary Oscars

H •Musharraf

nection with Bhutto's murder. - Nov. 4, 2013: A judge grants bail to Musharraf in a case involving the 2007 mosque raid. That decision, as well as bail being granted in other cases against the former leader, paves the way for Musharraf's release from his lavish estate in the suburbs of Islamabad, where he was held under house arrest for some six months. - Nov. 7, 2013: Pakistani authorities free Musharraf from house arrest, though he's not allowed to leave the country. - Nov. 17, 2013: Pakistan's interior minister announces the government will try Musharraf for treason.

Brazil banker Henrique Pizzolato flees from jail

N ex-director of the Brazilian state-run bank Banco do Brasil who has been convicted in a major corruption trial has fled the country to avoid jail. Henrique Pizzolato, who also has an Italian passport, said in a letter he had fled to seek a fair trial in Italy. On Friday the Brazilian Supreme Court issued 12 arrest warrants in connection with the case. Eleven defendants have surrendered, including the chief of staff of ex-Presi-

dent Luiz Inacio Lula da Silva. Last year, the Supreme Court convicted 25 politicians, businessmen and bankers over the "Mensalao" (big monthly allowance) case. The scheme that used public funds to pay coalition parties for political support during the government of President Lula came to light in 2005. President Lula was not implicated in the case. The first sentences were only handed down at the end of 2012.

Nearly a year later, on Friday, the Supreme Court issued the first 12 arrest warrants. Pizzolato, an ex-marketing director of Banco do Brasil, was the only one who did not turn himself in. He was sentenced to more than 12 years in jail for money laundering, embezzlement and active corruption. His lawyer released a letter from Pizzolato and said he hoped to get another trial, free of media pressure in Italy.

OLLYWOOD star Angelina Jolie has been honoured for her humanitarian work at the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences' annual Governors Awards. The 38-year-old appeared tearful as she accepted the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award from director George Lucas. Steve Martin, Angela Lansbury and the Italian costume designer Pietro Tosi were also recognised in Los Angeles. "I can't possibly express how excited I am tonight because the Botox is fresh," joked Martin as he accepted his award. The 68-year-old has never been nominated for an Oscar, despite hosting the Academy Awards ceremony on three occasions. Lansbury has been similarly passed over by the Academy, despite being nominated three times for the best supporting actress Oscar. Angela Lansbury Lansbury is best known for her Jessica Fletcher role in Murder, She Wrote "Ms Lansbury, here is your Academy Award at last," said film historian Robert Osborne as he presented the 88-year-old with her golden statuette. It was recently announced that a new version of the British-born actress's long-running drama series Murder, She Wrote is in development with Octavia Spencer. Brad Pitt, Harrison Ford, Diane Keaton and Mark Wahlberg were among the star-studded audience at

• Jolie

Saturday's event, held in the Grand Ballroom of the Hollywood and Highland Center. The 86-year-old Tosi was unable to attend, however, and had his award collected on his behalf by Italian actress Claudia Cardinale. The event marked the fifth year that the Academy has presented its honorary awards at a separate ceremony. Excerpts from the event may be included in the 2014 Oscar telecast, to be hosted by Ellen DeGeneres on 2 March. Meanwhile, the Santa Barbara International Film Festival in California has announced it is to honour the stars of Oscar-tipped movie The Butler. Forest Whitaker will receive the Kirk Douglas Award for excellence in film on 15 December, while Oprah Winfrey will receive the Montecito Award on 5 February for her "inspirational" performance in the civil rights drama.

FOREIGN DISCOURSE

Morsi's trial: A travesty of justice

HE sentencing, last week, of undergraduate students to 17 years imprisonment for daring to protest against the rape of democracy in Egypt signals the descent of that cradle of civilisation into the abyss of authoritarianism. As the attention of the world focused on Egypt where the unrepresentative, unelected and Juntabacked administration brings to trial, the deposed, first freely elected president of that country, Dr Mohammed Mursi over spurious charges of murder, and incitement to murder among countless other charges, this development in one of Africa's most important nations and the most populous Arab nation on earth calls for concern. Indeed, the world was treated to a macabre dance of undiluted shame by the ruling Egyptian junta when it brought Mohammed Morsi to trial two weeks ago. There were echoes of the Epetedo declaration by the late Basorun MKO Abiola declaring himself the legitimately elected President of Nigeria when Morsi declared, during the court hearing, that he was the legitimately elected President of Egypt and the ruling junta and its kangaroo courts were usurpers. The forces of retrogression that the military and its civilian collaborators represent appear to be having a field day with their tyranny, supported as it were by the silence of global powers who remain some of the largest beneficiaries of an undemocratic Egypt. As one of the few remaining countries on the African continent under military dictatorship, the flame of hope for a people's rule kindled by the brave Arab spirit in the revolution of January 25, 2011 became effectively extinguished by the connivance of those who lost out of the democratic process in the new Egypt, the remnants of the

By Comrade Shakiru Yekini

Mubarak era who dominated state institutions, and their external backers from the big spending 'Princes' in some of the Gulf states to global powers. What seems obvious to any discerning observer is that Morsi ousting is due to high-level geopolitics that is not yet prepared to entertain any populist expression of peoples' power in the Middle East. And, as the ruling junta in Egypt gets bolder by the support of big powers and 'big spenders' - the ignoble act of seizing power through the butts of the gun notwithstanding - they are bringing to trial the deposed presi-

tice of apartheid and discriminatory killing and repression by the ruling junta in Egypt. The context within which this charade of a trial is taking place is worrisome. Firstly, the men in charge of this trial are proven to lack integrity going by their antecedents and composition. They were the same men who quashed a corruption case for Ahmad Shafiq, their favorite in the June 16-17, 2012 run off Presidential election who was defeated by Morsi. They are the same men who hurriedly quashed Mubarak's trial for the death of hundreds on the eve of the revolution. They are the same men who presided over

‘

What gives concern and discomfort is the selection of one particular case – that under Morsi - which was a clash between citizens, not directly instigated by him, as against the other two instigated by Mubarak and El Sisi which were direct military orders to kill civilians! Also, the charge file brought against Morsi only gave names of three of the 11 dead in the clash for which he is standing trial ignoring the other eight who were members of the Muslim Brotherhood, just as the death of hundreds of Morsi’s supporters on El Sisi’s orders were passed over. This is home grown apartheid. The classification of the ‘dead’ in the fake trial shows the disdain with which the old regime and its remnants hold a section of the Egyptian citizens

dent, setting a dangerous precedent in the region. The only plausible conclusion that could be drawn is that the trial of Morsi indicates an open declaration of support for repression, corruption, unaccountable government, naked corruption, unprecedented state violence against armless and defenceless citizens by supporters of the coup that ousted Morsi. This is nothing but a travesty of justice and open embrace of the prac-

’

the proscription, confiscation and freezing of assets and finances of the Muslim Brotherhood (MB) and the Freedom and Justice Party (FJP) both to which Morsi belong. They are the same men that supported the crackdown by the military on the sit in protests organised by the Anti Coup /Pro Mursi Coalition in which thousands were killed in July this year! These, aside other things, put a huge question mark

on the aim of the trial. Secondly the basis of the trial itself is flawed. Egypt has witnessed three waves of violence since the revolution. One was that of January/February 2011 under Hosni Mubarak who was then in effective control of state apparatus (the Army, Police and SSS) and under whom hundreds were killed by state agents acting on his orders to prevent a fall of his regime. Then, there was the December 5 2012 clash in front of the Presidential palace involving Pro and Anti Morsi protesters where 11 people died, eight of whom were supporters of Morsi, with deliberate police inaction to prevent the clash as it erupted and globally transmitted. Surprisingly, this is the trial Morsi is being arraigned for. Then, the July 8th killings of supporters of Morsi in a crackdown at the Rabaa al Adawiya Mosque and other places in which hundreds were killed on the orders of El Sisi and the new military regime. What gives concern and discomfort is the selection of one particular case that under Morsi - which was a clash between citizens, not directly instigated by him, as against the other two instigated by Mubarak and El Sisi which were direct military orders to kill civilians! Also, the charge file brought against Morsi only gave names of three of the 11 dead in the clash for which he is standing trial ignoring the other eight who were members of the Muslim Brotherhood, just as the death of hundreds of Morsi's supporters on El Sisi's orders were passed over. This is home grown apartheid. The classification of the 'dead' in the fake trial shows the disdain with which the old regime and its remnants hold a section of the Egyptian citizens. It's seems unreal that the trial is taking place at all going by the charges

•Morsi

against Morsi but more worrisome is the fact that it is indeed a reality that beneficiaries of an open rape of democracy in Egypt are putting to trial the democratically elected President of Egypt and countries that have thrived on democratic values and principles are not doing enough to curtail this democratic aberration. Evil thrives where all men of conscience fail to take a principled stand when the rights of the weak and the oppressed are openly violated. Therefore, it is important for all people of conscience to speak up and against the open rape of democracy in Egypt. All well meaning individuals and organisations should persist in keeping the Egyptian issue in the front burner of discourse with the following demands: a restoration of the structures and institutions of democracy including the reinstatement of Morsi, an immediate halt to the persecution and dubious trial of opponents of military rule, the restoration of constitutional order and protection of the fundamental and inalienable rights of all citizens regardless of faith. Comrade Yekini is the Partnership and Advocacy Officer of the Nigerian Muslim Initiative (NMI). laidetop06@yahoo.com

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

FOREIGN NEWS Mandela still communicates with expressions, says ex-wife Winnie

ORMER South African president Nelson Mandela is still unable to speak but uses facial expressions to communicate, his ex-wife has told a local newspaper. Winnie MadikizelaMandela said the 95-yearold remained "quite ill" but she dismissed speculation that he was on a life support machine. In September Mr Mandela returned home after nearly three months in hospital with a recurring lung infection. The government has said his condition is critical and sometimes unstable. He is no longer talking "because of all the tubes that are in his mouth to clear [fluid from] the lungs", Ms MadikizelaMandel told South Africa's Sunday Independent newspaper. "He can't actually articu-

late anything... He communicates with the face, you see. But the doctors have told us they hope to recover his voice." "I have heard this nonsense that he is on life support - he is not," she added. "It is difficult for him. He remains very sensitive to any germs, so he has to be kept literally sterile. The bedroom there is like an ICU [intensive care unit] ward." Mr Mandela has been receiving intensive care at his home in a suburb of Johannesburg, which has been specially adapted for his care. The Nobel Peace Prize laureate is revered around the world for leading the fight against white minority rule and preaching reconciliation with the white community despite being imprisoned for 27 years.

French priest kidnapped by gunmen in northern Cameroon

FRENCH hostage held by Islamist militants in northern Nigeria for nearly a year is free after reportedly escaping during a shoot-out. French President Francois Hollande thanked Nigeria's authorities for helping secure the release of Francis Collomp, 63, in the city of Zaria. Unofficial reports say he managed to escape from his cell during an army operation against the militants. The French foreign minister is being sent to Nigeria to meet him. The news comes after four

1. 2. 3. 4.

other French hostages were released in neighbouring Niger having been held for three years by gunmen with links to al-Qaeda. There were reports that at least 20m euros (£16.7m; $27m) were paid in ransom for the four. The French government denied any public money was used. Since then a French Roman Catholic priest has been abducted in Cameroon, another country in the region. Mr Collomp was kidnapped on 19 December last year by armed men who attacked the his group.

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•Thousands of Greeks protesting against austerity marched through the streets of Athens on Sunday to mark the 40th anniversary of a bloody student uprising against the then-ruling military junta. The annual march, a focal point for antigovernment protesters, comes as Greece's European Union and International Monetary Fund lenders begin a new round of talks in Athens to decide whether to disburse more money under its bailout. (Reuters)

50 dead in Russian plane crash

RUSSIAN passenger airliner crashed Sunday night while trying to land at the airport in the city of Kazan, killing all 50 people aboard, officials said. The Boeing 737 belonging to Tatarstan Airlines crashed about 7:20 p.m. local time (1520 GMT; 10:20 a.m. EST). There were no immediate indications of the cause. Reports said the plane appeared to lose altitude as it was making a second landing attempt, crashing and catching

fire. Kazan, a city of about 1.1 million and the capital of the Tatarstan republic, is about 720 kilometers (450 miles) east of Moscow, where the flight originated. Weather in Kazan was reported to be light precipitation and winds of about 8 meters per second (18 mph). A spokeswoman for the Emergencies Ministry, Irina Rossius, said there were 44 passengers and six crew members aboard and all had been killed.

Russia has seen a string of deadly crashes in recent years. Some have been blamed on the use of aging aircraft, but industry experts point to a number of other problems, including poor crew training, crumbling airports, lax government controls and widespread neglect of safety in the pursuit of profits. The last fatal airliner crash was in December, when a Russian-made Tupolev belonging to Red Wings airline careered off the runway at Moscow's

Vnukovo airport, rolled across a snowy field and slammed into the slope of a nearby highway, breaking into pieces and catching fire. Investigators say equipment failure caused the crash, which killed five people. A 2011 crash in Yaroslavl that killed 44 people including a professional hockey team was blamed on pilot error. And Russian investigators found that the pilots in two crashes that killed 10 and 47 people in recent years were intoxicated.

Pakistan to try ex-President Musharraf for treason

AKISTAN's government plans to put former President Pervez Musharraf on trial for treason for declaring a state of emergency and suspending the constitution while in power, the interior minister said Sunday. Musharraf, a former army chief, would be the first military ruler tried for treason in a country that has experienced three military coups in its 66year history. He could face the death penalty or life in prison if he is convicted of treason, but some question whether

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the country's powerful army actually will let that happen. Musharraf has maintained his innocence. The government plans to send a letter to the Supreme Court on Monday asking that treason proceedings begin under Article 6 of the constitution, Interior Minister Chaudhry Nisar Ali Khan said during a news conference. The government made its decision after an investigating committee formed under the direction of the Supreme Court collected enough evidence for a trial, Khan said. "Gen. Musharraf is accountable to the nation and the constitution," Khan said. He specifically mentioned Musharraf's decision to suspend senior judges, including the chief justice of the Supreme Court, and detain them after he declared a state of emergency on Nov. 3, 2007. He was apparently concerned they would challenge his reelection as president.

"The constitution was ruined and violated," Khan said. "The judiciary was humiliated. Judges were manhandled physically, confined along with family and children." The interior minister insisted that the government's decision to put the former president on trial for treason was not a personal vendetta by Prime Minister Nawaz Sharif, who was toppled in a military coup by Musharraf in 1999. The government didn't indicate it would press charges against Musharraf for his coup, perhaps because the move was retroactively approved by the Supreme Court and parliament at the time. One of Musharraf's lawyers, Ilyas Siddiqui, said the former president's legal team would decide its strategy once the court formally begins proceedings. The prime minister said in June that the government intended to try Musharraf for treason, but would consult

with other political parties on the move. Senior lawmakers from the two main opposition parties expressed their support for the government's plan to try Musharraf at the time. Musharraf governed the country for nearly a decade after the 1999 coup but was forced to step down in 2008 after growing discontent with his rule. He left the country soon after. He returned to Pakistan in March after years in self-imposed exile, with the hope of running in the national election that was held in May. But he was disqualified from participating in the vote because of his actions while in power and has spent most of his time battling legal cases. Musharraf was held under house arrest for months after returning and was only freed earlier this month after he received bail in four other cases facing him. But he is still barred from leaving the country.

Thursday. Evelyn Matthei, 60, has called for a continuation of the policies of outgoing President Sebastian Pinera, asserting that Chileans are "better off" now than when he came to power four years ago. She and Mrs Bachelet are the daughters of generals, once friends, who found themselves on opposite sides of the political divide once General Pinochet came to power. As children in the 1950s, they were neighbours and used to play together on the airbase where their fathers worked. Under General Pinochet, Evelyn Matthei's father, Fernando, rose up the ranks to run a military school.

Michelle Bachelet's father, Alberto, who worked for the Socialist administration overthrown by General Pinochet, died of a heart attack in 1974 as he was being tortured in the same military academy headed by Fernando Matthei. More than 13 million Chileans, more than two thirds of the population, are eligible to take part in the election. Polls close at 18:00 local time (21:00 GMT). Other candidates standing in the election include an economist and relative newcomer to the political scene, Franco Parisi, and the film maker, Marco Enriquez Ominami. The lower house of congress and half the senate are also being elected.

‘Reduce the gap between rich and poor’

HILE is one of the richest countries in Latin America, but millions have staged protests over the past few years to push for a wider distribution of wealth and better education. Mrs Bachelet, 62, wants to increase taxes to offer free university education and reform political and economic structures dating from the dictatorship of Augusto Pinochet, who ruled from 1973 to 1990. Her manifesto this time is much more radical than before, says the BBC's Gideon Long in Santiago. "We have to win broadly, we're in this game for the first round because we have so much to do," Mrs Bachelet told a campaign rally on

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

SPORT EXTRA INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

Eagles arrive London for Italy

HE Super Eagles on Sunday evening arrived London ahead of Monday’s all important grade A friendly against Italy in London. The match is scheduled for Craven Cottage the home ground of Premier League side, Fulham. After thumping Ethiopia 2-0 in Calabar on Saturday evening, to become Africa’s first qualifying squad for the Brazil 2014 World Cup, the team departed Calabar venue of the match on Sunday morning at about 8am aboard an Arik Air plane to Lagos. From Lagos,

players and officials of the team joined a Virgin Atlantic Airliner for the six-hour trip to London. The team arrived London Heathrow Airport at about 4:10pm London time, which is 5:10 pm Nigerian time and was promptly checked into the Hilton Hotel in Cobham, by organisers of the friendly. Unfortunately, the team could not train because of the cold weather and had to shift training to Monday morning ahead of the game in the evening. All the players led by Skipper Vincent Enyeama expressed confidence that they will give a

good account of themselves in the encounter. Sadly though, striker Victor Obinna Nsofor is ruled out of the encounter due to the injury he copped in the game against Ethiopia, though he is here in London with the team. A scan will be carried out on Monday by team medics to determine the extent of the injury. Nsofor said he hopes to bounce back to action in a quick time and regretted missing the friendly against Italy. “I would really love to have play this game but there is nothing I can do now because of the injury”, he said.

Dike, Echiejile ready for Azurris

ORONTO FC striker, Bright Dike and S.C. Braga defender, Elderson Echiejile have expressed their readiness for tonight’s international friendly against Italy. The Super Eagles’ duo were part of the Nigerian team that defeated the Walyas Antelopes of Ethiopia 2-0 on a 4-1 aggregate on Saturday to book their place in next year’s edition of the FIFA

•Elderson Echiejile

•Kanu, Oliseh hail Eagles World Cup spot By Akeem Lawal World Cup in Brazil. While Echiejile was in action for the full 90 minutes against the Ethiopians, Dike was an unused sub. However both players who are expected to be on parade against the Azurris today at the Craven Cottage, expressed confidence ahead of the game via their twitter handle. “Congrats Nigeria! We are off to the World Cup in the great home of football brazil. #SuperEagles: Thank you all for your support, we made it t o g e t h e r . #Brazil2014WorldCup. “Just arrived London ahead of Monday night's friendly vs italy#SuperEagles #Nigeria #2014wcq” twitted Echiejile. Dike is, however, optimistic of playing tonight’s game after failing to feature against the Ethiopians. “We have beaten Ethiopia and now Nigeria has booked its place at the World Cup in Brazil! “Enjoying London, ready to

play against Italy tomorrow”, he twitted. Meanwhile, ex-internationals, Sunday Oliseh and Kanu Nwankwo have hailed Super Eagles qualification to the 2014 World Cup. Former Super Eagles’ captain, Oliseh said Nigeria’s qualification to the World Cup has capped a glorious year for the country. “Ladies & Gentlemen, the Super Eagles of Nigeria's qualification to Brazil seals a glorious year for Nigeria's football. Time to claim respect?” he twitted. Kanu, however, commended various stake holders for the support given to the Super Eagles. “We thank President Jonathan, Your Excellency Cross River Gov Imoke, Minister of Sports Bolaji, NFF President Magari, all our fans and all Nigerians. “Thanks for all your support. Is been a long journey but we made it to Brazil we thank God. Coaches and players thank you all. We appreciate”, he twitted.

Prandelli wants Italy 'enthusiasm'

ESARE Prandelli is ready to unleash Mario Balotelli and Giuseppe Rossi on Nigeria, but wants “more enthusiasm” around the Azzurri. Italy play Nigeria at London’s Craven Cottage on Monday at 19.45 GMT in an international friendly, following on from Friday’s 1-1 draw with Germany. “I have some pretty clear ideas on the systems, even if we have to establish which is the best one,” said the Coach in his Press conference.

“Balotelli is the first choice centre-forward, but now we have to find out who is the ideal second striker.” Fiorentina hitman and current Serie A top scorer Rossi missed the game with Germany due to tonsillitis, but is now fit to start. “Rossi is ready and for the lineup we’ll have to see tonight’s training session. Balotelli, Riccardo Montolivo and Daniele De Rossi need to be evaluated. “I perform many experiments because I haven’t got much time. I’m not saying it’s a problem that

we don’t have training camps, but it is a fact. “If I’d had more time then I wouldn’t have needed to call so many players and we wouldn’t have run into some embarrassing results. It’s not club Coaches who are the problem, but the fixture list and the directors. “The truth is that right now everyone is thinking about Serie A or the Champions League, but come June they will all be huge Italy fans. I’d like a little more enthusiasm around us now.”

GOVERNOR'S GOLDEN CUP

Ede, Orolu, jostle for Aregbesola’s N1m

LL roads will lead to the Olashore Sports Complex, IlokoIjesha, on Tuesday November 26, when State of Osun will stand-still for the grand-finale of the state Governor's Golden Cup. Governor Rauf Aregbesola, will lead members of the state executives to the maiden finals, while the Owa Obokun Adimula of Ijeshaland, HRM Gabriel Adekunle Aromolaran II, is expected to be the royal father of the day and will lead other ljesha sons and daughters to the closing ceremony. Omoluabi Support Group in conjunction with Oranmiyan

Campaign Group organised the competition which was keenly contested for among 32 grassroots teams in the state. Ede South Local Government Football club, and Orolu Local Government Football club, secured their places in the finals of the competition. Acting Secretary of the state Football Association, Kamaldeen Afolabi, made the disclosure while briefing the press at the weekend. According to him, Ede South defeated hard-fighting Ilesa West Local Government FC 1-0, while Orolu also qualified for the finals at the expense of Ede North Local Government Football Club by same margin.

However, speaking on the prizes awaiting the participants, the competition coordinator who doubles as the chairman, Lagos State House of Assembly Committee on Sports and Social Development, Honourable Akintunde Ayeni, said giant trophies and cash prizes of N1.9million will be shared among the overall champions, runners up and best loosers. The winner of the championship will go home with a whopping sum of N1million and a giant trophy, N500, 000 for the second place team with a trophy, N300, 000 for the third placed team and the fourth team will go home with N100, 000.

•Sergio Aguero

Aguero: City must improve away form

ANCHESTER City striker Sergio Aguero says that their away form is crucial if they are to steal the title away from neighbours Manchester United. Aguero has been in fine form so far this season, although as a club, Manchester City haven't. They have won all three games at the Etihad Stadium, yet have lost four games on their travels, against Cardiff, Sunderland, Chelsea and Aston Villa. The Argentine is totally aware that the title may go down to the wire, and understands that their away form must be better if they are going to be one of the clubs to challenge for that. "For me, Manchester City must fight all year for the title," the striker told Manchester City's official website. "We have the squad to win the Premier League and we need to be consistent. We must try to stop making mistakes away from home because at the end of the season it could make all the difference." Aguero said. "At the Etihad Stadium, we are doing well. We are strong but away we must improve." Aguero has been one of the Premier League's star performers so far this season and along with Spaniard Alvaro Negredo they both have been in fine form, with the Argentine warning that there is much more to come from the strike duo. "I think I am playing well. I've had a good start to the season. Now I have to keep it up and play all the matches like that. "Apart from the goals, the most important thing for me is the victory. I think the majority of my goals have helped the team get three points and that's very important. "Alvaro arrived in the summer and has adapted very well. We have developed a good partnership together quite quickly. "We need to keep it like that and try to improve the partnership because obviously we want to do important things with this club. "I think the whole squad is playing well. Samir (Nasri) and (David) Silva are in great form at the moment which is good because they keep the ball so well for the team and it helps the forwards." Aguero will return to City from international duty later this week, as the team prepares to welcome Tottenham, keen to get back on track after a surprise defeat to Sunderland last weekend.

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

SPORT EXTRA

NIGERIAN SPORTS AWARD

Organisers hailKeshi,Eagles

HE organisers of the Nigerian Sports Award (NSA) has commended Super Eagles’ head Coach Stephen Keshi who is one of the nominees for the Coach of the Year category of the award for leading Nigeria to qualify for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil. Nigeria defeated Ethiopia 2-0 at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar on Staurday to book its fifth World Cup ticket on 4-1 aggregate, having won first leg by 2-1 in Adis Ababa. The organisers of the award were part of the crowd that cheered Eagles to victory on Saturday. According to Kayode Idowu, General Manager, Unmissable Incentives Limited, organisers of the award commended Keshi and his squad for their brilliant performance in ensuring that the country’s flag will be hoisted in Brazil next year. “Football is one of the unifying factors in the country and Keshi and his boys have united the country with this World Cup qualification. The team started well and ended well. Keshi has not only demonstrated quality of a good coach but a good leader as well,” Idowu said. “As a body, the Nigerian

Sports Award is very proud of the performance of the team and indeed the coach who is one of the nominees for the 2013 edition of the awards. Keshi and his team gave us Nations Cup trophy in February and now crowned it with World Cup ticket. We have no doubt that Nigeria will do well in the World Cup in Brazil.” Idowu further stressed that the voting phase of the award is still ongoing and call on Nigerian Sports enthusiasts to vote for their nominees of choice via SMS by sending the abbreviation SMOTY (nominees -Mike, Moses & Mba) or SWOTY (nominees -Okagbare, Cecelia & Orji) and the name of the

preferred nominee to 33140 for the Sportsman of the Year and Sportswoman of the Year award respectively. He revealed that five lucky members of the public were rewarded with 3 NOKIA ASHA 501 phones & 2 VIP passes weekly through an electronic draw for their participation. He also assured on the preparedness and readiness of the organisers to hold the event on Tuesday, November 26, 2013 at the Muson Centre, Lagos, Kayode Idowu added that the party will begin from Calabar on November 16 when the Super Eagles would play Ethiopia in the last Brazil 2014 World Cup qualifying match.

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Emenike, Ideye were anxious to score—Keshi

UPER Eagles’ handler, Stephen Keshi has proferred reasons for his players scrappy performance in last Saturday's World Cup playoff game against Ethiopia. "Not that my boys didn't play, they were just anxious to score. "We wanted to show that we

are African champions by playing our own kind of football but the Walia Antelopes came with a plan, that's to sit in their own half, and they were smart about it. "Soon after we got our first

goal, they then came out and that profited us as we got the second goal,"the Big Boss stated. Recall the likes of Emmanuel Emenike, Brown Ideye and Ahmed Musa failed to add their names to the goals scorers sheet as they failed to convert the better chances they had in the game.

WCQ: Agbim praises Enyeama, Ejide

HE skipper of the Nigeria home based national team side, and the third choice goal tender of the senior national team, Chigozie Agbim, has thanked Vincent Enyeama and Austin Ejide for helping his game grow. Agbim, who spoke to Futaa.com in Calabar where the

By Rasaq Oboirien

Eagles secured their passage to the 2014 FIFA World Cup, insists that he's not envying their place ahead of him in the team: “I have learned a lot from Vincent and Austin, Agbim said. “They are great keepers and have been in the team long before me so I respect them, humble myself and just learn. I

do not feel bad that I am third choice because my time will come, he added. Agbim will have the chance to be the lead keeper in his own right come January, when the home based Eagles take on Africa at the African Nations Championship in South Africa.

Hamilton not satisfied with Eagles

ORMER Nigerian footballer, Paul Hamilton has passed a damning judgment on the Super Eagles as not being a World Cup team yet. The Eagles defeated their East African opponents, the Walya Antelopes of Ethiopia 2-0 in the final qualifying match on Saturday at the UJ Esuene Stadium to book passage to the 2014 FIFA World Cup on 4-1 aggregate win. One goal in each half off the feet of forward, Victor Moses from the penalty spot in the 20th minute and substitute, Obinna Nsofor in the 83rd minute cemented the spot for Eagles’ fifth appearance at the quadrennial global football showpiece. Hamilton said the final encounter against the Ethiopians is an eye opener that the side needs intensive work if their fifth appearance at the global football fiesta will be made to count. Saturday's game is a wake up call for our team, our performance clearly showed we’ve not arrived at the world scene and serious preparations

must commence immediately for the World Cup if our participation will count positively. “Most of the players are great suspect from goalkeeping, defence, midfield to attack, we must strengthen the entire team. “It’s shocking at this stage of our game to see top strikers making a mess of begging chances at goal, Brown Ideye is the worst culprit even at my old age I’m confident to convert the begging chances he missed. “It’s not encouraging for us at the moment as we must be seen scoring goals. “However, it was a successful outing for Super Eagles winning comprehensively as well as qualifying Nigeria for Brazil 2014 World Cup and Nigeria’s fifth appearance at the Mundial,” said the former Nigerian manager to supersport.com. Hamilton said the Ethiopians appeared not to have recovered from the penalty offence they conceded to Nigeria throughout the encounter. “The Ethiopians were thoroughly frightened by the penalty they conceded and

never recovered, I think it completely unsettled the side. “But if I’m their manager, Sewnet Bishaw I would feel contented and satisfied by the players performance right from the start of the qualifying race to the last day. “It’s just unfortunate that they won’t be at Brazil 2014 World Cup come next summer but they’re the greatest revelation of Africa’s qualifying race,” said Hamilton. Nigeria became the first African country to secure their ticket for the 2014 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.

•Paul Hamilton

THE NATION MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013

SPORT EXTRA 'NIKE WE RUN LAGOS'

INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY

Kefas eyes Obudu Mountain race after triumph

Injured Nsofor out of Italy clash O W BINNA Nsofor, who scored one of the goals that eliminated Ethiopia at the weekend, will miss Monday’s friendly against Italy due to injury.

Nsofor came on as a late substitute to score a superb free-kick goal in the 83rd minute, but he later suffered a muscle strain on his thigh during the game.

A source close to the Lokomotiv Moscow forward said the player will be out for at least a week as a result of this injury and so will miss the Italy friendly.

“Nsofor is out of the Italy match because of the injury but he said he should be fit again within a week,” the source told MTNFootball.com

ITALY VS NIGERIA

Proceeds for Philippine typhoon victims

HE proceeds from today’s international friendly between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Azzuris of Italy at Craven Cottage in London will go to help victims of Typhoon Haiyan in the Philippines. The Italian Federation announced, in conjunction with UNICEF, that the proceeds from the game will be donated to help the recovery process in the Philippines. The November 8 Typhoon

•It’s a noble gesture, says NFF By Akeem Lawal Haiyan (known in the Philippines as Typhoon Yolanda) is the seconddeadliest Philippine typhoon on record, killing at least 3,976 people in that country alone. The donations from tonight’s game comes handy as Philippine authorities and international aid agencies

face a mounting humanitarian crisis, with the number of people displaced by the catastrophe estimated at 4 million, up from 900,000 late last week. The storm tore down entire towns when it forced its way across the Philippines. Nearly half a million houses were damaged by the storm, half of them destroyed, according to the United

Nations. Meanwhile, the Nigeria Football Federation, NFF has welcomed the decision to donate the proceeds from the game to the Typhoon victims in the Philippines. In a telephone chat with NationSport on Sunday night, Assistant Director, Media of the federation, Ademola Olajire said it is a noble gesture which should be commended. “If this is so, it is a noble effort and should be commended”, he noted.

ILLIAMS Kefas has emerged as the overall winner of the maiden edition of the 10km, marathon race tagged 'We run Lagos' sponsored by Nike on Saturday. Kefas ran a time of 30mins: 41secs just as Lawrence Osheku's time of 30mins: 48secs earned him the second position in the race.17 year-old Adeyemi Olaoluwa ran a time of 30mims: 51secs to clinch the third place. However, after the race, Plateau state-born Kefas, expressed his desire to take his triumph at the Lagos marathon race to the Obudu International Mountain race which has been slated for Saturday in Cross River State. He told NationSport: “Though, the terrain in this race cannot be compared to that of Obudu, but still, I believe that sweating it out on the Lagos streets will be of little help. Last year, I finished 6th in the last Obudu Mountain race, so I am indeed optimistic after running several other marathon races. I must commend the organisers, Nike for giving us this opportunity." Olowora Aminat, proved her prowess in the female category, as she ran a time of 34mins:55secs to emerge the best amongst the women folk in the race. However, Olowara wished she had posted a 'better' time in the race.

By Stella Bamawo Meanwhile, Pereira Oluwabukola was first runner up while Doris Wundis emerged second runner-up in the race. Pereira posted a time of 37mins while Wundis rounded it up with a time of 38mins:23secs. The Lagos State Commissioner, for sports Barr. Enitan Oshodi who flagged off the race at the Onikan Stadium, commended the organisers just as he stated that this was indeed an era for the revival of marathon races in Lagos. Meanwhile, first seventy-five male runners and first twenty-five female runners and the last ten runners to get to the finish point (Teslim, Balogun Stadium) got free Nike products, while overall winners in the male and female categories got an all-expensepaid trip to Johannesburg in South Africa. Nike’s We Run races range in distance from 5km to a full marathon and reflect the unique enthusiasm of each city. From Sao Paulo, to Seoul, to Singapore, runners will be moved to action through a series of unique experiences. Tailored to the individual city, the We Run races bring together athletes and local musicians and build on the aesthetic of each landscape through an interactive run course.

Imoke wins Football Friendly Governor Award

•Victor Moses (r) and Efe Ambrose celebrate after scoring a goal

Keshi to submit W/Cup programme to NFF soon

UPER Eagles’ head coach Stephen Keshi has promised to submit a working programme to the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF) in the next few days ahead of the Brazil 2014 World Cup finals. Nigeria booked a flight to Brazil on Saturday at the UJ Esuene Stadium, Calabar when the Eagles defeated the Walya Antelopes 4-1 on aggregate. The Eagles had earlier beaten the same side 2-1 in Addis Ababa before completing a double with a 2-0 win in Calabar on Saturday. Speaking with journalists during the post match press conference, Keshi told Nigerians that he, along with the technical crew would have a discussion very soon after the euphoria of the World Cup ticket to draft how the programme for the Eagles would look like ahead of the mundial. The Big Boss explained that the African Nations

•CHAN competition ‘is immediate target’ From Tunde Liadi, Owerri Championship competition slated for South Africa next January remains his major priority before delving into the World Cup programme. He reckoned that raising a formidable team that would compete favourably with other countries in Africa would be his immediate headache before any talk about the World Cup. Quoting the Eagles' coach: "We just finished a game and I don't have anything on paper right now. Maybe in the next couple of days or weeks I will establish something better. But my most important competition now is CHAN. It is around the corner in the month of January. Getting beyond the quarter final stage at the World Cup finals and other things will follow one after the other. It is turn by turn and game by game until we

get to the last game." Speaking on the hope for some players that have been not been considered during the qualifiers to the World Cup, Keshi said:" Starting from the month of March next year, we should be having some friendly matches. Some of them that are here we could give them the opportunity to showcase themselves. Bringing in players is not about the football side of it. It is about the complete players that we need. You can be an excellence player but you can still divide the house. I will not invite a player that might break the unity in the team when I know that it is the ingredients we need to have a solid national team. I don't care if such player scores 20 goals if he wants to cause confusion in my team. I will take such player out. We need a team in and out of the field. We only have 23 players going to the World

ARELY five hours after his investiture as National Patron by the Sports Writers Association of Nigeria (SWAN), Cross River State Governor Senator Liyel Imoke bagged the Football Friendly Governor Award at the Pitch Award which held at Transcorp Hotel, Calabar. Organised by Matchmakers in conjunction with the Nigeria Football Federation (NFF), Imoke won over 96 per cent of the votes by a cross spectrum of football stakeholders, including sport writers. Meanwhile, the National Sports Commission and the Cross River State Government have signed the protocol for the hosting of the 2014 National Sports Festival. Minister of Sports and Chairman of the National Sports Commission, Mallam Bolaji Abdullahi signed on behalf of the Commission, while Governor Imoke and Chairman Local Organising Committee (LOC) and Deputy Governor, Mr. Efiok Cobham signed for the state government. In another development, the Sport Writers Association of

Nigeria (SWAN), has conferred on Cross River State Governor, Senator Liyel Imoke, the National Patron of the Association. Making the presentation in Calabar during the half time of the 2014 World Cup qualifying match between the Super Eagles of Nigeria and the Antelopes of Ethiopia which ended 2 - 0, President of the Association Mallam Saidu Abubarka, said the investiture was in recognition of the excellent contribution the governor to the promotion and development of sports in the country. In his response, Governor Imoke said sport development is in line with the tourism development initiative of the state which is aimed at attracting huge traffic that will in turn translate into tangible economic benefits for the people and the state. “Sports for us is an integral part of our vision in tourism, it fits hand in gloves with our agenda and has the right kind of traffic we want. Sports is tourism and that is what we are practicing”, Imoke explained.

Why Taraba FC wants new coach—Babangida

•Keshi Cup, we cannot exceed that because we are not the only country going to the World Cup."

HAIRMAN of Taraba Football Club, and former Super Eagles’ wing attacker Tijani Babangida has thrown more light on the reason the clubs is in the market in search of a new coach. Taraba recently qualified to play in the Nigeria Premier League this season and Babangida explained that they need a coach with that level of experience that can cope with a more challenging league like the Premier league. He also said that they feel that their current coach who

From Segun Ogunjimi, Abuja led them to gain promotion may be incapable of handling that challenge. He maintained that they are very appreciative of what the last coaching crew did by spearheading their qualification to the premier League but stressed that having worked with the coach they fully understand his deficiencies and know that they would need a coach with a higher experience to lead them if they are to make any meaningful impart in the Nigeria elite league.

WHO SAID WHAT

MONDAY, NOVEMBER 18, 2013 TRUTH IN DEFENCE OF FREEDOM

VOL 8 NO 2,671

‘We need justice from our rulers, politicians and everybody for if there is no justice there can ever be peace. If anybody is aggrieved he should seek redress from the law court; he should not take up arms to avenge the perceived wrong doing that he is complaining of’ GEN T.Y DANJUMA

C OMMENT & D EB ATE EBA

HILE debates flourish over whether or not we need a national conference, we should take some time off to reflect on our frenetic search for an answer as a nation. This search predated our independence in 1960, and the search reminds one of the Greek myth of Sisyphus. It is a story of a man who carries a rock up a hill and when he is almost at the top, the monstrous object falls back to the bottom of the hill. Sisyphus carries it up again and it falls back to the bottom and the travel up and down the hill continues for ever. It fits into a perpetual rigmarole. In the words of poet Okigbo, it’s like a coming and going that goes on forever. Nigeria has been yearning for a formula in that fashion since Lord Lugard made Nigeria one in 1914, and the odyssey from one constitution to another, from one conference to another, has turned Nigeria into a pathetic narrative of search without rescue. Some Nigerians with the patriotism of desperados have clasped President Goodluck Jonathan’s carrot of a confab. Better an imperfect jaw-jaw, they contend, than a pie-inthe-sky war-war that defines the hope of callers for a sovereign national conference. Desperation often reflects a hasty and uncoordinated soul. So, the hankerers after a sovereign national conference have said if we want to get it right we have to be sincere and deliberate. But from the way the nation is constituted we cannot have a sovereign national conference, or a conference of any type that will satisfy enough Nigerians. This is a recipe for paralysis, but it is true. The convener is as important as the convention itself. To convene a conference must imply the convener’s readiness, like Kerekou in Africa, or Charles de Gaulle in the west, to cede his powers to the convention, which includes control of the purse strings and the military. We know of the conflict between legal sovereignty and popular sovereignty. Jonathan’s concession of a confab admits that the legal one is not so legitimate because many of our elected officers rigged their ways to power. The people have a right to withdraw their mandate. The politics of ethnicity and the deep suspicions among the elites have cast us as a nation that can only succeed if we have a leader with a heft of a charisma. That charisma must transcend calculations of primordial loyalty either to tribe or religion. Even those who lack such insular worship of tribe and faith need to convince us, in their image, that they have such grand vision. Our tragedy is that no such personage has emerged in all our history. The only person who had it was Nnamdi Azikiwe in the morning of his warrior life as a nationalist. But he too was suffocated by the Nigerian disease and lapsed into ethnic fealty. Nigerians are not ready to accept anyone

RIPPLES ‘RAPISTS NEED STRICTER SANCTIONS’

...Yes, they should be CASTRATED

SAM OMATSEYE

IN TOUCH

intouchnation@gmail.com 08054501081(sms only) •NMMA Columnist of the Year

Confab: Search without rescue

•Oshiomhole

‘We need to create a museum of panel reports. We must have the worst records of a country that has discussed everything and implemented little... We can go there to see our solutions, and maybe that museum will tell us that we have already had a confab. We only need execution’

as a Mandela today. Without such an overarching personage of great moral grandeur, we cannot be trusted to convene a conference of general acceptability. Americans had Washington and Franklin. Yugoslavia had Tito. I have also wondered if the election of representatives will not provide the beginning of crisis. Since the political class will take the lead, allegations of rigging may undermine their bona fides as the people’s voice. So, ab initio, a problem stalks. After that hump, can we guarantee that we shall accept the referendum results? Basic to the clamour for a confab is the height of suspicion among the ethnic groups in the country, and that re-emphasises the suspicion that we shall never solve our problem by merely going into a conference. It is this suspicion that has raised the hobgoblin of regionalism, in the west, east, north and even the south-south. We have decided to take shelter in tribe rather than nation, or we have decided to call our tribes nations, and the only time we love Nigeria is when we can ride it to personal wealth or win sports

tournaments. It all shows a failure of the political class, and their inability to work out a template of values. Where no one trusts that his governor or his senator represents him, even in their own ethnic cocoons, we understand that the problem transcends tribe. It is just about the right values. It is the callow political class that cannot accept loss when it happens, cannot make a scapegoat of a corrupt colleague, or will not build an airport that does not leak. That class is to blame, and also a citizenry so browbeaten into seeking crumbs that it settles for a token school or hospital or road for performance. A few weeks ago, a plane could not land in Benin City because the airport, newly renovated, had no landing lights. The airport is also leaking barely a year after it was opened. In spite of N255 million for luxury cars! In the same city, Edo State Governor Adams Oshiomhole pointed out that if we do not have a country, as it is asserted, “we should start building one.” He gave example of himself as a minority who won an

HARDBALL

INALLY they cut up Iyayi For ultimate atonement They caught him on Kogi macadam Enroute Kano They cut him up on a mangle of metals Grime-fingered they poured scarlet libation To wayward gods seeking atonement

Atonement day – a dirge for Iyayi

But their gods stand confused Would you atone with hemlock? Would light atone darkness? Whoever caught a spirit in flight? Whoever sacrificed at a watershed? This is a sacrifice of damnation

And he became amiringara Progeny of the long snake They chased and chased They could not catch Iyayi The head-yam of our barn They had to waylay him On the road to Kano And cut him up on Kogi macadam

Who arrested Iyayi The defiant cockerel of a wasted land They boomed bazooka He morphed into ncheke And smiled from their ceiling They rolled out tanks And he became a running stream That slaked our distant hamlets

Iyayi, the spirit in flight Now they finally set you free To roam our sphere And impinge their dreams Now you will sit on the hedges Of their monstrous-cities You will rouse their sleep At the sweetest hour of night

They put him in prison

You watered our deserts

emphatic victory over a son of the soil. President Jonathan won elections in many nonIjaw areas in 2011 because many wanted to give a chance to an “other.” But he has governed without a sense of inclusion. If he had governed like a statesman, people will talk less about retreats to tents of tribes and faith. Tribe does not give food or shelter or good education. Good leadership does. Few, for instance, can complain about the governor of example in Lagos, Babatunde Fashola ,SAN, who seems in a hurry to do everything from roads to schools to even registration of residents. That is the conference of performance. A string of good works will abolish narrow loyalties. We have had many panels to examine virtually everything in the country since independence, and this abundance of archival details mocks us. Is it about the minority problems, oil, education, federalism, civil service? They are in the archives. Is it about student riot, corruption, sports management or health care, or infrastructure or power? You only need to seek and you will find. We seek in this country and we find. The missing link is rescue. I call it panelism. We are always learning and never coming to the action of the truth, to paraphrase St. Paul. We need to create a museum of panel reports. We must have the worst records of a country that has discussed everything and implemented little. The museum should show all the panelists, all the files, or the memoranda, all the narratives. We can go there to see our solutions, and maybe that museum will tell us that we have already had a confab. We only need execution. Documents will ultimately result from any conference now canvassed, and I hope it will not find its way to that museum. Nobel laureate Orhan Pamuk’s novel The Museum of Innocence is about a rejected lover who creates a private museum to memorialise his times with a girl, including cups, bed sheets, hundreds of cigarettes, underwear, etc. Are our sundry reports times of innocence? Maybe it is naivety. Those are wasted opportunities, what poet Wordsworth calls a “sordid boon.” Or are we just happy in our misery with the militants, slums, Boko Haram, joblessness, etc.? Maybe we are like Sisyphus who never arrives. Albert Camus, also a Nobel laureate, says Sisyphus is happy and loves the fruitless routine. I don’t wish Sisyphus on us.

Apologies, Enugu readers

APOLOGISE to my Enugu readers who were deprived of the chance this column last week Monday. Governor Chime’s men bought the papers so that his fellow citizens could not read my comment on his farce of a marriage. I hope you read this apology.

•Hardball is not the opinion of the columnist featured above But they harvest our collective rains The gods planted wheat But they feed us weeds You gazed them down We are not mulls you said And they got mad, they imported Boots, batons and Kalashnikovs AS UU stood towering They grew horns, two devil horns And they lay eggs too Like evil chickens they lay black eggs Black IED eggs for land desecration Improvised Explosive Delinquents They harvest our collective rains Leaving our land patched and denuded In perpetuity Now they have cut our voice They have cut down Iyayi On the road to Kano They made a final atonement On kogi macadam But their gods stand askance mortified in bemusement For a spirit in flight

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